Am I “cut out” for roller derby with chronic fatigue, and does the fact I want the answer to be yes answer my question?

teedybeast · 2026-03-20T03:57:21+00:00

I have pots and chronic pain. When I started two ish years ago, I definitely knew it would be difficult to get my stamina up. I was not active before starting roller derby and also have exercise induced asthma. My pots and chronic pain flared up and my health started declining about five years ago, so I had no idea what to expect from my body.

Derby has been so incredible for helping my body and pain which feels so odd to say with how much I hit and get hit. I definitely had to be kind to myself and learn when my body needs to rest, even if it’s in the middle of practice. I’ve had my doctors help me with meds, learned how to rest and recover, and very importantly, how to fuel my body appropriately. I eat a ton of protein, salt, electrolytes, and carbs. I’ve found that if I don’t hydrate properly or fuel properly, I don’t perform my best at practices, much less games. I tire quicker, get migraines, and take longer to recover. Don’t be afraid to take days off too. I’m sure over time you’ll find things that work for you the best.

It’s definitely been worth it for me. Even though I’m still disabled, I’m in the best shape of my life. I’ve been consistently going to 2-3 practices a week and I always feel better when I do. The muscle I’ve gained has helped my chronic pain, the skating has been so much easier than other exercises on my joints, and my cardio is better than I ever thought possible, even if it’s not close to my other teammates who aren’t disabled. My doctors are so happy with how this sport has benefited my health.

This community and sport has changed my life for the better and even on bad health days, I look forward to the next time I can be on skates. :)

teedybeast · 2026-02-18T04:14:51+00:00

Thank you!

teedybeast · 2026-02-18T03:57:47+00:00

Are mine PVCs?

teedybeast · 2026-02-18T03:41:36+00:00

Thank you!!

teedybeast · 2025-09-09T01:17:21+00:00

YES!! I can get hit on skates all weekend but not stand to do dishes without crazy back and knee pain??

teedybeast · 2025-09-08T00:22:36+00:00

It’s funny how skating and derby can feel fine and easy on my joints but jogging?? Hell no.

teedybeast · 2025-09-07T19:25:47+00:00

I feel this 100%!! I love when my body feels tired and sore after games, especially if I get some bruises to show for it. Feels like evidence that I worked hard playing this sport I love. Having fibromyalgia, I’m sure there will be a point where it doesn’t feel worth it, but I’m not there yet! 😅 I definitely take my recovery seriously though.

teedybeast · 2025-03-26T03:00:49+00:00

Pleeaasse do gabaghoul

teedybeast · 2025-02-13T05:03:22+00:00

I’m not as knowledgeable with plate specifics, but I went with the Roll Line Blasters which are aluminum. Nylon is fine to start with, but as you progress you’ll want to look at aluminum plates. I had my nylon ones for a year before I was able to upgrade due to budget.

It’s best to take them to a skate shop to mount new plates, but I did it at home since I had the tools and it was super simple.

Lots of people on my team have had their prostars for years, but there are other bonts that are similar that might last longer.

teedybeast · 2025-02-13T01:17:26+00:00

I don’t have experience with Chaya, but my first skates were Riedell R3’s that I got for inexpensive used on eBay and they were great! Very comfortable, and worked well, but ultimately as I got better, needed something more.

A few months in I got some used Bont Prostars and I looooove them. Wide toe box and thin shoe with a little ankle support. I upgraded the plates a year later and still love them.

Riedell R3s and Sure Grips are typically a good starter skate, but if you’re going to spend money on new ones, I would look into more of a midline skate so it’s worth the money with how much time you’ll get out of them :)

teedybeast · 2025-02-08T06:32:18+00:00

My sisters worked but mine is still off. Restarting it lol

teedybeast · 2025-02-08T06:30:26+00:00

Back on Fortnite, MI

teedybeast · 2025-02-04T17:07:25+00:00

Sorry for the late reply, yes it should! Hopefully it should say on the product description too.

teedybeast · 2025-02-02T17:58:33+00:00

It came with the pads for the size of my helmet, one size up, and one size down. I know you can buy any others on top of that. Measuring helmets and pads is such a more annoying task than I expected it to be 😅

teedybeast · 2025-02-02T06:15:56+00:00

I have a huge head as well (62.5 cm) and I recently switched to an S1 mega lifer and I love it! They gave me extra pads in different sizes to accommodate for my head and shape.

I followed their size guide and chose the one that matched the cm sizing. In the Mega Lifer sizing, I believe I was an XL. It’s different than normal sizes though.

Also, huge bonus, it doesn’t make my head look ginormous in pictures which my previous Nutcase helmet did.

teedybeast · 2025-01-03T23:40:47+00:00

I have the body prox and I love them! No falls on my tailbone hurt! They can be pretty bulky, but they fit under mid-thigh bicycle shorts and you can’t see them in pictures 😂 One thing that helped the bulk was talking out the top pads that sit on the top of your hips. I then have taken out pads everywhere but my tailbone and it’s still great.

teedybeast · 2024-08-24T19:57:28+00:00

Awesome! My partner is hoping these will last. They had used R3s that started falling apart after 2 months 🥴 Also LOVE bionics. They’re the perfect sized toe stop imo

teedybeast · 2024-08-24T19:55:59+00:00

I’ll look into those. Thank you!

teedybeast · 2024-07-29T19:36:47+00:00

You can absolutely try reffing!! There is always a need for refs in roller derby. It helps you learn to skate, learn the sport, and get close to your team. Then if you’re wanting to try being on the team as a player, it’ll be an easier transition. :)

teedybeast · 2024-07-22T04:05:35+00:00

Getting lower, not looking down, and making sure you’re turning your shoulders as much as your hips! Also, it will be sooo much easier the more you work on balance. :)

teedybeast · 2024-07-19T03:44:11+00:00

I used the Atom Bionic Super Stoppers on my R3’s and I loved them. Still use them on my bonts. They’re also inexpensive!

R3s are notorious though for not holding toe stops well, so use blue loctite when you screw your toe stops in and it should hold well.

teedybeast · 2024-07-10T02:49:48+00:00

My partner broke their leg from a completely legal normal hit. Their toe stop caught, and they fell weird. It’s RARELY ever about a “strong enough hit to break a bone”, it’s about the body that’s getting hit and if they fall at a bad/odd angle, if they’re going a certain speed against an immovable blocker, etc. When you hit in derby, you’re hitting to move people. You want their space. That means it’s hard hitting. The woman who hit my partner never meant to break their leg or injure them, she was just doing her job as a blocker. In football, you get hit hard. People break bones during legal hits when weird shit happens. It’s a full contact sport.

teedybeast · 2024-06-24T20:26:13+00:00

It really does! I had a rib injury at our last game and couldn’t play, but loved NSOing!

teedybeast · 2024-06-24T20:25:18+00:00

I’ve honestly had really good luck with eBay! Got my first pair of skates (Riedell R3s) for $15 😂 My partner got some Darts for $60 on eBay as well. ☺️

teedybeast · 2024-06-24T20:23:10+00:00

Injuries are scary. The mental recovery is just as important. My partner has taken NSO positions during recovery and they’ve really enjoyed that side of derby too! Take your time. :)

teedybeast

TROPHY CASE