Steph also goes by Zeth, but she’s @Zetherasan to her Twitch Z-Squad. A former D1 track athlete, this BroadcastHER Grant winner has always loved playing games. Right now, though, she’s working on her Master’s degree while hosting her chill and interactive stream on the side.

What is your dream as a digital broadcaster?

My overall dream is to become an e-sports coordinator or manager. I also want to be a full-time Twitch streamer where I can play a variety of games and continue building a positive community where everyone can hang out and have fun.

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

This grant will allow me to acquire the much-needed equipment and upgrades I need in order to increase the quality of my streams and content.

What does being the recipient of the BroadcastHER Grant mean to you?

Being a recipient means so much to me! I have never won a scholarship or grant before so I was in shock when I received the congratulatory email.

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

When I was a child, it seems you would only see the video game industry advertising to boys. However, the gaming industry has evolved since then to reach wider, more inclusive audiences. That said, women are still underrepresented. There are many great ways to change this under-representation. Clinics could be hosted where women can learn the skills and tactics needed to improve gaming or streaming. Women can also spread the word for each other by hosting or supporting one another.

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

A normalization process has begun and the world’s view of women and gaming is changing for the positive, but when I began gaming the world was not so nice. So, I used to be very closed off when I first started gaming. I chose the handle I did because it was gender neutral. I was scared to let anyone know who I was; I was afraid of being judged just because I was a girl. I will still occasionally get called derogatory names or get harassed on my stream, but that’s limited to a small number of trolls. For the most part, my community is very sweet to me and each other; I love them.

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

When starting, streaming can be challenging. But, there are many nice people in the e-sports community. It is important to remember that there are many more caring people wanting to help and support you than there are those who want to tear you down. Don’t give anyone bringing negative energy the time of day. Keep your head up; don’t give up; and stay focused on your dreams.

How do you stay motivated and focused on your goals?

I stay motivated and focused by remembering where it is that I want to end up in this industry. I am not a quitter. And, if I feel resisted, I’ll fight twice as hard for my goals.