#1433 Psycho Beast

#1433 Psycho Beast

When did you join Cajun Rollergirls?
March 2010

What is your day job?
It’s a secret. Let us just say there is never a dull moment because you can’t fix stupid.

How did you get involved with roller derby?
Bi-eaux Hazard, who I have known since my “rink rat” days, saw me at Aggie’s Skate Connection one Sunday afternoon and told me to meet her at the rink the next day at 6:00 pm. I showed up, Bi-eaux told me “show ’em what you can do,” handed me her personal safety equipment (pads), the owner loaned me a pair of rental skates, and VOILA here I am today.

Please explain the inspiration and story behind your derby name and number.
Ultimately, the team picked my derby name. At my first couple of practices I was referred to as “The Beast.” Bi-eaux supplied the Psycho portion because I majored in Psychology in college. There you have it….Psycho Beast. It stuck. I like it.
1433 is inscribed on a piece of jewelry that I wear every day for work. If it is shiny it is considered jewelry, right?

What is your favorite (derby) position?
On the track. Period.

What is your skate gear of choice?
Anything with at least eight wheels and will strap to my feet. I have been known to accidentally skate with only six wheels, but it doesn’t usually work out in my favor.

Do you have any pre-bout rituals?
Nap. Nap. Nap. I like to sleep.

Do you have an inner theme song?
“Let the Bodies Hit the Floor”.

Please share your best derby moment (or moments).
The Cajun Rollergirls’ first win in November of 2010. We beat Pearl River by one point. It was an amazing experience.

Who are your derby heroes?
My derby heroes are the women I see who make a difference in the sport of roller derby. They are moms with families and full time careers. They are women who are full time students and cute little puppy dogs. They are single mothers scraping by, and beautiful women raising special needs children. They are the women who put blood, sweat, and tears into this sport and love it even though their everyday life has such high demands.

Do you have a motivational quote?
“You can’t fix stupid.” Yeah, I know it isn’t very motivational for most, but it helps me see the bright side in everything. It helps me to smile and wave and the worst of times.

What goes through your brain as you lace up your skates?
THIS IS MY WORLD. I OWN IT.

Do you have a signature move?
Yup. Come out and watch a game, and you are guaranteed to see it over and over (….and I bet DJ-TJ will announce it every time it happens)

How would you describe your derby playing style?
Two words: Psycho crazy.

What is your pre-derby sports/skating background?
I’ve skated since I was five or six years old. It has always been my passion. I was fortunate enough in my mid teen years to compete on the national level in inline speed skating. It was an amazing experience.

Did you play roller derby prior to joining CRG?
Not a lick.

Did your background make you a natural fit in assisting with your training?
Absolutely. I was ahead of the learning curve in many ways. I did have issues with learning to fall. In speed skating you do not fall. Period. You fall and you are out of the race. The first time I was told to fall deliberately, I looked at them like they fell out of a tree. “You want me to land on what?!?”

What are some of your greatest roller derby accomplishments on the track?
Oh. I haven’t accomplished them yet.

Off the track?
Working my tail off to get the Cajun Rollergirls on track to becoming a full member of the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association. We became a Class C member in April of 2013.

How has your involvement in roller derby affected the way you live the rest of your life?
It hasn’t. My real life actually affects the way I live my derby life rather than the other way around.

How do you find a balance between your derby life and your “real” life?
For me, it is easy. My family comes first, then work, then everything else. Derby has become intertwined with my family so it falls in category #1. My son enjoys derby and comes to practice with me. He participates by bringing plastic guys, sitting on the sidelines, and shooting derby girl zombies. My fiancée is at every practice with me. Win/Win for me!

Where would you like to see roller derby in another 10 years?
I’d like to see it continue to develop into more of a mental game with more complex strategies and plays. It is already headed in that direction. But why stop at 10 years?

Any advice for girls who want to join roller derby?
What in the heck are you waiting for?

Anyone you’d like to take the opportunity to thank?
Absolutely. My parents for always encouraging me to do what I love and love what I do. My son, for believing that mommy truly is number one. Each and every one of my teammates and league mates for just being their quirky selves.
Lastly, I would like to thank Dutch for always standing behind me and believing in me. While he may not have been around when my derby career began, he is no doubt the biggest reason I am still in derby today. We began dating in October of 2010. He never once asked me to skip practice to spend time with him or to choose between him and derby. What did he do? He began going to practice with me. He became involved in the sport I love so much. Now we share a hobby and enjoy it together. He is not just my coach on the track (which I am sorry that I do not always make that easy for him); he is my #1 supporter off the track as well.

Do you have a special message to your fans?
I bring my A game especially for you. I love my fans!