Prague, Czech Republic
My first time traveling to Europe was for the 2024 World Indoor Rowing Championships in Prague, Czech Republic. I decided to go in the fall and started to put in the work, searched for a low airfare, connected with other indoor rowers that were making the trip and made it happen. It truly was worth all the hard work, the funding and the nerves that I had getting ready and traveling to Prague. Thankful for my friends, coaches and family who supported me 100%. Getting there
The Why: Every year we have the opportunity on the Concept2 to rank ourselves with others in our age. When I started rowing I found that I ranked high among those my age and it excited me to train harder and get faster.
The Solution: Coaching and training and focus is the solution to what needs to happen to get there. Show up and do the workouts. Encourage others along the way, but you are your biggest fan and your biggest competitor. Just trying to be stronger than yesterday!
The Plan: Connect with others that are like minded and focused on their goals. In indoor rowing we virtually connect on Facebook groups, Instagram, WhatsApp and through the live studio that I train with at Live2Row. This year I also took on extra coaching to push me harder and hoped to hit a personal record. Hall Strength (James Hall) put together a comprehensive plan and gave me insight, coaching and encouragement along the way. This was key to my success.
The Travel: My friends Bella and Thais were the best travel buddies you could hope for and being a part of this crew of people who were supportive and team with you along the way when you are so far from home was the best! Bella and I stayed at a great Air BNB on the river. The hosts were amazing getting us to and from the airport and the place was so relaxing and beautiful. A short walk to the center of Prague and right on the bike path for running and walking. Prague is home to a number of well-known cultural attractions, many of which survived the violence and destruction of 20th-century Europe. Main attractions include Prague Castle, Charles Bridge, Old Town Square with the Prague astronomical clock, the Jewish Quarter, Petřín hill and Vyšehrad. it was very fortunate to see it all. On Sunday, we walked a total of 7 miles 💪🏼. I loved being there and would highly recommend a trip to Prague for your travel bucket list. Here is a link to my IG reel with photos from the trip!
The Championships
World Indoor Rowing Championships 2024 – Prague, Czech Republic
HWT 55-59 Category
Day 1: The World Indoor Rowing Championships in Prague had been an incredible experience. Before the races started, I soaked it all in—getting in some last-minute training, exploring the beautiful city, and meeting amazing people I had only known through Instagram, Facebook, and other platforms. It was wonderful connecting with strong, inspiring men and women from around the world, whom I was proud to call friends. I raced the 2K, followed by the 500m and mixed relay on Saturday, feeling excited and ready to give it my all.
Day 2: 🥇 Gold Medal – 2000 meters
7:26.2
HWT Women 55-59
I won the gold medal in the 2000 meters with a season’s best time of 7:26.2. Although it didn’t quite go according to plan, all the sprint training paid off—this race felt less stressful than past ones, and I was able to stay strong both physically and mentally. These short events don’t capture the full story, but the hard work and commitment leading up to it made it all worth it. There was no quitting—just strength, focus, and determination.
As a 13-year cancer survivor, today’s win was a reminder of the hope and belief in myself that has gotten me through so much. My plan was simple: stay strong, push for the target, focus, and just go for it.
It was also an unforgettable day because I finally met rowing legend and coach Eric Murray, whom I’ve been following and rowing with virtually for five years. Being surrounded by incredible athletes and friends from around the world made it even more special. I’m now looking forward to the 500m race and the Mixed Team Relay to finish this incredible trip.
I’m so grateful to be part of this amazing indoor rowing community. Seeing everyone’s successes has brought me so much joy. Huge thanks to James @hall_strength for believing in me, setting my targets, and holding me accountable, and to @live2row_studios for the camp sessions, classes, and support over the past few years. Good coaching makes all the difference! And a big thank you to @ergzone for the support and their amazing platform, which has helped me stay on track with my workouts. I’m incredibly happy and grateful for this journey! 😃💪🏼🎉 Link here for the post and Video
🥇 Bronze Medal – 500 meters
1:41.3
HWT Women 55-59
The 500m was an all-out sprint! For those who know me, you know I’m more of an endurance athlete, and putting out that much power in such a short period of time has always been a challenge for me. While I know it’s something I can improve, I had a blast trying—and last year, winning silver was amazing. This year, I earned bronze by fractions of a second! The sprint to the finish was incredibly close, and I had some fierce competitors. I’m not sure if that excitement comes through in any of the videos, but this event was such a fun experience. Being surrounded by others who understand the dedication and training behind all the races made it feel even more special. Link here for the video.
The Team Events
The team events at the World Championships are always so exciting to watch and after having such an amazing time in Toronto in 2023, I really was excited to put a team together for Prague. I approached Thais from ErgZone to sponsor our mixed team and proceeded to recruit a power house team! Delia from Germany (LWT 50-54), Paul and Colin were on the original group. Paul hurt his back and didn’t make the trip and then Colin had the flu in Prague and did not compete. Lucky for me we ended up recruiting 2 amazing athletes from Norway – Truls and Freid! We had a great time working through the transitions as each athlete takes a turn to do 500 meters. 
The People
It’s all about community!
Camraderie!
The indoor rowing community is truly amazing—small in number but incredibly supportive, always cheering each other on. Whether in person or online, the bond between rowers is something special. I met friends from all over the world whom I had only known through social media, and I feel so blessed to be part of this tight-knit group. These in-person events not only strengthen friendships but also expand my network of training partners in ways I’ve never experienced before. The sense of camaraderie and shared passion makes every race more meaningful.
Respect
To compete at a high level in indoor rowing, an athlete needs immense physical strength, mental resilience, and unwavering dedication. Day-to-day training is often a solitary grind, requiring countless hours of discipline, focus, and pushing personal limits without the immediate encouragement of others. It can be lonely, but that isolation builds a deep inner strength. When we finally come together for competitions, there’s an overwhelming sense of mutual respect and admiration. Everyone understands the sacrifices, hard work, and relentless effort it takes to reach this point, and that shared experience creates an unbreakable bond.
Key Success Factors in Winning Gold
- Daily Discipline – Consistent, focused training every day is essential to stay on track and build strength.
- Metrics & Progress Tracking – Monitoring performance metrics helps fine-tune training, identify areas for improvement, and set clear goals.
- Good Coaching – A skilled coach provides guidance, motivation, and accountability, helping you reach your full potential.
- Quality Sleep – Rest and recovery are critical for maintaining peak performance and avoiding burnout.
- Proper Nutrition – Fueling the body with the right nutrients ensures sustained energy, recovery, and overall health.
- Strong Support Network – Having a supportive community of friends, family, and fellow athletes makes the journey easier and more rewarding.
Winning gold is never easy, and doing it for the second year shows the power of these key factors!
Gratitude and Acknowledgments: The Team Behind My Success
I am incredibly grateful to my husband, family, and friends for their unwavering support on this journey. A special thanks to my amazing coaches, James Hall from Hall Strength and Justin Knust from Live2Row Studios, whose expertise and guidance have truly pushed me to new levels. Their coaching has been invaluable in fine-tuning my training and helping me achieve my goals.
A huge shoutout to ErgZone as well, for providing me with the data I need every day to stay focused and track my progress. Having those metrics in front of me keeps me accountable and on target. To my incredible teammates—you know who you are—and the Diamonds Erging Group, thank you for your constant support and motivation. Your encouragement has meant the world to me.
If you’re looking for coaching, planning, or just someone to row with, don’t hesitate to leave a comment or reach out—let’s connect and grow stronger together! Link here for more products that I love!
