Michelle Steilen revives roller skating with Moxi

Roller skating is more than a sport for Michelle Steilen, also known as Estro Jen, it is a way to express creativity, build confidence, and connect with others. As the founder of Moxi Roller Skates, she is helping introduce a new generation to the excitement of skating on four wheels. Through innovative skate designs and an energetic community of female skaters, Steilen is encouraging people to explore what they can achieve on wheels. Her work combines athletic performance, personal expression, and a passion for bringing roller skating back into the spotlight. For her and the Moxi Skate Team, skating is about chasing dreams and experiencing the freedom of movement.

Steilen developed a deep love for roller skating and wanted to share that passion with people everywhere. She noticed that traditional roller skating had lost some of its popularity as rollerblading became more common. During this shift, innovation in traditional roller skates slowed down, leaving fewer developments designed specifically for creative skating styles. Rather than accepting this decline, Steilen decided to help revive the activity and create new opportunities for skaters to explore their abilities.

Through Moxi Roller Skates, she has helped promote a style of skating that goes beyond simply moving around a rink. The focus includes experimentation, artistic movement, daring tricks, and discovering new ways to use roller skates. Moxi has developed a worldwide team of 21 skaters, including performers known as Pigeon, Indy Jamma Jones, Millie, and Legs. Together, these skaters demonstrate how roller skating can become a platform for athletic achievement and individual creativity.

The equipment itself plays an important role in this movement. According to Steilen, traditional roller skating equipment had not always kept pace with the changing needs of modern skaters. Roller derby brought renewed attention to the sport, but skates designed for derby were primarily built for speed and competition. The skates being developed for Moxi's style of skating focus on different demands, including secure landings and performing high-flying tricks. These features help skaters pursue more challenging movements while developing their skills.

One of the most exciting changes Steilen has witnessed is the increasing ambition of female roller skaters. Moves that once seemed unusual or nearly impossible, including backflips on wheels, are now being performed by women who continue to push the boundaries of the sport. Watching these developments has also changed Steilen's understanding of her own physical abilities. She expresses amazement at what her body can accomplish through practice, determination, and confidence.

For Steilen, the experience of skating goes far beyond technical skill. She describes feeling energised when skating alongside other women, finding motivation in their shared passion and achievements. The community provides an environment where participants can encourage each other, experiment with new ideas, and pursue goals that might once have seemed out of reach. This sense of belonging is an important part of what makes skating meaningful to her.