The FUN vs SPORT debate

Friends, I would love nothing more than to put the "fun vs sport" baby to bed and never talk about it again! I believe I've found a way to make some progress there...

Seems to me that at least half of league splits happen based on this perceived divide in league intentions. I'm not saying that all league splits are a totally avoidable, vortex of energy suck... Just most of them.

Wouldn't you rather skip all that? I believe you can.

Just change the dialogue. Replace both "fun" and "hard work." Roller derby is both, and when you glorify one above the other, it divides. We really all want similar things, it's the expression that either turn others off, or inspires. Which of these would you rather hear?

A) "Alright, this isn't about fun. We are a competitive team! This is about hard work! So get to work!"

B) "Wouldn't we all love to see what this team's POTENTIAL looks like?? Let's ENJOY a good sweat together and make some magic happen!"

If you can learn to have a more inspiring outlook, I sincerely believe you can bring those perceived divides together. It's just about identifying, and glorifying the common goals. I would suggest replacing the words "fun" and "hard work" with enjoyment and potential. Those are concepts most humans would like to get closer to!

Yes, there's a grind on the way to every goal, but making the grind itself your constant focus is the opposite of inspiring. The bond you share, the potential you share, the time you enjoy together... those are what we all truly cherish.

So focus on the universal love that we have for the body roller derby, rather than just glorifying one of it's arms.  : )

Paint a beautiful picture of a goal that ignites a fire within me, I'll work myself into the ground for it! I believe most people probably would, with the main focus on the inspiring and end goal.

Put all your expression into a daunting picture of all the clouds and stormy weather leading up the goal... and who wants to hang out with your gloomy ass??

I could go on and on about this subject, semantics and goal achieving are two of my favorite topics! But for now, I leave you with this: Enjoy yourself, on the journey towards your potential!

The Road Back To Skating Competitively

I recently made the announcement that I'll be moving back to San Diego, to train with the league I founded in 2005 again. If you're at all curious about that, here's my story:

Last year a weird thing was happening. I was travelling all over the world coaching roller derby, and having very inappropriate responses to compliments everywhere I went.

I believe I was in Canada the first time it happened.

A skater said, "So this is your full time job?"
Me, "Yep!"
Skater: "Wow... you're living the dream!"
Me, inexplicably irritated


Wait, what?? Shouldn't I be happy? It's so rare that people are openly happy for another person's success, so these moments are to be cherished! But... it was nagging at me for some reason.

Then it started happening more frequently... and before you knew it I was hearing it every day! "You're living the dream," "I'm so happy you are following your dreams," "You're so lucky to be doing what you love!"

Well, first, there's a difference between lucky and what I am: which is extremely dedicated to my craft. I study this sport, and coaching, leadership, and business with a voracity that would make you think my Master's Thesis was due tomorrow...

Second... I LOVE COACHING! I mean, I fucking.love.it. Since I was a kid I always wanted to be a teacher. (Which became very confusing when I realized just how much I hated... school...)

Coaching gives me an outlet for that need to teach, in the subject I am truly passionate about. But... in terms of roller derby... Coaching is not my dream, per-se...

My dream, from my very first practice in 2003 was to be a professional roller derby player.

So I'm gonna go get that dream. I thought it would be enough for me to facilitate that dream for other people, but as it turns out... I'm more selfish than I thought!

My dream is to play professional roller derby. It's not that far away, you know... But in order to do that, I'm going to have to reach a level of fitness I've never reached before. So that's the journey that I'll be on, between now and September (when I'm done touring for the year) and ready to train full time with the league of my dreams, The San Diego Derby Dolls.

If you've got any great come-back stories, quotes or videos, please share them in the Comments section! I love that stuff, and will probably never get enough of it!