Cillian Mullen: “There’s Always Gonna’ Be a Way”
In 2021, then high school junior Cillian Mullen was at a pivotal moment — navigating his identity, the college recruitment process, and transgender athlete policies. Five years later, his journey has taken him to the U19 and U23 national teams, twice each, and the University of Washington. We catch up with Cillian to explore what’s changed, what hasn’t, and how he’s continuing to carve out his place in rowing.
GUEST:
Cillian Mullen | University of Washington
IG: @cill.mll
This episode was made possible in part by RowSource and our Supporters.
QUICK LOOK
00:00 - Introduction
03:08 - Welcome and rowing week on a scale of 1-10: 7 (2k test and then a cold)
05:07 - The Huddle
05:52 - The Hot Seat
08:41 - Rowing origin story: Mom was a former college rower who said “go try it”
10:14 - Getting back into the college recruiting pool senior year
12:08 - Knowing he belonged
13:41 - High school to college transition: learning to take care of his body, rowing at UW in Seattle aka Rowtown USA
17:53 - Strong in his identity, following the NCAA transgender rules, and fitting into women’s programs
20:16 - Tough conversations with – and the support of – coaches and teammates
24:56 - Leaving a legacy at UW: not just the first trans rower, but a boathouse community builder
27:08 - What the public conversation gets wrong about trans athletes
34:32 - Learning that to “really fill his cup” life can’t be 24/7 rowing
38:31 - Advice for young trans rowers
40:44 - Next up: trialing for the US U23 1x again this summer
41:46 - Steady State Network news and notes
Episode Mentions
🎧 = Listen to a Steady State Podcast episode
BOOKS
Boys in the Boat 🎧
CAMPS & TRAINING CENTERS
Craftsbury Outdoor Center
CLUBS & TEAMS
Ann Arbor Rowing Club 🎧
Chicago Rowing Foundation
Green Lake Crew
St. Charles Rowing Club
COACHES
Mike Callahan
Yaz Farooq
Gordon Getsinger
Steve Whelpley
GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
NOAA Fisheries
INFLUENCERS
Coach Jackie
POLICIES
NCAA Participation Policy for Transgender Student-Athletes
USRowing Competition Category Policy
REGATTAS
Boats Without Barriers
Head of the Lake
IRA National Championship
San Diego Crew Classic 🎧
World Rowing U23 Championships
UW Class Day Regatta
ROWERS
Willow Arts
Paris Burbine
Jessica Weir
UNIVERSITY PROGRAMS
Cal
University of Virginia
University of Washington
USROWING
U19 National Team
U23 Development Camp
U23 National Team
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 Open Mind by Soundroll.
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