“I’m two parts Liz Lemon, one part Jenny Matrix, one part Dana Scully, and one part Elena Fisher,” says @TheStarbuck86x, who also describes herself as a “Midwestern nerd on the Internet. As you can probably tell by her Twitch handle, this BroadcastHER Student Scholarship recipient loves coffee — and she also loves her husband, son, dog, and friends along with science fiction, video and board games.

What is your dream as a digital broadcaster?

First off, I want to help show that age doesn’t matter! You can chase your passion and reinvent yourself at any age. Secondly, I’d love to work somewhere like Game Informer in the future. So many awesome women work there/have worked there, including Meagan Marie, Liana Ruppert, and Kim Wallace.

How will the BroadcastHER Student Scholarship from the 1,000 Dreams Fund help you reach your goals?

It’s amazing. I’m a mom, so I don’t have a lot of disposable income to spend on the latest and greatest, so this helps SO MUCH! And the inspiration that comes from it, too; it’s like “Hey! People believe in me!” That’s the best feeling in the world.

What does being the recipient of the BroadcastHER Student Scholarship mean to you?

So much. I’ve been going through a spell of rejections, and seeing my name pop up on the announcement was a jolt to my self-esteem.

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

Keep doing this! The programs that 1,000 Dreams Fund offers are life-changing. We just need to keep charging forward and keep saying “We’re here, and we’re not going anywhere.”

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

Being a female in a male-dominated environment can suck at times, to put it bluntly. And then there are the pressures of REAL LIFE — like being able to stream while working a highly demanding retail job and being a mom. It can be a lot. My husband is an active member of our state’s National Guard, and sometimes he can be gone for days/weeks/months at a time. And our son is two, so making sure he stays in one piece can be a full-time job on its own! 🙂 I’m so thankful for my friends and my community in that regard; they don’t judge and they’re amazing.

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

Just do it. Don’t talk yourself out of it. I did for so long and I regret it. Be stubborn and don’t take any s#!%.

How do you stay motivated and focused on your goals?

I’ve actually started filling out a weekly planner, and that’s helping so much with time management. And hanging out in different Discord groups with like-minded people — even if it’s just to lurk and read — can lend motivation, too.