Roller Derby is my self-care routine

“There’s a lot of guilt, I suppose, associated for taking time for ourselves. Self-care is such a buzzword at the moment, but that’s what roller derby is for me”

Meet Miranda. Mum of Riley.

Miranda is a computer programmer by day and a keen roller derby player on weekends and weeknights.  For Miranda, there’s nothing quite like roller derby. The sport takes all her focus so she can forget about the worries of everyday life and get in touch with her playful side. And the feeling of being in a room full of other women who are passionate and supportive keeps her going.  

Being able to take her kid, Riley, under her wing and share the joy of playing the sport has been an absolute joy for Miranda. Wearing matching uniforms, Riley is with her mum for all her bouts. She already joins in on the warmups on Sundays and wants to join the league when she turns 18! 

Roller derby helps Miranda reconnect with herself and balance her time spent between home, family, and work. “It really is a meditation on skates whilst bumping into people and you walk away reset. (…) [And] the family and your kids get the benefits.” Miranda shares.  

Hear more from Miranda here:


Keen to push yourself further, want to be more active, or just get started with an activity?  

Want to start at home in under 10 minutes?

  • Our Get Active @ Home page has loads of videos of different lengths so you can try what works well with everything else you’re juggling.

Looking for more inspiration first?

  • Meet other girls who are making waves in their physical activity, in their own way, and on their terms! 
  • Join the conversation on  Facebook, Instagram and Twitter that encourages women to be active, get inspired, and share stories of being active! 

Running is my sanctuary

“It’s definitely time to put myself first because when I feel good, my kids benefit from that.” 

Jessica, from the Gunditjmara and Yorta Yorta tribes, grew up in country Victoria and played sports growing up. Now, a mother of two, she reflects on how she put the exercise on the back burner for a while, until her friend encouraged her to apply for the Rob De Castella Indigenous Marathon Foundation project.

As one of 12 runners in the Marathon Project across the country, today, Jessica shares how she found ways to incorporate physical activity into her everyday life.  

“When I first started running after having [my younger son,] Wirin, he would cry, get upset. But after a few months, he realised it was normal that mum goes running. Now, when I go out the door, Wirin would like to come with me. He’ll jump in the jogger, and we head off up the road. And sometimes he stays in and sometimes he gets out and runs next to me.” 

This Girl Can ambassador Jess with her son walking next to her in COuntry Victoria. you can see Jess pushing a pram

Jessica feels “grounded and connected” when she runs and credits running as helping her get through a tough time in her life and making her a better mum. “when I get out amongst the trees, you know, out in the country, I just am able to ground myself.” And the camaraderie in her running group motivates her to keep going. “When you’re having a hard day and they give you that encouragement and say, come on, let’s do this, you’ll feel better. And you always do.” She says as she shares a laugh with her Heywood Deadlies running group.

Jess running with other friends from her Heywood Deadlies running group

Her idea of having a great time is playing basketball with her elder son Nason. “Being outside with Nason, sharing something that he loves to do and that I love to do as well, and we get to enjoy that together.”  

Hear from Jessica here:


Keen to push yourself further, want to be more active, or just get started with an activity?  

Want to start at home in under 10 minutes?

  • Our Get Active @ Home page has loads of videos of different lengths so you can try what works well with everything else you’re juggling.

Looking for more inspiration first?

  • Meet other girls who are making waves in their physical activity, in their own way, and on their terms! 
  • Join the conversation on  Facebook, Instagram and Twitter that encourages women to be active, get inspired, and share stories of being active! 

Spring into This Girl Can Week 2022

We’re coming out of winter and connecting in a safe way.

Whether it’s with friends, family, or a dedicated group of people, let’s get outside and be active.

Whether it’s walking, hiking, cycling, or chasing the kids around the park, there’s a fun way that you can get active this Spring.

Click here to see a list of events that are happening around Victoria.

Our Supporters made of physical activity providers, clubs, gyms, facilities, and organisations will offer fun, beginner friendly and come-and-try events through the week.

Walk through their doors and try news ways to get active!

Or check out these Get active @ home activities that you can access and activate anywhere, anytime!

Looking for some inspo?

Check out our This Girl Can – Victoria ambassadors’ stories on how they got into different kinds of sports to get active and feel good.

And join our This Girl Can – Victoria community via social on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.  

Want to support more women get active?

Sign up to be a campaign supporter today and access FREE resources to engage more women in a physical activity.

Questions? Reach out to us at thisgirlcan@vichealth.vic.gov.au.

Learn more about This Girl Can – Victoria campaign here.