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. 

Perspective: One Coach’s Lifesaving Efforts
coaching, safety, training Rachel Freedman coaching, safety, training Rachel Freedman

Perspective: One Coach’s Lifesaving Efforts

Damion Winship had only been coaching for the Ancient Mariners Rowing Club for a short while the morning his coaching life changed. A masters rower new to his program had a heart attack on the water. Hear how Damion worked through his emergency checklist, how his CPR training kicked in, and how the crew worked together to try to save a life. 

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Bonnie Garmus: Life Lessons in Balance
culture, training Rachel Freedman culture, training Rachel Freedman

Bonnie Garmus: Life Lessons in Balance

Bonnie Garmus was a competitive masters rower for years before an offhand comment during a business meeting prompted her to begin writing her first novel, "Lessons in Chemistry," which has been adapted into a hit Apple TV+ series. Everyone wants to talk with Bonnie about the book’s main character, Elizabeth Zott, so we turned the table to ask Bonnie about the role rowing plays in her life – and her best selling novel.

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How to Thrive: Lessons from ZLAC, the World's Oldest Women's Rowing Club
training, safety, culture Rachel Freedman training, safety, culture Rachel Freedman

How to Thrive: Lessons from ZLAC, the World's Oldest Women's Rowing Club

Established in 1892, ZLAC's unique structure allows for both competitive and social memberships. You don't have to row. New members are added to generational Crews to bolster cross-program and boathouse interaction and provide personal connections to members in a similar age range for support. As far as we know, ZLAC is unique in this offering. Be prepared to take notes and consider what more your club could do to help build and sustain community.

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The Jen Huffman Connection
coaching, racing, training, culture Rachel Freedman coaching, racing, training, culture Rachel Freedman

The Jen Huffman Connection

After guilt-tripping her son into learning to row, Jenn followed suit. At 38 she stepped into a boat for the first time and quickly became an accomplished masters rower. She also gained new appreciation for her grandpa – Joe Rantz – who was a member of the 1936 University of Washington V8 that won Olympic gold in Berlin. By unlikely happenstance, Joe’s scrapbooks became the spark for The Boys in the Boat.

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Indianapolis Rowing Center: From LTR to National Championships
clubs, race Rachel Freedman clubs, race Rachel Freedman

Indianapolis Rowing Center: From LTR to National Championships

Get to know Indianapolis Rowing Center, host of the 2023 USRowing Masters National Championships. We talk with IRC board President Janet Francis, Masters Head Coach Zach Christopher, and recent LTR grad Lisa Stickley. Developed in the 1980s, the race course at Eagle Creek remains one of the country’s premiere venues, host to PanAm Games, World Rowing Championships, NCAA Championships, and a lot more. Get an inside scoop on Vendors Village, course strategy, and IRC, Indy’s only rowing club.

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Midwest Pride: Chicago Rowing Union’s Michael Toutloff
coaching, training, racing, culture Rachel Freedman coaching, training, racing, culture Rachel Freedman

Midwest Pride: Chicago Rowing Union’s Michael Toutloff

Chicago Rowing Union (CRU) is the Midwest's only LGBTQ+ rowing organization, and one of just a few such clubs in the world. CRU member and social media manager Michael Toutloff talks with us about the importance of safe spaces and being yourself, finding community and competition on the water, and proudly flying the flag at regattas. 

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Coach Ann Strayer on Inclusion and Self-Worth in Rowing
culture, racing, coaching Rachel Freedman culture, racing, coaching Rachel Freedman

Coach Ann Strayer on Inclusion and Self-Worth in Rowing

In this second episode in a special series on gender identity policies in rowing, we talk with Ann Strayer, OLY, Varsity Women’s Coach at Oakland United Rowing. Together with fellow OUR coach and Olympian Erin Cafaro they have written a letter in support of USRowing’s gender identity policy, highlighting the importance of welcoming transgender and non-binary scholastic athletes into the boathouse, and allow them to row as the gender they identify with.

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Dr. Mary O’Connor: Fighting to Save Women’s Rowing
culture, racing Rachel Freedman culture, racing Rachel Freedman

Dr. Mary O’Connor: Fighting to Save Women’s Rowing

Dr. Mary O’Connor was a member of the influential 1976 Yale women’s rowing program that sparked big changes following the passage of Title IX. Today, she’s a member of the Independent Council on Women’s Sports – an advocacy group “seeking to elevate and empower female athletes by protecting safety, fairness, and opportunity for girls and women.”

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The Crew of San Diego Crew Classic
coxing, racing Rachel Freedman coxing, racing Rachel Freedman

The Crew of San Diego Crew Classic

San Diego Crew Classic is celebrating its 50th anniversary! Executive Director Bobbie Smith, Associate Director Megan Kalmoe, OLY, and Head Beach Master Lex Switzer share personal stories of their first time down the course, and talk about this historic regatta that kicks of the Spring season.

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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. 

Steady State Network Patrons have episode access before the general public.