Parallels Between Fight Club and Roller Derby

FC Quote: "The first rule of Fight Club is: You do not talk about Fight Club!"

DERBY:  First rule of joining San Diego Derby Dolls is: 

You do not talk about the Dollhouse location!

FC Quote: "The second rule of Fight Club is: YOU DO NOT TALK ABOUT FIGHT CLUB!"

DERBY:  Second rule of joining San Diego Derby Dolls is: 

YOU DO NOT TALK ABOUT THE DOLLHOUSE LOCATION!

FC Quote: "The shit that came out of her mouth..."

DERBY: "Slam her in the handrail!" - "Whip me!"  

"Hit her!" - "Push me!" - "...and then I landed on his face!"

FC Quote: "Only after we lose everything, are we free to become anything"

DERBY: Bad habits die hard. Only after you rid yourself of them 

(arms out of control, standing tall while skating, straight knees...)

will you truly start skating like a real derby girl.

FC Quote: "Fight Club was the beginning, now it's moved out of the basement, 

it's called Project Mayhem."

DERBY: First we had Melissa Mayhem. 

Then Mr. Mayhem. 

Now they are getting married: 

our very own Project Mayhem.

FC Quote: "Now, a question of etiquette - as I pass, do I give you the ass or the crotch?"

DERBY: Normally the ass. You give the ass when you bump as you sit

on your opponent. But what you are getting in return is... the crotch.

FC Quote: "The things you own end up owning you!"

DERBY: My pads have my smell in them. Permanently.

My feet have blisters from my skates.

An entire room is dedicated to my derby gear.

My gear not only owns me, but is a part of me,

as I am a part of it.

FC Quote: "Only after disaster can we be resurrected."

DERBY: At first your fear of pain from being slammed cripples you,

then it happens: you get hit so hard you slam down on the track.

Once you realize it wasn't so bad, you jump back in the game.

Then post pictures of your bruise on Facebook.

And you can't wait to go back for more action...

Fight Club is THE pop culture movie of all times. Roller derby has its own class of pop culture. You don't just join a league and practice a sport, you become engulfed by a lifestyle. You leave practice every night sore but smiling. You show your bruises with pride because they symbolize much more than the mere practice of a sport - they are a testimony of your gutsy bravado.

Fight Club is NOT about the fight. It's about feeling alive after being part of the walking dead. Going through life without care, without passion - working, paying the bills and buying status and suddenly something happens. Something with impact and it shakes you awake. Its the bitch slap across the face. Its the alarm going off on your life reminding you of what matters.

Roller derby is not about getting slammed either. Its about setting challenging goals and achieving. Its a level of teamwork that very few sports achieve. Oh, its a SPORT. Cannot be compared to "fake" wrestling. Every slam, every hit, every bump is real. Just ask any derby girl, she'll be more than happy to show you her bruises and her scars.

And you've never felt so alive... just like the guys after a fight in the movie.