[S3] Ep. 16 - UPDATE: Tom Rooks, USRowing Health and Well-Being Associate

Aug 5

This episode was made possible in part by our Patrons, Concept2, and Lake Washington Rowing Club.
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This episode revisits a conversation with Tom Rooks, the Director of Rowing at Williamsburg Boat Club, in Williamsburg, VA. When we talked with him back in 2021, we loved how authentic he was. From his "fun first" mantra to how he prepares his juniors athletes to be better humans beyond the boathouse. Tom was one of our favorite guests – sharing his philosophies about saving lives, being well-rounded, and finding your calling.

Since then, Tom’s been hired by USRowing as its Health and Well-Being Associate. This title doesn’t do justice to the work he’s doing there, ensuring that our NGB, local clubs, and regattas have procedures in place to keep athletes, coaches, officials, and volunteers safe - from PFDs to hydration tablets, safety education, and emergency plans.

This remix includes a new intro, with banter between hosts Rachel Freedman and Tara Morgan about Tom, safety, and USRowing Masters Nationals in Sarasota, FL.

TIME STAMPS
00:00 - Lead-in
03:55 - Intro
09:29 - Rowing week
10:35 - Team culture and coaching philosophy; and rowing origin story
19:50 - Rowing is all in the family, the importance of a well-rounded life
28:00 - Quintessential Tom, wearing your heart on your sleeve
34:10 - Mentoring new coaches
38:35 - What you’re capable of today, vulnerability, resiliency
41:25 - How COVID taught WBC kids their “why”
44:10 - Taking his competitive drive to Disc Golf
47:45 - Choosing to row and having dominion over it
50:20 - Handling anxiety and expectations by visualizing “rear view” moments
55:50 - Memorable lessons from Tom’s high school rowing coach
58:50 - How rowing helped Tom and his wife make it through physical challenges
1:01:18 - Risk management, safety plan development, mishap analysis
1:08:08 - Rapid Fire Q&A