Derby Life

If you’ve played roller derby for a bit you, you know that getting injured is not an “if” but a “when.” I came into the sport knowing that I was bound to get hurt on a somewhat regular basis and was happy to take on the risk. I’ve been pretty athletic most of my life and am no stranger to an emergency room.

Editor's Note: This is the first in a series from Jeannie Regan that we are honored to have her curate here on derbylife. Please enjoy these 3 illustrations - Breakfasts of Champions. Click the image above to see all.

What do you have for breakfast on bout day?

Image 1 Breakfasts of Champions: Goodie TwoSkates #8 Rat City skater Goodie TwoSkates: "I eat a non-dairy coconut yogurt and a banana and two eggs! And usually, 3 shots of espresso!!!"

Jay Vollmar is many things to many people. Professionally, he's an accomplished (if a bit modest) illustrator, artist and designer. He's a tireless roller derby fan, and boyfriend of Rocky Mountain Roller Girls' She Who Cannot Be Named. He's the renowned designer of Rocky's iconic bout posters and rock posters for countless bands, and spends plenty of time in Denver, CO and on the road photographing roller derby. Jay enjoys skateboarding, surfing, heavy metal, garbanzo beans and beer.

The sloppy diagram that accompanies this hopefully looks a lot like the skates you spend a few nights a week wearing. So take ‘em off and get your tools out. We’re going to start by flipping them over and looking up your skates’ skirt.

Editor's note: This is the first installment of a series of advice letters to Fresh Meat from veteran derby skaters. In our inaugural letter, given the recent graduation season, veteran skater Rettig To Rumble delivers to you, the Fresh Meat, her commencement address.

OK, let’s face it. We all get a little nervous performing in front of people from time to time. In derby a lot of us have overcome this because normally everyone around us is already 1/2 naked so you don’t have to worry about picturing anyone without clothes on. Now what do you do about the rest of the jitters? Here’s my top 10 list.