An all-girls Austin roller derby team is redefining how strength is seen in sports.
Texas Junior Roller Derby welcomes members as young as 8-years-old to compete on the flat track with over a dozen other young girls.
For years, coach Olivia Vernon, or "Cherry Chainsaw," has seen the growth in the girls' physical abilities as well as their confidence take off.
"In the beginning, we are taught how to fall and how to take hits," Miakoda Earley said.
Nicknamed "Captain Sassy," roller derby has been a part of her life over the last 10 years.
"Growing up, I was always really quiet, and kind of to myself. But being in roller derby has kind of brought out more of...me," she said.
The sport, known for its grit, has actually lifted the girls up, despite what some may think.
"They wonder if it's too aggressive or too much of a contact sport," Vernon said. "When you learn that at a younger age, you take more chances."
Vice President of the group Marissa Eddings encourages families to give their children a platform.
"They also can express themselves, be competitive and athletic, and that's okay," said Eddings.
It's what Debra Henson decided to do for her daughter, who has dedicated the last five years of her time.
"Everyone thought we were crazy putting a tiny little 8-year-old in roller derby, but it suits her so well," Henson said.
Henson says it helped her teen battle the effects of ADD and dyslexia, providing focus and sense of community.
"It' been a life-changer for her," she said.
For 11-year-old Bailey Earley, the flat track is where she found empowerment.
"We uplift each other instead of putting each other down," Earley said.
She believes confidence shouldn't come from the type of sport you play, but how you roll with the game.
"Some are light on their feet, some are heavy on their feet," Earley said. "It's equally as hard as football, if anything, it's more complicated and it takes more strategy to work more as a unit."
"They're going into womanhood and finding out who they as young people," Eddings said.
The girls can take the skills of they've learned from the track, to wherever their paths leads them next.