How Sue Ryan Reclaimed Her Body with Rowing

cultureclubs
Written By Rachel Freedman

Sue Ryan has found community and confidence through rowing, and is a proud member of Whitemarsh Boat Club and WeCanRow Philadelphia.

LISTENER SURVEY

Sue Ryan came to rowing through her journey as a breast cancer survivor, and she’s embraced the sport as both a challenge and a source of community. We talk about how the sport helped her move past childhood trauma, how it has shaped her cancer recovery, and the ways she’s found strength on and off the water as a member of Whitemarsh Boat Club, WeCanRow Philadelphia, and the Survivor Rowing Network.

GUEST:
Dr. Sue Ryan, licensed clinical psychologist
Facebook: We Can Row Philadelphia / Whitemarsh Boat Club
Instagram: wecanrowphilly / whitemarsh_boat_club

This episode was made possible in part by Breakwater Realty, RowSource, and our Patrons

QUICK LOOK

00:00 - Episode intro and welcome
01:59 - Rowing Week
03:58 - The Huddle
04:20 - Hot Seat Q&A
07:28 - Despite being “horribly uncoordinated,” Sue got hooked when she learned to row with WeCanRow Philadelphia
09:45 - Trauma in Sue’s youth led to disassociation from her body but rowing and therapy have helped her reconnect
13:15 - Social network as key to cancer recovery, and finding a welcoming club culture at Whitemarsh Boat Club
17:49 - Recovery: strength training, lymphedema, lifting, asking for help
21:00 - Being a voice of strength for her teammates
22:00 - Working with a sports psychologist, and Sue’s mantra
29:14 - How rowing has changed Sue and paying it forward to help new rowers
33:04 - Sue’s rowing “sales pitch”
33:40 - What Sue wishes someone had told her before she learned to row
34:00 - Sue describes the perfect stroke
36:50 - Steady State Network news and notes

Episode Mentions

🎧 = Listen to a Steady State Podcast episode

Steady State Podcast is hosted and edited by Rachel Freedman and Tara Morgan. Tara provides additional audio engineering, books show guests, and is our sponsor and donor coordinator. Rachel writes our scripts and e-newsletter, and manages the website and social media. Our theme music is by Jonas Hipper.

A supporter is worth a thousand followers

Your generous donations ensure we can continue to produce Steady State Podcast. Help us keep these essential conversations alive and accessible to all by making a donation.

Become a donor today

YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN:

Rachel Freedman http://www.steadystatenetwork.com
Previous

Lasting Legacy: 60 Years of the Head of the Charles
Next

The Business of Rowing: Inside RITA’s Vision for the SPort