You want to … what?!
Life is calling. There’s a world out there.
When I first learned it was possible to get into a teeny tiny boat and row - with your arms - across an ocean, it was because I saw it on Tiktok in 2022. I was following a creator called Arielle Schmitt who makes content celebrating obscure sports. I was watching the Talisker Whisky Challenge and immediately I felt like I’d stumbled into a fascinating world. I was immediately fascinated by these impressive people who were doing something so epic. At the time, I was struggling with my hands - well, all my joints really - as I’d been living with undiagnosed rheumatoid arthritis for the past 6 years. It had initially rocked me with a gloomy depression, then had robbed me of my energy and pep. Everything was painful. Stepping onto the floor in the morning when I got out of bed, hurt. I had gained a lot of weight - about 70 lbs - and wasn’t doing much other than taking naps on the couch with my dog. So, when I was out for dinner one night with some of my husbands work acquaintances and I said “Have you heard about ocean rowing? You get into these weird boats and row yourself like… 4800 Kilometers!” there was one guy who said “Oh yeah. I’ve got an ex-military friend who’s done that, I think” and suddenly I said “Well, I want to do it too.”
The group seemed dubious.
Fast forward a year - add one diagnosis and some medications later - it was time to watch the rowers again. In 2023 Mariam Payne rowed solo after her partner had dropped out last minute. She posted videos along the way and I was watching in awe. Every day she would post an update and every day I felt more and more invested in what she was doing. And, those medications I mentioned, were working a treat. I hadn’t felt a flare up in about 6 months. At work, I was googling “Ocean rowing” and reading about Rannoch boats. The sport was full of women. Boats full of the most incredible, strong, fun women.
And then it hit me - What am I doing with myself? I felt like 8 years of my life had been drained away being sore and sad. I remember flexing my fingers and making fists, and I realized that I had a window of time to do something with my life, my body, my time, before the aching comes back. One thought was to start a family. But, my medications caused birth defects. To have children I would need to go off of them for 6 months, try to get pregnant at 39, go through a pregnancy, possibly battle post partum depression. After the grueling years I’d just been through, this was not something I was willing to do. Besides, I didn’t yearn for it. Not really. What I wanted was for my own life to be fuller, and more vibrant, and full of adventures. I yearned for the sea.
In the Spring of 2024 I found “The Atlantic Dash” and they seemed to be everything I was hoping for. More accessible, less competitive, and more fun. I e-mailed them to inquire, and Billy got back to me straight away with the booklet, and hopped onto an hour long phone call. I told him my story and Billy took me seriously. He invited me to the realm of ocean rowers. “If you want to do it - you can do it! Let’s get some medical clearance and go from there.”
I tuned into “The Ocean Rowing Club” podcast hosted by Billy’s Atlantic Dash partner Alex, and eagerly listened to every single episode. Within a couple months my Rheumatologist had given her stamp of approval, my husband was all-in and excited, and my friends were rallying around me to get the campaign off the ground. I have no illusions that it won’t be hard. It’ll be the hardest. But, when I imagine celebrating at Jolly Harbor in Antigua with flares in my hands my hearts starts to glow.
I couldn’t have imagined that I would feel this able bodied - or energized - when my immune system had been attacking my own bones. But - I do.
Let’s do some cool shit.
