@ohthatnatalie has been playing video games since she was 3! Her earliest memories include playing Lemmings, Commander Keen, and PuttPutt for hours on the family computer. Now, this BroadcastHER Grant recipient is a variety streamer who games online because it’s fun. You’ll see her playing everything from RPGs and platform games to visual novels and simulation games.

What is your dream as a digital broadcaster?

My dream is to foster an engaged and inclusive community where people can be themselves, have fun, and totally nerd out over video game lore.

How will your award from the 1,000 Dreams Fund help you reach your goals?

It will allow me to upgrade my PC much faster than I thought. I plan to upgrade my whole rig, which will allow me to stream without worrying about my games or software crashing and will allow me to edit and process videos much quicker than before.

What does being a recipient mean to you?

Being a recipient means the absolute world to me. To be included among so many incredible women and non-men in this industry is something I will always be proud of.

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

These types of grants are so key to helping women and non-men in these industries succeed because financial stresses often keep us out. We should continue to share our stories and our successes in hopes that we can attract more women and non-men to this space, so that we can continue to make positive changes. We also need to continue to boost the voices of marginalized broadcasters.

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

I’ve faced creepy whispers on Twitch and pushback on Twitter for just being a woman on the internet. I’ve also been met with discouragement from family members when I told them Twitch and broadcasting was something I was interested in doing.

For example, when I mentioned to my brother that I had started streaming on Twitch, his response was: “You have it easier because you’re a girl and you have boobs.” I decided to take that negativity and do what I always do when it comes to my brother: Prove him wrong.

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

Honestly, just do it. But it’s easier to take that first leap if you have a support system behind you, so try to find communities like 1,000 Dreams Fund to get that support.

How do you stay motivated and focused on your goals?

I turn to my Twitch community and my friends when I find myself needing a boost. If I start to run wild with ideas or get ahead of myself, my community helps me focus and keeps me centered.