Author: Lauren

A few years ago, my boyfriend Lee and I found out that there was a roller derby event scheduled at the Gardens. Roller derby? How fun, right? We knew we had to check it out. We thought it was going to be all elbows to the head and fake fighting on a banked track. We were completely wrong. It was so much better than all that.

On May 8th, 2009, I sent an email that changed my life. Getting bored with continuing school after graduation and looking for a challenge outside of my (wonderful) job as a designer, I signed up to try out for roller derby. I had never actually seen a bout, or met a roller girl in person.

Let’s see… I’m a stay-at-home mom of three young children. I live in the suburbs. I’m quiet. I only have a few strategically placed tattoos. And probably the most damning -- I drive a minivan. When you think roller derby, I’m guessing I’m not what usually comes to mind. I thought the same thing a year ago when I showed up to try out for the Cincinnati Rollergirls, only to realize that there is nothing “typical” about the women who play for this team.