S2E16 - Coach Tom Rooks on Vulnerability, Resiliency, and Saving Lives

On [S2] Ep 16 of Steady State Podcast, hosts Rachel Freedman and Tara Morgan are joined by Tom Rooks (Dir. of Rowing, Williamsburg Boat Club). This episode buzzes with authenticity as Tom shares his "fun first" mantra and how he prepares his juniors athletes to be better humans beyond the boathouse. Tom began to coach after 22 years in the United States Coast Guard, and he gets philosophical about vulnerability, resiliency, and saving lives. We also slide into tangents about Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl, ultimate frisbee, and vikings.

 

TIME STAMPS
0:00 - intro
2:20 - rowing week
4:30 - team culture and coaching philosophy and rowing origin story
12:45 - rowing is all in the Rooks family, the importance of a well-rounded life
22:40 - quintessential Tom and wearing your heart on your sleeve
27:30 - mentoring new coaches
31:00 - what you’re capable of today, vulnerability, resiliency
34:00 - how COVID taught WBC kids their “why”
34:00 - taking his competitive drive to Disc Golf
40:00 - choosing to row and having dominion over it
43:00 - handle nerves, anxiety, expectations - visualize “rear view” moments
49:00 - memorable lessons from Tom’s HS coach
51:30 - how rowing helped Tom and his wife through physical challenges
53:58 - risk management, safety plan development, mishap analysis
1:00:50 - Rapid Fire Q&A

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