Wine Country CrossFit

Olympic Gold

Last year, when the US Women’s Whitewater Team did some reunion racing in preparation to paddle from Molokai to Oahu, I had the good fortune to paddle with Erin Cafaro Mackenzie. She joined our team despite never having held a paddle in her hand. She quickly picked up the nuances and subtlety of the forward stroke. I was constantly inspired by her work ethic and coordination. But then again, she has won not just one, but TWO OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALS earned in the sport of rowing! Two wins back to back on the biggest athletic stage in the world. I even received a private C2 Rowing lesson from her. One of the main takeaways from that day was learning that how the elements of movement in rowing are a lot like the elements of completing the clean in olympic lifting; you’ve got to use those hips to get anywhere!

Going For It

We are now in the Whole Life Challenge season, and it’s creator, Andy Petranek, just interviewed Erin in his weekly podcast. In their conversation, Erin shares what she was thinking about as she heard the National Anthem play while standing on the gold medal platform at the Olympics (something she’s never shared before.) Since winning gold, Erin shares that she has struggled to figure out life without rowing.  She also ponders what her life is all about. I know that at least last summer, life for Erin was about paddling with the US Women’s Whitewater Team as we reunion raced. Tune in here for the great podcast in which she talks about what it takes to win Olympic Gold – twice! Maybe you’ll get inspired to really go for it this time in the Whole Life Challenge.

Oh yeah, and don’t forget to get involved in all the cool stuff going on at the gym in September, including the Whole Life Challenge and the Zero Cancer Run.