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I have one 4 year old son. I am a criminal defense attorney and supervisor at the Legal Aid Society of Suffolk County. We have a cat named Hailey. I grew up in Wisconsin.

When I moved to Long Island in 2009, I looked up local roller derby teams and found Strong Island Derby Revolution. I had been curious about roller derby when I was living in Albuquerque, Mexico. I had hoped to go to some bouts here. I did a lot more research online and got more excited about actually trying roller derby as a way to get exercise and learn something new. Then last year I got an email about recruitment. I decided to try out to see how I did, and I was hooked.

It was very welcoming and encouraging. I hadn’t been on skates in about 20 years and had trouble balancing. Several skaters came up to me and told me that the most important thing to do when I fall down is to get right back up. Another skater told me they had hung onto the wall during their recruitment too. I keep these things in my head when I’m having a rough practice.

Not getting discouraged because I’m not learning skills as fast as I think I should.

It’s definitely been an excellent way to stay in shape and have fun. It’s also made me think of myself as an athlete, which I’ve never thought of myself as before.

To pass my minimum skills so I can safely play in a bout some day.

Fall down 9 times. Get up 10.

The same advice I get, everyone progresses at their own pace. You will get better if you practice and work.