Sue Ryan came to rowing through her journey as a breast cancer survivor, and she’s embraced the sport as both a challenge and a source of community. We talk about how the sport helped her move past childhood trauma, how it has shaped her cancer recovery, and the ways she’s found strength on and off the water as a member of Whitmarsh Boat Club, WeCanRow Philadelphia, and the Survivor Rowing Network.

QUICK LOOK

00:00 - Episode intro and welcome

01:59 - Rowing Week

03:58 - The Huddle

04:20 - Hot Seat Q&A

07:28 - Despite being “horribly uncoordinated,” Sue got hooked when she learned to row with WeCanRow Philadelphia

09:45 - Trauma in Sue’s youth led to disassociation from her body but rowing and therapy have helped her reconnect

13:15 - Social network as key to cancer recovery, and finding a welcoming club culture at Whitemarsh Boat Club

17:49 - Recovery: strength training, lymphedema, lifting, asking for help

21:00 - Being a voice of strength for her teammates

22:00 - Working with a sports psychologist, and Sue’s mantra

29:14 - How rowing has changed Sue and paying it forward to help new rowers

33:04 - Sue’s rowing “sales pitch”

33:40 - What Sue wishes someone had told her before she learned to row

34:00 - Sue describes the perfect stroke

36:50 - Steady State Network news and notes

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To see photos of Sue, and get links to the people, clubs, and events mentioned in this episode, check out the show notes on our website.

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This episode was made possible in part by Breakwater Realty, RowSource, and our Supporters.

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Steady State Podcast is hosted and edited by Rachel Freedman and Tara Morgan. Tara provides additional audio engineering, books show guests, and is our sponsor and donor coordinator. Rachel writes our scripts and e-newsletter, and manages the website and social media. Our theme music is by Jonas Hipper.

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