“Skate Your Own Skate”: A Conversation with Danyelle McElrath

Danyelle McElrath, affectionately known as "Danny" in the DMV skating community, is more than just a talented skater. She is a vibrant presence on the floor, a registered nurse, a community builder, and the founder of the Be Kind movement. When we sat down for this in-depth conversation, it quickly became clear that her skating journey is about far more than technique or style. It is a story of healing, faith, community, and intentionality. Through this interview, Danny offers a raw and thoughtful look at how skating became a transformative force in her life.

Finding Her Way Back to Skating

Danny first laced up skates at eight or nine years old. Back then, skating was a family outing, a way for her mom to give her and her cousin a fun weekend activity. But life took its course, and she stepped away from skating for over a decade. Her subsequent return was unexpected and powerful.

"I hadn’t skated in years," she recalled. "But my cousin invited me to take my mom out for Mother's Day, and I thought, 'Why not?'" What followed was a moment of pure chaos and clarity: her skates were falling apart, her socks were poking through the front, and yet she was completely hooked.

That moment sparked something. Danny bought new skates, enrolled in lessons at Lanham Skate Center, and reconnected with the joy she hadn’t realized she missed.

Why She Skates

"Skating is the only time my brain quiets down," Danny shared.

As a nurse working on a COVID floor, the physical and emotional toll of her day-to-day work can be intense. Skating, she explained, offers a singular kind of focus and release.

"Outside of skating, your brain is always going; thinking about patients, family, responsibilities. But on the floor, I can breathe. It’s just me, the music, and the movement."

But it’s not just about her personal peace. The people she skates with are just as important.

"Some days you just need to talk to someone before you even lace up. And once you're rolling, it's like a reset. That community, those people, keep me coming back."

Facing Fear and Overcoming Comparison

Danny is honest about her struggles with self-doubt and overthinking. At one point, it almost paralyzed her skating journey.

"My biggest challenge was getting out of my own head. I didn’t want people watching me, judging me. I would freeze up and completely shut down. I even went to my first big skate party and didn’t skate at all."

Through conversations with friends and support from her community, she learned to focus on progress, not perfection. The phrase that stuck: "Skate your own skate."

"That phrase changed everything for me. I'm not skating to prove something. I'm skating because it brings me joy."

Creating Be Kind: A Movement of Compassion

The Be Kind movement was born in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a nurse working long hours surrounded by loss and frustration, Danny started looking for a way to push back against the negativity she saw growing in the world.

"People were scared. People were angry. I saw so much injustice and pain. I needed to do something."

Rooted in her faith and guided by Ephesians 4:32, she started handing out t-shirts that simply said: Be Kind.

"People didn’t know how to accept it. They kept trying to pay me for the shirts. And I’d say, 'No, this is just for you.' That moment of surprise, of joy—that was enough."

What began as a gesture has evolved into a full nonprofit with a mission to support youth and seniors. From back-to-school drives to Thanksgiving baskets, Be Kind is about building relationships and uplifting others through tangible acts of love.

"Kindness is a language everyone understands. We just forget to speak it sometimes."

Skating as Therapy

During one of the most difficult times in her life, Danny began experiencing panic attacks. The only time they stopped? When she was on the skating floor.

"I was having them every hour. In the car. At home. But never while skating. That’s when I knew: this wasn’t just a hobby. This was therapy."

Skating gave her a way to heal, to breathe, and to reclaim control over her mind and body.

A Blend of Styles

Danny's skating style is rooted in her Maryland background, where Snap City reigns supreme. But she quickly fell in love with the fluidity, rhythm, and partner-based elements of New York/New Jersey skating.

"People were surprised. They said, 'You just going to drop Snap?' But I never dropped it. I just expanded. I still snap. I just found another style I love."

She describes her style as playful, interactive, and expressive. Whether she’s skating solo or vibing with a partner, she’s in her element.

The Gear

Danny skates in:

• Boots: Edea Classica

• Plates: Roll-Line Giotto

• Bearings: China Red

• Wheels: All-American Plus

She laughs recalling her first skates: a pair of vintage Betty Lytles she found on eBay that arrived in a suitcase. "I didn’t even know what I was wearing, I just liked the way they looked."

Now, she’s planning a future switch to Riedell boots for a wider toe box and more comfort.

Soundtrack to Her Skating

What music does Danny skate to? Everything soulful.

"Gospel, house, funk, Earth Wind & Fire, James Brown—I love music that moves you."

Music is essential to her flow and helps guide her expression on wheels.

The Power of Community

Danny emphasized how much the people around her have influenced her growth.

"You are who you're around. I choose my skate partners the same way I choose friends. They should lift you up, not break you down."

She credits her skate community with helping her mature, stay grounded, and keep her joy intact.

Advice to Other Skaters

On starting something new: "Don’t wait until you have it all figured out. Just start. Don’t give up because you hit a wall. Pause, regroup, then keep going."

On comparison: "Stop staring at everyone else’s progress. Look at your own. You may get a different move at a different time—and that’s okay."

On skating: "Skating isn’t just skating. It saves people. It connects people. It builds community. Don’t let anyone put a box around it."

What’s Next?

Danny is focused on continual growth. She wants to refine her New York/New Jersey skills, honor her Snap City roots, and expand the Be Kind movement.

"I always want to be a student. There’s always more to learn. More ways to express. More people to uplift."

Final Thoughts

This interview is a reminder that skating isn’t just a pastime. For many of us, it is a sanctuary, a form of therapy, a creative outlet, and a source of purpose.

Danny’s story is full of lessons about resilience, kindness, and trusting your own pace. She reminds us that we don’t have to look like anyone else on the floor. We just have to show up.

"Skate your own skate. Let kindness lead. That’s the message."

Stay connected with Danyelle and the Be Kind movement on Instagram at [@bekind__movement].

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