November 2014 Featured Skater: Mutch Mayhem

Fans had the opportunity to watch Mutch Mayhem's jamming skills earn her MVP at the D1 Playoffs in Charleston, and now Mutch joins the Rose City Rollers as they face Championships this month in Nashville, Tennessee. Learn more about Mutch's derby career and ambitions for the exciting tournament ahead!

What is your derby name? Mutch Mayhem

Please explain the inspiration and story behind your derby name.
I made up my derby name when I was 14. Mutch is my last name, so I just added Mayhem to it.

What is your number? 77

What is your home league? Rose City Rollers

Which team(s) do you play on?
Travel team: Wheels of Justice Home team: Break Neck Betties

What is your skate gear of choice?
Atom gear!

What is your position of choice? Jammer

What is your signature move?
I won't give it away until after Champs!

How would you describe your derby playing style?
I am more of a quick and agile skater.

Do you have a pre-bout ritual?
On bout days I like to sleep in, and then I'll blast music in my house to get me pumped up. I'll eat a good meal and then do some stretching. I also like to be around my teammates on game day, so I usually go to Licker N Split's house.

What do you think about when you're lacing up your skates?
I am always focused on the task at hand, so honestly when I lace up my skates I'm thinking about making it feel right on my foot. You can't just lace up your skates like you're tying your shoe really quick. Maybe it's just me, but you know that feeling when you roll out on to the track and your skates just feel right?

Do you have a favorite motivational quote?
"Success has been and continues to be defined as getting up one more time than you've been knocked down."

Do you have a theme song?
I listen to Led Zeppelin to get me pumped up on game day so that would be a theme.

How did you get involved with roller derby?
My sister's friend's mom started the Kitsap Derby Brats in 2007. I had heard of roller derby before and thought it was cool so I decided to just go for it, and then I fell in love.

What is your pre-derby sports/skating background?
I played soccer for six years.

Please tell us about your rookie year and how you learned to play roller derby.
When I first started derby I didn't even know how to do cross overs. Luckily, Kitsap Derby Brats had just started and so everyone was new, and I had time to get the hang of things. My rookie year with Rose I was constantly being pushed and challenged at every practice, nothing was ever easy and I loved it that way. Actually, it's still like that.

You started playing roller derby when you were fourteen and are now competing in one of the WFTDA's top leagues. How do you think the wave of junior skaters graduating to WFTDA leagues will change the sport?
There are a lot of really good junior skaters out there that will be great competitors when they join WFTDA. I think it will be a change for the better.

As a skater who joined a WFTDA league right away at 18, what were some of the struggles of starting over as one of the youngest skater on a league?
Well it's been three years now, but I joined Slaughter County Roller Vixens when I turned 18 and everyone was super welcoming. I made a lot of good friends on that league. I was welcomed with the same open arms when I transferred to Rose. Probably the hardest thing for me about joining WFTDA from juniors is that the hits were way harder, and there are more competitors. There are just more teams, and more skaters to go up against, but I embraced the challenge.

Congratulations on being named MVP at the D1 Playoffs in Charleston! How did it feel to receive such an honor?
It feels great to have all the hard work pay off. Sometimes practice is so hard and frustrating, but this reminds me of the reasons why I work so hard and makes me want to work even harder.

Congratulations to you and the Rose City Rollers on taking 1st place in the D1 playoffs in Charleston! With WFTDA Championships coming up October 31st-Novemeber 2nd, what are you doing to prepare?
Thank you! Our team came into playoffs ready enough to play for Champs. I'm going to do the same things to prepare. Hydrating, stretching, visualizing, and just being around my team.

You have a reputation as not only a fast and determined jammer, but also have some the best juking skills around! What are some of the tips you have for skaters looking to better their juking and jamming skills on the track?
A lot of that juking is just instinct for me. I would say to start practicing things on your skates that take you out of your comfort zone. Practice crazy things, stumble, and fall down. Becoming more comfortable doing those random things on your skates will make you a better skater overall. It's always better to have more tools in the toolbox.

Please share your best derby moment (or moments).
There have been so many great moments, but my favorite so far has been taking first place at playoffs this year with WoJ. Our team has worked to earn that spot and I am very proud of us. It's the first time Rose has taken first at a playoff tournament, so this is really exciting.

What are some of your greatest roller derby accomplishments on the track?
Winning tournament MVP at D1 playoffs this year, it's kind of a dream come true. Also, getting to play on the Vagine Regime at RollerCon!

Off the track?
Being nominated for November's featured skater! Also being on the cover of Five on Five in spring 2013.

Who are your derby heroes?
SoulFearic Acid! She was WoJ captain my first year with Rose. She was a great role model and a phenomenal athlete. Her high energy was contagious and she taught me so many valuable skills.

What is your day job? And how, if at all, has it contributed to your experience of roller derby?
I'm a fitness trainer at a gym right now. I actually don't think this has contributed too much to roller derby. When I started with Rose I was a skating carhop at Sonic Drive-In. Since then, I've worked in retail, restaurants and even as a carpenter, so I've done a lot of different things.

How has your involvement in roller derby affected the way you live the rest of your life?
Roller derby has definitely affected the way I live my life. It keeps me healthy, it changes the way I eat, and the way I treat my body overall. I try to make the best choices I can so that I can be the best derby player possible.

How do you find a balance between your derby life and your “real” life?
It can be hard when roller derby is your number one passion, and takes up time like a full time job, and you actually have a full time job on top of that. Then trying to have relationships on top of that. I guess I find my balance by trying to leave derby at the door when I come home, and leaving home/work at the door when I come to practice.

Do you have any upcoming bouts that you’re really excited for and why?
Championships of course! We are so focused and ready to demolish!

What advice do you have for girls who want to join roller derby?
Don't be afraid and just go for it!

Do you have a special message to your fans?
Thank you for all of your support and I love you!

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