Meet Team USA: Teflon Donna

Name:
Teflon Donna

League Affiliation:
Philly Roller Girls

Years Skating:
7 years

DL: What was your previous athletic background, if any?

TD: I was a competitive gymnast from about age 7 until I graduated high school. Also in high school, the athletic director convinced me to pole vault on the school's first women's team.

DL: Why did you want to be on Team USA?

TD: As a kid I always dreamed of being an Olympic gymnast, but I never made it. Now I'm playing roller derby and why should my Olympic dreams be any less? Team USA really does feel like the Olympics!

DL: How did you feel when you found out you had made it?

TD: It’s a dream come true! All the hard work, the blood, the sweat, the tears and fighting through the pain all seemed worthwhile in that moment.

DL: Which skater inspires you most, and why?

TD: Roxy Rockett was the first skater who ever inspired me. She was born to play roller derby. A natural! And she saw potential in me when others didn't. Roxy is also a great derby teacher and although she was a natural it never bothered her that it took me hours, days, weeks and sometimes months to learn new skills. Since then there isn't really a game that goes by that I'm not inspired by something or someone. I guarantee I've slow-mo-ed way more than my fair share of derby skaters who were doing something I wanted to learn to do.

DL: Do you have any advice for skaters just starting out?

TD: Learn the rules! You can't play a smart game if you don't completely understand the game. Secondly, never stop learning. Third, watch yourself and others...over and over and over again.

Also you can see our logo and final uniform on the facebook page:

To support Team USA, you can make a contribution to their travel fund.