I took some time today to listen to the high-performance podcast with Jake Humphrey and Professor Damian Hughes as they discussed the life and journey of John McAvoy from “high-performance gangster” to a “high-performance Nike sponsored triathlon athlete and indoor rowing world record holder”.
Interestingly where John’s life made a pivot was when in his cell he discovered indoor rowing, perhaps he also discovered just how much goes into perfecting the rowing stroke, mind-altering commitment.
John McAvoy now holds a number of indoor rowing records, yet the 2k in his age group is still an incomplete challenge. He learnt to row at London Rowing Club for a time, but never took that forward, a chance to row at Henley or beyond not a goal of his, perhaps the reason why is in the podcast when he mentions that he might not be able to cope with a rowing coach giving him feedback. That said he does now have a coach for triathlon training.
I think what indoor rowing gives people is a focus, a small thing to focus on, but because it involves 86% of all your muscles and I’d say requires 100% of your mind indoor rowing can “fill” every minute of your waking day.
It’s interesting and I discuss the podcast and some thoughts on my podcast.
Get Fit To Row Podcast Home: https://www.getfittorow.com/get-fit-to-row-podcast/109-how-rowing-changed-john-mcavoys-life
