For Stars Podcast

Welcome to another episode of the For Stars Podcast, where we have the absolute pleasure of speaking to the Head Coach of UCLA Women's Rowing, Mr. Previn Chandraratna. After speaking to the 9th seats of the squad during their season last year, we were able to get an idea for how the coxswains impact the program and aim for improvement, but most of all how much they love their teammates and university. The Bruins are up for an exciting season after the PAC-12 Conference released that they will be joining the Big 10 Conference for the upcoming 2023-2024 athletic year. Shocked at the news, fans from all over had apprehension for the change in conference realignment... so, Hudson sat down with the Bruin Head Coach to discuss what this really means for the university, let alone the rowing team's racing schedule and overall adjustment. Chandraratna gathers his thoughts on an array of topics centering the Bruins and how he (along with the coaching staff) operates the program and fosters strong athletes with hearts for service.

We discuss how "rather than significance, go for excellence, and make the most out of everyday, but most of all being grateful for all things". Additionally, we talk about the typical Day in the Life of a student-athlete on the rowing team at UCLA, answer some Q&A's, move from junior rowing to becoming a collegiate athlete, perks of being an athlete in Westwood and rowing on the water in Marina del Rey. Chandraratna emphasizes how important team culture is to the squad and even gives examples of the athlete’s true character encompassing the squad, helping grow each other day by day. We also cover the recent passing of Amy Fuller-Kearney, who sadly lost her life to cancer, and coached the Bruins for over 20 years, cementing herself as a historic part of the university impacting student-athletes for over two decades. 

Previn spent four years studying at Columbia University, while rowing on the Men's Heavyweight Team, where he found himself going back and coaching the Lions for several years, along with some other local rowing clubs in the New York area. Previn resides in Los Angeles, with his wife and son, who is an avid Star Wars fan! Be sure to tune into this epic podcast episode bringing a heavy, "Bucket of Bliss" to the scene!

Xeno Müller - Elite Rowing Coach
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Welcome everyone to another episode of the For Stars Podcast, where today we hear from Southern California rower, 10-Time US National Team Member, and well-known sports filmmaker, Nick Trojan. We talk about his impact on Long Beach Junior Crew, the United States National Team, rowing at seven World Championships, and even spending a year rowing with Orange Coast College (the only junior college in America to have a competitive rowing team). Nick has always loved visual arts, even dating back to high school, so when he decided to take sports filmmaking to the next level, passion took over... and now paving the way for making rowing and the people involved more visible to the world. He currently has three documentaries available to the public featuring teams such as Harvard & Yale Heavies, as well as Cal Men's Rowing, with more in the books! Some of the documentaries he was working on, would have had an average joe quit and move on to something else, but Nick stuck with it and kept chasing his goal to put out superior work.

The lessons that Nick learned at Long Beach Junior Crew was monumental, and in his words, "saved his life"... being taught foundations such as structure, commitment, and setting standards for himself in order to be elite. Rowing lightweight in high school and on the US National Team, Nick dabbled rowing heavyweight when it was available to him. We talk about the absence of lightweight rowing, meaning behind his nickname, living with host families, rowing at OCC instead of a four-year university, the simplicity of rowing, along with other subjects and future projects, so tune into this "Bucket of Bliss"!

Be sure to follow him and check out his work!
Instagram: https://instagram.com/sneeky_____
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@sneeky_

Xeno Müller - Elite Rowing Coach
Make your rowing dreams real! Use Code “FORSTARS” for $200 OFF on your desired training package!

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Welcome to another episode of the For Stars Podcast, where we hear from Olympic Gold Medalist ’04, Beau Hoopman (Wisconsin Rowing ’03) & Assistant Coach of Wisconsin Men's Rowing. Coach Hoopman is an established men's collegiate rowing coach, coaching the Badgers for going on 12 years. Former US National Team member (2001-2009), National Rowing & Wisconsin Athletics Hall of Fame athlete, Hoopman won two Olympic medals (Gold in 2004 & Bronze in 2008). Beau was not a recruited athlete out of high school, but a walk-on freshman found at Wisconsin’s Freshman Year Orientation referred to as, “SOAR”. Beau was captain of the Badgers and helped lead the Badgers to win its fourth consecutive Ten Eyck Trophy as team champion at the 2002 IRA National Championships, along with a 2002 Eastern Sprints Varsity 8+ Title, something the Badgers had not achieved since 1946. On the US National Team, the Hoopman was apart of the US Men’s 8+ that set a world record at the 2004 Olympic Games in Greece, being the first men’s athlete from the University of Wisconsin to win a gold medal. In the summer of 2008, he was apart of the US Men’s 8+ that got Bronze in Beijing, China at the Olympic Games.

In this podcast episode, we talk about the process bringing on walk-on athletes to a highly ranked Division 1 competitive men’s rowing team, thoughts on Men’s Rowing not being a NCAA sport, the responsibility of D1 athletes, living in his car for the National Team, and more. With more discussed in the episode, be sure to check out this true "Bucket of Bliss" featuring the “Doctor of Rowing” Coach Beau Hoopman.

Xeno Müller - Elite Rowing Coach
Make your rowing dreams real! Use Code “FORSTARS” for $200 OFF on your desired training package!

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Welcome everyone to another episode featuring Maritime Rowing Club's Hall of Fame athlete, Mr. Will Legenzowski, of USRowing & Brown Men's Crew '23. Will, also known to his peers as "Leggo" continues to inspire a fleet of athletes dreaming about getting to the highest level in rowing, and just know that this podcast won't be the last time you will hear from Will... we have some things cookin'!! Legenzowski, hails from "The Big Apple" where he attended New Canaan High School while rowing for their crew team, but decided it was time to travel to Connecticut to compete with Maritime Rowing Club. After tearing his ACL in high school, Will and his family felt it was best to try a high intensity but low impact sport, so rowing was just a no-brainer. The Legenzowski family are up there with top-tier elite athletes with Will's two sisters, Carly, a coxswain for the University of Texas, and Brooke, a rower for Stanford Lightweight Women.

Will is a two-time National & Northeast Regional Champion in the Men's Youth Quad. He holds a 1st Place finish and current course record-holder for the Under 19 Men's Single Sculls at Canadian Henley (2017) and Head of the Charles in the Men's Youth Coxed Quad. Nonetheless, Legenzowski and his team traveled across the country to compete at the San Diego Crew Classic, winning their event in the Men's Youth Quad as well. To close out his high school campaign, Will was a runner-up for the 2018 USRowing Under-19 Athlete of the Year, which used to be called "USRowing Fan's Choice Junior Athlete of the Year Award". 

Legenzowski committed to row D1 Crew for the Bruno, where he acclaimed the title of "IRCA First Team All-American Rower", "Second Team All Ivy League", and dabbles with the Brown Women's Gymnastics team as their Team Manager and Lead Actor in a feature film! Leggo got 8th in the Men’s 1x at 2021 USA U23 World Championships, and 2nd in the Men’s 8+ at 2022 USA U23 World Championships, along with high finishes at Head of the Charles and Eastern Sprints in the Varsity 8+. Taking a gap semester off of school to compete for the Green Racing Project, Will was and remains to be as committed to rowing as the boat is to water, the two just work hand in hand. So many different topics were discussed and covered, so be sure to tune into this exceptional "Bucket of Bliss" and see how this avid rower continues to make waves in this sport and life as well!

Xeno Müller - Elite Rowing Coach
Make your rowing dreams real! Use Code “FORSTARS” for $200 OFF on your desired training package!

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Welcome everyone to another episode of the For Stars Podcast, featuring the Head Coach of Oregon State Men's Rowing, Gabe Winkler, who has made a lasting impact not only on the Beavers program but the US National Team as well. From graduating Cornell University and rowing on the Big Red's Lightweight Men's Rowing team, and then coaching the Scarlett Knights' Men's Rowing team at Rutgers University, Winkler emphasizes the power of creating a strong, healthy team culture wherever he goes. 

On today's episode, we talk about the true embodiment of rowing at Oregon State, the #1 college town in all of the PAC-12, and how being a Beaver is not only a part of being a student at Oregon State, but rather a lifestyle with endless opportunities to grow and strive athletically, academically, and overall. Tune into how Coach Winkler talk about his program, backstory on this past spring season, goals for next year and beyond, and how the river they row on has a mind of it's own. Go Beavs!

Xeno Müller - Elite Rowing Coach
Make your rowing dreams real! Use Code “FORSTARS” for $200 OFF on your desired training package!

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

After a month's absence without podcasts, please welcome another episode of the For Stars Podcast, where we hear from legendary and highly accomplished rowing coach, Will Porter, Head Coach of Yale Women's Crew. Coach Porter has been coaching the Bulldogs for going on 26 years, being at the helm of the program for quite some time. Former US National Team member and Rutgers Men's Rower, Porter mixes his love for rowing and value of what it means to be a family into his coaching style creating the ultimate group of athletes and true teammates, bringing in the right people for the job at hand.

We talk about how vital recruiting is to a team, the outreach of both the coaches and prospective student-athletes working together to create that bond in that process, and how to stay on a coach's radar. Nonetheless, we talk about this past spring season with some great racing and performances from Yale, and how Coach Porter goes about pre-race day conversations. With more discussed in the episode, be sure to check out this true "Bucket of Bliss" featuring the ultimate family-man, Mr. Will Porter!

Xeno Müller - Elite Rowing Coach
Make your rowing dreams real! Use Code “FORSTARS” for $200 OFF on your desired training package!

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Welcome everyone to another episode of the For Stars Podcast, where today we feature the ultimate rowing team, at the University of Texas-Austin, the two-time consecutive NCAA D1 Rowing National Champions, with an abundant of athletes competing for World Championships, a good amount winning as well! We here at FSP, have featured a plethora of athletes at Texas Rowing, but today we got to hear from Anna Jensen, Sammie Schalk, Sophie Calabrese, and Etta Carpender!

On this episode, we talk about Texas' winning streak for the past couple of years, recent races against Princeton & Yale, goals and ambitions for the future, elaborating more on that "Texas Teammate" bond and connection as discussed in prior Texas episodes, and nonetheless, how rowing for Texas changed the course of each of these driven, and elite-level athletes lives! From small boat clubs, to winning National & World Championships, these girls gave and continue to put the work in everyday, because after all... each one of them treat everyday like it's NCAA's! Tune in, and of course.. Hook 'Em Horns!

Xeno Müller - Elite Rowing Coach
Make your rowing dreams real! Use Code “FORSTARS” for $200 OFF on your desired training package!

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Welcome everyone to another episode of the For Stars Podcast, where today we feature Jack Burns, a rowing coach out of Scotland! This podcast has been in the works for quite some time, and we finally got some time to talk shop about ALL THINGS Jack Burns... from what rowing means to him and going back to rowing for Great Britain.

Although there were a plethora of positives for being apart of the GB Rowing National Team, Jack felt it was out of his best interest to part ways from the organization, and so today, we speak on his reasonings and thought process behind his decision. Jack also talks about his love for coaching athletes, and where he hopes to see his mission/program turn into in the near future! Be on the lookout for any new updates from Jack. You can find him best on Instagram @jackburnsrowcoach, where he gives ideas, training plans/workouts, and more! Make sure to tune into this episode!

Xeno Müller - Elite Rowing Coach
Make your rowing dreams real! Use Code “FORSTARS” for $200 OFF on your desired training package!

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Welcome everyone to another episode of the For Stars Podcast, where today we bring you the infamous and well-known rowing coach, Mr. Casey Galvanek (Head Coach of Sarasota Crew & the USA Junior National Team)! It was only right that we had this episode drop a week after one of his upper-echelon and top apprentices, Clark Dean, was featured! We talk today about a plethora of topics revolving around United States Rowing, in particular, the youth scene, as well as his entire journey coaching at one of the most premier rowing clubs in the world, Sarasota Crew, home of over 200+ competitive junior athletes.

Galvanek grew up in Northern Virginia, going to Garfield High School, rowing both in middle school as well as high school - he has been coaching rowing for quite some time! He then started coaching at Woodbridge High School, as his first job as a rowing coach, where FSP alum & Associate Head Coach for the Men’s Heavyweight Crew team at Princeton University, Mr. Matthew Smith, attended. Five years after Sarasota Crew was founded in 2002, Galvanek originally became a coach for the sculling program, but shortly after branched out into all things rowing. He took leadership of the program in 2008/Spring of 2009,  making an impact ever since, developing Olympic athletes, National Champions, and future leaders in this country.

Our longest episode yet, ahead of the Rane Family’s podcast, covered subjects surrounding the 2020 year, recent Rowing News article, all things centering the USA Junior National Team system and the protocols/knowledge of how the system functions, trust in a coxswain, critique and analysis, as well as the importance of coach recommendations, rankings and surpassing barriers, opinions on gap years, goals for the future of USA Rowing, having competitive athletes and pushing each of them to be the best, team meetings with athletes during season, impact of certain athletes, laying down the “Sarasota Tree Trunk” myths, and last but not least… gives us our first ever draft of all the athletes he has coached at Sarasota Crew, developing a roster of athletes he would choose to be in the ultimate Hall of Fame. Originally, the intent was to create an eight’s worth of rowers but he extended some more into the equation… possibly for spares?? I guess we shall never know… be sure to tune into Coach Casey Galvanek’s podcast, you definitely do not want to miss out on this one!

Xeno Müller - Elite Rowing Coach
Make your rowing dreams real! Use Code “FORSTARS” for $200 OFF on your desired training package!

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Many of you may or may not have heard of a man by the name of Clark Dean, the 6'5" USA Olympian and Harvard Men's Heavyweight from the town of Sarasota, Florida. Well, fortunate for you, and here at the For Stars Podcast, we got him spotlighted, talking about United States Rowing as a whole both at the junior, collegiate, and olympic level. Clark has made a lasting impact on the past, present, and future of the USA with his intellect and skill in the rowing shell. 

During his 8th grade year (2014), Clark took his first challenge in rowing at Sarasota Crew, the nationally-ranked youth rowing program here in the States, leaving middle school with a 5th place in the nation competing in the Lightweight Youth 8+ at just 14 years of age. Freshman year of high school, Clark and his team got 7th in the Men's Youth 8+ (2015), 3rd in 2016 & 2017, leaving high school with a Gold Medal at the national stage in 2018. All while, competing with and for the United States Junior National Teams, during the summers of 2016-2018. Clark spent the summer of 2016 after his sophomore year making the USA U19 World's 4x, (having 3 Sarasota boys in that boat) and getting Bronze that year. The following year (2017), Clark got Gold in the USA U19 World's 1x amongst all countries, also competing in the 4+ with a 6th place finish. In 2018, Clark continued the streak of Gold Medals in that event going undefeated in the USA U19 World's 1x.

Going into his freshmen year of men's collegiate rowing, Clark signed with Harvard, getting 2nd at Eastern Sprints and 3rd at IRA's. That summer of 2019, Clark skipped the U23 level and went right to the Senior National Team, stroking the straight four. He qualified the boat for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics which was taken place in 2021, also stroking the straight four. 

Clark's journey is not done in the sport of rowing, and although this is his last year of racing for the Crimson, he is eager to help the next generation of rowers get to the next level, so be sure to reach out to Clark on Instagram @clark_dean to get some coaching/instruction.

We talk about injury prevention, where he sees US Rowing in the next several years, the lack of funding in America for the Senior National Team level rowing (which is the only non-government funded rowing body in the World), reasoning to enroll at Harvard, and his experience with Mike Teti over at the California Rowing Club. Be sure to tune in!

Xeno Müller - Elite Rowing Coach
Make your rowing dreams real! Use Code “FORSTARS” for $200 OFF on your desired training package!

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.