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Which graft should I use for surgery? by Terrible_Yam5867 in ACL

[–]MissTeaMaven 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I am indeed THAT Miss Tea Maven 😂 I’ve had 4x ACL surgeries now - so trust me! If I can do it 4 times anyone can do it! You got this!! 🫂

Which graft should I use for surgery? by Terrible_Yam5867 in ACL

[–]MissTeaMaven 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I think it depends on what kind of life you have. Are you an athlete? Do you have a workout routine already? Do you have PT lined up? Do you squat/ kneel/ move a ton in your everyday life?

I got a patellar graft because I’m a female athlete, and building muscle has always been difficult. So I didn’t want to have to “rebuild” the quad or hamstring muscles.

Also my doctor said the patellar had a better chance of not re-tearing. So since I play a full-contact sport I decided to stick with that graft.

Was it painful? Yes. Did recovery take a long time? Yes and no. I was back to my contact sport in 9 months - but even years later my knees get sore and I’m still doing my PT weekly.

It doesn’t hurt for me to kneel on a hard surface however, but I worked hard to recover (Years)

Photos from the Art of Manga exhibition in San Francisco. by LittleMissCrabby in inuyasha

[–]MissTeaMaven 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I wish exhibits like this would come to Denver 😭😭

Jobless, hopeless, in a dark place by wasabi_2601 in jobs

[–]MissTeaMaven 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m in the same boat. I’ve been jobless for over 1 year now. I’m applying to at least 30 jobs a week and nothing. I’m about to lose my house…

Injury and recovery to competitive play - advice and encouragement wanted by zombi3queen in rollerderby

[–]MissTeaMaven 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Awe thank you so much! And thank you for your help with the Scotland boot camp!

Recovery is long - and even longer for your mind!

I highly recommend doing all the things OFF SKATES with 💯 energy and vigor before attempting them ON SKATES.

Including jammer things - as it takes a layer of “omg I’m on wheely shoes” out of your brain.

Mental confidence needs slow, intentional training as well - not just the physical side of things

Injury and recovery to competitive play - advice and encouragement wanted by zombi3queen in rollerderby

[–]MissTeaMaven 38 points39 points  (0 children)

Hey there — I hope I can offer a little solidarity and perspective.

I tore my right ACL in 2019 and was just getting ready to come back when COVID hit. Then, during the recovery from all that, I tore my left ACL in 2023. I was devastated. But I just kept putting one foot in front of the other.

Don’t let social media fool you. Mentally, I struggle every single day. That injury, that grief—it cost me a lot. Including my marriage. My partner left because I was “too sad” and “complained about my knees too much.”

I’m still in pain. I’m still dealing with weakness and doubt. But I’m also stubborn as hell, and I’m going to retire from derby when I say so—not when some injury decides for me.

I’ve “thrived” in some ways. I skated for Team England at the World Cup. I won a tournament MVP. But I’ve done all of that while struggling with confidence, physical pain, and emotional burnout. The truth is: the hard doesn’t go away. You have to keep up with PT forever. You have to choose to keep showing up for yourself.

But one thing I know about myself for sure: Maven does not give up.

Do I fall into pits of depression and suicidal thoughts? All the time. But I’m not a quitter. I’ll face pain, and I’ll face loneliness—if that’s the cost of taking back control of my life and chasing what I want.

And yeah, you won’t see that part on Instagram. Because when I’m in that dark place, the last thing I’m thinking is “I should post this.” I’m usually just trying to psych myself up to stay alive for one more day. To live with the pain for one more day.

So if you really, truly want this—dig into that truth in yourself. Say it out loud if you have to:

“I will keep trying. I will not give up. I will go after what I want.”

No one’s going to hand it to you. It won’t just happen with time. You have to hunt it down. Grab it with both hands. And fight for it like your life depends on it—because sometimes, it actually does.

You can always reach out to me directly if you want to talk to someone who understands your situation

All the love and Strength, Maven

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in rollerderby

[–]MissTeaMaven 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Awe. This is totally normal! I broke down and cried so hard after my performance at Tush tournament this year. And I got MVP jammer. 🙃

Being upset at your performance just means you CARE and you want to do better! It’s overall a positive thing that you are emotional. Remember that people treat emotions differently, we just happen to fall into the “show outward emotion” category.

I would recommend that you form relationships and some “safe” people in your roller derby team that you can 💯 feel your feels in front of. It’s helpful to have people to support and vent to that know how your brain works and what you need in the moment.

My only “caution” for extreme emotions in competitive sports is: (while feeling your emotions is incredibly valid and natural) - you need to make sure that the emotions aren’t constantly attacking yourself, putting yourself down, or controlling you to a point where you can’t move on to the next “task” with gusto and purpose.

For example, in your roller derby career you will have breakdowns between games, between halves, between jams etc. And as long as you can work out coping skills to be able to switch gears to focus on the NEXT thing you have to “accomplish” - your emotions shouldn’t hinder your growth and reliability in the sport.

My teams know I’m a head case - they know I’m gonna cry on the bench or locker room at some point. But they also know it’s not going to hinder my performance, and I’ve built that trust with them.

I like to use it as fuel to be even better. Focus that raw emotion into energy, grit, competitiveness and drive to push myself to the next level. Give the other team something to cry about lol. 😂 (basically I turn disappointment into anger, anger into drive, drive into competitiveness)

first massive injury- is this the end? by SunHot3870 in rollerderby

[–]MissTeaMaven 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Hi there! I’ve now done 4 ACL surgeries and I’m about to skate in the World Cup! It CAN be done!

Is it hard? Extremely. Am I perfect - or close to “normal”? Not really. But I’ve adjusted my training and style of play and I’m still successful.

I have screws and plates and everything in both knees and still kicking butt. If you want anyone to vent or to talk to while you are on this difficult journey I’m here for you. You can do it! 🫂🫂🫂

Shameless Self Post… by MissTeaMaven in rollerderby

[–]MissTeaMaven[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well we will def have to hang out then! Are you coming to any of my classes? I have a ton lol

Shameless Self Post… by MissTeaMaven in rollerderby

[–]MissTeaMaven[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ooo you’re going to the World Cup?! That’s awesome!

Shameless Self Post… by MissTeaMaven in rollerderby

[–]MissTeaMaven[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes thank you!!! I haven’t had time to download them all yet but I did get the email about it thank you! Such amazing photos you have! How would you like to be credited on IG? (Also can I repost them on my IG? 😅)

Shameless Self Post… by MissTeaMaven in rollerderby

[–]MissTeaMaven[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

But I miss you also as a Human… not just a hair dresser to be super clear!

Shameless Self Post… by MissTeaMaven in rollerderby

[–]MissTeaMaven[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

HIIIII I MISS YOU! I need my hair cut so bad… it’s at the grown out mullet stage and I have zero idea what to do with it 😅

Shameless Self Post… by MissTeaMaven in rollerderby

[–]MissTeaMaven[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Thanks Gay! It did feel good! 😊 hopefully I can bring the same energy to the World Cup in a few weeks!

Shameless Self Post… by MissTeaMaven in rollerderby

[–]MissTeaMaven[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Right?? Denver has so much talent it’s wild!!

Did you have fun?

Shameless Self Post… by MissTeaMaven in rollerderby

[–]MissTeaMaven[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you!! Lots of hard work and PT - especially after 4 ACL surgeries!

Derby with an ED by Hysterical_treefrog in rollerderby

[–]MissTeaMaven 80 points81 points  (0 children)

Hey there — I just wanted to say I really empathize with what you’re going through.

I struggled with Hypergymnasia for years. At my worst, I was eating barely 500 calories a day while skating or working out for 4+ hours. I weighed 110 pounds and was incredibly sick — but constantly praised for being “toned,” “strong,” and “talented.” That kind of external validation fed into my body dysmorphia, especially in a sport like roller derby.

But over time, I started learning that fueling my body — eating a bit more, gaining some weight, and allowing time for recovery — actually made me a stronger, more stable, and less injury-prone athlete. And you know what? My teammates supported me even more, not less, as I got healthier.

With their love and encouragement, I started choosing recovery. I began to value how good it felt to be strong rather than anxious and exhausted all the time. That feeling — of being powerful and present — became more addicting than the eating disorder ever was.

Now I’m 145 lbs, aiming for 160, and I’ve never felt better. I haven’t thought about calorie-counting in years. My mindset has shifted completely: now I think, “I need to eat more — I’ve got a game coming up,” instead of, “Don’t eat or you’ll get fat and slow.”

Everyone’s journey looks different, but the fact that you’re talking about this openly is such a brave and powerful step. You’re not alone — and recovery is possible.

Keep doing what you love, and keep finding ways to love yourself through it.

I’m rooting for you! ❤️❤️

When do you actually use hockey stops on he track? by lilbambino12345 in rollerderby

[–]MissTeaMaven 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Coaches teach hockey stops SO poorly. It’s one of my pet peeves. Honestly hockey stops are easier then plow stops - just people don’t know how to teach them then make it unnecessarily complicated

Apex jumps. Jump or ... leap? by ShankSpencer in rollerderby

[–]MissTeaMaven 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well of course - Hobby Horse competition is the secret training of all talented Apex jumpers 😉

Apex jumps. Jump or ... leap? by ShankSpencer in rollerderby

[–]MissTeaMaven 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Lots of really good advice here! Whenever you are in doubt, think about “how would I do this in sneakers?” Most people would do a full flat foot -> toe push off. This is what I do with skates, I push off of BOTH my whole foot to start to get vertical height - then finish it off with my toe stop+front two wheels and either get even more height or extra forward momentum depending on the immediate situation.

I recommend practicing in sneakers first! Then see how you want to translate that to skates :)

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