This series of photographs are dedicated to showing real derby skater bodies without pretense and without apology. Our focus is on practice time, where the real work happens. The drills are real. The sweat is real. The hits are real. This set features skaters from Demolition City Roller Derby. Additional photos can be found on Cory’s Flickr album. Get future updates on Facebook by following The Rollergirl Project.
I'm proud of playing derby. It's been one of the most rewarding things in my life! I love the way my body looks because of roller derby. We are athletes!
-- Sadie Stardust, 2 year veteran
Before this shoot - I saw obese, old gal. After the shoot and looking at these pictures - I see someone out there doing something. It may not be great but it's something. I didn't want to see the pictures, to be honest, especially because I didn't want to be faced with how big I am. I looked and wasn't completed grossed out. I got out of my comfort zone on so many levels and I'm glad.
-- Yankee ClipHer, Experienced Rookie
When I started derby, I gained weight. At first I thought, "Woah, this is not how it's supposed to work! I want to LOSE weight, right?"
Society puts these ideas in our heads that we as women should strive to be small and if we work out we should make sure not to get too muscular, because then we won't be feminine enough. But in derby, we get to throw all those ideas out the window. I get to say, "Yeah, I gained weight! I gained 10 pounds of muscle! And even though my favorite jeans got a little tighter in the butt and thighs, I look at these pictures and think I'd trade my favorite jeans and a few inches for derby any day. I love derby and I love how powerful I feel when I use those muscles to push through a wall of tough blockers. I'm proud of my thunder thighs!!
-- Slaughtermelons, 2 year veteran
I love these pictures. Seeing my teammates being comfortable with their bodies gives me the confidence to be more comfortable with mine.
-- Low Low, 2 year veteran
I wanted to do Body in Motion to get further out of my comfort zone. A year ago, I was skating and I had zero confidence and mentally unfit. This year I have overcome so much and am building that confidence. I am going to be facing so many mental hurdles when I face competition that is NOT my own team this season. This is a good place to mentally toughen up.
-- Yankee ClipHer, Experienced Rookie
