CoxPod

The prolific author of the "Ready all, row" blog joins us for a conversation about how coxswains can improve their skills, why coaches should coach their coxswains, and other topics relevant to the "oar-less" rower. We're grateful that a visionary colleague in the coxswain content world is our first guest.

Connect with us on our website at https://www.CoxPod.com, on our Discord server, or on social media.

In this episode:
00:00  Introduction
00:57  Guest intro - Kayleigh Durm: author of Ready all, row
01:28  Kayleigh’s start as a coxswain
04:00  What surprised Kayleigh about coxing
06:15  Breana's start as a coxswain and the importance of Kayleigh’s blog as a resource
07:41  The start and evolution of Ready all, row  
12:41  Lack of coaching and resources for coxes
14:58  Kayleigh:  "Coxswains need to know there are people in their corner"
17:23  How hard it can be for coxes to ask for help
19:23  Breana talks about how rowers receive ongoing instruction but many coxes do not
21:28  Kayleigh comments lack of coaching for coxes - and what coaches can do
24:49  Kayleigh talks about coxswain development
26:20  Sally describes how many people think coxes come 'fully formed'
28:31  Kayleigh offers more advice to coaches
29:53  Kayleigh: "I think the biggest thing that they have to do is lean into their curiosity"
32:10  If you have questions, start with the people on your team
33:00  How coxswains can be competitive yet supportive
37:22  Breana shares her thoughts on assumptions about coxes
39:10  Importance of sharing and collegiality
42:17  Kaleigh suggests reframing how you think about asking questions
43:38  How coxes can approach coaches for help
47:24  Kayleigh: "Your end goal is to improve your working relationship with them and help them understand what you need from them, while also doing what they need you to do as an athlete"
50:21  How to accept feedback that is technical and not personal
1:02:00  Kayleigh talks about the importance of vulnerability
1:04:16  How to get in touch with Kayleigh
1:05:32  Quick pick - Breana's rowing-related escape room
1:06:28  Shout-out
1:06:54  Closing

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We’ve fondly dubbed this episode "Into the Belly of the Beast"—listen in to find out why! We delve into the intricacies of a boat class that is ubiquitous in the sport but not often discussed or understood by the larger rowing community. Fear not!

Connect with us on our website at https://www.CoxPod.com, on our Discord server, or on social media.

In this episode:
00:00  Introduction
02:00  Defining bowloaders and types
05:37  Our experiences with bowloaders
08:27  Safety aspects
09:24  Dangers of flipping and possible entanglement
13:54  Hypothermia and the importance of proper attire
16:21  Proprioception and learning about the size of the boat
19:28  Coping with visual challenges
25:13  Counting heads - and launching aspects
27:38  Water quality - and oh, all that water!
29:39  Adventures (aka "Be sure to look before you descend into the belly of the beast")
34:44  Comfort and proper clothing
44:15  The 'cockpit' and challenges with the physical structures in the bow
57:46  Shout out: Nik Kurmakov
58:24  Quick pick

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It's time to delve into the nooks and crannies of our personalities.  We all have strengths, weaknesses, and personality styles that deeply affect how we interact with the world.  This includes our roles as coxswains.  We're NOT all the same, and many of us don't fit the stereotypical cox description. Take your own personality test and think about how you can use this information to be more effective as a coxswain.

Connect with us on our website at https://www.CoxPod.com, on our Discord server, or on social media.

In this episode:
00:00  Introduction
00:48  Is there a typical coxswain personality?
03:08  Our similarities, including that we're introverts
04:50  Overview of 16personalities test
06:13  A few sample questions and our responses
19:47  Breana's personality type
21:27  Sally's personality type
23:09  Anne's personality type
23:43  How Sally's personality informs her coxing
29:06  How Breana's personality informs her coxing
39:19  How Anne's personality informs her coxing
46:20  Handling the unexpected
54:52  A seaplane and a submarine
59:03  Suggestions for coaches and rowers
1:03:39  Quick pick
1:06:01  Close

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It's 2020 and the world is coping with COVID-19. The pandemic has shut down most sweep programs. Let's talk about some concrete ideas designed to help us get through this time and improve ourselves even when we can't be in the seat. 

Connect with us on our website at https://www.CoxPod.com, on our Discord server, or on social media.

In this episode:
00:00  Introduction: What can coxswains do during COIVD?
01:31  Breana on it being okay to mourn the loss of your season(s)
03:05  Anne on what she's doing during COVID
04:01  Breana on gaming and esports
05:01  Sally on reading about communication, personalities, leadership
06:39  Breana on the neuroscience of coxing; reacting to emergencies; journal prompts
08:36  Sally on developing cox 'muscle memory'
11:09  Breana on using this time to reflect on scenarios
13:46  Anne on her reaction to difficult situations
15:39  Sally on her reaction to difficult situations
17:07  Breana on 'holding her line' in real life
18:41  Sally on visualization of rowing scenarios
19:41  Breana on mapping your body of water
20:44  Sally on books on management and communication
23:05  Breana on the YouTube channel 'Productivity Game'; listening to your own recordings
24:31  Sally on understanding yourself and your crew
26:35  Conflict management
28:54  Anne suggests taking a First Aid course
29:38  Maintain your physical fitness
32:38  Breana on decluttering your coxing gear
33:53  Anne on developing a coxswain manual for your team
36:40  Sally on getting to know coaches during COVID
40:08  Breana on what coaches can do for coxswains during COVID
44:02  Episode recap
45:27  Shout out to our beta listeners
45:49  Quick pick and preview of next episode on personality types
46:47  Closing

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Meet Sally, Breana, and Anne, the co-hosts of CoxPod. In this episode we'll introduce ourselves, tell you about how we got started in coxing, and give you a sense of what you can expect from future CoxPod content. We're delighted to have you here!

Connect with us on our website at https://www.CoxPod.com, on our Discord server, or on social media.

In this episode:
00:00  Introduction and welcome
01:10  Audience question: How did we each get our start in coxing?
01:38  Sally’s start in coxing
02:32  Breana’s start in coxing
03:46  Anne’ start in coxing
05:24  Sally describes early coxing environment - coxes as adversaries
07:07  How we’ve grown our skill sets
07:29  Anne’s improvement plan
08:39  Breana on the value of coxswain sharing and how she grows her skills
09:27  CoxPod is for everyone
10:40  Masters coxing
12:13  Why Breana created CoxPod
15:07  Lots of potential topics for future episodes
16:13  How to connect with us
17:21  A fun coxing memory from Sally
18:44  A fun coxing memory from Anne
20:29  A fun coxing memory from Breana
22:41  Shout-out to Eileen Anderson who created our logo
23:00  Next episode is: “The Elephant in the Room”
23:21  Invitation to engage with us and support us

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Welcome to CoxPod, a podcast dedicated to coxing topics and hosted by experienced coxswains. Our coxing careers include trips to the medal stand, crossing the finish line in last place, and everything in between—not to mention the countless hours spent at practice, whether on the water or on land. We created this informational podcast to promote ongoing skills development by articulating the details that go into becoming the best coxswains each of us can be.

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