When she learned to row in the late 1970s, Liz Winter was excited to have a place be “unladylike.” She fell in love with putting power behind the oar and moving boats fast. After landing in Pittsburgh in the ‘80s, Liz was involved in developing Three River Rowing Association, focusing on creating community. Now retired, she’s combined her experience as a lawyer, social worker, coach, and educator, with a USRowing Level 3 High Performance Coaching Certification. We talk with her about coaching education, trauma-informed coaching, and building trust.

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CATEGORIES: Coach, Train

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TIME STAMPS

00:00 - Intro

04:10 - Rowing week: Winter training means a transition to the erg and resisting the urge to peek at your teammates monitors

11:09 - Rapid Fire Q&A

13:10 - Learning to row at Oxford in the mid-1970s: freedom to be “unladylike” and altering men’s heavyweight equipment for women

16:44 - Seeing a shift in perspective about women’s rowing beginning in the 1980s

20:15 - Leaving a career in London, traveling around the world, discovering Pittsburgh's rivers, and a deep involvement with developing TRRA with a community-first focus

25:38 - Law + social work + coaching education = integrated formula for ”do no harm.” For coaches to earn the trust of their athletes they have to be consistent, have integrity, and be transparent.

31:30 - Trauma-informed, allowing rowers time to learn, and “outside in” coaching

39:00 - USRowing Level 3 High Performance Coaching Certification: every rower, at every level, deserves a high performance coach

42:44 - Team Based Learning approach

46:00 - Coaching rowers with anxiety: start with small, incremental challenges

54:00 - Passion project: Partnering with the Puerto Rico Rowing Federation to establish a coastal rowing program

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To see photos of Liz, and get links to the people, clubs, and events mentioned in this episode, check out the show notes at www.steadystatenetwork.com/podcast/s3ep25-liz-winter

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This episode is made possible in part by the Breakwater Realty Group, Concept2, Lake Washington Rowing Club, and our Patrons.