#fmrd

Proud to be fans of @fortmyersrollerderby and to support their fundraiser for the @aclu_nationwide #kidactivist #fmrd #rollerderby #blacklivesmatter #nohate #blacklgbtqlivesmatter #justice #equity #endracism 🖤🤎❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🤍 (at Port La Belle, Florida) https://www.instagram.com/p/CCSFJkKB6gj/?igshid=7dwk5zdgc1b1

Here is where my Roller Derby adventures started, with a team called FMRD. FULL METAL ROLLER DERBY 👊🏼

This week I decided to quit roller derby and focus on more important things in life. I'm not saying roller derby was in no way important to me because it had a huge impact on my life and I made so many friends from it. Champs was a stressful time to me and I was having anxiety attacks before bouts which made me feeling like each time I took a hit I was going to throw up. Right there on the track. I've also gone back to college to study a new course and start something different. I still want to watch bouts and I still love roller derby but right now it's not suitable and I can't afford it. I love everyone at FMRD and they gave me such a good experience as a whole.

Skating Recruits must be over 18, but we do have lots of non skating roles for those eager to get involved! Roller Derby is an officiated sport which thrives on the Officials Crew forming the heart of any roller derby team. 

So my second bout is Saturday and this time it's an away game. I've learnt from my first bout things I should have done! So here is a quick run down of the things I have/will be doing. DRINK MORE- You seriously need to drink more each day! It's really good for you to drink a lot, your body will need it on the day because bouting is serious business. TAKE FOOD- I was so hungry on bout day because I was so focused on other stuff and forgot to eat. It's not good to be doing anything on a completely empty stomach so make sure you have plenty of food on the day. TRAIN HARD- It's the last few sessions before your bout you need to train and work harder in sessions. EAT HEALTHIER- I am probably the worst person for eating healthy but recently I've been making a lot of smoothies and mixing fruit up with yogurt and such. It's great for your body as well. EXERCISE- Let's face it I'm not one who's really motivated to go out for a run or go to a gym but I have been doing more walks and such. CHECK YOUR GEAR- Always check your gear throughly before going on track. No one likes your gear to malfunction on the day. It could cause you injury after all. CLEAN YOUR GEAR- You don't want to be the one person hugging your team mates and the other team with the worlds smelliest pads. I really hope some of this stuff is useful to anyone, and it could help you feel more prepared for your bout.

So yesterday was incredible! I don't think I've enjoyed a day that much for a long time. It was incredible to watch the first game but I also had a lot of nerves building up, at half time we got on track to have a little skate and it really helped the nerves to go down. Suffolk were absolutely terrifying to play, they were all a lot bigger and obviously more experienced than I was. I was determined to just give it a go and have fun and that is exactly what I did. The team were all stronger than us and we only ended up with 15 points, but at the end of the day we were aiming for double points. I loved how we played and how we all cheered each other on. The team were so tough I ended up hitting the floor multiple times and even ended up with a skate to the head (but hey that's what a helmet is for!) At the end of the day I stood up and carried on. The after party was also amazing good chats with team mates and a great band. And the awards. Best blocker going to revengeneer, best MVP going to fright nurse, most fearsome to trixie blitz(I can't remember the rest) but what I wasn't expecting to get best derby spirit. I honestly wasn't expecting anything but it gave me a huge smile. So many people told me that they still remember the day that a small emo kid showed up hidden behind her fringe and didn't really speak to anyone. That small shy person then turned around to eventually gain self confidence, cut her hair and build up a name for herself. In fact I was told by one member she uses it as a little success story that makes her proud. So many people told me how proud they were that I managed to come so strong. And it makes me happy to think this because the only reason I joined roller derby was so I could meet new people and make friends and over come some of my anxiety. I love that FMRD have managed to make my life a lot better and I love every member there because they all build up that bit of pride I have for myself. Huge thank you to our coaches hound and 404, team captain and vice captain fright nurse and trixie blitz, the refs, NSO's, Suffolk roller derby, Bourne bombshells, kills hurts roller derby and FMRD for making this day amazing! I can't wait for the next one.

I don't really feel prepared at all and not being able to have time off to prepare for the day sucks. I'm having to get ready throughout the week because I'm working every day up until the bout. Working as a chef I won't get much rest at all I'm on my feet all day every day and my 2 half days are only half days because I need to train. Has anyone else ever had this problem where they can't prepare themselves enough? It's just adding to the stress building up to the day and having all the stress from work. It's only my first bout and I don't know what I'm going to need or do on the day and having no time to prepare that is scary.

So one thing I find weird about playing roller derby is how everyone comes together. I mean we all have different day jobs some of us are completely different from the rest and the only thing we have in common is roller derby. Once we have our helmets and skates on we are all one family as such. When I joined FMRD I had just turned 18 and everyone else was older and they all had jobs and stuff and I was just a student and I felt a little bit out of place. Saying that it wasn't a bad feeling because after getting to know some of the members you all look out for each other you all cheer each other on. It feels great because when you're skating with them you're not out of place or different. You're all there for the same reason because you love roller derby. After being a member of FMRD for over 2 years I've seen people come and go. It's great to see people settle into the team and open themselves up. I love FMRD and the team they're people I admire and I don't really have many friends but them. *sorry if this is rambly and makes no sense*