It was an absolute joy to interview the inspirational Rowena Meredith for my book ‘Tame the Crocodile, Release the Lion: A guide to living and leading with courage’.
According to scientist Prof Niall Moyna, rowing is the 5th toughest event and by the time the rowers reach the finish line, there is not enough oxygen for cells to breathe and the body floods with lactic acid, which is converted into ammonia, giving athletes massive headaches.
So what motivates Rowena?
While she is definitely motivated to win, she says she’s not a competitive person – she’s a team person. When I asked her the first question, ‘Why do you row’, I expected her to assume I meant ‘Why do you row competitively?’ But she chose to talk about the love of being on the water, being at one with the boat as it moves through, feeling it underneath her, and delivering to the trust the team members have in each other. When they go out to win, they do it for each other.
It’s clear you don’t have to be cutthroat to be dedicated, to give it all – as rowers do, till their legs are in agony and their lungs are burning. Rowena does it for love.
