Sédria Infinity “Infinitii” Lewis helps women overcome challenges both inside and outside of Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate through efforts like Kahnum Academy.

This interview follows the first episode of Women of the FGC. Learn how to better take care of your mental health, feel more comfortable at competitions, and stay focused through Infinitii’s personal experiences. With enough persistence, you might be a future feature on the Competition Center’s Women of the FGC.

What drew you to compete?

I have been a competitive gamer ever since I was a young child, so being a casual almost wasn’t an option for me at all. My passion for wanting to be the best gamer I could is what led me to the FGC.

What were some early obstacles you faced when entering the FGC?

At my first major tournament (CEO 2016) before pools went live I was alone at a setup for hours because no one wanted to practice with me. I even heard comments from men passing by about how they “could not level up playing against a girl.”

It was very disappointing because I had no idea blatant sexism in gaming (especially in person) was still a thing. I grew up around primarily boys and was never treated differently for playing games as a girl until I came to major tournaments. But of course, that was before I showed out later on in the bracket!

What's one hardship that stands out, and how did you overcome it?

Mental hardships are the first thing that comes to mind for me. ADHD and OCD run in my family. Those things coupled together make it really hard for me to concentrate on certain tasks. There are times, even while I’m in a tournament match, where I am literally thinking about any and everything EXCEPT the match at hand, and do not even realize it until later in the game. It made learning frame data especially difficult. I did not grasp frame data until MK11’s release and have been playing in FGC tournaments since MKX.

I try my best to overcome it by reminding myself more often to stay focused. I have adopted the habit of planning out my days ahead of time, sometimes even to the hour, to help me stay focused on things as well.

Did being a woman affect how you were received in FGC spaces?

Definitely did. At first, I was sort of berated and side-eyed, as I mentioned in one example earlier in the interview. Then once I was seen as a killer in bracket, I mostly only heard things like, “That’s the GIRL who beat so-and-so—yes a GIRL, can you believe it? He lost to a GIRL.”

At almost every event I had so many eyes on me just for being a woman. I felt suffocated by the “controversy” I was causing at first. There was so much pressure on me to be good at the game back then. But eventually, I learned to deal with all of it by focusing on the good that came from it, rather than the strange anxiety-inducing attention I was receiving.

What are some things that you do to get into a good mental space to play (and does being online or offline at an event make a difference)?

Drinking tea always helps me get in a good mental space. It’s one of the few things that can help calm my anxiety almost right away. Online and offline are a huge difference. I prefer offline over online 100%, not only because of lag issues but because I have come to know so many amazing people. When we all come together and share our love for the game, the feeling is so intoxicating that there is nothing like it. Not to mention there’s less toxicity in the offline setting, especially for women.

What are some mental health tips you'd pass onto an aspiring player?

Mental health always comes first. I love Mortal Kombat and Injustice with all my heart, especially competitively. But, like all passions, too much energy towards it can be draining, even if you do not realize it right away. It is perfectly okay to take breaks and focus on other things, then come back when you are ready!

What's your hope for the future of FGC? Any shoutouts?

My future hope for the FGC, and gaming communities in general, is for women to feel comfortable competing. I kicked down the door for FGC women everywhere because I want to see more ladies shine.

As always, HUGE shoutout to my mom. Without her, I wouldn’t be here today. She introduced me to gaming, anime, cosplay, you name it. My brothers, my grandparents, and all my family that always watch and support me at every event, I can’t thank them enough.

Also, shout out to Dom, or as most know her, Candy Seol. She’s my best friend of 6+ years and came to my first major tournament with me. Forever grateful. Last but not least, Forever King. He helped me tremendously with my gaming journey. I couldn’t ask for a better partner in crime.

How to join Kahnum Academy

Kahnum Academy is a series featuring playstyle and build workshops designed to train female players of all skill levels. Infinitii hosts the project on Twitch every Monday night with her co-host Emmy. It is also a safe place for women to share their unique experiences in the community.

Sessions are always personalized, so players don’t have to worry about less relevant lessons. “All women have to do if they would like to get involved is reach out to either me or Emmy on Twitter/Twitch,” Infinitii said. “We like to do it like this because it helps us understand what kind of coaching or training the ladies may be looking for!”

Tips for how to overcome adversity

It takes effort to push forward at every level of the fighting community, especially for women. “Keep pushing despite the odds,” Infinitii said. “It may seem like you’re alone in the passion for gaming but there are millions of women just like you!”

She also shared advice on how to handle confrontations on social media and in person. “Do not let any toxic trolls deter you from your growth, whether that be content creation, competitive gaming, hosting, commentating, or all the above! Keep striving!”

Catch Kahnum Academy every Monday night at 9 PM EST on twitch.tv/infinitii_fgc to help face adversity. Episodes are later uploaded to Emmy's YouTube channel.