Twin — @twinliciouz on Twitch — started gaming in June 2017 when her little sister was diagnosed with brain cancer. Since then, it has been an outlet to help take her mind off things and deal with depression. The queer BroadcastHER Grant winner and single mom is a self-described “huge nerd” and a “laidback, goofy gamer!”

What is your dream as a digital broadcaster?

My dream is to make an accessible community for those who feel left out in other spaces. I am a disabled, single mother who has overcome many obstacles and I would love nothing more than to inspire others like me to do what they love — no matter what stands in their way.

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

It will definitely help my content become more professional while giving me the confidence to do more things with my community. It opens up my world to more content creation.

What does being a recipient mean to you?

I feel hella honored! It means that I am doing something right with my community. It makes me feel that people are actually inspired by me and that I am making some type of difference.

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

We can help other women and non-men by encouraging them and being there for them — and by creating a welcoming community and exclusive, safe spaces.

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

I definitely face a lot of toxic behavior from men. ALL THE TIME. I often get talked down to — like I am not smart, or as if I don’t know what I am doing. It’s kind of funny because usually, when that happens, it just makes me push harder to achieve what I need to do.

Also, as a single mom, people often tell me that I can’t be a gamer, too, but I make it work.

Depression has also been a major obstacle for me, which I often have trouble pushing through. But, my community has helped me during the hard times.

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

I say go for it. Don’t worry about numbers or who is or isn’t there watching you. Always be yourself and stay positive. Put yourself out there and make it a goal to put a smile on someone’s face; they will always come back because you made them smile. ALWAYS remember to have fun, and don’t listen to people when they try and bring you down. Always do what is best for YOU.

How do you stay motivated and focused on your goals?

Sometimes it’s hard to stay focused if you’ve got a lot on your plate. I set small, obtainable goals that I can achieve within a set amount of time. I get a lot of motivation from my community by telling them what goals I have. Community is so great to have.