Gears and Games

Chapter 6: Mentorship

It was a quiet Saturday morning when Neena found herself in the heart of a bustling local school gymnasium. The smell of fresh paint still clung to the walls, and the echo of laughter and chatter filled the air. Neena glanced around at the group of wide-eyed young girls gathering around the front of the room. Their excitement was palpable. They were here for one reason: to learn.

Neena felt a flicker of nervousness, something she rarely experienced in her day-to-day life as a mechanic or in the heat of competitive gaming. But this was different. This was about more than just her—this was about the next generation of young girls looking up to her, seeking guidance, and hoping to see themselves reflected in her story. This was her first workshop as a mentor, and she knew that what she did today might impact these girls for years to come.

The large whiteboard behind her had the words "STEM and Gaming: Breaking Barriers Together" written in bold, black letters. The school had invited Neena to speak as part of an initiative to encourage young girls to explore traditionally male-dominated fields like science, technology, engineering, and mechanics—and Neena, with her unique blend of being both a skilled mechanic and an international top-tier gamer, had become something of a local celebrity for it.

Neena had never thought of herself as a mentor. She had always focused on excelling in her own right, pushing herself to overcome the challenges in both her careers. But over the past few months, something had shifted. More and more girls had started reaching out to her, inspired by her success as Elite Enchantress and curious about her journey as a female mechanic.

It started small—DMs on social media, comments on her gaming streams. Young girls from all over the world were asking her how she did it, how she managed to break into two industries that often weren't welcoming to women. At first, Neena answered these questions privately, offering advice and encouragement. But soon, the demand for her insights grew, and it became clear that she could have a larger impact by taking a more active role in mentoring.

This was how the idea for the workshop came to life. A collaboration between her, the local school, and a nonprofit dedicated to empowering young girls in STEM and gaming. It was the perfect opportunity for Neena to do more than just answer questions online—she could directly inspire and help guide the next generation.

As the girls settled into their seats, Neena took a deep breath and stepped forward, her voice calm but strong. "Hey, everyone. My name is Neena Stormy, and some of you may know me as Elite Enchantress online." The name alone caused a ripple of excitement through the room, with a few girls whispering excitedly to each other.

"I'm here today because I want to talk about something that's really important to me," Neena continued. "I want to talk about breaking barriers—about what it's like to be in careers that people don't expect women to be in. Whether you want to be a mechanic, an engineer, or even a professional gamer, I'm here to tell you that you can do it. And not just that you can do it, but that you should."

She paused, looking out at the faces of the girls staring back at her with wide-eyed attention. "I've faced challenges, I've faced stereotypes, and I've had people tell me that I didn't belong in either of the careers I chose. But I'm here today because I didn't let any of that stop me. And neither should you."

*

The first part of the workshop was dedicated to mechanics. Neena had set up several workstations in the gym, each equipped with simple engines and parts for the girls to get hands-on experience. With the help of some volunteer mechanics, Neena guided the girls through basic car maintenance tasks—checking oil levels, changing tires, and identifying different engine components.

As she walked from station to station, helping the girls with their projects, she saw the excitement in their eyes as they learned to hold tools, tighten bolts, and see how things worked from the inside out. For many of them, this was their first experience working with machines, and it felt empowering. It wasn't just about learning new skills—it was about realizing that they could do this, that they had a place in this field.

One of the girls, a twelve-year-old named Emma, struggled with loosening a particularly stubborn bolt on a tire. Neena knelt beside her, showing her the proper technique to apply pressure without straining herself.

"There you go," Neena said as the bolt finally loosened. Emma's face lit up with pride as she looked at the tire she had just removed on her own.

"I didn't think I could do that," Emma admitted, wiping her hands on the rag Neena had given her.

Neena smiled warmly. "A lot of people will tell you that you can't do things, especially in fields like this. But you just proved to yourself that you can. Remember that feeling."

As the workshop continued, Neena made sure to emphasize the importance of curiosity and persistence. She told the girls stories of her own early days as a mechanic, about how she'd spent hours learning the intricacies of engines, and how she had been underestimated by male colleagues until she earned their respect through her skills. But what she wanted these girls to take away most was that they didn't need anyone's approval to follow their passion.

"You don't need to wait for someone to tell you you're good enough to do this," Neena told them. "If you're passionate about something, that's all the permission you need. You belong here."

*

The second half of the workshop was dedicated to gaming, something that most of the girls were even more eager to dive into. Neena had set up several gaming stations at the back of the gym, complete with top-of-the-line PCs, headsets, and gaming rigs—her own personal setup lent by sponsors for the day.

She started by introducing the girls to the basics of competitive gaming—explaining the mechanics of different games, discussing strategies, and teaching them the importance of teamwork and communication. For many of the girls, gaming had always been something they did for fun, but Neena wanted them to see it as a possible career, something they could take seriously if they chose.

She shared her journey as Elite Enchantress, how she had climbed the ranks to become one of the top international players, and the struggles she had faced along the way. Neena didn't shy away from talking about the sexism and toxic behavior she had encountered in the gaming community, but she framed it as a challenge to be overcome, not a barrier that could stop them.

"It's tough sometimes," she admitted, her tone more serious as she addressed the group. "But it's also worth it. I've had moments where I've doubted myself, moments where I felt like giving up because of the hate I faced online. But every time I got back up, I got stronger. And you can too."

The girls listened intently, some of them nodding in agreement. It was clear that many of them had already faced similar issues, and hearing Neena talk about her experiences made them feel seen and understood.

Neena ended the gaming portion of the workshop with a mini-tournament, letting the girls team up and compete against one another. It wasn't about winning, though—the goal was to have fun, learn from each other, and experience the thrill of gaming as a community.

*

By the end of the day, Neena was exhausted, but it was a good kind of tired. As the girls packed up and started to leave, many of them came up to her to thank her for the workshop. Emma, the girl who had struggled with the tire earlier, lingered behind for a moment.

"I never thought girls could be mechanics," Emma said quietly, fiddling with the hem of her shirt. "But now I want to try."

Neena crouched down to meet her at eye level. "You can be anything you want, Emma. Don't ever let anyone tell you otherwise."

As Emma left, Neena couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. This was why she had agreed to become a mentor. This was why she had decided to give back. The barriers she had faced as a female mechanic and gamer were real, but they didn't have to be permanent. And by inspiring the next generation, Neena knew she was helping to tear down those walls, brick by brick.

She realized now that her success wasn't just about her. It was about paving the way for others to follow. It was about creating a future where girls like Emma didn't have to question whether they belonged in mechanics, gaming, or any other field. They would know they belonged—because Neena had shown them the way.