The Monkey's Spoon Derby interviwed a few skaters from the Aurora 88s.
The Monkey's Spoon - Can you tell me a little bit about yourself and where you're from?Ieata Brains - I was born here in Illinois - Hoffman Estates. Grew up in West Chicago. I attended private schools the majority of my life per my parents choosing. I consider myself more of a free spirit and enjoy diversity so it wasn't until college that I feel like I really got to experience more of what the world had to offer. I enjoy trying new things so unless it involves hurling myself from extremely high altitudes (although I haven't quite ruled out sky diving JUST yet), I'm usually willing to give things a go. I enjoy learning from others and got my undergrad degree in social work. I spent 5 years working with adults with intellectual disabilities and it opened my eyes to just how prevalent mental illness really is. I am currently in the process of applying to get my graduate degree in mental health counseling. I lived in Portland, Oregon, for almost a year where I learned about the Rose City Rollers. I did not get an opportunity to try out for them while I was there but the thought of roller derby never left my mind afterwards. I learned about a new league forming in my area after I had moved back to Illinois so I joined and have never looked back, 3 years later!
The Monkey's Spoon - What's the background on your Derby name?
Ieata Brains - It started off as a private joke
among a friend and I. He introduced me to the awesomeness that is The Return of
the Living Dead. When we wouldn't hear from each other in a while, instead of
texting or calling to say "Hi, How are ya?" - we would text a simple
reminder... "BRAAAAINS". That served as a "haven't heard from
you in a while, what's up?" Soooo, I was at home one evening getting ready
to go to derby and panicking because names were to be turned in that night and
I still didn't have one... when all of a sudden I got a text -
"BRAAAAINS" - perfect! At that moment a name was born... IEATA
BRAINS.
The Monkey's Spoon - How long have you been doing roller derby?
Ieata Brains - 3 years! Really? Wow, time does fly
when you are having fun! I have been skating the whole time. The first year I
was Vice President of the league. Year two and three I have been President.
The Monkey's Spoon - Have you skated for any other team?
Ieata Brains - Not exactly. When I first joined I
was technically part of the DuPage Derby Dames but then there was some
miscommunication between league members and an eventual split... the girls that
stayed at the Aurora Skate Center became The Aurora 88s. I am an 88 but I will
admit I love both leagues... hardcore.
The Monkey's Spoon - Is there anyone who intimidates you?
Ieata Brains - Intimidates? Within the derby
community? No. We all have our own strengths. But there are those that I
definitely admire and aspire to be like!
The Monkey's Spoon - Have you had any other sporting experiences?
Ieata Brains - Egh, when I was in Junior High I
played Volleyball and Basketball. But that was so long ago. Nothing ongoing
that I really considered to be my thing. I did grow up on skates though. When
all the neighborhood kids were riding their bikes, I always chose my skates.
The Monkey's Spoon - Besides Derby, what else do you do for fun?
Ieata Brains - I enjoy traveling, when funds allow
me to do so. There is so much out there to see and experience - I want to get
in as much as I can before I am no longer able to. I love being dragged along
to random music shows and being blown away by yet another band that I had no
idea existed. Small intimate shows are always a favorite. Movies are great also
- I will never be able to catch up on my list of things to watch but I will
never stop trying! I like to go out and play... go for walks, ride my bicycle,
play frisbee, go snowboarding, etc. but when I can't do that then sitting at
home with friends and just chillin' like a villain sounds great too. But my
number 1 thing (aside from derby) is hanging out with my two dogs - the loves
of my life!
The Monkey's Spoon - One thing your team mates don't know about you?
Ieata Brains - When I was born I looked like
Annie. Ya know, from the movie? I had bright red curly hair. Apparently it was
my brother's favorite movie at the time so he would pray every night that I
came into the world looking like Annie. I did. I blame this all on him, haha.
The Monkey's Spoon - Any special Talents?
Ieata Brains - No talents. Unless nervous rambling
fits into that category! Or attracting complete strangers that like to tell me
their whole life story (shhhh, I enjoy that though)! You learn a lot by
listening to others! :-) I guess that comes in handy for my future profession!
The Monkey's Spoon - Can you tell me a little bit about yourself and where you're from?
Stormin Stella - I’m a single mom with a 19 year old
son and 21 year old daughter. I work
full time as a business manager for a software company in Downers Grove. I’ve lived in Aurora for 17 years.
The Monkey's Spoon - What's the background on your Derby name?
Stormin Stella - My material grandmother’s name was
Stella. When I couldn’t come up with a
fun play on names because there were all taken, I decided to go with her name
and call myself Stormin’ Stella. I think
she would approve.
The Monkey's Spoon - How long have you been doing roller derby?.
Stormin Stella - About 3 years.
The Monkey's Spoon - Have you skated for any other team?
Stormin Stella - I started with the Dupage Derby
Dames.
The Monkey's Spoon - Is there anyone who intimidates you?
Stormin Stella - Dr. Bruise Banger. BANG!
You’re down~
The Monkey's Spoon - Have you had any other sporting experiences?Stormin Stella - I’ve played volleyball and softball.
The Monkey's Spoon - Besides Derby, what else do you do for fun?
Stormin Stella - I love the outdoors, working out, reading, working in the yard/garden. Spending time with my family and friends.
The Monkey's Spoon - One thing your team mates don't know about you?
Stormin Stella - I’m deathly afraid of heights.
The Monkey's Spoon - Any special Talents?
Stormin Stella - Sadly, no.
