Latest Bout:
7/22/2023 Burning River: All Stars 209 vs Windy City: Third Coast 166
7/22/2023 Burning River: Haz-Mat Crew 99 vs South Bend 269
WFTDA International Rankings

Latest Bout:
7/22/2023 Burning River: All Stars 209 vs Windy City: Third Coast 166
7/22/2023 Burning River: Haz-Mat Crew 99 vs South Bend 269
WFTDA International Rankings

 

Girl Gone Wilder skates into action against the Hard Knockers in Bout 2

 

Skater Name: Girl Gone Wilder
What your fellow skaters call you? (AKA): Wilder or GG

Q:What prompted you to get into Derby?
I first saw derby when I watched a series on A&E about a league in Austin, Texas. Loved it. Then when I moved to Cleveland in 2006, a friend of mine emailed me about the league here. A group of us started going to bouts. I thought it was amazingly insane. I had a lot of respect for everyone on the track. Definitely never thought I could be one of them. Then at the end of 2009, I went through a rough time personally.  So I decided 2010 would be MY year…my year to try things I never would have before, challenge myself and build new experiences. Derby was one of those things. I bought some skates in May, started going to open skates on my own and joined PFM (Potential Fresh Meat) in August. I didn’t think I’d last a month.
 
Q:If Girl Gone Wilder had a theme song, what would it be?
Not Afraid – Eminem

Q:What’s your favorite thing about bouting?
I love the energy and teamwork on the track. You practice and practice and practice then during the bout it all comes together, for better or worse.

Q:Which opponent leaves you shaking in your skate boots?
Hmm, tough question. It’s crap to say no one and it’s dangerous to name names. So instead I’ll just say to those ladies who line me up and put me down on the track, I love you and I hate you.

Steamers Beatrix Wicked and Girl Gone Wilder ham it up.

Q:What part of doing derby is harder than you might have expected?
Two things. 1) The time commitment is intense. You’re warned a million times before joining, but it still surprised me. On the track and off the track, derby invades your life and calls it home sweet home. 2) The mental and physical beating you take. You have to go through it to learn and improve, period. Thankfully though, you have teammates and leaguemates who have your back throughout the process.

Q:Do you do any off-skates work-outs?
Working out is like therapy for me, so I’m a gym rat. I usually hit the Elliptical for an hour almost every day plus free weights, push ups, lunges and whatnot. If I’m hurting though, I’ll skip a work out. It’s all about balance.

Q:Do you have a derby mentor?
The Killustrator – Her derby skills are obvious, but she also has such a real vibe to her. There’s no BS, no wishy-washiness, no pulled punches. So when she says something positive and encouraging to me, it’s like a Dear Derby Diary moment because I know it’s real and not just lines you feed a rookie. Plus she always looks like she’s having fun on the track.
Gonnolea – She’s like the ideal big sister. She will either give you a hug or a kick in the butt, whichever you need…whether you know you need it or not.
My captains, Rainbow Fright and Mosh Spice – They lead. I follow.

Opponents on the track, friends off the track: Wilder poses with Pin-up New World Orphan

Q:What has been your biggest challenge in derby so far?
Constantly pushing yourself and believing in yourself. Sometimes you’re tired or stressed or your feet won’t go fast enough. But through the ups and downs, you just have to focus and push through.

Q:Tell our fans one fun fact about you:
I’m a Texas girl, so I love fried, salty food, preferably smothered in gravy. And along those lines, I hate most vegetables so I’m definitely not a healthy eating role model for kids.

Q:Do you have a pre-bout routine or any bout day superstitions?
I can’t think of anything super awesome or inspiring. I get up early to destress, lounge around and watch some TV. Then I’ll review my bout goals and make some notes. I’ll also make my favorite meal, salt and pepper shrimp with jasmine rice as a pre-bout treat. Last things I do are clean my wheels, check my equipment and get ready to go.

Q:What do you like to do when you’re not doing derby deeds?
I’m not very GGW off the track, pretty low key for the most part.  I like drinking at brunch on a lazy Sunday; going to sporting events; watching unhealthy amounts of TV; taking trips with my boyfriend; hanging out with a group of friends around the BBQ grill; seeing concerts at House of Blues, Grog Shop or Beachland; trying new restaurants because Cleveland is foodie heaven; getting some exercise inside or outside of the gym.

Q:You always look like you’re thinking when you’re skating–what’s going on in Wilder’s head when you’re out on the track?
Hahaha. Other skaters have said that to me. I’m usually thinking about what I’m supposed to be doing or thinking about what I need to do next or I’m just reviewing my goals quickly in my head. Sometimes it just boils down to “YEAAAAAA!” or “%$&*@$*&!!”