everybody in this room has one thing that is exactly the same as everybody
that is exactly the same as everybody
that is exactly the same as everybody else it’s the only thing that we all
else it’s the only thing that we all
else it’s the only thing that we all have in common it’s the same version
have in common it’s the same version
have in common it’s the same version it’s the same size it’s the same value
it’s the same size it’s the same value
it’s the same size it’s the same value we all have this day today and it just
we all have this day today and it just
we all have this day today and it just may be the day that your life could
may be the day that your life could
may be the day that your life could completely change there’s a spring of
completely change there’s a spring of
completely change there’s a spring of 2007 before I was entering into my
2007 before I was entering into my
2007 before I was entering into my graduate year and final year of playing
graduate year and final year of playing
graduate year and final year of playing softball at the University of Virginia
softball at the University of Virginia
softball at the University of Virginia the UVA women’s head rowing coach
the UVA women’s head rowing coach
the UVA women’s head rowing coach approached me and asked if I’d ever
approached me and asked if I’d ever
approached me and asked if I’d ever thought about rowing
thought about rowing
thought about rowing he said if things didn’t work out with
he said if things didn’t work out with
he said if things didn’t work out with the new softball coach they just hired
the new softball coach they just hired
the new softball coach they just hired that I should come out for the team he
that I should come out for the team he
that I should come out for the team he would teach me and I could make varsity
would teach me and I could make varsity
would teach me and I could make varsity by the following spring now to really
by the following spring now to really
by the following spring now to really sell it he said you can be an Olympian
sell it he said you can be an Olympian
sell it he said you can be an Olympian one day I’m from Louisiana I’m not
one day I’m from Louisiana I’m not
one day I’m from Louisiana I’m not scared of mosquitoes but we don’t mess
scared of mosquitoes but we don’t mess
scared of mosquitoes but we don’t mess around in small boats and water down
around in small boats and water down
around in small boats and water down there so I thanked him flattered but
there so I thanked him flattered but
there so I thanked him flattered but sort of flippantly was you know I’ll
sort of flippantly was you know I’ll
sort of flippantly was you know I’ll stick with what I know three years later
stick with what I know three years later
stick with what I know three years later I would enter rowing into a Google
I would enter rowing into a Google
I would enter rowing into a Google search I literally googled the sport at
search I literally googled the sport at
search I literally googled the sport at the time I was only looking for
the time I was only looking for
the time I was only looking for something new something different
something new something different
something new something different challenging to do in my free time I just
challenging to do in my free time I just
challenging to do in my free time I just moved to West Hartford Connecticut where
moved to West Hartford Connecticut where
moved to West Hartford Connecticut where I was living out my dream of working for
I was living out my dream of working for
I was living out my dream of working for ESPN I remember the UVA rowing coach
ESPN I remember the UVA rowing coach
ESPN I remember the UVA rowing coach telling me I could be a good rower so I
telling me I could be a good rower so I
telling me I could be a good rower so I thought well I’m in New England that’s
thought well I’m in New England that’s
thought well I’m in New England that’s what they do here I should row a few
what they do here I should row a few
what they do here I should row a few clicks of the keyboard and I find a
clicks of the keyboard and I find a
clicks of the keyboard and I find a local rowing club and I sign up for the
local rowing club and I sign up for the
local rowing club and I sign up for the beginning rowing classes a few weeks
beginning rowing classes a few weeks
beginning rowing classes a few weeks later I pull into the parking lot of the
later I pull into the parking lot of the
later I pull into the parking lot of the boathouse and I’m overcome with this
boathouse and I’m overcome with this
boathouse and I’m overcome with this wave of anxiety and fear I was a
wave of anxiety and fear I was a
wave of anxiety and fear I was a two-sport Division one college athlete I
two-sport Division one college athlete I
two-sport Division one college athlete I grew up in sports and along the way I’d
grew up in sports and along the way I’d
grew up in sports and along the way I’d become pretty confident in my abilities
become pretty confident in my abilities
become pretty confident in my abilities but I was terrified I didn’t know what I
but I was terrified I didn’t know what I
but I was terrified I didn’t know what I was doing I didn’t know anyone I didn’t
was doing I didn’t know anyone I didn’t
was doing I didn’t know anyone I didn’t want to get out of the car it was an
want to get out of the car it was an
want to get out of the car it was an ungodly hour in the morning and I was
ungodly hour in the morning and I was
ungodly hour in the morning and I was definitely wearing the wrong clothes
definitely wearing the wrong clothes
definitely wearing the wrong clothes despite this strong urge to flee I
despite this strong urge to flee I
despite this strong urge to flee I almost drove away went back to my daily
almost drove away went back to my daily
almost drove away went back to my daily routine convinced myself that I didn’t
routine convinced myself that I didn’t
routine convinced myself that I didn’t need this change I peeled myself out of
need this change I peeled myself out of
need this change I peeled myself out of the car and take that big step into the
the car and take that big step into the
the car and take that big step into the very very deep end of the unknown and I
very very deep end of the unknown and I
very very deep end of the unknown and I wish I could say this this first day of
wish I could say this this first day of
wish I could say this this first day of rowing was some blissful experience
rowing was some blissful experience
rowing was some blissful experience where I I sort of perfectly happened
where I I sort of perfectly happened
where I I sort of perfectly happened upon what I’m supposed to be doing for
upon what I’m supposed to be doing for
upon what I’m supposed to be doing for the rest of my life the coaches were
the rest of my life the coaches were
the rest of my life the coaches were speaking what felt like a foreign
speaking what felt like a foreign
speaking what felt like a foreign language and using terms and words and
language and using terms and words and
language and using terms and words and calling for drills that I had no context
calling for drills that I had no context
calling for drills that I had no context of even beginning to understand the
of even beginning to understand the
of even beginning to understand the equipment was big and bulky yet seemed
equipment was big and bulky yet seemed
equipment was big and bulky yet seemed fragile my body ached and from using
fragile my body ached and from using
fragile my body ached and from using muscles I didn’t even know existed my
muscles I didn’t even know existed my
muscles I didn’t even know existed my hands were were blistered after one
hands were were blistered after one
hands were were blistered after one session red and sore from the the course
session red and sore from the the course
session red and sore from the the course handle of the or rubbing back and forth
handle of the or rubbing back and forth
handle of the or rubbing back and forth across my palm and fingers despite how
across my palm and fingers despite how
across my palm and fingers despite how uncomfortable physically and mentally I
uncomfortable physically and mentally I
uncomfortable physically and mentally I still was I knew from the moment that I
still was I knew from the moment that I
still was I knew from the moment that I felt the water running underneath me
felt the water running underneath me
felt the water running underneath me against the smooth hull of the boat that
against the smooth hull of the boat that
against the smooth hull of the boat that I was hooked
I was hooked
I was hooked now maybe it was the endorphins talking
now maybe it was the endorphins talking
now maybe it was the endorphins talking but I also encountered this unfettered
but I also encountered this unfettered
but I also encountered this unfettered belief that I was doing exactly what I
belief that I was doing exactly what I
belief that I was doing exactly what I should be doing and I wanted more of it
should be doing and I wanted more of it
should be doing and I wanted more of it something inside of me had come alive
something inside of me had come alive
something inside of me had come alive I’d been an awakened in a way I’d never
I’d been an awakened in a way I’d never
I’d been an awakened in a way I’d never experienced before and so I listened
experienced before and so I listened
experienced before and so I listened I’ve never been one to leisurely embark
I’ve never been one to leisurely embark
I’ve never been one to leisurely embark upon anything ever since I was a kid I
upon anything ever since I was a kid I
upon anything ever since I was a kid I had to win I had to be the best
had to win I had to be the best
had to win I had to be the best you’d think I’d grown out of that as an
you’d think I’d grown out of that as an
you’d think I’d grown out of that as an adult now along with this newfound
adult now along with this newfound
adult now along with this newfound passion in rowing I unleashed a desire
passion in rowing I unleashed a desire
passion in rowing I unleashed a desire to want to be the best and pursue it at
to want to be the best and pursue it at
to want to be the best and pursue it at the highest level the best thing that
the highest level the best thing that
the highest level the best thing that someone told me early on was that you’re
someone told me early on was that you’re
someone told me early on was that you’re young enough to be an Olympian if that’s
young enough to be an Olympian if that’s
young enough to be an Olympian if that’s what you really want to do but you’re
what you really want to do but you’re
what you really want to do but you’re old enough that you can’t wait around
old enough that you can’t wait around
old enough that you can’t wait around the window of opportunity was becoming
the window of opportunity was becoming
the window of opportunity was becoming only smaller with each passing day so
only smaller with each passing day so
only smaller with each passing day so here I am
here I am
here I am I want to become the best in the world
I want to become the best in the world
I want to become the best in the world it’s something I’ve just discovered and
it’s something I’ve just discovered and
it’s something I’ve just discovered and apparently I’m getting old
shortly after I had the fortunate
shortly after I had the fortunate experience of meeting a great training
experience of meeting a great training
experience of meeting a great training partner he introduced me to his training
partner he introduced me to his training
partner he introduced me to his training group and coach that following spring I
group and coach that following spring I
group and coach that following spring I I took a winter training trip with a
I took a winter training trip with a
I took a winter training trip with a group down to South Carolina I was so
group down to South Carolina I was so
group down to South Carolina I was so excited I just poured my savings into a
excited I just poured my savings into a
excited I just poured my savings into a brand new boat a racing skull something
brand new boat a racing skull something
brand new boat a racing skull something I hadn’t even been in but definitely
I hadn’t even been in but definitely
I hadn’t even been in but definitely needed I was like a kid with a new
needed I was like a kid with a new
needed I was like a kid with a new expensive toy very difficult to master
expensive toy very difficult to master
expensive toy very difficult to master now because of how novice I was the
now because of how novice I was the
now because of how novice I was the coach put me in with his junior rowing
coach put me in with his junior rowing
coach put me in with his junior rowing group these are 13 14 15 year-olds I’m
group these are 13 14 15 year-olds I’m
group these are 13 14 15 year-olds I’m 26 at the time there was a day that week
26 at the time there was a day that week
26 at the time there was a day that week I remember it was a race peace day test
I remember it was a race peace day test
I remember it was a race peace day test peace day I got pounded just annihilated
peace day I got pounded just annihilated
peace day I got pounded just annihilated by these teenagers who were all smaller
by these teenagers who were all smaller
by these teenagers who were all smaller than me and over a decade younger it was
than me and over a decade younger it was
than me and over a decade younger it was embarrassing deflating who was I kidding
embarrassing deflating who was I kidding
embarrassing deflating who was I kidding thinking I could do this when I didn’t
thinking I could do this when I didn’t
thinking I could do this when I didn’t even have the experience of a kid later
even have the experience of a kid later
even have the experience of a kid later at my hotel room that night I cried it
at my hotel room that night I cried it
at my hotel room that night I cried it was a lo day a week later despite this
was a lo day a week later despite this
was a lo day a week later despite this brutal defeat by high schoolers I would
brutal defeat by high schoolers I would
brutal defeat by high schoolers I would sign up for the u.s. rowing national
sign up for the u.s. rowing national
sign up for the u.s. rowing national selection team regatta this was my time
selection team regatta this was my time
selection team regatta this was my time to see how I measured up against the
to see how I measured up against the
to see how I measured up against the Olympians and national team members
Olympians and national team members
Olympians and national team members forget the teenagers
forget the teenagers
forget the teenagers despite the coach is urging just saying
despite the coach is urging just saying
despite the coach is urging just saying that I’m just not ready I decided to
that I’m just not ready I decided to
that I’m just not ready I decided to give it a whirl I remember that first
give it a whirl I remember that first
give it a whirl I remember that first day of racing it was pretty brutal
day of racing it was pretty brutal
day of racing it was pretty brutal weather is very windy the water was
weather is very windy the water was
weather is very windy the water was choppy my training partner calls out as
choppy my training partner calls out as
choppy my training partner calls out as I’m clumsily making my way down to the
I’m clumsily making my way down to the
I’m clumsily making my way down to the dock he says at least pretend like you
dock he says at least pretend like you
dock he says at least pretend like you know what you’re doing I didn’t have an
know what you’re doing I didn’t have an
know what you’re doing I didn’t have an idea of what I was doing that first race
idea of what I was doing that first race
idea of what I was doing that first race I would almost flip and I would finish
I would almost flip and I would finish
I would almost flip and I would finish dead last in the entire regatta two
dead last in the entire regatta two
dead last in the entire regatta two years later I show up to that same
years later I show up to that same
years later I show up to that same regatta a couple more years experience a
regatta a couple more years experience a
regatta a couple more years experience a better boat and a lot more confidence
better boat and a lot more confidence
better boat and a lot more confidence I would make my way into the final and
I would make my way into the final and
I would make my way into the final and finish fourth 31 spots higher than I had
finish fourth 31 spots higher than I had
finish fourth 31 spots higher than I had at that first regatta only Olympians
at that first regatta only Olympians
at that first regatta only Olympians would place ahead of me and that fourth
would place ahead of me and that fourth
would place ahead of me and that fourth place finish would award me a spot into
place finish would award me a spot into
place finish would award me a spot into the top united states women’s double
the top united states women’s double
the top united states women’s double sculls with Ellen Tomac a veteran rower
sculls with Ellen Tomac a veteran rower
sculls with Ellen Tomac a veteran rower in Olympian later that summer the
in Olympian later that summer the
in Olympian later that summer the thought that just maybe this seemingly
thought that just maybe this seemingly
thought that just maybe this seemingly impossible dream of going to the
impossible dream of going to the
impossible dream of going to the Olympics in a sport I’d only discovered
Olympics in a sport I’d only discovered
Olympics in a sport I’d only discovered three years ago began to creep into my
three years ago began to creep into my
three years ago began to creep into my mind as I was awarded the bronze medal
mind as I was awarded the bronze medal
mind as I was awarded the bronze medal at the 2013 World Cup in Lucerne
at the 2013 World Cup in Lucerne
at the 2013 World Cup in Lucerne Switzerland not to mention the taking
Switzerland not to mention the taking
Switzerland not to mention the taking third meant we had beat out a six-time
third meant we had beat out a six-time
third meant we had beat out a six-time Olympian a six-time world champion and a
Olympian a six-time world champion and a
Olympian a six-time world champion and a handful of other rowing superstars
handful of other rowing superstars
handful of other rowing superstars I was standing among the best of the
I was standing among the best of the
I was standing among the best of the best and holding my own I had arrived
best and holding my own I had arrived
best and holding my own I had arrived and now it’s April 23rd 2016 it’s the
and now it’s April 23rd 2016 it’s the
and now it’s April 23rd 2016 it’s the night before the final of the Olympic
night before the final of the Olympic
night before the final of the Olympic Trials I’m freaking out
Trials I’m freaking out
Trials I’m freaking out the reality that this day would actually
the reality that this day would actually
the reality that this day would actually come had been lost in the grind of
come had been lost in the grind of
come had been lost in the grind of training and just surviving one day to
training and just surviving one day to
training and just surviving one day to the next at the end of tomorrow I would
the next at the end of tomorrow I would
the next at the end of tomorrow I would either be an Olympian or I wouldn’t
either be an Olympian or I wouldn’t
either be an Olympian or I wouldn’t there was no gray area to fall into no
there was no gray area to fall into no
there was no gray area to fall into no no second chance it all came down to
no second chance it all came down to
no second chance it all came down to this one day and when you sit at the
this one day and when you sit at the
this one day and when you sit at the start line of a race you can’t think
start line of a race you can’t think
start line of a race you can’t think about the finish you do you want it to
about the finish you do you want it to
about the finish you do you want it to be done but you have to stay present
be done but you have to stay present
be done but you have to stay present you have to stay in the moment as the
you have to stay in the moment as the
you have to stay in the moment as the referees giving the call over I reach up
referees giving the call over I reach up
referees giving the call over I reach up put a hand on Ellen’s shoulder I say
put a hand on Ellen’s shoulder I say
put a hand on Ellen’s shoulder I say nobody better today is our day the horn
nobody better today is our day the horn
nobody better today is our day the horn goes off we blast off the line clean
goes off we blast off the line clean
goes off we blast off the line clean strong we’ve practiced this a thousand
strong we’ve practiced this a thousand
strong we’ve practiced this a thousand times over day after day
times over day after day
times over day after day but something’s wrong we’re down the
but something’s wrong we’re down the
but something’s wrong we’re down the boat next to us has gotten off faster
boat next to us has gotten off faster
boat next to us has gotten off faster better they’re ahead of us for the first
better they’re ahead of us for the first
better they’re ahead of us for the first 300 meters of the race I make a call up
300 meters of the race I make a call up
300 meters of the race I make a call up to Ellen breathe relax strong legs the
to Ellen breathe relax strong legs the
to Ellen breathe relax strong legs the beautiful thing about rowing is that
beautiful thing about rowing is that
beautiful thing about rowing is that when you get a boat going
when you get a boat going
when you get a boat going just right it appears to take off
just right it appears to take off
just right it appears to take off effortlessly gliding across the water
effortlessly gliding across the water
effortlessly gliding across the water the crew is in pain but they make it
the crew is in pain but they make it
the crew is in pain but they make it look easy another few hundred meters and
look easy another few hundred meters and
look easy another few hundred meters and we take off 750 meters to go we put a
we take off 750 meters to go we put a
we take off 750 meters to go we put a significant amount of water between us
significant amount of water between us
significant amount of water between us and the rest of the field unless
and the rest of the field unless
and the rest of the field unless something drastic happens we’re heading
something drastic happens we’re heading
something drastic happens we’re heading to Rio I let this thought pop into my
to Rio I let this thought pop into my
to Rio I let this thought pop into my mind for the slightest thousands of a
mind for the slightest thousands of a
mind for the slightest thousands of a second and then back to full focus
second and then back to full focus
second and then back to full focus I’ve worked 6 years of my life for this
I’ve worked 6 years of my life for this
I’ve worked 6 years of my life for this moment I’m not about to let my head lose
moment I’m not about to let my head lose
moment I’m not about to let my head lose it for me we’re into the red buoys now
it for me we’re into the red buoys now
it for me we’re into the red buoys now 250 metres left in the race I can hear
250 metres left in the race I can hear
250 metres left in the race I can hear the crowd roaring deafening in our ears
the crowd roaring deafening in our ears
the crowd roaring deafening in our ears every stroke I know the finish line is
every stroke I know the finish line is
every stroke I know the finish line is getting closer and then the horn goes
getting closer and then the horn goes
getting closer and then the horn goes off again and it feels as if the world
off again and it feels as if the world
off again and it feels as if the world stands still
stands still
stands still Ellen raises her hands over her heads
Ellen raises her hands over her heads
Ellen raises her hands over her heads and that’s when the reality of the
and that’s when the reality of the
and that’s when the reality of the moment hits me we won we’re going to Rio
moment hits me we won we’re going to Rio
moment hits me we won we’re going to Rio I’m an Olympian and then I lose it I
I’m an Olympian and then I lose it I
I’m an Olympian and then I lose it I throw my hands in the water I yell I
throw my hands in the water I yell I
throw my hands in the water I yell I scream everything I can is pure elation
scream everything I can is pure elation
scream everything I can is pure elation pure joy three months later I would have
pure joy three months later I would have
pure joy three months later I would have the honor of competing on the world’s
the honor of competing on the world’s
the honor of competing on the world’s biggest athletic stage as a member of
biggest athletic stage as a member of
biggest athletic stage as a member of the United States Olympic team Ellen and
the United States Olympic team Ellen and
the United States Olympic team Ellen and I would take sixth in the world six
I would take sixth in the world six
I would take sixth in the world six years ago I didn’t even know how to
years ago I didn’t even know how to
years ago I didn’t even know how to properly step into a boat I went from
properly step into a boat I went from
properly step into a boat I went from working a desk job to competing against
working a desk job to competing against
working a desk job to competing against the best athletes in the world I’ve
the best athletes in the world I’ve
the best athletes in the world I’ve calculated this journey took me all of
calculated this journey took me all of
calculated this journey took me all of two thousand one hundred and ninety days
two thousand one hundred and ninety days
two thousand one hundred and ninety days give or take the UVA coach that planted
give or take the UVA coach that planted
give or take the UVA coach that planted that seed of rowing in my mind on that
that seed of rowing in my mind on that
that seed of rowing in my mind on that random spring day would end up being my
random spring day would end up being my
random spring day would end up being my coach in the Rio games one of the high
coach in the Rio games one of the high
coach in the Rio games one of the high schoolers who handed me that brutal
schoolers who handed me that brutal
schoolers who handed me that brutal defeat in South Carolina was at a recent
defeat in South Carolina was at a recent
defeat in South Carolina was at a recent Olympic celebration event she came up to
Olympic celebration event she came up to
Olympic celebration event she came up to me a collegiate rower now and says my
me a collegiate rower now and says my
me a collegiate rower now and says my claim to fame is that I beat an Olympian
but more importantly that I was an
but more importantly that I was an inspiration to her and she too wanted to
inspiration to her and she too wanted to
inspiration to her and she too wanted to be an Olympian one day my international
be an Olympian one day my international
be an Olympian one day my international debut and first metal one at that 2013
debut and first metal one at that 2013
debut and first metal one at that 2013 World Cup would come three years to the
World Cup would come three years to the
World Cup would come three years to the day that I almost didn’t get out of my
day that I almost didn’t get out of my
day that I almost didn’t get out of my car for that first rowing lesson
throughout this improbable adventure of
throughout this improbable adventure of navigating the ups and downs the good
navigating the ups and downs the good
navigating the ups and downs the good and just terrible trying days I came to
and just terrible trying days I came to
and just terrible trying days I came to appreciate the unique value in each one
appreciate the unique value in each one
appreciate the unique value in each one shortly after that first regatta I
shortly after that first regatta I
shortly after that first regatta I discovered my secret weapon I was
discovered my secret weapon I was
discovered my secret weapon I was talking to my coach at the time and I
talking to my coach at the time and I
talking to my coach at the time and I said I know I have a long ways to go but
said I know I have a long ways to go but
said I know I have a long ways to go but if I can just do something every day
if I can just do something every day
if I can just do something every day just a little bit of progress every day
just a little bit of progress every day
just a little bit of progress every day I can get there he nodded
I can get there he nodded
I can get there he nodded he’s very stoic he’s German says that’s
he’s very stoic he’s German says that’s
he’s very stoic he’s German says that’s her he hadn’t talked better every day
her he hadn’t talked better every day
her he hadn’t talked better every day quickly became my mantra my personal
quickly became my mantra my personal
quickly became my mantra my personal motto of every day counts I didn’t need
motto of every day counts I didn’t need
motto of every day counts I didn’t need to become an Olympian in one day
to become an Olympian in one day
to become an Olympian in one day although that would have been really
although that would have been really
although that would have been really great and a lot more efficient but if I
great and a lot more efficient but if I
great and a lot more efficient but if I could do something every day that put me
could do something every day that put me
could do something every day that put me closer one stroke one practice at a time
closer one stroke one practice at a time
closer one stroke one practice at a time I believed it was possible big dreams
I believed it was possible big dreams
I believed it was possible big dreams can oftentimes feel unattainable or
can oftentimes feel unattainable or
can oftentimes feel unattainable or reserved only for someone else but
reserved only for someone else but
reserved only for someone else but remember our days are all equal 24 hours
remember our days are all equal 24 hours
remember our days are all equal 24 hours 1440 minutes and when new adventures
1440 minutes and when new adventures
1440 minutes and when new adventures feel as though there’s something of the
feel as though there’s something of the
feel as though there’s something of the past or it’s too late for change there’s
past or it’s too late for change there’s
past or it’s too late for change there’s not enough time to take that unexpected
not enough time to take that unexpected
not enough time to take that unexpected journey rest assured that all it takes
journey rest assured that all it takes
journey rest assured that all it takes is one day the significance of this is
is one day the significance of this is
is one day the significance of this is more important today now more than ever
more important today now more than ever
more important today now more than ever we all have the power of one day how are
we all have the power of one day how are
we all have the power of one day how are you going to make it count thank you
”
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