We have loads of dedicated athletes training with Roller Derby Athletics all the time. But every now and again, someone comes along and knocks our skates off with their dedication and determination. And we can’t help sharing our #rdaallstars success with the world!
Introducing: Beta BlockHer, proud member of Steel City Roller Derby!
Beta BlockHer has shown Maloik (her Skater Success Coach) tremendous consistency, drive, and — best of all — success with her training in just a few short months! Her hard work is paying off big time on the track and we are so happy to be a part of her journey from freshie to track star.
photo: used with permission from Ray Durkin
Q&A with Beta BlockHer
What do you get up to when you’re not playing derby? Work as a family nurse practitioner, specializing in caring for the LGBT+ population. I also teach nursing students. My hobbies right now consist of wedding planning for my wedding in June!
What are you working towards in derby right now? 27/5. We need 25/5 to get rostered and I’m up to 24! **Editors Note: Beta has passed her 25/5 since our interview and is now a member of her Rookie team and rostered in her first game on May 25! YAY BETA!**
Any big successes or milestones for you in derby recently? 25/5! Making tryouts for the league — going from average athleticism (maybe less than average) to above average. Passing minimum skills. Some of the vets on the A team have told me they thought it would take a lot to hit me out so they hit me pretty hard. I take that as a success!
How has off-skate training contributed to your derby experience? I no longer suck air at practice. My endurance has increased. I’m stronger. I can take hits easier. My laps have increased! (From 17 when I first started to 24!) I think off-skate training has contributed to me catching on to new drills and skills so quickly. I’ve also dropped some pounds which I will always take!
What is your favourite thing about training with RDA? The community of support. Maloik -my own personal trainer who knows roller derby and knows what workouts I need to do to help me achieve my goals and then celebrates with me when I do reach those goals!
Do you have a favourite RDA workout? The whole Pump Up Your Jam challenge was the first workouts I did with RDA which really gave me a head start on training after the challenge.
Anything else you want to tell the world about your derby or training experience this year? As a Freshie there’s a lot of things that come that you don’t know what to expect. Working with RDA has helped alleviate some of that in regards to training, fitness, and skills. I don’t know what I don’t know quite yet as I’m still new but Maloik does know what I don’t know and helps with that. She’s my trainer but also a mentor and cheerleader. She knows what I need when I don’t even know. This is a big help, especially in this stage of my skating “career.” Thank you to the entire RDA crew! <3
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Congratulations to Beta BlockHer! Thank you for being such an awesome addition to the Derby community!
*To get set up with your own Skater Success Coach and reach your skating and fitness goals (without spending hours in the gym) then check out our training plans – memberships are opening next week!*