In the 1960s, Margie Elsberg was dismissed by a male coach at Boston University. Today she and husband Mickey proudly carrying the torch for I, J, and K category rowers.

As the Director of Sports Nutrition for USRowing, and in her own private practice, Liz Fusco helps athletes establish healthy relationships with food and improve energy levels by making evidence-based nutrition strategies approachable.

As a 5’1, 108lb college freshman, Rachel Le Mieux was literally picked up and placed in a coxswain seat. Today she’s the head coach of Martha’s Moms, a masters women’s team in Seattle, WA. She’s also a USRowing referee, FISA umpire, and Chair of the USRowing safety committee.

Take a look back at the launch of Steady State Network, go behind the scenes of the podcast, get updates on our Changemaker Scholarship initiative, and listen in as co-founders Rachel Freedman and Tara Morgan go unscripted to talk about our own experiences as rowers and coaches.

When we spotted Corin Wiggins on Instagram (@TheBlackCoswain), we knew we wanted to hear her story. At just 17, this member of Atlanta Junior Rowing Association already has four years of coxing experience and the drive to connect the BIPOC rowing community. We sat down to talk with Corin and invited two of her mentors: Coral Kasden (UCSB/NYAC), and Dustin Mara (UW/Everett Rowing Association).

On March 21, 2021, for the first time, we brought together some of the biggest names in rowing podcasting at one big virtual table to talk rowing past your blades, the quest for the perfect stroke, podcasting, surprising answers from guests, and whether to drink coffee before or after a row.

We chat with Patricia Carswell - aka Girl on the River - about all-in-ones (unisuits), breast cancer, blogging, creative coxswain calls, saving the planet, and unfortunate nicknames. We also hear from Coach AC Chacon (Colgate University) on the best part of his rowing week.

SSN co-founders Rachel and Tara talk rowing during COVID-19, rapid fire Q&A on salt water rowing and the pros and cons of unis, and hear from Coach Ben Steele on the best part of his rowing week.

In this Part 1 of The Launch, meet Rachel and Tara, the founders of Steady State Network and listen in as we talk rowing histories, our big plans for the Network and all things COVID and rowing.