Steady State Network

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[S2] Ep. 14: Margie Elsberg is Setting Her Own Pace

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Back in August 2021, at USRowing Masters Nationals in Oak Ridge, TN, we met a lot of interesting people, including I category rower Margie Elsberg. We reached out to her to find out more from this tiny and mighty athlete.

In the early 1960s, Margie was turned away by a rowing coach in Boston because she was a woman. After a full career in journalism, and raising three kids, she learned to row at 60. Today – at 78 - she's stronger than she's ever been. Together with her husband Mickey, they proudly carry the torch for I, J, and K category rowers as members of Upper Valley Rowing Foundation and Chinook Performance Racing.

We talk with this Baby Boomer former news woman and self-described tomboy about Title IX, putting herself first, how a Diabetes diagnosis set her on a wellness path, coxing octogenarians, training and racing with Chinook, and a whole lot more.

TIME STAMPS
00:00 - Introduction
02:00 - From BU rowing rejection to HOCR in 40 yrs
05:50 - After raising kids, making time for Margie 
07:28 - Rowing a 2x with Mickey, and buying Pepto (her 1x)
09:24 - Becoming a well-rounded athlete long after Title IX
14:30 - Being a women of the Baby Boom generation
16:35 - There at the beginning of Chinook Racing Performance
20:35 - What happened when she coxed a J M4+ at Masters Nationals
26:55 - From local tv/radio broadcasting to a 24/7 connected world 
33:38 - UVRF’s CReW cancer recovery program
36:58 - Coxing a levitating W8+ at HOCR 
42:35 - Rapid Fire Q&A


[S2] Ep. 14 Mentions

PEOPLE
Chinook founders Deb Davis, Nancy Dynan, Merida Scully, and Lesleh Anderson Wright

RESOURCES
USRowing age classifications

ORGANIZATIONS
Ancient Mariners Rowing Club
Chester River Rowing Club
Chinook Performance Racing
Martha’s Moms
Recovery on Water
Saugatuck Rowing Club
Upper Valley Rowing Foundation
ZLAC

EVENTS
Head of the Charles
Kings Head Regatta
USRowing Masters Nationals