Skates in Circles #57
I started skating back in Fall 2013 after some persuasion of former skaters. To my surprise, I really enjoyed skating and the all the challenges that roller derby brings. I enjoy the friendships that I have made and interacting with my community - be it with fans, sponsors, or other nonprofits. It also keeps weight gain at bay compared to my other hobbies of binge-watching TV and drinking!
Likes: candy, puppies, scary movies
Dislikes: lines, doing the dishes, untied shoelaces
Favorite song to skate to: Saturday Night by the Bay City Rollers
Q&A with Skates in Circles
// Interview by: Steph Infection
How did you settle on Skates in Circles?
I had a list of derby name potentials: Afraida Heitz, T-tonka, and Skates in Circles. I put out a Facebook survey to my friends and family and Skates in Circles received the most votes. It actually started off as a joke with another Native skater on the team when we were trying to think of Native skater names.
You went to UI before you officially became a local. What did you study?
I double-majored in Studio Art and Theater. I also got a certificate in Native American Studies...and I currently work as a Legal Assistant.
What are your go-to Iowa City haunts?
The North Side, George's and places you can play trivia. Andrew's Bar Exam at Saloon is my current favorite.
What were you like in high school? What's changed and what's stayed the same?
I was a bit of an overachiever. I was on the honor roll, the speech team, yearbook, played softball, ran track, was the art club president--and that's just naming a few. Not much has changed; I like to keep busy and usually find myself in leadership roles or on some sort of committee. I work full-time, have a part-time job, play roller derby and like to keep up with a couple other groups.
Team sports are obviously not as prevalent in adulthood as they are in those childhood and adolescent years. What is it like to experience team training as an adult?
I used to play co-ed softball during the summers. My family is really into softball and have a whole team of just uncles and cousins. It's much harder to stay fit as an adult when you go and have a few beers after games. Any sport is worth a little achy feeling the next morning as long as it's fun and you have good people around you.
What's the first thing you do after waking up?
Go back to bed! I'm a terrible snooze-button-pusher. I cuddle up with my two dogs (they are definitely bed hogs) and then I only leave myself twenty minutes to shower, dress and drive to work.
It seems like everyone is talking about self-care, and derby can be rough on the body, so I have to ask: how do you go about taking care of yourself?
I take a bath with bubbles and Epsom salt. I also like to have "spa days" at home where I put on a face mask and give myself a pedicure.
What is one bad habit you wish you could give up?
Sweets, candy, cake, cookies, ice cream. I am doing way better about eating less of those things, but I don't think I really want to give them up completely.
What is one good habit you've picked up and how did you establish it?
I've been a vegetarian since I was 18. I stopped eating meat for a week, then 30 days, and I just kept it up for 13 years. I don't necessarily think it makes me eat healthier, but it's my own little contribution to the environment.
Let's say you just finished binge-watching Tidying Up and you're taking inventory of your life and your immediate surroundings. What brings you the most joy? What do you want to eliminate?
Pretty fabrics (even if I don't actually sew any projects with them) and house plants bring me joy. I dislike all the gross, old couches in our living room.
If someone came to you expressing an interest in playing derby, what would you tell them?
That it's a lot of fun, but it's challenging. You learn a lot about yourself doing it. It takes up a lot of time; I think that is one of the hardest adjustments.
If you were an ice cream flavor, what flavor would you be, and why?
I actually surveyed my friends about this and the top result was: Strawberry
