Mile High Club and Team USA all-star Tracy "Disco" Akers talks about the founding of the Denver Roller Dolls, her experiences on Team USA, and how derby helped her overcome a devastating divorce.How long have you been playing?It's been about 7 years now.How did you choose your derby name?When I was younger I thought the name "Disco" would be really cool and wanted to change my name to "Disco Monroe." So when I was told I could choose any name I wanted Disco was a no-brainer! My name was originally Disco-a-Gogo, but I dropped the, a-Gogo in 2008 I believe. That part of my name came from the sadist, schoolgirl bodyguard, Gogo, from Kill Bill.You were one of the original founders of the league. Talk to me about how it's grown and evolved in the last 7 years.Watching the league grow from virtually nothing but sweat, tears, and hard work to the successful, prominent league it is today is nothing short of inspiring. In its growth, this league has changed lives: within the league and out. I am amazed by the constant hard work the individuals in this league put in to make the Denver Roller Dolls the best it can be. It is a thankless task that everyone involved gladly puts countless hours into. I love that this league still has huge goals and continues to push to stay ahead of the curve of modern roller derby, on the track and off. The ideas that the Denver Roller Dolls were founded on have never been lost. I don't think many leagues can say that. All this makes me so proud to be a Denver Roller Doll.What was it like being a member of Team USA and playing in the first roller derby world cup?This is something that still feels like a dream. I have searched and searched and I literally don't think the words exist that could describe the feeling. I emailed Stephen Hawking hoping to resolve this issue. No response yet though. The World Cup was one of the best experiences in my life. Meeting people from countries all over the world and having so much in common really makes the world seem like a better place. I don't know if that makes much sense but that is how it makes me feel. Off the track, I learned that dance and humor have no language barriers and that Americans are the best pranksters in the world! Being on team USA itself was humbling and confidence building. It was great skating with all those talented skaters from all around the country. The best part was that although the USA skaters are leaders on and off the track in their home leagues not a one was a prima donna or thought she was better than any other skater on the team. Every person on Team USA took no issue with either taking lead or following lead and everyone supported each other. I love saying, "I skate for Team USA." I don't think it will ever get old.As one of the best (and most feared) skaters in the league, what advice would you give new skaters?Geesh, you sure know what to say to charm a derby girl! I would say to try and not get overwhelmed with the world of derby and the league itself. Off the track (but in the league), don't take on too much. Keep your work load as light as you can and focus on one thing you will be good at. At home, make sure to take the time for loved ones and try to get them involved with your new found love of derby. On the track, work on all your basic skills. Find places where you need improvement and tackle them one at a time, ask questions, and try not to get frustrated and keep pushing yourself. That is the only way you will get better.There was a really touching moment in "Talk Derby To Me", a short documentary by Frank Hogan on the founding of the Denver Roller Dolls, where it showed you staying up all night to make the Green Barrettes uniforms in the aftermath of your divorce. Did derby help you cope with that loss?Derby helped give me the strength I needed to ask for a divorce in an already destroyed marriage. I made the uniforms during the asking of the divorce. Soon after my husband was gone, I had a hard time coping with being alone with a mountain of debt. I remember being at an ultimate low, broken down, sobbing, and beating the floor with my fists. I felt like it took all my strength to just breathe. The only thing I had that made me feel okay was derby. Derby picked me up off the floor. Derby distracted me from reality when I needed it to. Derby pulled me out of a bad situation and gave me something to focus on: myself. I began to put everything I had to skating and DRD. Thinking about it still brings tears to my eyes because I never put myself first before derby. I was always an overachiever but overachieving for others and not myself. Once I was able to refocus my efforts on myself, I myself became my achievement. I am so confident now and feel like I can take on the world, and literally have. I wouldn't change who I am for anything or anyone.Do you get nerves before a big bout and how do you handle it?I get nerves before any bout! I feed off those nerves. That is why I love going in the first jam. Beforehand I try not to think about the bout until I have my gear on and I'm warming up. I don't let myself get excited and I don't let myself get complacent either. I keep my spirits up with song and good laughs. Closer to bout time, usually during warm up, I try and focus and visualize what I want to do on track. On the track for the first jam I feel my muscles shaking, the anticipation, the clammy skin, the erratic fast heart rate, the hundreds of thoughts rushing through my head. . . it's almost too much to take. Then I look at my opponents on the track. I see their muscles shaking too. I realize that they are going through the same thing. At that moment I feel confident in my abilities and ready. Still shaking though, lol! I think realizing that everyone feels that way one way or another really helps.The Mile High Club saw several veteran members retire at the end of last season. How has that changed the dynamic of the 2012 Mile High Club and what are you looking forward to this year?Although the retired skaters are missed as teammates, I don't think the dynamic has changed much. I think that the team itself has changed with some exciting new additions, but is just as strong. Fortunately, the Mile High Club has a deep roster and can handle retirements and injury. We also have so many up-and-comers in the league that filling the roster back up is easy, and exciting! It also really helps that our retired skaters still support the team. I am looking forward to seeing how this 2012 team dominates this season. I feel very, very confident about MHC this season. Answer the door, because we will be delivering!!