What is your derby name? Cheshy Hellcat

• What is the inspiration and story behind your derby name? Alice in Wonderland. I love that the Cheshire cat can be…helpful…or mischievous…depending on his mood. Hmm. 

Do you have a favorite quote? Life is too short to be unhappy

How did you get involved with roller derby? Just…finally decided to give it a whirl in the fall of 2014. I’d been contemplating for awhile, and had looked into other contact sports. Needed something different for workouts, something fierce, fun, and not stagnant. 

BOUT TIME

You do a lot to help setup bouts. Do you have a pre-bout ritual? Not yet, I’m learning as I go. I feel very..new. But am thrilled to be helping out and be a more infused part of this team. 

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 Program Assistant for the Center for Public Issues Education in Agriculture and Natural Resources. Super long name. Way cooler short version: PIE Center, UF. I’m the nuts and bolts part of our operation. It’s a super cool place to be and I really enjoy the people that I work with. Office job by day, derby skater in training by night! 

How has your involvement in roller derby affected the way you live the rest of your life? Derby is as involved as you desire it to be. This is a great team, very grassroots, and every member plays a vital role to make this thing work. It gives me fitness that I can look forward too, comradery in the women on the team and women training alongside me, and pride in being able to participate in a volunteer organization in the community that my family can participate and be a part of as well. 

• How do you find a balance between your derby life and your “real” life? Family first. Prioritize, just like anything else in life. Mix in derby, and know when to say “uncle”! (and then maybe push yourself just a wee bit further…)

What advice do you have for anyone who may be interested in officiating or volunteering for GRR? Officiating and/or volunteering with GRR is an awesome way to get involved with this organization. Completely not intimidating at all. The folks that you’ll work with are great, all super friendly and will teach you what you need to know. We all understand that none of us are paid to be here, and all want to do our part and have a great time. As a GRR freshie, it’s been the best way to learn the rules/specifics when not learning on-track skills also, as well as get to know other people in neighboring organizations. We have wonderful volunteers all around us, and we are grateful for all that they do, and happily lend our time to them as well in return. You’ll make some excellent friends along the way! And there’s swag!