www. Char l es tonWomenPodcas t . com | www. ReadCW. com | www. I ns tagram. com /Char l es tonWomen 8 I had been going back and forth with the idea of retiring from roller derby. I’ve been playing since 2010, which is a long derby career. The league is skater owned and operated, so everything we do, from fundraising, recruiting and training to putting on the bouts, is done by the players. I am the type of person who puts 100% effort into my interests, but, over time, I started feeling the burnout. However, as I was putting on my uniform and driving to the location for the Charleston Women photoshoot, I felt myself getting excited. I arrived at the site to put on my skates and gear. Then it hit me. I was home. Teammates whom I hadn’t seen in nearly two years started to arrive. We immediately jumped up and gave each other the biggest hugs. Everyone was so excited to put on the skates together again. Throughout the whole shoot, we all loosened up and fell right back into our “derby lives.” It didn’t matter that time had passed. The bond that roller derby creates between teammates is unexplainable. By relying About the Cover BY TRAC I DOUTAZ Welcome Home A Reflection on Skates and Sisterhood on these women, on and off the track, trust is built. The sense of community and empowerment is amazing. All of us are so different and live unique lives, but roller derby gives us a chance to escape our lives and be who we want to be for a while. Contributing to and bettering a team is wonderful, but it also helps us better ourselves. The two hours that we spent together at the photoshoot brought all these feelings back. At the end of the day, the thought of retirement had completely left my mind, replaced by the excitement of the skates and the sisterhood. The past two years were a nice break, but being together with my teammates filled a void that I had been missing. Only a very special camaraderie can do that. It’s a bond that welcomed me home. The ladies responsible for this bond shine on the front cover. All are recognized from left to right. Looking amazing on the cover we have: Leslie Brewer, aka Barbie Hurl; Katherine Bergmann, aka Katalyst; Traci Doutaz, aka Doutaz Mania; Haley Macon, aka Striker; Cantey Spainhour, aka Whiskey Riot; and Jana Nicole LeekOwens, aka Nicky DruBlood, in the very back. Back on a Roll! THE LOWCOUNTRY HIGHROLLERS ARE GAME ON Strong Leading Ladies In School, After School Spring Soiree Planned? Our Best Tips CHARLESTON Spr i ng 2022
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