Meet Emily Babaian

Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Babaian. 

Hi Emily, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I surprised my husband with two, back then known as Oculus Quest 2, now Meta Quest 2 headsets for Christmas. One for me and one for him because I figured he would love VR, and maybe I would like to join him. Funnily enough, he bought me one too! So, at one point, we had 3! Perhaps this was a sign it was meant to be! I ended up not using my headset until February 2021, when I found a rhythm game called Synth Riders one night and thought it sounded interesting. I purchased it, went into multiplayer for the first time, and that was the beginning of my VR journey. 

Even on the game’s lower levels, I noticed I was working up a sweat! As I progressed my skill to the higher levels, I discovered this is a full-on cardio workout, and I could do it for hours because I didn’t even feel like I was working out due to the immersion and how fun the game is! This was a big deal to me! I’m one of those people that needs cardio. I’ve struggled with my weight a couple of times in my adult life, and it’s the only thing that keeps it in check as I’m not a fan of dieting. The problem was, I hated cardio! I tried running, HIIT, ellipticals, and treadmills, and mostly hated it all until I found Synth Riders. I knew there were so many people like me that wanted to be in better shape but just didn’t like exercise, so I decided I had to shout from the rooftops there was something for people like us! And that’s just what I did. I started posting my VR fitness journey on my personal Instagram. 

After some time in Synth Riders, I knew I wanted to make Mixed Reality to showcase my workouts and the game I love. This is where you have a green screen, a camera, and use a computer to put yourself in the game! It’s amazing! It took a lot of effort and expense, but I started making my videos and sharing them on Instagram and YouTube. This was how I got started as a content creator. 

As time went on, I found myself becoming an actual gamer too, and that’s something I never expected! I started becoming more and more self-competitive. I began training hard and climbing the ranks. I shared all of this as part of my journey too! 

As my following continued to grow and diversity, I was exposed to more and more things in VR. I started trying other workout apps, rhythm games, leisure games, and social apps. I shared everything I was up to! I also started getting into doing reviews. Before I knew it, I had developers asking me to test their new games and apps and established games and apps coming to me for promotion or review. I’ve even recently started doing VR-related product testing, promotion, and reviews! It keeps evolving! 

VR has changed my life, not only for fitness but for mental health too. I struggle a lot with anxiety, and nothing has helped me like putting on my headset and taking a break from whatever is bothering me. I also struggle with social anxiety, and this is where VR really shines for me. I’ve become a more confident and social person! I talk to people worldwide every day, whether in VR or outside of VR or on social media, which has helped me be more comfortable in real-life interactions! 

To be completely honest, I don’t know what I’m doing or where I’m going with all of this. I don’t know what my role is exactly. I guess I’m an influencer, but I’m equally a gamer, and being a content creator comes naturally from these two things. My only goal is to share how something unexpected has enriched my life so much. I’m passionate about this because I want everyone to feel as good as I do! 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I think having zero expectations of what I’m doing has provided a smooth road. The only struggles I’ve faced were just learning things, especially Mixed Reality. The VR content creator community is growing faster and faster every day, but it’s still small enough that most of us know each other, and we are all willing to help, so what I couldn’t figure out on my own I eventually just asked. 

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Before I was married, I was an Alzheimer’s and Dementia nurse, but I left my career to help my husband run his business once I was married. He doesn’t need much from me most days, so I would say I’m a housewife now. 

As far as what I’m doing with VR, it’s just a hobby, so I don’t consider it work, but to answer the rest of the question, I’m most proud of genuineness. I think it comes from my zero goals and expectations mentality. If I say I like something, it’s because I genuinely do! I don’t just take on everything that comes my way. I’m not on any kind of hustle. I can’t say this sets me apart much, though. Many people in my circle are this way as well. 

Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. When I started out, I was afraid to ask people questions, especially about making Mixed Reality. I think I thought it was a competition or something, that people wouldn’t want someone else doing what they were doing, but that was not the case, the community is fantastic! 

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrs_babaian/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/_PoisonCupcake_
• Youtube: www.youtube.com/c/PoisonCupcakeVR
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@_poisoncupcake_