SKATER OF THE MONTH

What about derby caught your attention?

I started during 2021 when everyone was picking up hobbies due to covid. I only knew derby from the movie whip it even this I hadn’t seen it at the time. I just thought the idea of hitting people on skates seemed fun (it is)

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

Coordination- I thought I had great coordination before derby but it’s surprising to me how much I’ve improved hand & eye coordination, and continue to do so.

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

Derby really started to click for me after skating in my first tournament where my skill level started to become more congruent with what I mentally wanted to do. I finally gained that track awareness and was able to be in my body.

Did you play any other sports before derby?

I ran track for 10 years, played softball, was a cheerleader in high school, have had my fair share of CrossFit encounters & am a nonnegotiable yogi. All of these aspects have contributed to my performance on the track in some capacity.

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

I don’t know if I had a “one moment” that made me realize it was right for me. It feels more like a destined part of my life journey that I finally stopped resisting.

Did you play any other sports before derby?

I was a competitive artistic skater since the age of 4. About 16 years ago derby blossomed in Ventura County and called my name.

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

When our coach, Jinkies, made me the official "Cut-Track Enforcer" for the entire practice time all season (You cut the track, you're doing burpees!) to help us all stay in the good habit of always exiting legally, even outside of scrimmages/bouts.

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

I attended Rollercon 2024 for funsies just to hang out with two of my best friends (shout out Bacon and Stevi!!). I didn’t really roller skate at the time, and I wasn’t considering derby even a little bit until I saw Team Philippines play and my god! Maybe it’s that I’m genetically predisposed to being hype on anything Filipino, but it was the most exciting thing I had ever seen! I felt really like I could be out there doing what they were doing, representing an integral part of my identity.

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

I knew roller derby was the thing for me the first time I face planted into the floor. I’ve always loved intense experiences— roller coasters, mosh pits, horror movies, etc. Roller derby is kind of like all those things in one…take that as you will. But I love that the core of the sport is literally falling and getting back up again! That’s just poetic! Life is something that throws all these horrible hurdles at you, and it’s kind of therapeutic to deal with them on a small, tangible scale.

How did you pick your derby name?

I picked the name because it was a triple entendre- it’s a strain of weed, referenced Jimi Hendrix, and is a character from Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure. (It’s One of my favorite anime’s.) It’s first and foremost a Jojo reference, so it really worked out. And I love purple!

What do you do to get ready for a bout?

Take a deep breath, Smile, and say to myself I love to skate, now go have fun...when I keep that in mind I find myself spending less time in the penalty box.

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

My last bit of advice would be to never underestimate the power of perseverance and community. Roller derby isn’t just about physical skills; it’s about pushing through challenges, learning from every experience, and growing alongside others.