THE BASICS
What is your derby name? Slang Blade
- What is the inspiration and story behind your derby name? When people ask me what I do for a living I tell them I slang roll. It just sounds so much more interesting than Payroll Sales. I can also relate to Carl from the movie Sling Blade. I think of him as my psycho derby persona and we both have a great love of mustard.
What is your number? 25
Do you have a favorite quote? You will miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. – Wayne Gretzky
How did you get involved with roller derby? I was recruited by another mom who I had befriended at a Mom’s group in Lake City. I think of it as fate because before that, we met at the grocery store and hit it off immediately.
What is your pre-derby sports/skating background? I recreationally skated as a kid but my main interest was couples skating at skate night back then. I ran long distance track, cross country, and played basketball in junior high. I had not been involved in competitive sports since then.
You transferred from a different league. How have you found GRR so far? I chose GRR originally because I relocated from Lake City to Gainesville and it makes sense to live, work, and skate in the same town. I am absolutely thrilled to be skating with such a talented and hard working group of ladies. The team encourages me to push as hard as I can and to continually strive to become a better skater with every practice. When I started roller derby just over a year ago I never imagined skating with a WFTDA level team, it is such a great reward to my hard work on the track. GRR has such great fans too which is a major bonus!
BOUT TIME
What is your position of choice? Jammer
What is your skate gear of choice? Bont hybrid boots with a falcon pilot plates, backspin wheels, atom wrist and elbow guards and 187 knee pads.
Do you have a pre-bout ritual? I drink A LOT of water leading up to a bout. There are so many things to think about, I can’t have dehydration be one of them.
- What do you think about when you’re lacing up your skates? I visualize my team winning and myself making the most of every opportunity I have to contribute.
How would you describe your derby playing style? Whatever I am lacking in skill I make up with heart!
- What is your signature move? Getting too low for you.
NON-DERBY LIFE
What is your day job? And how, if at all, has it contributed to your experience of roller derby? I am a Human Capital Management Sales Executive for Paycor. I do not think of it as going to work every day, it is like going to game. Salespeople are the athletes of the business community and I find my work life and derby life to have many complementary aspects. In order to win one must prepare diligently and be persistent.
How has your involvement in roller derby affected the way you live the rest of your life? Well for starters I save a lot of money on cable TV since that is no longer an optional pastime. Some people may say that the derby monster has eaten my life. What I would tell those people is that by having such a great outlet for athleticism, stress relief, friendship, and camaraderie I feel like I am taking great care of myself and being kind to my soul. Only when I am truly happy can I be the best mother, partner, sister, and employee I can be. I hope to teach my daughter as she grows that she can do anything she sets her mind to, and my roller derby accomplishments are proof of that.
- How do you find a balance between your derby life and your “real” life? I am investing in things like robotic vacuum cleaners, a housekeeper and an organizational expert so I can prioritize the most important parts of my life and let the less important things fall into place.
What advice do you have for girls who want to join roller derby? Hard work and dedication can accomplish anything when you are in the right frame of mind. Whether you tell yourself you can or cannot do something, you are right.
Do you have a special message to your fans? Thank you for your support and helping spread the word about GRR and Roller Derby!
Is there anyone that you’d like to thank? I would like to thank Sara Ivines, Misty Ward, and my prior team the Hunnies for being so patient with me in my first season of roller derby last year. I would not be where I am today with them!