Today we’d like to introduce you to Elizabeth Gomez.
Elizabeth, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I am an idea, community, and good time gal type of person. Everything I’ve done is about bringing the community together and creating a fun atmosphere to accomplish things that you don’t believe are possible.
Simply put, I’m a rebel with a lot of causes! I was 30 years old when I started Chicago’s first all-female roller derby league, the Windy City Rollers. The ladies that joined me, in the beginning, were ladies who helped bring out the best in me and honestly, my fear about letting them down, is what made me fearless and develop my leadership skills.
Roller derby was my very first experience in sports. I never joined a sport and I had only started riding a bike a few years before that. To be 30 years old (with two small kids and in the midst of a divorce), it would seem impossible for you to start a full-contact sport, but I did and it was the best experience of my life. I learned a ton about people, female friendships, vision, hard work, failure, and the power of just following through with your ideas.
After the derby, I started a writing collective with some friends. We were retired skaters who had dreams of being writers. At that point, I was 38 and was like why the hell not? Soon after, my husband thought I was hilarious and bought me stand up classes with Kelsie Huff and I started hitting the stage. Last summer, I started a bike team called Team Tuff Muff and that spurred the idea of Fat Heauxs. I like doing a lot of things but just bigger than most people would.
Has it been a smooth road?
Has anyone said yes? I can’t imagine that to be true. I think the hardest thing that I struggled with is the idea of letting go. As I’ve become more experienced in creating organizations and teams, for lack of a better term, I have learned that sometimes you have to let go. The Windy City Rollers was my baby. It occurred to me at a time when there were not even 10 leagues in the country. Now, there are hundreds all over the world.
I put my heart and my soul in it. Nothing mattered more than the derby. I think ladies who play today would say that derby isn’t a fun sport, it is your life when you are playing. I spent so many nights thinking about our next steps, what it would look like, where to play. I strategized with other women and I fought with just as many. I sacrificed time with my family and spent a lot of time losing myself in the creation of the league.
At some point, though, I realized that I wasn’t what was best for this 80+ person organization I created. I wasn’t leading it anymore. The people who came up with me surpassed me as a player and a leader. I took it as far as I could, but being involved in it no longer made me happy nor did it benefit the many women and men who could take it further. It was incredibly painful to understand. I gave it so much but walked away feeling like I got back so little.
Now, I feel that thinking is nonsense. The WCR gave me everything I needed and more. The best gift was the ability to roll along (see what I did there?) and let your ideas grow. As a creator, you plant the seed and nurture, but you have to let it become what it is. Much like raising children but with a lot less wine.
Tell us more about the business.
Since my business is me, I would say I’m most known for my humor and cutting honesty. I don’t bullshit around much and I know how to get things done. My services are based on writing, performing, public speaking, coaching, and emceeing, but I don’t do windows. Seriously, I don’t know how to work off a PC. (RIMSHOT)
People hire me because they like me and that’s a great feeling. I’m reliable, deadline driven, and have a colorful background. If you need a speaker on feminism, parenting, health and fitness, being a survivor, divorce, age, vaginas, I mean, I’m your gal. I offer a warmth and energy that people trust and generally respond to because I’m kind of an idiot and people love feeling superior!
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
Hiring more people of color is what I want to see!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thatelizabethgomez.com
- Phone: 7735474694
- Email: juanna.rumbel@gmail.com
- Instagram: @JuannaRumbel
- Twitter: @JuannaRumbel
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
