Jackie Bertelsen has sharp red hair and is covered in a variety of tattoos on her arms and legs. But those features are not what's most striking about her.
What really catches the eye are the four wheel skates and the sticker cluttered helmet on her head.
Bertelsen skated with the Macomb Bombshells roller derby team for four years. She was the longest-serving member of the team until recently, when she reluctantly resigned because she is moving to take a job outside the area.
Bertelsen said she came to appreciate her experience with the Bombshells.
“I just like the camaraderie. We’re all women and we want to be independent and look strong and be fierce and I just really like that,” said Bertelsen.
Derby gave Bertelsen a chance to meet new people, travel, and gain a greater confidence in herself and her abilities.
“It is nice to like have your own thing and just get away from the crap from the stress at work, family, whatever,” Bertelsen said.
“It’s almost like being a superhero. Like you have an alter ego. I leave work take off my khakis and then I come here and I’m like ready to hit people and tear it up.”
Bertelsen hopes to continue derby once she settles into her new home and job.
The Bombshells will carry on too. They’re scheduled to tear up the rink at the Outskirts in Macomb on May 21.
