Episode 3: A Day in the Life of a Division 1 Rower: A Story About Humility, Coachability, and Showing Up

In this episode, I sit down with a very special guest—my son, Conor. From family stories to Division I rowing, this conversation is a journey through resilience, risk-taking, and the powerof community.

We start with family stories: the giant baby who wore men’s shoe sizes by age five, the Southern-boy-meets-Irish-name combo, and my own first-time-mom worries. Then, Conor takes us into the world of sports—the heartbreak of his last high school basketball game, the brotherhood of team bonds, and the surprising ways men build connection through shared struggle. Conor opens up about finding rowing asa “second-chance sport,” and the whirlwind that took him from GWU to following his dream of rowing for a Division 1 program. What follows is raw and real: the high of being recruited, to setbacks, and the spiral of doubt.

But this isn’t just a story of loss—it’s about the comeback. Conor shares how discipline, not motivation, got him out of bed to keep training when everything felt over. He found a newcommunity, rebuilt his confidence, and turned consistency into growth. We close with big reflections: what itmeans to be a man today, how young adults can push back on stereotypes, and the importance of congratulating and supporting one another—especially for young men who don’t always hear that message.

This episode is a mix of laughter, honesty, and hard truths about resilience, risk, and finding your place. If you’re a parent, an athlete, or a young adult trying to figure out who you are—you’ll find yourself in this story.

What You’ll Hear:

• What failure really teaches you when you keep showing up anyway
• How to build confidence by doing hard things, not waiting for the perfect moment
• Why feedback is a gift, even when it stings
• The mental toughness it takes to be a collegiate athlete
• The ultimate team lesson: progress only happens when everyone rows in sync

Takeaways:

• Resilience is a choice: You don’t control the outcome—you control the next rep, the next practice, the next email.
• Consistency beats motivation: Start first; motivation follows momentum.
• Coachability = trust: Take feedback on the chin, make the change, prove you’re moldable.
• Seek hard rooms: You won’t grow if you’re the best in the boat; surround yourself with people who push you.
• Team > talent: Synchronization, shared language, and clear race plans create winning crews.
• Time is a skill: Prioritize, protect sleep, and stack small routines that travel with you.
• Redefine masculinity: Check in on your guys, have real conversations, celebrate each other’s wins.
• Mentorship multiplies: Be the person you wish you had—one text a month can change aseason.

Who This is For:

• Parents & mentors supporting young adults through high-stakes transitions.
• Coaches & leaders who value feedback cultures and want teams aligned on one message.
• Any young adult who’s been humbled, is rebuilding, or just needs proof that discipline works.

I would love to hear your thoughts and comments and share this podcast with your friends so that we can figure it outtogether!

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