“I like to live life by the seat of my pants as it were, and it keeps things fresh and exciting for this strange brain I’ve got!” says @digitalli, a BroadcastHER Academy winner. She has been streaming for about three years now, and is lesbian and trans — so one of her constant goals is to promote inclusiveness in gaming.

What is your dream in esports and gaming?

I’d love to usher in an era of inclusiveness in the communities I am active in, like the FGC (fighting game community) which is very male-dominated. I would also love to be a games journalist of some note, as it’s something I have a knack for it seems.

What does being the BroadcastHER Academy winner, which includes a $1,000 grant and all-expense-paid visit to the HyperX Esports Arena to shadow, mean to you and how will it help you reach your goals?

It will allow me to make more and better content than I already do, and the opportunities will allow me to develop skills in things like tournament organization. It also gives me the ability to make valuable connections and learn new skills to succeed in the gaming field.

Women are underrepresented in gaming, broadcasting, and esports. What can we do to change this?

There is a stigma around women in gaming and e-sports — that we’re doing it for attention. We’re literally just enjoying the medium and/or displaying our skills. The concept that everything women do is for the male gaze has poisoned a lot of thoughts on women in the industry, and it doesn’t help that most of the industry is sexist, racist, homophobic, transphobic, and more. As women breaking into the field, we have many more challenges to face. The decent men in the field need to speak up for us when we no longer have the energy to do so, because it’s tiring to constantly be fighting for the same opportunities as our male peers. The industry needs to pivot to welcoming us and pushing out those who would think otherwise. It’s hard work, but it’s easy to be a decent person.

What are you most inspired by when it comes to creating encouraging content for young women in gaming, broadcasting, and esports?

The community I’ve fostered and the friends I’ve made through broadcast are what keep me coming back. We encourage each other and are always around to keep the party going. We hang out with each other, bounce ideas off each other for the big projects, and laugh together. We motivate each other by doing well, and it is truly amazing.

What are some of the challenges you have faced along the way?

Twitch has the potential to be a hive of scum and villainy. When people gender me right, they accuse me of being nothing more than a “titty streamer” and when people gender me wrong, they use that as a cudgel to somehow attack my entire being. There is no winning with bigots and such. That, and keeping my own mental and physical health under control during these extraordinary times, is a challenge. Eventually, though, I’ll get better at it and these things will cease to be issues, I think.

What advice do you have for women who want to start broadcasting?

Just get out there, turn on the stream, and the people will come. Find what makes you tick; emphasize it; scream loud and proud into that big purple void; and charge forward. If people try to get on your nerves, just block and move on. You don’t need people like that in your life. Make friends who do the same thing; create a friend group and support network around broadcast.

How do you stay motivated and focused on your goals?

By having a LOT of irons in the fire! I can leverage my ADHD, which usually makes it hard to focus, by bouncing from project to project when the motivation strikes. I utilize my high-energy nature and fling myself at things until I eventually push something out that I like. It works, but it definitely needs work as a strategy!