Long before the Red Bull badge, the G2 jersey, or the Fortnite clip that introduced her to an audience far beyond Bahrain, Maryam Mary Maher was a child on her grandmother’s living room floor, fighting her cousin Ayoob for the controller and refusing to lose at PES. That early hunger, sharpened over years of practice sessions most fans never see, has since carried her to a milestone no woman from the GCC had reached before her, a signing with an international esports organisation that placed the region firmly on a map long dominated by the West. In this conversation, Maher traces the distance between that first PlayStation 2 and the athlete she has become, speaking candidly about the mental toll of five and six hour training days, the misconceptions still attached to women in competitive gaming, and the responsibility she carries as one of the most visible players to emerge from the Middle East.

What was it like growing up in Bahrain and discovering competitive gaming, and who or what first sparked that deep interest in you?

It was mostly me and my cousins gathering at my grandma’s house. We would all sit together with the PlayStation 2 plugged in, play games, and take turns. That is where my competitive side started. I always felt challenged by my cousin Ayoob and needed to beat him to prove that I was better than him at some of the games we played, such as PES, the football game. I was surrounded by family for most of my childhood, and discovering gaming truly changed my life.

Looking back at your early days of casual play with family and friends, when did you first realize that gaming could be more than just a hobby for you?

It was always a feeling I had growing up. I knew I was different from the other girls who played. I had more hunger to beat other players and did not want to be average. I first noticed it when I played with my cousins, and it later grew into a desire to become a YouTuber and create gaming content when I was around 11 or 12 years old. It has also taken years of hard work. That is the side people do not always see. It took me years to reach where I am today.

Your breakthrough video that went viral showed incredible skill and focus. What do you remember about that moment, and did it change how you saw your own potential?

I assume you mean the Fortnite video that blew up. As I said, I always knew I was somewhat gifted or different from others. I have always pushed myself to improve, and there is no ceiling that I am comfortable settling at.

You have spoken openly about training five to six hours a day, and sometimes even more. What does that level of dedication require from you mentally and emotionally?

It requires a lot of dedication and hard work. As an athlete, especially a Red Bull athlete, this is the behind-the-scenes side that people do not usually talk about. It is the hours you spend practising, reviewing, and correcting your mistakes, and that requires a lot of mental strength and patience. I honestly believe that when you do something for long enough, you naturally become good at it. However, that also requires patience and consistency.

Becoming the first GCC-based female gamer to sign with an international team was historic. What did that achievement mean to you personally and to the young women watching you?

Honestly, I always envisioned myself paving the way for women in the GCC and the Middle East in general. I always saw Western culture heavily represented in the competitive gaming scene, but rarely saw the GCC or the Middle East represented in the same way. I felt that I had to take responsibility and help create that path. It means a lot to know that young women are watching me and aspiring to do the same. I really encourage women in the GCC who are newly entering the scene. This is truly a dream come true. Joining G2 was also an incredible experience. Seeing how professional they were made it another dream come true for me personally.

As one of the most visible female gamers in the Middle East, what have been the biggest misconceptions or barriers you have faced in a male-dominated space?

I would say the biggest misconception is that women cannot go far in esports. Nowadays, the opportunities are becoming endless for women in the GCC. Over time, we have seen an increase in the number of women participating in competitive esports across the region, and I believe there is much more to come.

How do you handle pressure when competing or meeting fans in person, and what keeps you grounded when expectations are high?

One thing I will never forget is something a former teammate of mine, Juliano, who I really look up to, once told me: “Practise how you play, and play how you practise.” Especially during a tournament, I block out all the outside noise and focus only on doing what I have prepared for during practice sessions.

What lessons did you learn from the periods of intense lockdown training, and how did they shape your identity as a serious competitor?

I learned that when you put your time and effort into something, the results will eventually pay off. Most importantly, you have to take each day as it comes and not focus too much on the end result, because the results will speak for themselves later. That is something I truly learned throughout my esports journey and from being in a competitive environment. Lastly, I would say that you should always stay humble, no matter what stage you are at.

In your experience, what still needs to change in the esports industry to make it more welcoming and fair for women and girls?

I truly believe there needs to be more investment and more tournaments. That is something we are still lacking. When you compare women’s esports with men’s esports, the level of funding is not the same. This can make women reconsider esports as a career and move towards something that feels more stable. I hope this changes over time and that more companies are inspired by Red Bull and become willing to sponsor female players and tournaments.

You balance content creation, competition, and being a public figure. How do you protect your energy and stay true to yourself through all of it?

I am human, honestly. I cannot always give 100% to everything, and it depends on what my main focus is and what I want to achieve at that moment. I believe it is very important to stay connected to your own values, goals, and what you truly want to achieve in life. Once you understand that, you know how and where to invest your energy.

What advice would you give to a young woman in the region who dreams of going professional but feels intimidated or unsupported?

Give it your best and visualize yourself succeeding. This is truly a key factor. Imagine yourself competing on a big stage in front of an audience, embrace that vision, and work on the areas you need to improve, whether that is aim training, communication, or game knowledge. There is endless information available nowadays. It simply takes personal effort and action to work towards that dream. I believe in every woman in the region who chooses this as a career path because this is only the beginning for us, and the opportunities will continue to grow over time. Never feel intimidated or unsupported. Keep looking for the opportunities that suit you best.

When you think about your journey so far, from picking up your first controller to wearing the Red Bull athlete badge, what moment are you most proud of, and why?

I am proud of every single moment, from the first time I touched a console to becoming a Red Bull athlete. It means a lot to me, and I always try to remind myself of how far I have come, because sometimes I tend to forget. I believe the GCC will be the next major region for women in gaming, and I will always stand by that belief.

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Images: Supplied & Feature Image: Supplied