Ep179: Elizabeth Holden Author of Roller Derby YA Novel, Mighty Millie Novak

November 28, 2024
Elizabeth Holden is a writer, a physics teacher, a travel company owner, an X-Files podcast host, and an avid roller derby player. Her debut novel, Mighty Millie Novak, was released by Flux Books in 2024. She believes the ideal conditions in which to write a novel are in the dining car of a train traveling through the Alps, with a pot of tea beside you--though she does most of her writing at her home in Wisconsin.

Like Millie, Elizabeth Holden is an avid roller derby player, a blocker with Madison Roller Derby since 2015. Liz’s league-mates know her as Auntie Matter; her derby name is a reference to her job teaching college physics. (And, yes, she is also an aunt. Hi, William and Hugo!) When not busy writing, playing derby, or teaching, Liz is most likely leading international trips with her company, Leaping Hound Travel. Liz also co-hosts an X-Files podcast, We Want to Believe, with her sister. Liz’s tattoos are vibrant and numerous, her laugh is loud, and her heart belongs to her pet greyhounds. Learn more about her at elizabeth-holden.com.

This episodes is packed full! The two Elizabeths talk about writing the book, Millie being flawed, discovering muscles and an athlete identity, body image, starting a team sport later in life, what is awesome about derby, balancing serious training with everything else as an adult athlete, her love of performance & hitting people, plus dealing with injuries. Also, Elizabeth has insightful thoughts to add to this year’s discussions about confidence.

Find more about Elizabeth Holden
Follow Elizabeth Holden on IG
Order Might Millie Novak
Elizabeth’s travel company Leaping Hound
Elizabeth’s podcast is wewanttobelievepod.com
Whip It, the roller derby movie
Hear Her Sports newsletter about the election results, I just can’t.
Play Gap, the non-profit that champions equity and accessibility in sports for adult women.