Tub Thumping

5 lb. Fall, a jammer for the Wisconsin River Valley Roller Girls stands about three apples high, on skates. Her roll out song is Tubthumpin' by Chumbawumba (I get knocked down, but I get up again...). When we first heard that was her song, D3 had just played them the night before (and won!). It was true...she got knocked down..A LOT! But she DID get right back up and go after the points again every single time. That's just what derby girls do. On the track and off.

This is where roller derby is a lot like life. And if it isn't yet, then you can sure learn from it and implement it into your life, DAMMIT!

When we get knocked down in life, we get right back up again and keep going. Usually with a bunch of help from our derby family. And maybe some beer. Okay, maybe a lot of beer.

I think the types of girls that are attracted to derby are the same kinds that are able to pull themselves up by their bootstraps when the going gets tough and just keep on keepin on. Since that's what we have to do on the track as well.

I can't tell you how many girls will practice and play while they are hurt and in pain. No, seriously, I can't tell you. Cuz then I would have to kill you.

In the last year, my derby sisters have gone through divorce, hooking up, make ups, break ups, broken bones, torn ligaments, sick kids, long-lasting viruses, floods, evictions, work/life balance, derby/work/life balance, derby/work/life/school balance, career changes, and many other woes. Every time the girls have bounced right back as soon as they could.

Derby girls are the strongest-willed women I have ever seen. Which is great, because I am too. So I kinda fit in. And it causes me to have constant adoration for the rest of my teammates.

Believe it or not, with all of that stubborn estrogen, we are still just a huge family. Yes, we could even be classified as a dysfunctional family. But we take care of our own and anything else that comes up.

So lesson #1 on how life is like derby:
You WILL get knocked down (and sometimes up) in life, but you can (and will) get right back up again.