Lenny Jenkins joins us in the new What Your Friends Know podcast studio for todays very special episode. Lenny details his rowing journey from first representing New Zealand at the Junior World Championships in 2015, to now training with the Great Britain Olympic team in London. We discuss the realities of life as an athlete competing in one of the most physically demanding sports in the world. Lenny opens up about being confronted with his own mental health during the COVID pandemic, and how he believes vulnerability is not always rewarded in a high performance environment. Nearing the possible end of his rowing career, Lenny reflects on his time at Yale University and the importance of building an identity outside of the boat. 

This episode in an ode to proving people wrong, I hope you enjoy.  

Topics discussed: 

- Growing up with twin younger brothers 

- Finding your sport 

- Preparing for a 2k erg test  

- Diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome 

- Finding success at the largest school sporting event in the southern hemisphere 

- Lenny's experience in the Junior New Zealand team 

- Managing egos 

- Staying in New Zealand or going to an American University 

- A humbling first few months at Yale 

- Feeling special in a room full of special people 

- Being a high performance athlete during COVID 

Find us at: 

@whatyourfriendsknow 

@lauracpinnell  

[email protected] 

Find Lenny at: 

@lenny.jenkins98