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.

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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.

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We're back in Europe for the last team interview before the World Cup talking to Team Poland! Mother Blocker (Team Manager) and Hell Stork (Captain) share about their journeys, the journey of their team, and explain the Polish smile and why Pierogis are good for before derby, after derby, and pretty much every meal!

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

Photo by Michael Schrieber

Find Team Poland on socials!

https://www.instagram.com/teampolandrollerderby/

⁠https://www.facebook.com/team.poland.roller.derby/

Donate to Team Poland: ⁠https://zrzutka.pl/d88365

https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/TeamPoland

Team Poland Track Jackets:

https://monstermuffin.com/products/team-poland-track-jacket

https://monstermuffin.com/products/team-poland-hooded-track-jacket

Buy your tickets to the Roller Derby World Cup:

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

Streaming: ⁠⁠https://rollerderbyworldcup.live/⁠⁠

Podcast logo by Liz Mac Intyre

This podcast is brought to you by Roller Derby Athletics.

Visit Roller Derby Athletics at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rollerderbyathletics.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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This week's World Cup Team interview is with Indigenous Rising! BeastMode, Smackagawea, and Coach Krispy took time out of their team training weekend in Arizona to share more about their personal journeys in the sport, the evolution of this team, and how it has helped them connect with their heritage and each other.

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

Learn more about Coach Krispy's journey

Find Indigenous Rising on socials!

https://www.instagram.com/indigenousrisingrollerderby/

https://www.facebook.com/teamindigenousrollerderby - Silent Auction on FB until June 21st!

Donate to Indigenous Rising: http://teamindigenous.org/donate

Indigenous Rising Merch: https://teamindigenous.org/collections/frontpage

Sponsor Indigenous Rising

Buy your tickets to the Roller Derby World Cup:

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

Streaming: ⁠https://rollerderbyworldcup.live/⁠

Podcast logo by Liz Mac Intyre

This podcast is brought to you by Roller Derby Athletics.

Visit Roller Derby Athletics at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rollerderbyathletics.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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This week is all about Team Brazil! Naclara and Maria Loca share their stories and the challenges of pursuing roller derby in their country and how their passion for the sport keeps them strong.

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

Follow Team Brazil on socials!

https://www.instagram.com/brasilrollerderby/

Support Team Brazil's fundraising efforts:

https://gofund.me/9a57db5b

Optimus Grime is helping to raise money for Team Brazil by selling coaching material on Youtube playlists for jammers, blockers, tripods, or the whole bundle! I've added the link below so you can learn more.

Optimus Grime's Fundraiser for Team Brazil, Team Japan, and Team Argentina

Photo by @fernandabalster

Buy your tickets to the Roller Derby World Cup:

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

Streaming: https://rollerderbyworldcup.live/

Podcast logo by Liz Mac Intyre

This podcast is brought to you by Roller Derby Athletics.

Visit Roller Derby Athletics at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rollerderbyathletics.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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Essa semana é toda sobre a Seleção Brasileira!

Naclara e Maria Loka compartilham suas histórias, os desafios de praticar roller derby no Brasil e como a paixão pelo esporte as mantém firmes.

Estou conversando com os times que vão participar da Copa do Mundo este ano para que possamos conhecê-los melhor e apoiar sua jornada.

Disponível em todas as plataformas de podcast.

Siga a Seleção Brasileira nas redes sociais: LINK

Apoie a campanha de arrecadação da Seleção Brasileira:

LINK

@optimusgrime está ajudando a levantar fundos para a Seleção Brasileira vendendo materiais de coaching no YouTube — tem playlists para jammers, blockers, tripods ou o pacote completo!

Adicionei o link abaixo para você saber mais (está fixado no perfil):

LINK

📸 Foto por @fernandabalster

Garanta seus ingressos para a Copa do Mundo de Roller Derby:

🎟️ Presencial: LINK

📺 Streaming: LINK

Logo do podcast por Liz Mac Intyre

Este podcast é apresentado por @rollerderbyathletics

In this episode, I revisit a topic that’s been echoing through my conversations lately—Imposter Syndrome. I’ve heard it from teammates, podcast listeners, even my own inner voice. Six years after my original episode on the subject, so much has changed—for all of us. I share personal stories, lessons from coaching, and mental tools that have helped me rebuild my confidence through injury, self-doubt, and setbacks. If you've ever felt like a fraud, minimized your accomplishments, or struggled to internalize your success, this episode is packed with real talk and actionable strategies to help you push back on those beliefs. You’re not alone—and you can change the story you tell yourself.

Photo by Jason Lome aka lomeranger

No World Cup interview this week, but please support Team Greece!

Follow Team Greece on socials: @teamgreecerollerderby

Support Team Greece's fundraising efforts:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/lets-get-team-greece-to-the-2025-roller-derby-world-cup

Get Team Greece Merch!

https://www.bonfire.com/store/teamgreecerollerderby/

https://team-greece-roller-derby.teemill.com/

Podcast logo by Liz Mac Intyre

This podcast is brought to you by Roller Derby Athletics.

Visit Roller Derby Athletics at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rollerderbyathletics.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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Full house this episode with Black Diaspora Roller Derby! Diamond (cofounder of Black Disapora), Quadzilla (coach), Lightning McLynn, Archangel Anarchy, Thumpher, Wheelameana, and Hella Naughty share their roller derby stories and what it means to be a part of this borderless team. Who travels the furthest? What's Quadzilla's secret to the fountain of youth? Who plays the kazoo? Answers to all these and more. Plus I've got BIG NEWS to share at the end!

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

Follow Black Diaspora on socials!

https://www.instagram.com/blackdiasporaderby/

Black Diaspora on FB

Support Black Diaspora's fundraising efforts:

The silent auction opened on May 25th and will go till June 8th at 3pm eastern time.

https://givebutter.com/c/bdrdwc

https://givebutter.com/c/bdrdwc/auction

https://blackdiasporard.bigcartel.com/product/black-diaspora-world-cup-donations

Photo by MGH

Podcast logo by Liz Mac Intyre

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.

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This week, I got to talk to Team Finland and discover the secret to being one of the happiest countries in the world with Eerika aka Queerika of Helsinki Roller Derby and Ronja aka Rogue Fun of London Roller Derby. Why the grumpy fish? What does SISU really mean? Will we finally see one of the English speaking countries knocked out of the top spots? You'll have to listen to find out!

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

Follow Team Finland on socials!

https://www.instagram.com/teamfinlandrd/

https://www.facebook.com/teamfinlandrollerderby

Support Team Finland with a grumpy fish scrimmage top from Skate Good Club!

Team Finland's website: www.rollerderbyfinland.fi

Photo by Marko Niemelä

This podcast is brought to you by Roller Derby Athletics.

Visit Roller Derby Athletics at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rollerderbyathletics.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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This week's guests are Bellaciao from Vienna Roller Derby and Hell-o Kitty from the Fearless Bruisers of Innsbruck, Austria, hosts of the Roller Derby World Cup! What goes into putting on an event this massive? Let's get a behind-the-scenes look at this team and their mission of bringing the message of Skates over States to the world.

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

Team Austria wants YOU to help all the other World Cup teams! Follow these IG profiles for ideas of how to help.

⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/rollerderbyteamaustria/

https://www.instagram.com/fearlessbruisers/

https://www.instagram.com/viennarollerderby/

This podcast is brought to you by Roller Derby Athletics.

Visit Roller Derby Athletics at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rollerderbyathletics.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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In this episode, I share six ways to build trust and earn respect in your roller derby league. These are lessons I've picked up over the last 15 years as a skater, captain, and now as a coach. Earning trust is a long game that takes consistency, vulnerability, and accountability. Trust doesn't happen overnight -- it's something we earn every day, one jam at a time.

Photo by Art Photography (Arthur Horino)

This podcast is brought to you by Roller Derby Athletics.

Visit Roller Derby Athletics at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rollerderbyathletics.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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