Amy Schneider on Representing Her Community, Making Parents 'Feel Better' About Loved Ones' Futures

Amy Schneider’s historic run onJeopardy!has shined a positive spotlight on the transgender community. Schneider, 42, is the most successful female contender in theshow’s history, becoming the first woman to surpass $1 million in earnings. She is also the first transgender contestant to compete onJeopardy!‘sTournament of Champions. The Ohio native tells PEOPLE that it’s been “really great” to represent the trans community in such a major way. “I had had feelings, kind of a little bit, of almost guilt at just sort of how easy it’s generally been for me, the path of being a trans woman.

Amy Schneider Quits Her Day Job After Historic 'Jeopardy' ! Run: 'It's a Bit Nerve-Wracking'

TheJeopardy!champ, 42, announced on Tuesday that she recently quit her day job as a software engineering manager following herhistoric run on the game show. “Some of you may have heard, but I quit my day job yesterday!“she wrote on Twitter. “It’s a bit nerve-wracking to pivot from software engineer to… public figure, I guess?” “But regardless of the outcome I’m so excited to spend the next couple years at least tackling this new challenge!

Amy Schneider Recalls 'Meaningful' Meeting with 'Euphoria' 's Hunter Schafer: 'Meant So Much'

Photo: Casey Durkin/Jeopardy Productions, Inc.; Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic Amy Schneideris a big fan ofEuphoriastarHunter Schafer. “I was lucky enough to meet Hunter Schafer at a publicity event for the first season, which was such a highlight,” said Schneider. “Seeing her, in particular, recently has meant a lot — just seeing her introduced and her trans [identity] being secondary. I really liked the work that they’ve done with her.” For more on Amy Schneider, listen below toour daily podcast on PEOPLE Every Day.

Amy Schneider Talks Life BeyondJeopardy!in New Memoir: 'I'm Not Comfortable Keeping Things Secret' (Exclusive)

Photo:Sean Black Sean Black Amy Schneiderhas quite a story to tell.In 2021, the Oakland-based software engineer found herself in the public eye after a momentous reign onJeopardy!By the end of her 40-day run, Schneider, 44, who has since become the most successful female contestant on the game show,left her 9–5 routineafter amassing more than$1 million in winnings. Aside from cementing herself as a fan favorite, Schneider has also become a visible figure within the transgender community; shevisited the White Houseto markTransgender Day of Visibilityandtestified against anti-trans legislationin Ohio, where she was raised.

Amy Schneider's' Jeopardy!' Win Streak Ends, Star Will Return for Tournament of Champions This Fall

Amy Schneider’srecord-breakingtime onJeopardy!has come to an end. After 40 consecutive games and winnings totaling $1,382,800, Schneider lost to Rhone Talsma during Wednesday’s episode of the game show. Talsma, a librarian from Chicago, finished in first place with a score of $29,600 and Schneider finished in second place with $19,600. The final category of the night was “Countries of the World” and the clue read: “The only nation in the world whose name in English ends in an H, it’s also one of the 10 most populous.