Rowing, Connection, and the Lessons That Last
I had no idea how deeply connection and purpose would shape the work I do today.
This past weekend, I returned to my alma mater for the celebration of 30 years of Varsity Rowing at Ohio State, and it reminded me of something powerful: the people you move alongside often matter just as much as the goal you’re moving toward.
Rowing has a way of teaching you that. When you’re in a boat, you’re connected—not just by oars and rhythm, but by trust, breath, and the belief that together you can create something bigger than yourself.
Those years taught me discipline, determination, and how to show up for others with consistency and purpose.
I feel incredibly fortunate to have rowed two years with the Ohio State Rowing Club before stepping onto the very first Varsity Women’s Rowing Team at The Ohio State University. (Yes, “The” was officially added during those early years of the program!) At the time, I didn’t realize the foundation I was building—not just in sport, but in life.
Three years later, I found myself engaged, living in New England, and coaching rowing. And that next chapter came because of good humans who believed in me, supported me, and encouraged me to take the leap.
Looking back now, I see the through-line: what I learned in those boats is what I carry into my coaching today.
The lessons are simple, but lasting….
It’s about belonging, confidence, and the belief that you’re capable of more than you think.
The lesson is simple, but lasting:
Discipline creates freedom. What felt like structure and sacrifice at 19 became the foundation of resilience in my 40s and 50s.
Connection creates strength. You can push further when you move with people who share your purpose.
Encouragement fuels possibility. Sometimes it only takes one voice telling you, “You can do this,” to change the entire direction of your life.
Rowing shaped me far beyond the water. It taught me that movement—whether through sport, exercise, or daily living—isn’t just about the body. It’s about belonging, confidence, and the belief that you’re capable of more than you think.
And that’s exactly what I try to pass on to my clients today. Whether they come to me for strength training, KINSTRENGTH™, or support after a diagnosis, I know this: when you find connection and purpose in movement, it can change everything.
There is still time to join me for a strength class and gain confidence in the belief that YOU are capable of so much more than you think.
