Power Through the 4th Whistle Roller Derby Podcast

In this episode, we explore the remarkable journey of Alysa Liu—one of figure skating’s most compelling comeback stories. Once a teenage prodigy who captured the attention of the skating world, Alysa rose quickly through the ranks before the intense pressure of elite competition led her to step away from the sport due to burnout.
After retiring and spending two years away from the ice, Alysa made a stunning return—rediscovering her love for skating and ultimately achieving the sport’s highest honor: Olympic gold.
We break down the key moments of her career, the challenges that led to her early retirement, what changed during her time away, and how she was able to come back stronger than ever. It’s a story about resilience, mental health, and finding joy in the sport again.
Whether you’re a longtime figure skating fan or love a powerful comeback story, this episode dives into the highs, lows, and historic triumph of Alysa Liu. ⛸️🏅
Consider this week's episode part 2 on my Olympics Figure Skating coverage translated into sports mindset lessons. (See episode 188 - When It All Falls Apart)
Finally, I want to share a mental trick with you called Six Quick Steps. This is something Coach Dan has been using with our roller derby team to help us arrive at practice and get our minds ready to do hard things together by remembering our WHY.
Photo by Wang Zhao / AFP/AFP
Podcast logo by Liz Mac Intyre
To find about more about the Fast Five Skate Race at K1 Speed in Traverse City, Michigan, go to this link: ⁠⁠https://www.tcrollerderby.com/events-2-1/fast-five-skate-at-k1-speed⁠⁠
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Listen to this episode and learn the power of chocolate!
A sweet special guest this week -- Lily Gaskell! Lily steered away from sports as a young person and found roller derby at age 19 following her sister's lead into the sport. Lily has skated for Sheffield Roller Derby, Rainy City Roller Derby, and as co-captain of Team England at the Roller Derby World Cup last year.
Lily's lessons of taking chances, being brave, and going for the life you want are an inspiring listen. Besides derby, Lily loves making chocolate, has a t-shirt business, being a personal trainer, and will perform at your wedding if you ask nicely. ;-)
Strike the Forge is a 12 week training program for contact athletes that will help you with plyometrics, agility, strength conditioning, balance work, recovery, anything and everything you need to go along with your on skates training.
Link to program: https://coach.everfit.io/package/MQ247059
Follow Lily Gaskell on IG: @lilygaskell316
Photo by Life Thru Argo's Lens
Podcast logo by Liz Mac Intyre
To find about more about the Fast Five Skate Race at K1 Speed in Traverse City, Michigan, go to this link: ⁠https://www.tcrollerderby.com/events-2-1/fast-five-skate-at-k1-speed⁠
Or follow Traverse City Roller Derby on socials: ⁠⁠⁠@tcrollerderby⁠⁠⁠
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Today's episode asks big questions. Are there ways to have less blowout games in roller derby? Is lead jammer overpowered? Should we change starts? How has clockwise blocking changed the game? Is roller derby...boring?
Code Adam from Arch Rival Roller Derby joins the podcast today to generate more discussion and curiosity about ways to improve the game of roller derby. He has been presenting lots of research on his Instagram profile to compare/contrast our sport with other sports as well as breaking down the flow and nuance of our games in general. His big ask is that the roller derby community take a chance and devote some scrimmage time to testing out new ideas to see what could come of it.
Do you like graphs and charts? Read more here: https://medium.com/@adamcz/roller-derby-is-boring-but-we-can-do-something-about-it-part-1-ebb9d1c68b45
https://medium.com/@adamcz/roller-derby-is-boring-part-2-lead-jammer-is-overpowered-plus-a-call-to-action-8f0d64a08864
If you have ideas/comments, follow @rollerderbyinnovation on IG or email [email protected].
You can also join the discord server to join the conversation: https://discord.gg/GDdKeGMRzR
Podcast logo by Liz Mac Intyre
To find about more about the Fast Five Skate Race at K1 Speed in Traverse City, Michigan, go to this link: https://www.tcrollerderby.com/events-2-1/fast-five-skate-at-k1-speed
Or follow Traverse City Roller Derby on socials: ⁠⁠@tcrollerderby⁠⁠
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Our heroes become gods...and then sometimes, our gods become human.
This week we’re diving into the Olympics, figure skating, the Quad God, and the brutal beauty of performing under pressure.
The journey of the seemingly unbeatable Ilia Malinin is one of the biggest stories of this Winter Olympics. Let's explore what happens when the gold feels inevitable… and then suddenly isn’t.
Why is it easier to chase than to defend? Why do we play freely when we have nothing to lose—but tighten up when it’s ours to win? And what’s actually happening in our brains when we “choke”?
This episode unpacks the psychology of pressure, the art of recovering from mistakes, and how to keep caring deeply without letting nerves take over.
If you’ve ever folded when it mattered most—or been afraid you might—this one’s for you.
The book referenced in this episode is Choke by Sian Beilock.
Photo by WANG ZHAO/AFP
Podcast logo by Liz Mac Intyre
To find about more about the K1 Speed Rollerskating Race Event coming up in Traverse City, follow Traverse City Roller Derby on socials: ⁠@tcrollerderby⁠
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Runback episode!! The podcast is back and we're starting by looking back on this conversation from 2020 with Erin Jackson. Since this interview, Erin Jackson won a Gold Medal in the 500 meter event in Beijing, China in 2022 and now in 2026 is competing in Italy at the Olympics in the 500 meter event as well as the 1000 meter event for the first time.
Listen and learn about the inspirational journey and competitive mindset of Erin Jackson!
Erin Jackson was a jammer for Jacksonville Roller Derby AND USA Roller Derby. Erin grew up in inline speed skating with many national championships and was named Female Athlete of the Year for Roller Sports three times. Months after learning to ice skate, surprising everyone including herself, she qualified for the 500 meters long track speed skating event at the 2018 Winter Olympics. It was also announced in early May that Erin is on the US Speedskating Long Track National Team for 2020-2021. Did I mention she’s doing all of this while furthering her education?
📷by Quick N Derby
Follow Erin Jackson on Instagram: @speedyj
Podcast logo by Liz Mac Intyre
To find about more about the K1 Speed Rollerskating Race Event coming up in Traverse City, follow Traverse City Roller Derby on socials: @tcrollerderby
https://www.facebook.com/tcrollerderby
Follow our Facebook page at:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.facebook.com/powerthru4thwhistle⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
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