Brigitte Lewis, known as t00t_t00t, transitioned from academia to cybersecurity, bringing a unique perspective shaped by her background as a sociology lecturer. With seven years of experience in bug hunting and a commitment to advocating for women in the industry, she has successfully navigated a career as a penetration tester and security consultant. Her journey was driven by the precarious nature of academic employment and a desire for stability, leading her to upskill in cybersecurity despite initial challenges in adapting to technical concepts. Lewis emphasizes continuous learning, having obtained certifications like PNPT and specializing in web applications, APIs, and LLMs. She is vocal about gender inequities in the field and founded W0m3nWh0HackM3lbourn3 to support women hackers. Her advice to newcomers, particularly women, is to persist despite the industry's challenges, find supportive communities, and maintain self-care to prevent burnout. As she looks towards 2026, Lewis remains optimistic about the transformative potential for women in cybersecurity and continues to inspire others from non-traditional backgrounds to enter the field.