SKATER OF THE MONTH

What’s something you’ve learned playing derby that has translated into another part of your life?

Balance and quicker reflexes/reactions. I used to drop things all the time and now I feel like I have a superpower.

What about derby caught your attention? When did you first start playing?
The overall badassery caught my attention. I came to watch a bout in 2009 and signed up shortly after.

What’s something you’ve learned playing derby that has translated into another part of your life?

I’ve learned in derby that your gonna fall and make mistakes, you just have to get up and keep going. Just like in life, there will always be setbacks but as long as you don’t give up the sun will rise again.

Any last bit of advice you'd like to give people?

Every chance not taken is a loss, so take every chance even if you fail, get back up and try again !

What about derby caught your attention? When did you first start playing?

I remember going to see VCDD play at the fairgrounds and they were hitting hard, skating fast, and the derby names were hilarious! My favorite derby name of all time is Anita Slapahoe. A year or so later my wifey, Fatal Crush, invited me to try playing. I was hooked from practice one!

Do you have a derby mentor?
My entire team I consider my mentors. Each and every one of my teammates has a different style, and when you put them all together, there is so much to learn and achieve.

What was that “one moment” when you knew playing derby was the right thing for you?

Knowing that I passed assessments Bettie 12G said "I'm coming for you" and laid me the F*** out lol!!! After that I knew this was the right decision lol!! I get to hit for fun and take out all my daily frustrations on the track!

What’s something you’ve learned playing derby that has translated into another part of your life?

Collaboration, teamwork means working together and helping each other out the best way you can

What’s something you’ve learned playing derby that has translated into another part of your life?

It's something that I'm still working on but it's teaching me to be more vocal. There's a lot of communication involved like when you're the brace having to tell your teammates where to move and where the jammer is. I've been able to be more communicative at work and in my relationships thanks to derby.

What keeps you motivated to keep playing when things get tough?

I think of why I started and how the feeling of gearing up, lacing my skates and being out there on that track is pure bliss and that on its own makes any worries I have disappear and to get back up on my skates and try again.

What was that “one moment” when you knew playing derby was the right thing for you?

The second I knew it was a thing and available to ME. I got to watch it on TV as a kid, I was so fascinated by it. I grew up skating in my backyard and local rinks with friends but never in a team sport setting.

What about derby caught your attention? When did you first start playing?

I was in a position in my life and I needed an outlet. My divorce was finalized and I really wanted to make some new friends. I had wanted to play roller derby since 2002, but couldn't afford it. So no time better than 2017.