What if the hardest thing you’ve ever faced could also be the thing that helps you heal? Soundgarden puts it simply—Rowing is living and living is hard but living beats losing all that we are. In this episode of The Gather, we sit down with the incredible women behind WeCanRow DC to explore how the sport is creating connection, strength, and a powerful path forward for women navigating breast cancer.

Connection in rowing is one of those things everyone talks about… and almost no one can neatly define. In this episode of The Gather Podcast, we break down how your body becomes the literal power line from footplate to blade—and what happens when that circuit gets a little… sparky. As it turns out, mastering connection in the boat might just teach you how to stay grounded in life, too.

Ever wondered why rowers talk about a “2k” like it’s both a badge of honor and a mild trauma? It’s 2,000 meters of adrenaline, pain cave negotiations, and a very loud conversation with your own limits. Somewhere along the way, your brain will try to convince you to stop. In this episode of The Gather, we explore why that voice is often wrong—and what happens when you keep rowing anyway.

Ever watched a rower and thought “they must have strong arms?” Spoiler alert: it’s actually more legs! In this episode, we break down the sequence of the rowing stroke and why the order matters. Along the way, we explore how building the right foundation first — on the water and in life — is what makes a strong finish possible.

Ever listened to a rower throw around “thirty rate twenty” or “rating up!” and thought… are we counting or casting spells? In Episode 10 of The Gather, we break down why 20 strokes per minute can be just as powerful as 30 — and why low rate never means low effort — on the erg, on the water, and in life. Because your cadence is strategy, your power is choice, and knowing when to grind or go is the real race.

Ever heard a rower talking about their split and wondered what it actually means? It’s just a number on the screen… and somehow the loudest voice in the boat. Part stopwatch, part truth serum, it reveals what you can really hold when the piece gets long—and we’re unpacking all of it in this episode. ‍♀️✨

Ever wonder what rowers do when the water freezes? Do they just hibernate? Spoiler: Nope. We erg. A lot. Hear about it in this episode as we dive into ERGing and winter conditioning.

Inspired by a Ted Lasso–level belief in people over scoreboards, this episode dives into how Russell Topp built a powerhouse rowing program by putting kids first. Yes, the wins are historic—but the real story is the culture, community, and humans he’s helped shape along the way.