Skater Spotlight: KitCat Go BOOM

Skater Spotlight KitCat Go BOOM, coach of the Troy Soldiers.  Photo courtesy of Grant Palmer Photography

LADD: What is the name of your Baby Doll Brawl eam?

KGB: We are the Troy Soldiers in pink for this BDB.

LADD: Do you have many veterans on the team to mentor the younger skaters?

KGB: We have a few of what I like to call “seasoned meat” & a couple Subpool skaters. It can take a while for a team to gel but I’m happy to see them stepping up into the mentor role.

LADD: Has the team had many opportunities to bond together as a team both on the track and off?

KGB: We have a Facebook group and we talk daily. The girls have really gotten to know each other and are still building that trust as a team, which can take time. But the camaraderie between them is great.

LADD: What made you decide to take the leap into coaching?

KGB: I actually LOVE helping people and just seeing the ‘lightbulb’ go on when something you’ve taught someone really sinks in, and you see the switch happen in their performance & play.  I’ve never coached a sport or trained others in any athletic activity, but so far I think it’s something I really love and want to continue. I recently made the Training Team so I’m eager to continue growing as a trainer in this sport.

LADD: How many Baby Doll Brawls have you been a part of?

KGB: I have played in 3 BDB’s since joining LADD. Always on the pink team ;)

LADD: Have you spoken to former BDB coaches for guidance?

KGB: I have.  Mainly just to share some experiences and hear that they’ve also experienced some of the same things as coaches for my previous team.

LADD: Could you see yourself becoming a full-time coach later on?

KGB: Ooh that’s a tough one. I hope to skate for as long as possible - like literally until I’m physically unable to LOL. My mother asks all the time when I think I'll stop beating myself up haha, she’s what I call an “indoor girl” or the “Pink Lady”...über girly girl. I think I would coach full-time actually down the road. I can’t see myself leaving this sport or the community around it. So I'll likely coach when I retire as a skater.

LADD: What do you like most about this experience (the BDB)?

KGB: I like the massive step up that skaters take in their understanding of the game and as skaters themselves. The learning curve is so steep when you train so intensely and toward a real goal. And I like that it’s a chance for newer skaters to experience being a badass on the track like the vet skaters they admire.

LADD: Tell us a secret about yourself that few people know.

KGB: I sing. As a kid it was something I was always pushed to promote about myself and I really hated that. I love to sing but it’s definitely something I keep more to myself. My boyfriend forgets sometimes and he’ll come home to me singing and gets all pie-eyed & gushes all over me about it. My secret gift I guess.

LADD: Share with us a story of this BDB team, something that speaks to the unique chemistry between everyone.

KGB: Everyone is really supportive of each other. We try to foster confidence in each other and always chastise each other for apologizing for everything. So there’s constant razzing for saying “sorry”. It’s not allowed on our team haha.

LADD: What advice would you give to someone considering trying out for Fresh Meat?

KGB: Be ready to WORK and show us what you got. You’ll need to push yourself and it’s gonna be tough sometimes. But the pain is worth the gain. I promise you. And you can’t beat the friends you’ll make here or the instant support system that is the derby community.

LADD: There are many new faces on the Tough Cookies now.  What is the team chemistry like?

KGB: It didn’t take long to get used to each other as people and luckily we seem to have had instant camaraderie I think. We knew this would be a year to rebuild, and we came in ready to work hard. I think that builds a kind of trust that we all want the same thing and has really jump-started the bonding process. Lots of spontaneous sing-a-longs and dancing on the infield, inside jokes that sort of thing. It was easy to slip into the groove of this team. I’m stoked to be a Cookie for sure!

LADD: Are you a part of any other groups or committees within the league?

KGB:  I’m currently on RaD and recently joined Training Team. Lovin’ it!

LADD: What is the story behind your derby name and number?

KGB: KitCat Go Boom was actually a spin on my friend’s Instagram name, Robotgoboom. But I kind of liked having KitCat in the front, and in the context of playing derby it was about explosiveness. I never came from a sports background but really admire powerful and agile athletes from all sports who have that explosiveness that can just make your jaw drop. I’m working on it. It’s definitely somewhere I hope to get in my derby career. The number is a nod to growing up and kind of living my teens in the ‘90s with pagers. Pager code for “cat” was 627, also it happens to be my mother’s birthday. Nothing too incredibly exciting or sexy but a bit fun/sentimental for me.