Hey, why the hell not? Go for it and let us know how it works out. Elbow 'em for me!

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I think it's a great idea. Bolster your health insurance a little and go for it.

Thank you both. Derby is very physical so I will be getting additional insurance. The league has insurance just for derby and it is required for all members. I will probably write more about it when I learn the particulars as health insurance is so important.

Why in the world wouldn't you go for it?

Well that certainly is a change!

martytkelly, it is a radical change. There is a time commitment that will require me to change my life up more than a little. Practice four days per week. Three is the minimum. It is like playing a semi-professional sport, but without pay. The league is a business. Also there are appearances. Derby Girls go to all sorts of community events to help charities and promote the league. Many public appearances. Sometimes four or five per week.

stellaa, most flat track leagues compete in roller rinks. They rent the rink for the night and set up a track with tape and lights and temporary lines.

The banked tack leagues usually own their facility. One league I've seen plays in an old warehouse.

I just saw a movie trailer last night for a movie where a Jim Carey character who has always said no to everything decides to start living and say yes to every single thing that comes along. He apparently gets roped into some pretty crazy situations. Go for it!

Sgt Mom, not nearly as big of a change as joining the military.

Lainey, Drew Carey is hit or miss with me. Sometimes I think he is hysterical and touching and in other movies I wonder why I like him. I will go to imdb and see what he has in production. Thanks for the tip.

I just feel like I have let myself become stagnant. It is time for a new thing. New friends. New body. Just something new.

I was just talking to my husband yesterday about my mid-life crisis. I asked him what he thought I should do to mix things up a bit: tattoo? corvette? nose ring? quit my job and move to Bimini? Never once did Roller Derby come up, but I greatly admire you for finding your passion and going after it. I'll bet you'll have a lot to write about! Thanks for making me feel not so alone in needing to try something new.

I've met some of the Austin Roller Derby ladies. They're all really sweet. On the hardwood rink, it's another matter entirely. Wanting to do roller derby requires a certain amount of (controlled) rage and a need to mix it up with people. It sounds like fun to me.

If that doesn't work out, try Judo, or Jui Jitsu I tell people there's nothing more fun than Judo. A lot of people look at me funny when I say that and completely don't understand what I mean.

But you might understand.

Lisa, how funny! Tattoos and body piercings are very popular in the league. I have some of both, but nothing horribly attention grabbing except for the nose pin. I already drive a sporty car. Not a corvette. A 1995 mitsubishi 3000 GT my grandmother was going to leave me in her will, but signed over early. Never been to Bimini though. :)

I think most people hit a wall at 40. I've never thought I was alone in wanting to get out of my ordinary. Not sure if it a passion for me yet though. I skated a little in high school and haven't been to a rink since except to be a derby spectator. I anticipate a steep learning curve and much pain.

Rich, Austin is the nirvana of flat track derby. After Derby died out in the 70s, Austin was the first league to get up and running about six years ago. They have had documentaries and movies made about them. I think a TV show as well. Now there are dozens of leagues and approaching 500 teams.

I did some martial arts as a kid so I do understand what you mean about judo, but I am looking for the social as well as physical aspects of what Roller Derby offers. The teams are very tight and as I mentioned above there are lots of charity events and other organized outings. Plus there is a huge convention is Las Vegas ever year as well -- Roller Con.

Derby women are super sexy. Please keep us abreast.

I don't have the nerve to be in the roller derby.

However, one of my students was in the roller derby here in Orlando and invited me to an after party after the derby.

They have a really good time ;0).

Blue Eyes, yes derby women do have a certain thing going. I hope to have that thing soon myself.

Dorinda, don't sell yourself short. I am out of shape and haven't been on skates for well over twenty years. If I can pull this off, I think anybody can. The after parties are pretty rocking. Bars vie to sponsor teams so they can host the after match get togethers. I'm not a smoker though, so the bar time will be a little challenging for me.

I always wanted to be a roller derby queen, used to watch it on tv all the time when I was a kid. Then it kind of dropped out of view. Roller derby is big here in Northern California, the last match of the season for the local team was sold out , it looks like a hell of a lot of fun. Go for it! We all need to make big changes in our live at some point. And any excuse to get in shape, right?
So what will your persona/stage name be? Time to get creative...

Julie, Derby names are a huge hairy deal. There is a national database and your name has to be approved at the national level before you can run with it. It can't too close to any other skater's name, but yet it has to be funny and generally "punny" as well. I have to make it at least six weeks in the training program before I can submit one. Maybe I'll make it a blog post here. A contest of sorts to come up with a tight derby name.

You go!!!! Girl!!!
Put on those skates and rock and roll!! Have somebody take some photos...we all want to see pics...perhaps we'll all be inspired to make some major changes in our lives!

Thanks H-D Rider. Once I shape up a little and start looking good in derby togs, I will have photos. Promise.

Be careful. I have read about harsh injuries to skaters in the past. The extra insurance is a good idea. Don't skimp on safety equipment either.

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I LOVE roller derby! Go for it and don't be tentative. And don't forget to take us along on your journey.

DO IT! DO IT AND WRITE ABOUT IT!

And take lots of pictures. Please.

Who hasn't wanted to? Me, me, me!

But I find that I do want to read about it. I'll be watching this space!

You go, girl!
Hey, life gets much better for women along the way. Your challenging yourself is grand!

Please let us in on your outfit. (One skater here in Oregon dresses as a nun.) Very popular here and I hear they have the best parties.

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