Tara Hoedown
Q. What brought you to the Tilted Thunder Rail Birds?
A. I have always loved derby. When we started to get leagues in the area I wanted to join but felt that I wouldn't be able to because I was just an okay skater. About a year ago I ran into a friend of mine that I hadn't seen in a while and found out that she was doing derby with TTRB. She convinced me to try out and told me that I could become a good skater just by getting out there and skating. So my good friend Em-ergency is the one who brought me to this sport and this league.
Q. How did you come up with your name?
A. I remembered seeing a derby name with Hoedown in it and instantly knew that it had to be part of my name. My family is from Montana and I spent a lot of time with Cowboy and Cowgirl rodeo relatives. It was the best part of my childhood. I also wanted a somewhat fierce name to go with my badass demeanor. So Tara Hoedown became my new derby persona. I like that every time I tell someone new what my derby name is they respond with excessive nodding and a "yeah!"
Q. What inspires you to kick butt like you do?
A. The pursuit of happiness. Derby brings me joy and bliss. It makes my day everyday. I've always been athletic and have loved to push my physical boundaries and derby definitely does that. Plus it's inspiration enough just to be on such a great league with so many awesome girls that you feel like you have to give it your all.
Q. What is the best part about doing derby?
A. Not having to apologize for my sometimes tough exterior. You use your personality to give you motivation to get out on the track and be a badass. Plus you get to knock girls down, who doesn't love doing that?
Q. What advice would you give the new chicks?
A. Dive in. The more you contribute to the league the more motivation you will have to become the awesome skater that you are capable of being. Every member of the league is a positive influence on me and keeps me going.
Q. What is your most embarrassing moment?
A. When I got a concussion at a scrimmage. I tend to blow off injuries and the sports med skater that day had to convince me to sit out. I kept saying that I was okay to go back in and she kept telling me to sit down. Looking back I feel silly for making her have to babysit me. Thanks K8!
Q. What do you do when you’re not skating?
A. Between working and skating there really isn't much time for other things. I do keep hoping to find time though for the boxing classes I like and yoga. Oh and I homebrew. That I definitely try to make time for.
Q. What is your beverage of choice?
A. My homebrew, your homebrew, local microbrew.
Q. If you could be an animal, what would you be?
A. A red panda. They are super cute small pandas that live in the forests in China and eat bamboo. I love super cute vegetarians.
Q. And lastly, if you were caught in an elevator with the leading man or woman of your dreams, right now, what color underwear would they catch you in?
A.Black
"Her initiative, response, organization, composure under pressure, creative problem solving, clear communication skills and positive response in regard to the coming out bout were simply phenomenal and without compare. She was an absolute star in making sure all needs and requirements were met in a more than timely manner and clearly communicated in a way that simplified the process for the rest of the league."
