steady state podcast

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Steady State Podcast reframes the popular, yet limited narrative about rowing culture. We celebrate the expansive array of rowers, coaches, and coxswains in a podcast designed to savor real-life experience from launch to cox seat at every level.

Rachel Freedman 10/18/23 Rachel Freedman 10/18/23

Mass. Local Ellen Minzner on HOCR, Para, and Equity in Rowing

Head of the Charles Announcing Committee co-chair, USRowing Para High Performance Director, and Massachusetts native Ellen Minzner. From walk on at Villanova to 5-time National Team member, to her transition into coaching and program development Ellen saw the long game: changing the status quo of her clubs, organizations, and communities. She also gives a peek behind the curtains at the world’s premier annual rowing competition - the Head of the Charles - from her vantage point in the announcers booth on top of Cambridge Boat Club.

Rachel Freedman 9/14/23 Rachel Freedman 9/14/23

Mitch King: Finding and Pushing Past Limits

“Physical limitations only exist if you’re willing to find them.” That’s the philosophy of Mitch King, coxswain for River City Rowing Club in Sacramento, CA. Every day he does countless things that doctors said were impossible when he was a kid diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. Mitch doesn’t call himself a disability advocate, doesn’t want to be an inspiration, and would rather folks didn’t try to tiptoe around his disability. We talk balancing coxing with graduate school, developing a coxing style, team building, motivation on the erg, and shattering expectations.

Rachel Freedman 10/14/22 Rachel Freedman 10/14/22

[S3] Ep. 21 - Sophie Brown Shows Up, Does the Work

When Sophie Brown wanted to learn to row, a coach asked her “Why would you do this if you are disabled?” Her reply: “Why not?” More than a decade later, a drive to find the perfect stroke has brought her two Henley wins. She’ll be checking off a bucket list item when she crosses the pond to race a PR2 mixed double at the 2022 Head of the Charles.

Rachel Freedman 8/5/22 Rachel Freedman 8/5/22

[S3] Ep. 16 - UPDATE: Tom Rooks, USRowing Health and Well-Being Associate

This wide-ranging conversation with Coach Tom Rooks is funny and philosophical. Learn about creating positive team culture, mentoring new coaches, the importance of vulnerability, handling anxiety, preparing for emergencies, and hear how the 2k erg test has become Tom’s measuring stick for all life’s challenges.

Rachel Freedman 4/15/22 Rachel Freedman 4/15/22

[S3] Ep. 8 - Coach Brook Yimer: Advocating Inclusion for All

Brook Yimer started coaching as a volunteer in high school. Just six years later he's the program coordinator for Stem to Stern and coaches for three different programs. He honed leadership skills as a scholastic rower in high school and college, which today is clearly articulated by his advocacy for – and involvement in – community service.

Rachel Freedman 4/2/22 Rachel Freedman 4/2/22

[S3] Ep. 7 - Lisa Lowe: Building Powerhouse Rowers

The aches of a teenage growth-spurt, years of collegiate and high performance training and racing, and injuries sustained in an accident, all inform Lisa Lowe’s personal and professional attitudes and opinions about self-care and injury management.

Rachel Freedman 2/3/22 Rachel Freedman 2/3/22

[S3] Ep. 3 - Steven Dowd: Pushing Past Paralysis

In 2016, Steven Dowd suffered a devastating spinal cord injury. With an exceptional personal will and the support of family and friends, Steven today is not only walking, but rowing. We sat down to talk about his journey and motivation, and the EnduRow Challenge, a charity event he launched in 2021.

Rachel Freedman 1/22/22 Rachel Freedman 1/22/22

[S3] Ep. 2 - Founding A Rowing Club Takes a Lot of Heart … and SpreadsHeets

Rowers and coaches across the country have spotted opportunities to step up – and step outside boxes – to share their love of rowing by establishing clubs for their communities.

Rachel Freedman 12/27/21 Rachel Freedman 12/27/21

[S2] Ep. 18 - Big Ideas: Rowing’s New Visionaries

On [S2] Ep 18 of Steady State Podcast, hosts Rachel Freedman and Tara Morgan talk takeaways from the USRowing Annual Convention, big ideas, and plans for 2022 with our most recent group of Changemaker Scholars. This broad conversation spans from burnout, DEI, and sports psychology, to transgender policy, and yoga.

Rachel Freedman 11/26/21 Rachel Freedman 11/26/21

[S2] Ep. 16 - Coach Tom Rooks on Vulnerability, Resiliency, and Saving Lives

On [S2] Ep 16 of Steady State Podcast, hosts Rachel Freedman and Tara Morgan are joined by Tom Rooks, Williamsburg Boat Club Head Coach. This episode buzzes with authenticity as Tom shares his "fun first" mantra and how he prepares his juniors athletes to be better humans beyond the boathouse. We get philosophical about saving lives, being well-rounded, and finding your calling. We also slide into tangents about Dave Grohl, ultimate frisbee, and vikings.

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