Name: Twisha
Nickname: Twish
Hometown: San Ramon
Languages: English & Hindi
Tenure: Rookie
College: University of California, Los Angeles
Degree: Cognitive Science & Computing
Occupation: AI Product Strategy at Micron Technology

What was your first job?
My first job was teaching Bollywood dance, a passion that has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I taught students of all ages and skill levels, from young children just beginning their dance journey to advanced performers preparing for the stage. Watching students gain confidence and express themselves through dance was incredibly rewarding, and I loved sharing the storytelling and culture of Bollywood dance. Returning to teach at the studio where I grew up training made the experience especially meaningful and a true full-circle moment.

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Growing up, I always imagined myself pursuing both law and professional dance. Through my involvement in leadership and Speech & Debate in high school, I developed a strong appreciation for advocacy and the power of using my voice with intention and purpose. At the same time, dance has remained my creative outlet and deepest passion.

What I value most about being on Gold Rush is the way it brings these two paths together. Beyond performance, we serve as ambassadors for the 49ers organization—representing the team in the community, engaging with fans, and helping create meaningful experiences that extend beyond the field. It's a unique balance that allows me to pursue my passion for performance while also continuing to grow in advocacy and impact.

What activities bring you the most joy?
Performing! I love sharing my passion for dance with an audience and expressing it in front of others. It also feels really fulfilling to share what I love doing with so many people, especially getting to show my friends and family what I've been working on.

What is your personal motto?
Hard work can get you anywhere! For me personally, it feels like such a dream to be here, and I truly believe hard work is what got me to this point. Coming from a Bollywood background rather than a technical competitive dance background, I really had to push myself and work hard to grow into this space. Because of that, I genuinely believe you can achieve anything you set your mind to.

What causes are you passionate about?
I'm really passionate about creating more space for South Asians in the performing arts. We are pretty underrepresented, especially in terms of visibility and role models, and I want to help change that so more people feel seen and represented. I also hope to use my time on Gold Rush to help be a part of the representation for young South Asian women.

What is an interesting fact about you?
Before being a member of Gold Rush, I had the opportunity to perform for artists such as Karan Aujla, Diljit Dosanjh, Saweetie, and OneRepublic in tours, music videos, and live shows. It was such a gift to be able to dance for artists I've listened to my whole life.

What is your favorite part of game day?
My favorite part of game day is right before we go out—being on the sidelines with the team, going over counts in our heads, and feeling the energy build from the crowd and the game.

If you could make up a cheerleading superpower, what would it be?
My cheerleading superpower would be supercharged memory. We learn a lot of material really fast, and while we're on the sidelines we don't always know which routine we're going to perform. It takes a lot of practice to learn all the routines and be prepared to perform any of them, so having supercharged memory would make the process a little easier.

How do you want people to remember you?
I would love to be remembered as a role model for South Asian women who want to pursue their passions without limitations. Growing up, I could count on two hands the number of professional dancers who looked like me, and because of that, it was hard to picture myself in that world. I hope I can be the representation I didn't have growing up and show young South Asian girls that there is a place for them in this industry. I want them to know they don't have to choose between their culture, their career, and their love of dance—they can embrace all of those parts of themselves. If my journey inspires even one person to believe that's possible, I would consider that a success.

What is a personal goal you are working towards this year?
I'm working toward navigating post-grad life while balancing a new full-time job and my first season as an NFL Cheerleader. This is my first year after graduation, and so much of my life is changing at once. My goal is to embrace this new chapter with confidence, learn how to balance everything that's important to me, and continue growing into the person I want to become—both personally and professionally.

Who is your biggest role model and why?
My biggest role model is my mom! She works incredibly hard as both a Lead Product Manager and a dance instructor—and she was actually my very first dance teacher. Watching her balance a successful professional career while still making time for what fuels her soul has always inspired me. She's one of the biggest reasons I wanted to be part of Gold Rush because she showed me that you don't have to choose between your career and your passion. I hope to follow in her footsteps and build a life where I can pursue both, just like she has.

What is your favorite thing about Gold Rush?
My favorite thing about Gold Rush is the community. I love being surrounded by teammates who are just as passionate about dance as they are about their professional careers. Everyone is constantly pushing themselves to grow, and it's inspiring to be part of a team where people strive for excellence both on and off the field. It's such a supportive environment that motivates me to become a better dancer, teammate, and person.

What song gets you pumped up on game day?
Anything by Don Toliver! I love his music, and he's been my top artist for the past three years.

If you were a football player, what position would you play?
If I were a football player, I'd be a wide receiver. I'm really energetic and spontaneous, and I love fast-paced, new environments. I think I bring that energy into everything I do, especially in practice, where you have to stay engaged and adapt quickly.

What is your favorite pregame ritual?
I love listening to music to get myself hyped up and eating some quick nerd clusters to keep my energy up. I also like to take a moment to set an intention before going out so I can stay focused and present.

What are you most looking forward to this season?
I'm looking forward to feeling the energy of the faithful for the first time from the field. I've been waiting for this moment for a long time, and I can't wait to feel that energy and be able to bounce off of it while doing what I love.