A Whole New World

A Whole New World

Yes, I did title this little account of roller derby to a Disney Movie, but if you lend me your ears you will see why. Six months ago I had never placed quads (roller skates) on my virgin feet. Six months ago I had never been hit by a female skating next to me. Six months ago I might say, my life was to an extent empty of a privilege and honor I now am consumed with. Obsessed? Perhaps. Motivated? Incredibly! Blessed? You bet your kneepads I am! Roller Derby has changed my life for the better.

    So the cliche lives on… I’d be lying if I told you that watching the film Whip It didn’t open my eyes to a sport I thought did not exist. On a lazy friday night with my roommate we settled into netflix and picked out this crazy looking Drew Barrymore picture. Well, the long and short of it led to my roomie and I wondering if this was infact a real thing and not just Hollywood making us delusional of such a sport existing! I googled “roller derby” in NYC and voila! Gotham Girls Roller Derby popped up. It was love at first sight. That summer I bought myself a ticket and went stag to my first Gotham bout. My friends thought it was weird and crazy so I was left to my own devices, their loss. As the season progressed I went to more bouts and started learning the rules and game play. Fast forward 3 years and I finally purchased my own pair of starter Suregrip quads and signed up for the Gotham Girls Roller Derby Level One Basic Training classes.

    If you can picture a giraffe on ice, that was me. However, playing twelve years of competitive softball and field hockey, brought the athletic momentum back and I was determined. I started working out at least 3 times a week at the gym re-working my quads, knees, well everything. I even started biking to practice early saturday mornings. I’m now actually in the best shape of my life thanks to derby! I ended up repeating my level one and am extremely thankful for my coaches guidance and personal attention. Ariel Assault is a master, plain and simple. Also having other GGRD players drop in to coach is incredible as they each have their own style and techniques. Gotham’s training is absolutely top notch. To put the frosting on the cake, the girls that come in and weather the storm with you are exceptional human beings. Your first session starts with something upwards of 25-30 girls by the time your skills assessment comes around you might be down to 15. Derby is not for the faint of heart, plus hitting is half the fun.

    Besides the intense joy this actual sport has given me, the ladies in the league are just extraordinary. From my basic level ladies who cheer you on and have brunch with you weekly to the All-Stars who tell your friends at a bar that you skate together, these ladies are the greatest women I’ve ever met. If I could pick one word that would sum up Gotham Girls Roller Derby it would be community. I have never felt so accepted and loved by a group of women, ever. I volunteer a lot for the bouts and any other promotional activities that Gotham is a part of to promote the sport and league. These women give so much of themselves for a professional womens’ sports organization that does not pay them a salary. From my Derby Jedi Master and tattoo artist, Score of Babylon, to my sister in crime and volunteer goddess, All Star Champ Davey Blockit, these women are role models, athletes, and all around bad asses. There are moments when I revert back to a six year old watching my softball hero Michelle Smith play, when I pass by Bonnie Thunders or Suzy Hotrod and just stop in awe. Then my 27 year old maturity says get a hold of yourself and get in better shape! The commradry and sisterhood that is roller derby is such a privilege to be a part of and I could not ask for more. My love affair with derby continues as I will beginning level 2 of my training in January. If you are reading this as a newbie like I was not so long ago, I say to you, get up off your lazy ass and get a pair of skates and meet some sisters. Your life will change and like Jasmine from that beloved Disney movie you will find yourself in a whole new world. 

by Melissa Connors

Interested in joining Gotham Roller Derby rec courses visit www.gothamgirlsrollerderby.com 
want to skate outside and around NYC? visit www.facebook.com/skatenyc4life
also, visit us on instagram @ _skatenyc_

Evil Lucia!!

Evil Lucia #46n2
Hard Knox Roller Girls
Knoxville Tn 

Evil Lucia is hands down one of the smartest women in roller derby I have ever met.
I am so very lucky to have gotten to know and become friends with this fierce talent.
Her hungriness to learn and grown inside and outside of roller derby is a true inspiration to me. 
Aww, you little sweetheart!

Evil, Tell us a bit about who you are and your non derby back ground. 
Where are you from?

I am from Georgia, the metro-Atlanta area.

How old are you?

34
What is your astrology sign and do you believe in it?

I'm a Gemini. Do I believe in astrology...well, I don't believe that my life is pre-determined by celestial bodies in the sky. However, I do understand that the position of planetary objects is part of the environment in which my genes are expressed, and therefore may influence my phenotype (including my behaviors), even if the affect is small and even if my husband thinks I'm crazy. 
You have a very vibrant and loud personality that I adore, I can imagine you as a kid with this personality, have you always been this way?

What? Loud? Haha, yes, as far back as I can remember. Sometimes I try to contain it because I know it can be too much, especially when I'm around introverts, but it usually finds its way back out sooner or later. 
I am pretty positive your sassy-ness and mouth have gotten you into some troubles...any good stories you care to share?

Good stories, yes! Share? No way!
You are currently in school, what is your major? or should I just ask what is it you are going for?

I am pursuing my PhD in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology.  My research is focused in undergraduate biology education.

Have you always been interested in what you are going to school for?

Yes and no. I've always been interested in the life sciences and education separately. It took me two graduate degrees and a lot of experience to help me find this path. It was worth it!
What was a major turning point for you in your life, if any?

When I found roller derby, same as every one of us :)
How has this changed you?

Derby has helped to build my confidence as a skater, teammate, and athlete. Although, I feel this biggest effect of derby, for me, is translated off the track. I truly believe in myself now and have taken chances that I would have been to scared to attempt before letting derby into my life. I love who I have become. 

 

You exercise, work, go to school, do homework, play roller derby and are on the BOD. All of which I am sure you do on the daily, what things inspire you to push yourself like you do? where does this drive come from?

Wow, this a hard question. Let's see, I'm inspired by life. It's an amazing opportunity we are lucky to have and not guaranteed. I don't have all the secrets of the universe. All I have is this one body and this one mind in this place in time and I want my life to count. I don't want to waste it. So I find things I love and I give it my all. I don't bother doing something if I'm going to half ass it. My parents both have a really strong work ethic and passed that onto me. I guess I got a double dose because I'm not afraid to work hard and make sacrifices for what I want. Nothing worth having comes easy.
So, how did you first come to hear about roller derby?

I heard about it growing up from back in the day. I finally realized it had returned to present reality when my husband downloaded a documentary for me: Blood on the Flattrack: The Rise of the Rat City Rollergirls. I immediately looked for the league closest to me. 
How long have you been playing now?

3 1/2 years.
What keeps you coming back for more? 

I've said this before, but it's a FULL contact TEAM sport on WHEELS! What else could you ask for?
What is your favorite aspect of the sport?

The challenge, there is always something else to learn. Always.
What is your least favorite aspect of the sport?

I like the campiness of it, but I don't like that it attracts females that want to objectify themselves and just be rollergirls. 
I am a firm believer in you get out of derby what you put in. You have put in so much...what have you gotten out of derby?

A new me! I have psoriasis and it's been really bad in the past so my self-esteem was non-existent for a long time. Going back to school really gave me something to be proud of, something to value within myself, but I have never believed in myself the way I do since I started playing derby. When I moved to Tennessee I was an graduate student in education. I decided to switch to the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology department because I wanted more out of my education, more of a challenge. The expectation is so much higher, it's like trading checkers for chess. And without derby, I would have NEVER had the balls to even think about making such a change. I would have never wanted it and yet it was one of the best decisions of my life to date. Thanks derby!
You are so smart and a very strong player. I can see you working for WFTDA. is this something you'd consider?I'm actually applying for jobs currently to represent Hard Knox as our active member so the answer would be yes :)
 

Speaking of being strong, how has roller derby changed your diet and exercise regimen, if at all?

My diet gets better as I age, I just can't eat some of the junk I used to love, plus my husband is an amazing cook and looks out for me. My workouts have definitely diversified since derby. Before derby I would bike all the time, everywhere, swim some, and run. Now I have added going to the gym, lifting weights, skating outside, attending bootcamps, and running sprints. I practice footwork on and off skates. Sometimes when I'm stuck in the office all day, I do a couple of Bootyquake's workouts. It's so much easier to stay in the grove when your routine varies.
How often do you work out and what does it generally consist of? 

In a "normal" week, I go to the gym twice: upper body or lower body with sprints and ab work. I try to skate outside at least once a week for at least an hour. Depending on the time of year, I attend 1-3 skating practices a week. I try to go to an off skates workout/circuit training/bootcamp once a week. I'll sprinkle in distance running or hiking. I ride my bike to campus and back every day, sometimes other places as well. I like to skate at the local rinks too. Love my jam skating!
How often do you practice?

In season, two league practices and one or two extra practices. In the post season, one league practice a week.

 

Do you skate outside of practice? if so where and how often?

Yes, once or twice a week. I like to skate at local skating rinks and love to skate outside: greenways, the boardwalk, and skate parks. 
What is the typical position you play in roller derby?

I mostly jam, but I have also blocked and pivoted this past season.
What is your favorite position to play in roller derby?

Blocking! When I block it feels like I'm on a mission with 3 of my best friends. It's so much fun! I feel like I miss out on a lot of what happens in the pack when I jam. 
Which do you think is harder, if either, blocker or jammer? and why?

For me jamming is harder physically, it's you against four very skilled opponents. But mentally, blocking is harder. As a jammer I feel like I have one goal: GO! Go get lead, go get points, go, go, go! Sure you need to pay attention to the clock, blockers in the the box, the other jammer, etc., but the decision making that goes with blocking is a lot more challenging for me when compared to jamming. And you have to COMMUNICATE those decisions!
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Let's see, 5 years would be 2018. I hope to FINALLY be Dr. Evil :) I see myself finishing up a post-doc, discussing possible job opportunities with my husband, and raising some mini-me's in another country. All the while still playing derby!
Thank you so much for taking the time to answer our questions. I hope to play with you on the track again some day!

Thank you! Good luck with all your doing. We will meet again :)

*All Photo Credit to Rebecca Sword.