Power Through the 4th Whistle Roller Derby Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode, I go backstage at the Roller Derby World Cup for interviews with skaters and coaches from USA, Australia, Sweden, Argentina, and Canada. From grueling gym sessions to recovering from injury, these athletes share the physical and emotional work it takes to earn a spot on one of the most competitive rosters in our sport.

You’ll hear candid reflections on pressure, preparation, and personal growth—plus some powerful advice they'd give to their younger derby selves. Coaches open up about what they really look for beyond skill: how you take feedback, communication, attitude, and being a true team player.

I originally wanted to do this all in one episode, but I split it into two because it was too epic! So come back next time for my World Cup experience recap. How did the World Cup apply the lessons learned from Champs 2024? Watch for the next one, coming soon!

Big thanks to Sugars, Bloctopus, Jambi, and Slamazon from Team Australia; Coach Optimus Quad and Wari from Team Argentina; Coach Bille and Fanilla Slice from Team Sweden; Dizzy Izzy, Diamond, Loren Mutch, and Coach Vito from USA Roller Derby; and Coach D-Ray, KT Kaboom, and Cooper from Team Canada for taking the time for interviews during the World Cup and thanks to Dolly (Australia), Michael (USA), and the hero on Canada's instagram for wrangling.

Photo by Roller Lens https://www.instagram.com/roller_lens/

Podcast logo by Liz Mac Intyre

This podcast is brought to you by Roller Derby Athletics. Agility challenge begins July 14th.

Visit Roller Derby Athletics at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rollerderbyathletics.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Follow our Facebook page at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.facebook.com/powerthru4thwhistle⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Follow us on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Power4thWhistle ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

This special episode covers absolutely EVERYTHING you need to know before watching or attending the Roller Derby World Cup this week! Listen during your travels and GET READY!

Dork Mistress (Co-Head Announcer) and Cruella de Wild (of the host league, Fearless Bruisers) tag team explaining everything you've been dying to know about the the tournament (and the details you didn't know you wanted!): how the World Cup tournament is planned, what to bring, how the brackets work, all the skating opportunities outside the tournament in Innsbruck, the after party, the parade, the announcers fashion schedule, the different languages available for broadcasting, movie nights, the best way to pack, and so much more!

Buy your tickets to the Roller Derby World Cup:

In person: ⁠⁠⁠https://rollerderbyworldcup.com/pages/2025-tickets⁠⁠⁠

Streaming: ⁠⁠⁠https://rollerderbyworldcup.live/⁠⁠⁠

Link to the World Cup Community Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PS7jBm3DWq

Support Salaam Roller Derby:

https://linktr.ee/salaam_roller_derby

Support Team Desi:

https://gofund.me/dfce870c

https://www.fyeahprinting.com/collections/team-desi-roller-derby

Podcast logo by Liz Mac Intyre

This podcast is brought to you by Roller Derby Athletics. Agility challenge begins July 14th.

Visit Roller Derby Athletics at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rollerderbyathletics.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Follow our Facebook page at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.facebook.com/powerthru4thwhistle⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Follow us on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Power4thWhistle ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

I spoke with Ice Sickle and Mango about Team Iceland this week! What is it like to have the only roller derby team on an island? How did they obtain and renovate their amazing practice space? And why will they literally troll other teams at the Roller Derby World Cup with their troll energy?

I’m talking to teams going to the World Cup this year so we can learn more about them and help support their journey.

Skessa Icelandic Troll Pre-Order T-shirts! (Deadline to order is May 4th)https://forms.gle/j5YxphtK77zJsyHM9

Follow Team Iceland on Instagram:

@teamicelandrollerderby

@rollerderbyiceland

Follow Team Iceland on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/teamicelandrollerderby

https://www.facebook.com/RollerDerbyIceland⁠

This podcast is brought to you by Roller Derby Athletics.

Visit Roller Derby Athletics at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rollerderbyathletics.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Follow our Facebook page at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.facebook.com/powerthru4thwhistle⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Follow us on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Power4thWhistle ⁠⁠⁠⁠

Another listener suggested topic this week! How can we avoid having 2-3 people doing everything and getting burned out? How do you bridge the divide between the people who want to change EVERYTHING and the people who want to change NOTHING? How can we better get our ideas across to others? Today's episode is about better communication, picking your battles, and selling your vision. 

Photographer: Robin Dodd @robin_dodd

Sponsors:  Get MOTA-vated with Mota Skates! Visit motaskates.com or any authorized skate vendor for more details.

Visit Roller Derby Athletics at rollerderbyathletics.com/plans to get started on your fitness plans for 2020! Membership is open December 18th-24th and only opens up 3x/year.

Visit Bout Betties at https://boutbetties.com/.  Subscribe today using our podcast’s promo code POWER10 for 10% off your first pack!

WE NOW HAVE A PATREON PAGE! We are working on transcribing episodes of the podcast and putting them on a website. Patrons have access to all the episodes done so far, our Discord chat where you can share your derby thoughts about training, memes, or sharks you've punched lately, and different levels have different perks like stickers, buttons, or a top from our Threadless store (https://power4thwhistle.threadless.com). If you’d like to help support us on this journey, here’s a link: https://www.patreon.com/power4thwhistle.

Follow our Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/powerthru4thwhistle.

Follow us on Instagram: @Power4thWhistle 

Follow us on Twitter: @Power4thWhistle

Have a question? Want to sponsor the podcast? E-mail power4thwhistle@gmail.com.

Feeling introspective is a natural part of the holiday season. This week, I share a list of lessons learned from nature, animals, and travel that have made me look at life differently and help me on my journey to becoming a better athlete, teammate, leader, and especially...human being. I want to share these with you during this time where we all need a mental and emotional reset before facing the coming year. This episode is all feels and was a suggestion from Coach Dan. 

Our Charity this week is The Shelter Pet Project at theshelterpetproject.org.

Sponsors:

Get MOTA-vated with Mota Skates! Visit motaskates.com or any authorized skate vendor for more details.

Visit Roller Derby Athletics at rollerderbyathletics.com/plans to get started on your fitness plans for 2020! Membership is open December 18th-24th and only opens up 3x/year.

Visit Bout Betties at https://boutbetties.com/.  Subscribe today using our podcast’s promo code POWER10 for 10% off your first pack!

WE NOW HAVE A PATREON PAGE! We are working on transcribing episodes of the podcast and putting them on a website. Patrons have access to all the episodes done so far, our Discord chat where you can share your derby thoughts about training, memes, or sharks you've punched lately, and different levels have different perks like stickers, buttons, or a top from our Threadless store (https://power4thwhistle.threadless.com). If you’d like to help support us on this journey, here’s a link: https://www.patreon.com/power4thwhistle.

Follow our Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/powerthru4thwhistle.

Follow us on Instagram: @Power4thWhistle 

Follow us on Twitter: @Power4thWhistle

Have a question? Want to sponsor the podcast? E-mail power4thwhistle@gmail.com.

Continuing in our theme of making roller derby accessible to everyone, we're going to talk about leagues setting up into A and B teams, how it affects league chemistry, best practices, and common struggles. This was a listener requested topic! :-) 

Our Charity this week is The Shelter Pet Project at theshelterpetproject.org. 

Sponsored by: 

Visit Roller Derby Athletics at rollerderbyathletics.com/plans to get started on your fitness plans for 2020! Membership is open December 18th-24th and only opens up 3x/year.  

Visit Bout Betties at https://boutbetties.com/.  Subscribe today using our podcast’s promo code POWER10 for 10% off your first pack! 

WE NOW HAVE A PATREON PAGE! We are working on transcribing episodes of the podcast and putting them on a website. Patrons have access to all the episodes done so far, our Discord chat where you can share your derby thoughts about training, memes, or sharks you've punched lately, and different levels have different perks like stickers, buttons, or a top from our Threadless store (https://power4thwhistle.threadless.com). If you’d like to help support us on this journey, here’s a link: https://www.patreon.com/power4thwhistle. 

Follow our Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/powerthru4thwhistle. 

Follow us on Instagram: @Power4thWhistle 

Follow us on Twitter: @Power4thWhistle 

Have a question? Want to sponsor the podcast? E-mail power4thwhistle@gmail.com.

In this episode, I asked for the help of two of my teammates -- Lizzy Luscious and Siren Song to ask about their experience going through pregnancy, returning to training for roller derby, and finding balance in their new lives as parents. What was it like telling the team? Did they step away from derby or stay close by? How quickly did they return to skating? 

Roller derby isn't every part of our lives, but it DOES make our lives better. You can carve out time for you and time for family. If you set boundaries, you really CAN have it all.

Reach out to Liz on Instagram @lizzyluscious
Liz's Threadless store: https://lizzymac13.threadless.com/

Visit our sponsor, Bout Betties at https://boutbetties.com/.  Subscribe today using our podcast’s promo code POWER10 for 10% off your first pack!

WE NOW HAVE A PATREON PAGE! We are working on transcribing episodes of the podcast and putting them on a website. Patrons have access to all the episodes done so far, our Discord chat where you can share your derby thoughts about training, memes, or sharks you've punched lately, and different levels have different perks like stickers, buttons, or a top from our Threadless store (https://power4thwhistle.threadless.com). If you’d like to help support us on this journey, here’s a link: https://www.patreon.com/power4thwhistle.

Follow our Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/powerthru4thwhistle.

Follow us on Instagram: @Power4thWhistle

Follow us on Twitter: @Power4thWhistle

Have a question? Want to sponsor the podcast? E-mail power4thwhistle@gmail.com.

Optimus Grime LOVES roller derby and Avatar the Last Airbender! In this episode, we talk about elemental roller derby. Are you an Air Jammer? Fire? Earth? Water? How to you combat the different elements? Grime also teaches me some science about taking control of the Vagus nerve in your body to CALM DOWN when you are freaking out during a game or real life situation. And of course, we talk about Pancake, the adorable corgi!

Optimus Grime skates for Manchester New Wheeled Order and Team Scotland, teaches classes at RollerCon, and coaches all over the world with Rosie Peacock. Also proud puppy parent to Pancake. (say that 10x fast)

Want to talk derby with Optimus Grime?
FB: https://www.facebook.com/optimusgrime10/
Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/optimusgrime/ (Follow Pancake the Corgi: https://www.instagram.com/pancakelongboi/)
E-mail - optimusgrime10@gmail.com

Visit our sponsor, Bout Betties at https://boutbetties.com/.  Subscribe today using our podcast’s promo code POWER10 for 10% off your first pack!

Want to know how you can support the podcast?

WE NOW HAVE A PATREON PAGE! We are working on transcribing episodes of the podcast and putting them on a website. Patrons have access to all the episodes done so far, our Discord chat where you can share your derby thoughts about training, memes, or sharks you've punched lately, and different levels have different perks like stickers, buttons, or a top from our Threadless store (https://power4thwhistle.threadless.com). If you’d like to help support us on this journey, here’s a link: https://www.patreon.com/power4thwhistle.

Follow our Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/powerthru4thwhistle.

Find us on Instagram: @Power4thWhistle

Follow us on Twitter: @power4thwhistle

Have a question? Want to sponsor the podcast? E-mail power4thwhistle@gmail.com.

Follow our Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/powerthru4thwhistle.

Follow on Instagram: @Power4thWhistle

Follow on Twitter: @Power4thWhistle

Have a question? Want to sponsor the podcast? E-mail power4thwhistle@gmail.com.

It's our second audience participation episode!! This time of year, we like to take a moment to appreciate the good things in our lives. The family we have chosen, our supportive community, and how about this nutty sport we get to play?? So many amazing changes happen in our lives because of roller derby and in this episode, you'll hear from many of our listeners what they are thankful for from this season. Thank you to everyone who participated and sent me your messages! I wasn't able to get all of them in because of when I recorded but I valued every. single. one. And I get a little emo at the end, thank you for sticking with me as long as you have. Love you and Happy Thanksgiving!

Visit our sponsor, Bout Betties at https://boutbetties.com/.  Subscribe today using our podcast’s promo code POWER10 for 10% off your first pack!

Want to know how you can support the podcast?

WE NOW HAVE A PATREON PAGE! We are working on transcribing episodes of the podcast and putting them on a website. Patrons have access to all the episodes done so far, our Discord chat where you can share your derby thoughts about training, memes, or sharks you've punched lately, and different levels have different perks like stickers, buttons, or a top from our Threadless store (https://power4thwhistle.threadless.com). If you’d like to help support us on this journey, here’s a link: https://www.patreon.com/power4thwhistle.

Follow our Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/powerthru4thwhistle.

Find us on Instagram: @Power4thWhistle

Follow us on Twitter: @power4thwhistle

Have a question? Want to sponsor the podcast? E-mail power4thwhistle@gmail.com.

We have a special guest this week!! Miss Tea Maven is an all star jammer who skates for Gotham Girls Roller Derby. She sustained a serious knee injury earlier this year and is on the journey of getting stronger and coming back BETTER than ever. She gives a great perspective on your mindset while injured and ways to help your team and stay engaged from the sidelines. This episode was recorded immediately after the Saturday night game at the 2019 WFTDA International Championship in Montreal, Gotham vs VRDL where Gotham emerged victorious in a close, exciting match up! We also talk about her personal mission to stop the public stigma of living with mental illness and bring awareness by encouraging others to keep talking. 

Miss Tea Maven is an all around great person (and pretty funny too!). It would be wise to share this episode with anyone you think might need a listen.

Photo by David Dyte

***Don't forget to send in your thoughts for our special Thanksgiving episode! You only have a couple more days to get your videos, voice memos, or messages to me.***

Want to get in touch with Miss Tea Maven? https://www.missteamaven.com/
Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MissTeaMaven/
Follow on Instagram: @missteamaven
Follow on Twitter: @miss_tea_maven
E-mail - missteamaven@gmail.com
Found out more information about Stop Stigma Now: https://www.stopstigmanow.com/

Visit our sponsor, Bout Betties at https://boutbetties.com/.  Subscribe today using our podcast’s promo code POWER10 for 10% off your first pack!

Want to know how you can support the podcast?
WE NOW HAVE A PATREON PAGE! We are working on transcribing episodes of the podcast and putting them on a website. Patrons have access to all the episodes done so far, our Discord chat where you can share your derby thoughts about training, memes, or sharks you've punched lately, and different levels have different perks like stickers, buttons, or a top from our Threadless store (https://power4thwhistle.threadless.com). If you’d like to help support us on this journey, here’s a link: https://www.patreon.com/power4thwhistle.

Follow our Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/powerthru4thwhistle.
Find us on Instagram: @Power4thWhistle
Follow us on Twitter: @power4thwhistle

Have a question? Want to sponsor the podcast? E-mail power4thwhistle@gmail.com.