Steady State Podcast

By Steady State NetworkSociety & Culture Sports Health & Fitness

Steady State Podcast episodes

May 09 S7E10 - Ruben Rapi: Use These Four Ways to Grow Your Club
Rowing has a way of getting into your system and shaping everything that comes after. For Ruben Rapi, that started when he was seven years old in Greece, and led him all the way to the U23 Swedish National Team.
But it was stepping away from elite competition that gave Ruben a new perspective on rowing. Not just as a sport, but as a community that, in many places, is struggling to grow or adapt.
Today, Ruben and his brother Ahmet – also a former Swedish National Team member – are working with clubs around the world to strengthen the foundations that help them thrive. This conversation goes beyond performance. It’s about what rowing clubs actually need to succeed—and how small, intentional shifts can make a big difference.
GUEST:
Ruben Rapi | Co-Founder, Grow Your Club
IG: @rubenrapi / @grow.your.club
growyourclub.com
This episode was made possible in part by RowSource and our Supporters.

QUICK LOOK
00:00 - Introduction
01:56 - Ruben’s rowing week on a scale of 1-10: 6 - filming marketing ads in his 1x
02:31 - The Huddle
03:06 - The Hot Seat
04:36 - Ruben’s rowing origin story: At age 7, followed his 9-year-old brother Ahmet into the Ionnina Rowing Club to keep busy
13:37 - Being competitively motivated from the start led to a spot on the U23 Swedish National Team
17:22 - The challenge of volunteer-run clubs: presenting/offering good services
18:57 - Four basic core elements your club needs to have in place to thrive
20:51 - Four ways to bring more rowers into your club; and considering how your club operates
30:45 - Test case: Indianapolis Rowing Club partnered with Grow Your Club for a 120-person LTR in place of multiple smaller LTRs
34:30 - No matter your club size, create an environment that coaches and rowers want to be a part of beginning with preparation, execution, and then conversion.
40:33 - Badly run beginner programs are a waste of time
41:51 - The importance of well-planned and implemented communications
43:34 - Ruben and Ahmet’s “why”
45:37 - Steady State Network news and notes
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To see photos of Ruben and his brother Ahmet, and get links to the people, organizations, and events mentioned in this episode, check out the show notes on our website.
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Steady State Podcast is a production of Steady State Network. It is hosted and edited by Rachel Freedman and Tara Morgan. Tara provides additional audio engineering, books show guests, and is our sponsor and donor coordinator. Rachel writes our scripts and e-newsletter, and manages the website and social media. Our theme music is Open Mind by Soundroll.
.
SHOP SSN GEAR: www.steadystatenetwork.com/shop
SIGN UP FOR THE SSN NEWSLETTER: www.steadystatenetwork.com/newsletter
MAKE A DIFFERENCE: www.steadystatenetwork.com/support
CONNECT:
FB - /SteadyStateNetwork
IG - @SteadyStateNetwork
FB - /AllieswithOars
IG - @AllieswithOars
Connect on FB and IG with the hosts:
Rachel Freedman - @RowSource
Tara Morgan - @CmonBarber

49 min
April 25 S7E9: Martin Helseth on Filthy Fjords and the Future of Stewardship
Martin Helseth has always been drawn to the water. As a kid in Norway, he spent as much time beneath the surface as he did on it—free diving from a boat his father built, discovering a sense of calm and freedom below. Not long after, he found that same feeling in a rowing shell, first picking up the sport at age 10.
Through persistence and a deep connection to the water, he rose through the Norwegian system to become a two-time Olympian, competing in both Tokyo and Paris.
All the while, free diving remained a constant. In Norway’s fjords and lakes, it became more than just an escape—it became a lens. What he saw below the surface was changing. Pollution and marine debris were becoming impossible to ignore.
What started as solo cleanups in his spare time grew into something much bigger. Martin began mobilizing his local community, then the rowing world, turning his personal mission into a collective effort. In 2024, he was named a World Rowing Healthy Waters Alliance Ambassador.
Now, in partnership with organizations like World Rowing, and the World Wildlife Fund, along with rowing clubs around the globe, Martin is helping lead a movement—one that connects athletes, waterways, and stewardship, and pushes the sport toward a more active role in protecting the environments it depends on.
GUEST:
Martin Helseth | Founder, Rewild Norway • CEO, Marea Oslo
World Rowing Healthy Waters Alliance Ambassador
IG: @martinhelseth / @rewildnorway / @mareaoslo / @nordic_endeavor_2026
This episode was made possible in part by RowSource and YOU our Supporters.
QUICK LOOK
00:00 - Introduction
00:57 - Rachel and Tara reflect on using computers at the turn of the century
04:54 - Welcome and Steve’s rowing week on a scale of 1-10: 10 (business) / 0 (no rowing)
05:30 - The Huddle
07:18 - The Hot Seat
08:48 - Steve’s rowing origin story began as a freshman at Ohio State University looking for something to be a part of
11:24 - Volunteer coaching the club novice program at Ohio State started with sports physiology and sports psychology books, USRowing certs, and coaching mentors
14:12 - RegattaCentral was a planned leap of faith in 1999’s nascent Internet landscape
22:05 - Row2k’s 1997 launch, Active.com, Y2K, 9/11
25:19 - “I have and had a vision where to take the business.” Deep in the trenches of building the business, 27-year-old lines of code, and considering the “human factor” in pushing out updates
32:02 - Integrating AI to analyze data and see trends
33:14 - The big question everyone asks: “Where are the results?!" - When it comes to results, RegattaCentral partners with timing providers
35:43 - Tara’s “thank you” to RegattaCentral
37:20 - Nearly 30 years on, RegattaCentral remains aligned with Steve’s original vision, and works around unforeseen tech, cybersecurity, and compliance
39:00 - At the heart of RegattaCentral is the team
40:14 - Steady State Network news and notes
To see photos of Martin, and get links to the people, organizations, and events mentioned in this episode, check out the show notes on our website.
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Steady State Podcast is a production of Steady State Network. It is hosted and edited by Rachel Freedman and Tara Morgan. Tara provides additional audio engineering, books show guests, and is our sponsor and donor coordinator. Rachel writes our scripts and e-newsletter, and manages the website and social media. Our theme music is Open Mind by Soundroll.
.
SHOP SSN GEAR: www.steadystatenetwork.com/shop
SIGN UP FOR THE SSN NEWSLETTER: www.steadystatenetwork.com/newsletter
MAKE A DIFFERENCE: www.steadystatenetwork.com/support
CONNECT:
FB - /SteadyStateNetwork
IG - @SteadyStateNetwork
FB - /AllieswithOars
IG - @AllieswithOars
Connect on FB and IG with the hosts:
Rachel Freedman - @RowSource
Tara Morgan - @CmonBarber

52 min
April 11 S7E8: Crews, Code, and the Rise of RegattaCentral
Before RegattaCentral became the go-to platform for regatta registration, it was just an idea sparked by an Ohio State alum and rowing coach who saw a better way. We talk with founder and president Steve Lopez about his lightbulb moment in 1999 that brought rowing and early internet technology together, and how his idea quietly reshaped regatta registration, data, and analytics. From fax machines, FedEx envelopes, and modems, to mobile-first design and data-driven insights, we trace the evolution of RegattaCentral from scrappy minimal viable product to an essential tool used by the global rowing community.

QUICK LOOK
00:00 - Introduction
00:57 - Rachel and Tara reflect on using computers at the turn of the century
04:54 - Welcome and Steve’s rowing week on a scale of 1-10: 10 (business) / 0 (no rowing)
05:30 - The Huddle
07:18 - The Hot Seat
08:48 - Steve’s rowing origin story began as a freshman at Ohio State University looking for something to be a part of
11:24 - Volunteer coaching the club novice program at Ohio State started with sports physiology and sports psychology books, USRowing certs, and coaching mentors
14:12 - RegattaCentral was a planned leap of faith in 1999’s nascent Internet landscape
22:05 - Row2k’s 1997 launch, Active.com, Y2K, 9/11
25:19 - “I have and had a vision where to take the business.” Deep in the trenches of building the business, 27-year-old lines of code, and considering the “human factor” in pushing out updates
32:02 - Integrating AI to analyze data and see trends
33:14 - The big question everyone asks: “Where are the results?!" - When it comes to results, RegattaCentral partners with timing providers
35:43 - Tara’s “thank you” to RegattaCentral
37:20 - Nearly 30 years on, RegattaCentral remains aligned with Steve’s original vision, and works around unforeseen tech, cybersecurity, and compliance
39:00 - At the heart of RegattaCentral is the team
40:14 - Steady State Network news and notes
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To see photos of Steve, and get links to the people, programs, and events mentioned in this episode, check out the show notes on our website.
.
This episode was made possible in part by RowSource and our Supporters.
.
Steady State Podcast is a production of Steady State Network. It is hosted and edited by Rachel Freedman and Tara Morgan. Tara provides additional audio engineering, books show guests, and is our sponsor and donor coordinator. Rachel writes our scripts and e-newsletter, and manages the website and social media. Our theme music is Open Mind by Soundroll.
.
SHOP SSN GEAR: www.steadystatenetwork.com/shop
SIGN UP FOR THE SSN NEWSLETTER: www.steadystatenetwork.com/newsletter
MAKE A DIFFERENCE: www.steadystatenetwork.com/support
CONNECT:
FB - /SteadyStateNetwork
IG - @SteadyStateNetwork
FB - /AllieswithOars
IG - @AllieswithOars
Connect on FB and IG with the hosts:
Rachel Freedman - @RowSource
Tara Morgan - @CmonBarber

44 min
March 28 S7E7 - Cillian Mullen: “There's Always Gonna’ Be a Way”
In 2021, then high school junior Cillian Mullen was at a pivotal moment — navigating his identity, the college recruitment process, and transgender athlete policies. Five years later, his journey has taken him to the U19 and U23 national teams, twice each, and the University of Washington. We catch up with Cillian to explore what’s changed, what hasn’t, and how he’s continuing to carve out his place in rowing.
QUICK LOOK
00:00 - Introduction
03:08 - Welcome and rowing week on a scale of 1-10: 7 (2k test and then a cold)
05:07 - The Huddle
05:52 - The Hot Seat
08:41 - Rowing origin story: Mom was a former college rower who said “go try it.”
10:14 - Getting back into the college recruiting pool senior year
12:08 - Knowing he belonged
13:41 - High school to college transition: learning to take care of his body, rowing at UW/Seattle aka Rowtown USA
17:53 - Strong in his identity, following the NCAA transgender rules, and fitting into women’s programs
20:16 - Tough conversations with – and the support of – coaches and teammates
24:56 - Leaving a legacy at UW: not just the first trans rower, but a boathouse community builder
27:08 - What the public conversation gets wrong about trans athletes
34:32 - Learning that to “really fill his cup” life can’t be 24/7 rowing
38:31 - Advice for young trans rowers
40:44 - Next up: trialing for the US U23 1x again this summer
41:46 - Steady State Network news and notes
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To see photos of Cillian, and get links to the people, policies, programs, and events mentioned in this episode, check out the show notes on our website.
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This episode was made possible in part by RowSource and our Supporters.
.
Steady State Podcast is a production of Steady State Network. It is hosted and edited by Rachel Freedman and Tara Morgan. Tara provides additional audio engineering, books show guests, and is our sponsor and donor coordinator. Rachel writes our scripts and e-newsletter, and manages the website and social media. Our theme music is Open Mind by Soundroll.
.
SHOP SSN GEAR: www.steadystatenetwork.com/shop
SIGN UP FOR THE SSN NEWSLETTER: www.steadystatenetwork.com/newsletter
MAKE A DIFFERENCE: www.steadystatenetwork.com/support
CONNECT:
FB - /SteadyStateNetwork
IG - @SteadyStateNetwork
FB - /AllieswithOars
IG - @AllieswithOars
Connect on FB and IG with the hosts:
Rachel Freedman - @RowSource
Tara Morgan - @CmonBarber

46 min
March 14 S7E6 - Club Spotlight: Ann Arbor Rowing Club
Head to Michigan for our semi-regular club spotlight series to get to know Ann Arbor Rowing Club. We talk with masters rower Francine McBride about being a rower Mom, and the early days of the club in the 1980s; fundraising and marketing chair Andrea Danz about setting the groundwork for effective fundraising; and Coach Mary Giacobbe who tells us how AARC balances novices and experienced rowers along two tracks in one practice session.
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QUICK LOOK
00:00 - Introduction
01:50 - Welcome and rowing week on a scale of 1-10
02:43 - The Huddle
04:02 - The Hot Seat
07:55 - Rowing origin stories
11:41 - Francine: rower and rower mom
13:47 - Coach Mary on adults learning together
15:15 - Andrea’s rowing pitch
16:43 - Rowing on the Huron River
18:24 - AARC origin story
21:16 - The AARC boathouse and leadership in the rowing community
23:45 - When you fundraise for a new dock, and then it gets destroyed by a fireworks accident…
28:02 - Andrea’s grant-writing and branding toolkits
32:13 - AARC programs: balancing novices and experienced rowers; providing opportunity for adaptive athletes
43:16 - Hosting Michigan Club Invitational and supplying volunteers for RowFest
46:54 - Steady State Network news and notes
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To see photos of Francine, Mary, and Andrea, and get links to the people, clubs, and events mentioned in this episode, check out the show notes on our website.
.
This episode was made possible in part by RowSource and our Supporters.
.
Steady State Podcast is a production of Steady State Network. It is hosted and edited by Rachel Freedman and Tara Morgan. Tara provides additional audio engineering, books show guests, and is our sponsor and donor coordinator. Rachel writes our scripts and e-newsletter, and manages the website and social media. Our theme music is Open Mind by Soundroll.
.
SHOP SSN GEAR: www.steadystatenetwork.com/shop
SIGN UP FOR THE SSN NEWSLETTER: www.steadystatenetwork.com/newsletter
MAKE A DIFFERENCE: www.steadystatenetwork.com/support
CONNECT:
FB - /SteadyStateNetwork
IG - @SteadyStateNetwork
FB - /AllieswithOars
IG - @AllieswithOars
Connect on FB and IG with the hosts:
Rachel Freedman - @RowSource
Tara Morgan - @CmonBarber

51 min
February 28 S7E5 - Leadership on the Lake: Matt Knifton and Texas Rowing Center
Mention Texas and you might picture the Wild West — flat, dusty highways, and tumbleweeds rolling by. But head to Austin, tucked into the Hill Country, and you’ll find something different.
Right in the heart of the city flows Lady Bird Lake, a stretch of the Colorado River that has become a daily gathering place for runners, paddlers, and rowers alike. On its banks sits a true Austin institution: Texas Rowing Center.
For owner Matt Knifton, this place isn’t just a business, it’s where his story unfolded. His ties to the lake reach back to the 1980s, and over the decades he’s become not just an owner, but a steward — someone who has quietly shaped the culture of rowing in Austin, protected access to the water, and ensured that this shoreline remains a starting line for generations to come.
In this conversation, we also explore how Matt is thinking about the future — and what thoughtful, sustainable growth looks like for a place so deeply rooted in community.
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QUICK LOOK
00:00 - Intro
02:12 - Welcome and Matt’s rowing week on a scale of 1-10: 6 (great weather!)
03:25 - The Huddle
04:35 - The Hot Seat
6:00 - Matt's rowing origin story started at the University of Texas
10:47 - How the University of Texas women’s program got its start in Austin in the 1980s
11:30 - Matt’s daughter Kate Knifton, an Olympic rower, only agreed to learn to row after seeing tall boys at Texas Rowing Center
14:38 - How Matt came to be the sole owner of Texas Rowing Center
17:01 - TRC member and rowing evangelist Napoleon Griffin
19:08 - The growth of rowing in Texas: Austin, Texas Hill Country, Lady Bird Lake, and the University of Texas
23:48 - The synergy between competitive rowers and weekend SUPers at TRC
25:11 - Aha moments running TRC
27:25 - Daniel Velazquez: TRC’s famous greater
30:22 - The “boathouse welcome mat” concept and TRC’s commitment to inclusion and accessibility
36:20 - Rowing! Come try it!
39:06 - The vision: Make Austin a center of rowing in the United States. Mission accomplished.
40:47 - For Matt, rowing on Lady Bird Lake is rewarding
43:14 - Steady State Network news and notes
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To see photos of Matt, Katie, and Daniel, and get links to the people, clubs, and events mentioned in this episode, check out the show notes on our website.
.
This episode was made possible in part by RowSource and our Supporters.
.
Steady State Podcast is a production of Steady State Network. It is hosted and edited by Rachel Freedman and Tara Morgan. Tara provides additional audio engineering, books show guests, and is our sponsor and donor coordinator. Rachel writes our scripts and e-newsletter, and manages the website and social media. Our theme music is Open Mind by Soundroll.
.
SHOP SSN GEAR: www.steadystatenetwork.com/shop
SIGN UP FOR THE SSN NEWSLETTER: www.steadystatenetwork.com/newsletter
MAKE A DIFFERENCE: www.steadystatenetwork.com/support
CONNECT:
FB - /SteadyStateNetwork
IG - @SteadyStateNetwork
FB - /AllieswithOars
IG - @AllieswithOars
Connect on FB and IG with the hosts:
Rachel Freedman - @RowSource
Tara Morgan - @CmonBarber

47 min
February 14 S7E4 - Katie Weber: Reclaiming the Athlete Within
Katie Weber was at home on the soccer field and basketball court. But after a brain cancer diagnosis and multiple surgeries left her balance impaired, the athletic identity she’d always known felt suddenly out of reach.
For years, she searched for a way back.
That path led her to Seattle-based organization Seize the Oar, and to a sport that rewards patience, persistence, and the willingness to keep learning. Rowing didn’t just give Katie a new challenge; it gave her a way to rebuild confidence and independence, and redefine what competition could look like.
Through it all, her husband – Will Bull – has been in her corner as a steady supporter, gym buddy, race-day cheerleader, and self-proclaimed number one fan.
Today, we talk with Katie and Will about resilience, partnership, and what it means to navigate sport — and life — side by side.
If rowing has helped you reconnect with a part of yourself that you'd been missing, this episode's for you.
Katie has partial facial paralysis which does affect her speech. We encourage you to follow along with the episode transcript available below.
QUICK LOOK
00:00 - Intro
02:23 - Katie’s rowing week on a scale of 1-10: amazing
04:51 - The Huddle
09:44 - The Hot Seat
11:54 - Finding Seize the Oar: seeking an athletic and competitive outlet after multiple brain surgeries impacted her balance and stability
13:53 - Medulloblastoma diagnosis, chemo, radiation, a bleak outlook, and living long into unchartered waters
17:07 - Katie refuses to be defined by her disease
19:11 - Getting hooked on rowing, after growing up playing soccer and basketball
22:32 - Feeling in control at NW Ergomania
25:30 - Rowing’s tremendous impact on Katie’s physical and mental health
28:42 - How rowing has changed Katie and Will’s relationship
30:08 - A message for others dealing with tough health issues who are seeking an outlet
32:11 - Looking forward to more time on the water with Seize the Oar at its new location, Greenlake Boathouse
33:25 - Tara reflects on founding Seize the Oar
40:53 - Steady State Network news and notes
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To see photos of Katie and Will, and get links to their socials plus the people, clubs, and events mentioned in this episode, check out the show notes on our website.
.
This episode was made possible in part by RowSource and our Supporters.
.
Steady State Podcast is a production of Steady State Network. It is hosted and edited by Rachel Freedman and Tara Morgan. Tara provides additional audio engineering, books show guests, and is our sponsor and donor coordinator. Rachel writes our scripts and e-newsletter, and manages the website and social media. Our theme music is Open Mind by Soundroll.
.
SHOP SSN GEAR: www.steadystatenetwork.com/shop
SIGN UP FOR THE SSN NEWSLETTER: www.steadystatenetwork.com/newsletter
MAKE A DIFFERENCE: www.steadystatenetwork.com/support
CONNECT:
FB - /SteadyStateNetwork
IG - @SteadyStateNetwork
FB - /AllieswithOars
IG - @AllieswithOars
Connect on FB and IG with the hosts:
Rachel Freedman - @RowSource
Tara Morgan - @CmonBarber

45 min
January 31 S7E3 - "Quit Last" Says Marnie McBean
Three-time Olympic gold medallist Marnie McBean is one of the most decorated Canadian rowers of all time, and a driving force in our sport’s history. She’s been a mentor and leader for generations of athletes and now she’s also serving her country as a Senator in the Canadian Parliament, bringing that same curiosity, leadership, and commitment to service to national issues.
Get ready to hear about her early experiences testing on the gjessing erg, what rowing taught her about growth and resilience, and how those lessons shape the work she’s doing now to support Canadian citizens on and off the water.
QUICK LOOK
00:00 - Intro
01:45 - Rowing Week scale of 1-10: amazing
04:55 - The Huddle
06:13 - Hot Seat Q&A
09:03 - Rowing origin story
13:00 - Advice for young athletes: don’t worry about fear and doubt
13:52 - Before rowing, Marnie was athletic but didn't know there were avenues to be ambitious in sport
15:20 - Making the junior national team by “being fast but looking bad”
19:58 - Rowing with 2x partner Kathleen Heddle felt like an “arranged marriage” until they learned to pay attention to each other
26:04 - Rowing with legendary Olympic coxswain Leslie Thompson Willie was all about preparation, listening, and trust
30:10 - Life lessons from rowing: you can recover from a bad stroke; “Can I/Will I” moments
34:20 - Empowering young rowers to work hard and “quit last”
37:02 - Serving Canada as a Senator
42:32 - Speaking up and speaking out against policies that negatively affect participation in sport
45:09 - The perfect stroke
46:42 - Steady State Network news and notes
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To see photos of Marnie, and get links to her socials plus the people, clubs, and events mentioned in this episode, check out the show notes on our website.
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This episode was made possible in part by RowSource and our Supporters.
.
Steady State Podcast is a production of Steady State Network. It is hosted and edited by Rachel Freedman and Tara Morgan. Tara provides additional audio engineering, books show guests, and is our sponsor and donor coordinator. Rachel writes our scripts and e-newsletter, and manages the website and social media. Our theme music is Open Mind by Soundroll.
.
SHOP SSN GEAR: www.steadystatenetwork.com/shop
SIGN UP FOR THE SSN NEWSLETTER: www.steadystatenetwork.com/newsletter
MAKE A DIFFERENCE: www.steadystatenetwork.com/support
CONNECT:
FB - /SteadyStateNetwork
IG - @SteadyStateNetwork
FB - /AllieswithOars
IG - @AllieswithOars
Connect on FB and IG with the hosts:
Rachel Freedman - @RowSource
Tara Morgan - @CmonBarber
51 min
January 17 S7E2 - Coach Nicki Plucinksi: "First, Do What’s Hard"
Nicki Plucinski discovered rowing as a teenager in Victoria, Australia. Though “woefully uninformed” going into her first 2k race, Nicki’s effort caught her coach’s attention and that day left a lasting impression. Nearly 30 years later, Nicki has turned that early experience into a mission. She founded Ratio Theory Rowing to give athletes the attention, direction, and information they need to succeed. In this conversation, we explore the rowing lessons that carry into everyday life, the work ethic and mindset behind her coaching, the science that drives her approach, and why self-care is a non-negotiable part of long-term success.
QUICK LOOK
01:04 - Rowing Week on a scale of 1-10: 7 (back on the water after a long hiatus!)
02:15 - The Huddle
05:11 - Hot Seat Q&A
08:46 - Nicki doesn’t remember making a decision to row as a teen, but next thing she knew she was selected for camp
13:04 - Growing up in a sport household
15:25 - Rowing lessons that have carried over into our everyday lives
24:33 - transition to coaching
27:49 - the work ethic, mentality, and science behind her coaching success
33:22 - Ratio Theory Rowing designed to support athletes in big clubs who aren’t getting the coaching or structure they want to reach their goals
36:30 - the importance of self-care: rest, nutrition, time-management, core strength, mobility, warmdowns
48:27 - Nicki’s description of the perfect stroke
49:11 - Steady State Network news and notes
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To see photos of Nicki, and get links to her socials plus the people, clubs, and events mentioned in this episode, check out the show notes on our website.
.
This episode was made possible in part by RowSource and our Supporters.
.
Steady State Podcast is a production of Steady State Network. It is hosted and edited by Rachel Freedman and Tara Morgan. Tara provides additional audio engineering, books show guests, and is our sponsor and donor coordinator. Rachel writes our scripts and e-newsletter, and manages the website and social media. Our theme music is Open Mind by Soundroll.
.
SHOP SSN GEAR: www.steadystatenetwork.com/shop
SIGN UP FOR THE SSN NEWSLETTER: www.steadystatenetwork.com/newsletter
MAKE A DIFFERENCE: www.steadystatenetwork.com/support
CONNECT:
FB - /SteadyStateNetwork
IG - @SteadyStateNetwork
FB - /AllieswithOars
IG - @AllieswithOars
Connect on FB and IG with the hosts:
Rachel Freedman - @RowSource
Tara Morgan - @CmonBarber
53 min
January 03 S7E1: Rowfluencers: Expanding the Reach and Impact of Rowing
Maurice Scott has been on a personal mission to be a face of positive change in the world of rowing. From beginning with zero Instagram followers, to the 2025 launch of Rowfluencers – what he calls the "#1 Rowing Talent & NIL marketing agency in the World" – Maurice has sought to uplift the sport as a whole. He's dedicated to expanding the reach and impact of rowing through innovative marketing approaches.
Rowing is the ultimate team sport, but NGOs often overlook the stories of individual athletes. Taking a piece of the playbook from professional sports like Major League Baseball and Formula 1, Rowfluencers seeks to take the power of individual storytelling and amplify it.
From the first wave of Rowfluencers, Dani Hansen also joins the conversation, sharing her unique perspective as the most decorated Paralympic rower, and Hydrow on screen athlete.
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QUICK LOOK
00:00 - Season 7 kickoff!
02:33 - Considering the pro sports sponsorship playbook; recognition in the sport of rowing
06:44 - Welcome and Rowing Week scale of 1-10
10:19 - The Huddle: Maurice, then Dani
13:12 - Hot Seat Q&A
15:05 - Rowing Origin Stories
19:40 - How Maruice and Dani met
22:00 - Dani’s role at Rowfluencers
22:55 - Maurice’s community support as a police officer and as founder of Rowfluencers
27:10 - The snowball effect of sponsorship deals for Maurice
28:33 - Establishing Rowfluencers to give back to other athletes
32:20 - What’s happening in the rowing world that makes a case for rowers deserving better visibility?
36:56 - How rowing industry influencers are shaping rowing: For Dani, free speed can be found in having fun
42:42 - Key for the first wave of Rowfluencers: proud and passionate
48:04 - Advice for young rowers
49:52 - Steady State Network news and notes
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To see photos of Maurice and Dani, and get links to their socials plus the people, clubs, and events mentioned in this episode, check out the show notes on our website.
.
This episode was made possible in part by RowSource and our Supporters.
.
Steady State Podcast is a production of Steady State Network. It is hosted and edited by Rachel Freedman and Tara Morgan. Tara provides additional audio engineering, books show guests, and is our sponsor and donor coordinator. Rachel writes our scripts and e-newsletter, and manages the website and social media. Our theme music is Open Mind by Soundroll.
.
SHOP SSN GEAR: www.steadystatenetwork.com/shop
SIGN UP FOR THE SSN NEWSLETTER: www.steadystatenetwork.com/newsletter
MAKE A DIFFERENCE: www.steadystatenetwork.com/support
CONNECT:
FB - /SteadyStateNetwork
IG - @SteadyStateNetwork
FB - /AllieswithOars
IG - @AllieswithOars
Connect on FB and IG with the hosts:
Rachel Freedman - @RowSource
Tara Morgan - @CmonBarber
53 min