Today we’d like to introduce you to Brikel Weeks
Hi Brikel, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Brikel Weeks. I grew up in Nephi, UT, a small town in central Utah. I grew up in a very conservative, Mormon, community. I knew from a pretty young age that I wanted more than my small town could offer me. Growing up I played a lot of sports, worked multiple jobs, and excelled in school. I graduated with my college Associate’s degree before my high school diploma and then went on to finish my Bachelor’s degree at Southern Utah University. I graduated super early at the age of 19 and was ready for some adventure. I boarded my first long haul flight to China and spent the next two years traveling abroad and teaching English in China, Thailand, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic. Shortly after returning home from living abroad, the reality of adulthood set in. I went through some really traumatic personal experiences and over time developed an addiction to drugs and alchohol. I maintained a good job and continued to work but my addiction and mental health spiraled out of control. In early 2020, I lost my dad to suicide and due to my mental health and addiciton didn’t think I would make it through the year as well. I was hopsitalized many times and finally decided to go to rehab in 2021. My entire childhood, I had been viewed as a very sucessful, high acheiving child and my adulthood seemed to be taking the opposite turn. I finally worked up the courage to leave the Mormon church and went in search of my new community. I stumbled upon a sports league called Salt Lake Roller Derby and was immediately hooked. I joined their new skater program and within a few months, I had joined an all gender roller derby team. I had finally found my community, came out as queer, and found a place that helped me stay sober. There have been many bumps along the way but on January 15, 2025 I will hit three years of sobriety! I was just voted in as a travel team capatin for my roller derby team and I am currently applying to go to law school next year.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has most definitely not been a smooth road! As a kid, I think I put on a really good face for everyone around me. I attended the Mormon church, got straight A’s in school, worked multiple jobs, and volunteered in my community. In the midst of all of that, I was living in a home with severe domestic violence and alchohol abuse. I struggled with mental health and self-harm. In my early twenties, I experienced some traumatic personal experiences and life seemed to fall apart after that. I quickly developed an addiciton for alcohol and drugs and my mental health worsened. I maintained a job but was in and out of the hospital, and attempted suicide in October 2020. I lost my dad to suicide in March 2020.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Upon high school graduation, my first job was working as a shelter advocate at a domestic violence shelter. I didn’t realize at the time the depth of my own personal trauma but I loved working with people and getting to help others. I graduated with a degree in Human Services and went on to work the next 10+ years in human services. Outside of work, roller derby has been a huge part of my life. After getting sober and finishing a rehab program, I had to find a new community and find a new passion to pursue wholeheartedly. I stumbled upon the roller derby community and was immediately hooked. The community welcomed me and my messy past with welcome arms. After letting go of an addicition I had so much free time and immediately started skating 3-4 times a week. I had never skated before so I had a lot to learn but people were kind, encouraging, and they cared me about me showing up and getting better. I think I am most proud of what I have overcome to where I am today. 5 years ago I didn’t think I was going to live past the age of 30 and now as scary as it is, I have my entire future ahead of me. I couldn’t have imagined, getting sober, staying sober, and wanting more for myself. Roller Derby was a huge stepping stone for me in learning to show up for myself and to surround myself with people who want me to be me. I love that each skater on the on the track has an entire life outside of roller derby. Some have families and children, others are doctors and nurses, and some are battling addicitions and mental health and yet when we put on our skates, we get to just hit each other and play roller derby.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I am so lucky to be a part of the Salt Lake Roller Derby community and we are always looking for new skaters, officials and volunteers. No matter your background or skating experience, we want you to be a part of our community. We hold regular new skater programs where individuals can learn all of the basics. Outside of that, people can also support our community by coming to watch a derby bout here in Salt Lake City! Our individual teams are always looking for sponsors and donations to keep us going!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @uintarollerderby @wasatchrollerderby @beehiveskaterevolution
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uintamadnessrollerderby
