I started streaming in March 2018, but my journey truly began when I was recovering from a traumatic brain injury during my junior year of college. Traditional vision therapy wasn’t working for me, so I turned to video games as a way to retrain my eyes and cognitive abilities. What started as a way to cope became so much more—I found community, support, and purpose through streaming. With my Xbox One and Mac using Bootcamp, I started from the ground up, eventually building Jellyfishhbloom, a community incubator for creators and gamers. Streaming isn’t just gaming—it’s been my lifeline, and it’s where I continue to connect with others, raise awareness, and help other brain injury survivors. Thanks to the support from organizations like SameYou, I’ve shared my journey to inspire others facing similar challenges.
The Shine a Light on Antisemitism in Gaming campaign was especially important to me, as someone who’s been personally affected by antisemitism. The campaign aimed to raise awareness about the issue in the gaming world and create a safe space for education and action. Using my platform, I was able to share my story, foster meaningful conversations, and help people understand the impact of antisemitism in gaming and beyond. It was about making the community safer and more inclusive, which is at the heart of everything I do as a content creator.
After experiencing a traumatic brain injury myself, I know firsthand how isolating and challenging the recovery process can be. That’s why I was so proud to collaborate with SameYou for the For the Throne campaign. This initiative, designed to raise awareness and funds for brain injury recovery, gave me the chance to share my personal story while helping others facing similar struggles. Through the support of my community, we raised $300—reaching our goal to support SameYou’s mission of improving recovery resources. It was an honor to use my platform to give back to a cause that’s incredibly close to my heart
Sharing my story and connecting with others who’ve gone through similar experiences made this campaign deeply personal and rewarding. You can read the full write-up here.
Jellyfishhbloom is my passion project, a community incubator designed to uplift creators, gamers, and industry professionals. It’s a space where people can come together to find support, mentorship, and resources to help them grow. I built Jellyfishhbloom to provide a platform for those looking to take their careers in gaming to the next level. You can learn more about what we do and how to get involved on the jellyfishhbloom website.
From the moment I started streaming, community has been at the heart of everything I do. I’ve always believed that gaming is more than just competition—it’s about connection. I’ve worked hard to create a space where everyone feels welcome, supported, and empowered to be themselves. Through interactive streams, community game nights, and meaningful conversations, I’ve built a strong, growing community that continues to thrive. Whether we’re celebrating wins or supporting each other through tough times, the community I’ve built is my proudest achievement. It’s not just about me—it’s about all of us growing together.
Collaborating with other creators and engaging with my community has been key to keeping it strong. I’ve always prioritized fostering genuine connections over numbers, and that’s made all the difference. Whether it’s through Jellyfishhbloom, charity streams, or simply being there for my viewers, I’ve created a space that’s not only fun but also supportive and inclusive.
One of the highlights of my career has been speaking on panels like Hold My Hat: Content Creator's Lives at PAX East. I had the chance to join other content creators to discuss the behind-the-scenes realities of being in this industry—from mental health to building a personal brand. Collaborating with talented creators like Fermin Santiago, Kats_Tales, and Camilla Panda on this panel gave me the opportunity to share insights, connect with the gaming community, and learn from my peers. Moments like this remind me of the power of collaboration in the gaming industry.
Participating in events like PAX East and other panels has been instrumental in helping me grow my network, learn from others, and contribute to larger conversations in the content creation space. I’m always looking for opportunities to work with fellow creators and push the industry forward together
Mental health has always been an important part of my journey, especially as someone who’s experienced the challenges of recovery from a brain injury. Through my streams, I’ve worked to create a safe and supportive environment where mental health conversations are not only welcome but encouraged. Gaming can be an escape, but it can also be a powerful tool for healing and connection. I’m proud to use my platform to talk openly about mental health, share resources, and let my community know that it’s okay to prioritize well-being. From my own experience, I’ve learned how vital it is to have a space where people can come together to support one another.
Whether it's through mental health check-ins during streams or collaborations with organizations focused on well-being, I’m passionate about raising awareness around mental health in the gaming world. I want to ensure that everyone—creators, players, and viewers—feels supported and knows that they’re not alone in their struggles.
Click the image to be linked to SameYou's article about my brain injury.
During my academic journey, I found a way to combine my research with content creation by streaming my finals live on Twitch. One of the most notable projects I streamed was my Social Justice in Archaeology final, where I explored important topics and engaged my audience in discussions around social justice. With sponsorship support from Elgato, who generously provided me with a Stream Deck, I was able to bring this project to life in a professional and interactive way. This project highlighted my commitment to making education accessible and engaging through gaming platforms.
Streaming my academic finals was more than just a way to complete assignments—it became an opportunity to educate and inspire others, blending the worlds of academia and gaming. Through platforms like Twitch, I’ve been able to connect with a diverse audience, showing that education can be both fun and impactful.
I was honored to be nominated for the Generation Esports Top Educator of the Year Award at the 2022 GameHERs Awards. This nomination recognized my contributions to the gaming community as both an educator and a content creator. While I didn’t win the award, being nominated among such incredible talent was an achievement in itself, and it fueled my passion for continuing to make an impact in the esports and gaming world.
The nomination was a reflection of the work I’ve done to bridge the gap between education and gaming, and it motivates me to keep pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in both spaces. I’m excited to continue working on projects that combine my academic expertise and passion for gaming.
As I continue to grow as a content creator and community builder, I have big plans on the horizon. With Jellyfishhbloom, I’m focused on expanding our community incubator to support even more creators and gamers. I’m also working on new content ideas that blend education and entertainment, making learning accessible to everyone through gaming. Whether it’s through streaming, collaborations, or hosting events, my goal is to continue making an impact in the gaming world and beyond.