To fans it’s not always clear why we choose some of our names. What does your name, Tera Joules, mean and why did you choose it?

I knew right off the bat that I wanted a science name. I was really leaning towards the name “entropy” which means disorder and chaos in the universe, but it was taken. Then I thought killa Joules would’ve been funny and fantastic, but when I found out THAT was taken I wanted a name bigger and better (literally) so I went with Tera as a prefix, which means a TRILLION!!! and Joules, which is a unit of energy. I was 100% decided on that once I realized lightning was measured in Tera Joules 🙂

Your number, 7e12, isn’t just a random number. What does it mean?

Before we became a WFTDA league my number was 7×10^12, 7 being my favorite number and 10^12 being a trillion in scientific notation. Once I had to cut it to 4 characters I just changed it to how you would type it in a calculator. Nerd status!

As head of the Jr League you have a lot of girls who aspire to be just like you. How do the Frightmares inspire you?

They inspire me in so many ways! They are young and have so much potential ahead of them. I push to skate harder, play smart, and be tough because I expect no less from them. They inspire me to be the best player I can be and an excellent off track role model. I care about them in all that they do, I’ve even tutored one girl in chemistry! I know that there are some pretty crappy role models out there so I aspire to be the best for them. Every decision I make I think about them. I feel like a mother hen sometimes!

What made you want to play a full contact sport instead of a non-contact sport?

I was actually terrified to play a full contact sport that involved wheels being strapped to my feet. I knew I was aggressive and competitive so I worked my butt off to get my skill to that level. Non-contact sports don’t give you THAT feeling. Its empowering and makes me feel stronger than I ever had both mentally and physically.

Besides being such an awesome skater, do you have any hidden talents?

Well if I told you they wouldn’t be hidden, would they? I drive a standard (because I like control!) and most people don’t know that.

When you get really tired in a game, what helps you to keep pushing and stay motivated to play hard?

I just remember that people are depending on me. I can do anything for two minutes. If I can’t, there’s 13 other people on that bench I’m letting down. That’s unacceptable to me. I push through for my team, because they do the same for me.

What do you think is most important for a newer skater to learn?

Edges!!! I cannot emphasize it enough!! Edges are everything; they are balance, agility, control, and the key to staying on your feet. Ask any Frightmare or fresh meat- they would be millionaires if they got a $1 for every time I preached about edges when coaching.

What has been your greatest accomplishment in derby?

Winning the first WFTDA sanctioned game EVER vs Harrisburg at ECDX last year. At the end of the game we all cried and hugged in a circle for about 5 minutes. It was the epitome of everything we had worked for and to see all that hard work pay off was PRICELESS. I will never forget that moment