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

In 2024, Rebel Strength and Rowing was named to Entrepreneur magazine’s list of the top 150 independently owned and operated small businesses in the United States. Then in late September – like hundreds of other businesses in Asheville, NC – it was inundated by the flood waters of Hurricane Helene.

In this episode, we talk with owner Adam Smith, and member Jason Mogen, about founding a small business, growing meaningful community, and sustaining it all through incredibly challenging times.

GUESTS
Adam Smith, Founder
Rebel Strength and Rowing

Jason Mogen, Rebel member

QUICK LOOK

00:00 - Episode intro
01:38 - Nermine's rowing origin story
03:35 - Rowing Week 1-10: training for the 2025 World Rowing Indoor Championships
05:39 - The Hot Seat Q&A
09:24 - Competitive horse riding came to end with a knee injury
11:00 - Rowing as spiritual and sacred time
13:36 - Rowing provided renewed body confidence
14:31 - Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro on her 40th birthday
17:23 - Challenges of racing when there are so few masters women rowing in Cairo
22:53 - Flat water rowing on the River Nile, coastal rowing on the Red Sea
27:53 - Rowing bucket list

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

Episode Mentions

BUSINESSES
North Asheville Tailgate Market

CLUBS
Asheville Rowing Club

EQUIPMENT
Concept2 RowErg

EVENTS
C.R.A.S.H.-B. Sprints

ORGANIZATIONS
Explore Asheville: Love Asheville from Afar

SCHOLASTIC & YOUTH PROGRAMS
Erg Ed

TRAINING FACILITIES
Equinox
Gold’s Gym
Live2Row Studios
Nicely Fitness Co. (Astoria, NY)
Planet Fitness
Spire Fitness (Milwaukee, WI)

UNIVERSITY PROGRAMS
Cornell University