Vulnerability as an Olympic Athlete | PART 2 | Episode 44
This is Part 2 of a Part 2 interview, so be sure to catch up from last weeks episode where they share more personal funny stories and the professional side of rowing.
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*This Transcript is Autogenerated*
Colleen 0:05
You mentioned that like opening up PDFs, which makes perfect sense. And I agree with you. I think in general in life, you're like, how much weight do I give to this thing? Because if I talk it into existence or into a bigger problem that it is like my brain could believe something that like, or put another way, it's like we shouldn't believe everything that our mind tells us. Just because we have the thought doesn't mean that we give it validity. So I can see that. That being challenging at times to sort of do on the on the air and live also really rewarding because you end up you know, certainly like connecting with people.
Kristi Wagner 0:36
Welcome to the other three years, a show for anyone who has an Olympic sized dream, they want to turn into a reality. Hi, and welcome to this week's episode of the other three years. This week on the podcast. We're sharing part two of my interview with Collinsville. So if you didn't listen to part one, that was last week's episode, I'd recommend going and listening to that. And then coming back and listening to this week. Last week, Coleen and I talked about how she got into rowing and kind of her transition High School in college. So on this week's episode, we talk about how she got into commentating and the journey that she's been on there. And then she asked me a bunch of questions. So it's a super fun part two of the episode we did last week, a lot of new things to learn about rowing, and commentating and Colleen, and a lot of really great insight. So you definitely don't want to miss it. But before we get into that, I just wanted to share a little bit about what's going on right now in my training. So I'm still in Sarasota, Florida, I'm going to be here for a little while. And this week, at the end of this week, or really, when this episode comes out, we'll be in the midst of it, our winter speed order. So we are racing at Nathan Benderson Park, in singles and pairs, I'm racing in a single and it's just what it's called a winter speed order. So it's not a trial or a national selection, or God or anything like that no one qualifies for anything from this race. It's just sort of a check in it is required if you want to continue on the rest of the year and trying to make the Olympic team and everything. So a lot of people are racing people are kind of coming to the race from all different points of training. Obviously, some of us just had been on the water a couple of weeks, got back from Colorado, some other people had this circled on their calendar for a while. So it's pretty exciting to see all of the different speeds that people are bringing to the table. And I think it'll really be some good exciting racing. I personally am just trying to get better, you know, every day and make the most out of kind of every workout race hard and want to do as well as I possibly can do. But also, you know, seeing it in the bigger picture of where we are in the year, it's February. And we're not peaked to be going as fast as we can possibly go. But that being said, like racing is racing. And you know, you're only as good as your last result. So you really have to, you know, put your best foot forward, every opportunity that's presented. And also racing is really fun. So I think that the more that I and everybody else can just embrace the enjoyment that racing brings and not get stressed out and bogged down and that kind of thing, the more fun the experience will be. It's been a little bit windy this week. It's supposed to be windy the rest of the week. I think some of the days are racing seem like they'll be okay. There's talk of them kind of condensing the schedule a little bit because of predicted high winds. So kind of whenever we're racing, this sort of thing happens you just really have to be prepared for anything but the last couple of days have been a little bit breezy. So just important to you know, stretch and make sure you're taking care of your body and everything like that not not overdoing anything but oh yeah, sound pretty good. We had a Sunday football Superbowl little viewing party in our hotel, which was fun. We had Costco pizza, which a lot of people were kind of hating on personally, I love Costco pizza. So I was a fan of it. But it was fun. We watched the first half of the game and then the halftime show and then had to go to bed. So we didn't even see the exciting overtime part of the game. But that's okay. I think more most of the people in the room were more interested in the commercials and usher than anything else happening. So, but it was fun. It's always fun to you know, hang out with everybody and enjoy some off the water time. Now it is time for part two of my interview with Collinsville. I think my college experience was that I was expected to perform at a certain level and I expect to get myself to perform at a certain level, when I went to Yale 2007 through 2010, they won the varsity. Three out of four years in a row the year they didn't win the to be one. So I fully expected to go into a program with Have you seen miracle? Like the movie? Yeah. And there's a scene at the bar where he's like, why do you play college hockey, I played college hockey to win a national championship, like, in some ways that was, like, I thought we were going to win NCAA, I least I wanted to be part of a program that was trying to win. And then that just wasn't the reality. When I was there, we were 10th 11th Eighth, that was just what we were. And that's what my teammates and I were, that's what our coaches were, you know, that's not a bad performance. That's just not winning. And I think it was a really hard time for like our coaching staff, because they, you know, wanted us to be better, of course, and I think it was hard to understand, like, what was happening if it if the caliber of athletes was different if the speed of the boats was different, just what was going on? Because I think they had done things a certain way for a while. So who was winning at that time? Ohio State won three out of four years that I was that was not
Colleen 6:23
a loaded question was okay. That was that period. It's like trying to remember they,
Kristi Wagner 6:27
it's funny, it's full. It's not funny, but you told the story about you guys crying at youth nationals. Sorry to bring it back up on the on the air. We shared that as teenagers are a little well, yes. My senior year I wrote in the four and we ended up coming in second at NCAA is like, point 03 seconds from first it was actually great race in the final. But we were in the same semi as Ohio State. And they did not make the final. And actually they might have made the final but they came in third. I can't really remember. What I do remember was that they were crying. I am not sure I have ever been like fueled by another person. Like, yeah, I wanted to go up to them. It was just so like, and be like, Yeah, well, and I guess it was a little bit full circle like the year before. I had been in the varsity eight. And we had this like epic race against Princeton at Princeton, our home, our duel against them, it was a great race. They ended up winning. And we were obviously very upset. I think we had all gone into it. Like, this is our you know, whatever. And my very good friend who was in the boat with me was after and I don't know, I'm saying something. And she was just like, what are you gonna do cry about it? And I was like, maybe. But I don't know it. But I think the moment was just one of those things where it was like, What are you going to do cry about? You know, and I just Yeah, Claire probably does not even remember saying that to me. But I think about it all the time, actually.
Colleen 8:00
So it's funny. Yeah, these moments that stick with it,
Kristi Wagner 8:05
but it's funny because now Jozy says this thing of you know, you can either be happy for 24 hours or you can be sad for 24 hours, and then it's over. And I sort of feel like it's the same mindset of what do you need to cry about it? Like if you are it's only one day and then you know it's over?
Colleen 8:22
Yes, you have to get better at just sort of accepting it and moving on. And it is a good point of like, you can mope around for a full day like that's totally within your control and your rights. But like, is that how you want to spend the next 24 hours? Or do you actually just move? Do you actually just move on and keep going with it? Oh, that's wild. Yeah. So that, because it's funny when you were talking about you're like, yep, 2007 like, yeah, winning the NCAA NCAA. I was like, yep. And then everyone went out and bought basketball leagues for like, five
Kristi Wagner 8:52
years, and we stopped growing. And I got
Colleen 8:55
so funny. I mean, that's hard to to come in just after that, because as you said, it's like, if there's this sort of, like, wondering if it's like the recruiting class, or is it the like, for like, yeah, there were like, who's
Kristi Wagner 9:07
Olympians in that bow? Yeah. You know, and then yes, we were not in the same scenario. So, you know, it was just one of those things actually crazy. Like, in some ways, I feel still a bit guilty because I'm like, well, I could do it. You know, in college, my coach was like, you know, you can go this fast on the ERG and I wasn't going that fast. And now I'm going even faster than that. And I'm like, he was right. And I was the one that couldn't do it. You know, it's just so funny. Like there's this you know, the things we hold on to Yeah,
Colleen 9:42
so totally, I don't have like those you know, I'm not I'm not like going Olympic speed on the earth. But I do have this one random memory of like back to Ohio State where I won and won my seat race that was like That felt good. I And then so the next morning we show up, you know, this is like April or whatever it was, we show up at the boathouse and the like popsicle sticks are all like lined up, and I see my name and I'm like, Holy shit, like I'm staring the first vote today, like, okay, here we go. And, you know, it's like 530 in the morning. And so it's pitch black. And I have my Cox box and a speed coach. And there was probably like a GPS, there were like four different devices that like, you know, the one we needed to, like, get all the information. And I remember the the other freshman that was in the boat, who was still like my very best friend, the German German girl, Charlotte, she was stroking the eight at the time. And so we'd like launch. And it's like, my first official practice in this boat, you know, whatever. And so Andy calls from the launch, and he's like, we did some kind of a piece. And he was like, you know, what was the speed on that? Something simple? Like, what was the speed on that? And that like, the like, backlight wasn't freakin working. And all the things were screwed up. And I was like, Yeah, I don't know. I don't I didn't get that because like, blah, blah, blah. And Charlotte basically looks at me from the stroke seat, and she's like, you're gonna have to get that information, like, get your shit together. And I was like, oh, but it's like one of those, like, what are you going to do cry about it, where I was like, well, dammit, she's right. But like, there's like four different devices. And like, I was nervous, and it was dark, and there's probably like, leaves in the rudder, but you just get the hell over it. And that lives in my head rent free, where I'm always like, looking back or to your point where I'm like, I could have done it where I'm like, dammit, like, I could have done it. Like, why didn't I just press the right buttons and like, turn on the light. Of course, he wants that information he needs to the speed that his boat is moving. And like whatever this piece was that we were doing, you know, you get it right so many times and then like the one time you get it wrong, you're like, I'll never forget. Oh, 100%
Kristi Wagner 11:34
No, yeah. It's hard to remember all the like great things. It's so easy to remember all the stuff. Yeah. Okay. Do you want to hear how you started commentating? And then how you started commentating world growing? And then you can ask me questions, and I'll go to bed. Well, you probably don't go to bed. Yeah,
Colleen 11:53
this has been so fun. No, I mean, I would go to bed at like 830. commentating commentating has been the unexpected, like thrill of a lifetime. I have to thank Joe Wilhelm at Northeastern who got me into commentating this Gosh, back in like 2012 or something like that. 2011. I had graduated in 2010. And they Northeastern was just starting to stream racing for like mom and dad in California. Right. So they were just sort of getting like the live stream stuff set up for rowing. And so he got in touch with me and was like, yes, we need a voice. Will you do the, like the commentating and so it's a joke, but like, what would I possibly say? He's like, Well, you're a Coxon. Like you just kind of use your voice, and you sort of narrate the race. And it was such a blast, like it was so fun to get into the launch, and call those Northeastern races first for the women and then for the men in the few years after, because honestly, it filled that void, that that no longer coxing had had left me with and was this way to stay connected to the sport. And I'd like ride my bike down there. And I'd get to watch the races. And I'd go home and I'd watch the live stream. And I just like I really, really loved it. And I was really appreciate it to stay connected to the team and then started doing more regional commentary for Gary Caldwell, if you know him, so he runs the IRA and sprints. And coincidentally, he was my sister's rowing coach at Tufts when she was in college. So I didn't know Gary super well, but like well enough, and he was kind enough to be like come out to the women's sprints and then started doing the men's sprints. And then from there, probably whatever it was, like 2015, or 16 grew into doing the IRA, which has been such a thrill over the last however many years like it's just such an incredible race to get to be a part of and the production that the guys who do the video, Lincoln, Willie black, like, they do an amazing, amazing job with the camera work. And so it's kind of like getting the band back together every year when we get to go to the IRA. And obviously the racing is just incredible. So you know, I'm super appreciative to Gary for bringing me into that world. And then it was Gary again, I believe, who when the World Championships came to Sarasota in 2017. US rowing was looking for local commentators and so for folks who maybe aren't as familiar you know, the way it kind of works with World Rowing is there's like this pool of commentators and at the time they were all all British it's a little bit more mixed now like English you know needs to be your native language but these this all British commentary team to you know, travels around the world to the World Cups and the championships etc. And wherever they go wherever the race is being held, there are always local commentators right that that jump in with them and the reason being for the grandstand. People need to hear the racing in the local dialect, right. When they came to the States, obviously, it was like English English, but they decided that they still wanted to have a couple of American commentators just for the grandstand to like, you know, the races in the state. So it's like build kind of hometown energy. And so I got connected with the World Rowing Team, and it was like in 2017, in Sarasota, it was one of the most amazing eight consecutive Days of my entire life, it was very, very humbling. I learned really quickly that like that I did not understand how international racing worked. It was a whole new set of like country codes to learn. There was a whole new lexicon a whole new way to talk about rowing. commentating singles was something that was brand new to me, I got to learn how to come and take para rowing, which was a new discipline to me, and all the while, you know, for folks who are familiar with Sarasota, you're riding in this electric car, down the 2000 meter race watching people like you Christie have like the race of their lifetime at the World Championship. So it was unbelievable. I mixed up Slovakia and Slovenia, like more times than should be allowed in a World Rowing production. I made loads and loads of mistakes. And I'm super appreciative for all of the like coaching and grace that they showed me and I left that week being like, I remember I was on this Jet Blue flight home and I got a little thing of Prosecco. And like, you know, the like cheese boards that you never by yourself. And I was just like, I did a thing. Like, that was amazing. Like, how cool was that. And then the next winter when World drones putting together their schedule, which now I have a sense of how that works, they got in touch and asked if I would want to join them for the 2018 season, which I like, actually felt, you know, fell on my chair. And it was like, Are you kidding, of course. And so in 2018, the World Championship was in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. So went out for that. And then since then have just developed some real deep like friendships and working relationships with the World Rowing Team. I think as an organization, they're so strong, like, they're super amazing people. And that goes for both the broadcast the commentary team, like all the way up to the folks throughout the whole organization, it's just been a total dream. And then, you know, over the years, I've had the chance to do like a couple of things like World Cups and under 23 championships. So to be able to sort of like have that range has been amazing, too. And every time I do one of those trips, it is like not an exaggeration to say that it's like a total pinch me moment because you talk about being like the 1000 meter hut, and the thrill of the race being thrown to you into the headset, to pick it up. And to have the opportunity to comment on the race that's in front of you. The like research that goes into like researching you all and the little stories and like we're clicking into Instagram, we're like consuming everything that we possibly can about you all to try to tell the story of the race and like that narrative, even the way one commentates and that like narrative, and that arc is an art in and of itself. And I've learned an enormous amount from you know, teammates of mine, like Camilla headland, Hadlen Horrocks, she recently got married Peter tower announcer, Martin cross who's like my commentary, like idle when it comes to all of that I've learned an enormous amount from him and feel so so so lucky in the times that I've been able, especially in more recent years to sort of sit with him and do video commentary to like put on the headsets together. It's just been the opportunity of a lifetime. Greg Searle is amazing, obviously another, you know, Martin and he, but, you know, Olympians and Olympians. So it's been a chapter that I didn't expect and could have never anticipated and the way that I kind of think about it, I mean, back to the point that you were making earlier of like, sort of walking through the Gale campus and being like, I get to do this, like, I never thought this was going to happen. I'm five foot seven, as we've talked about with coxing, I never felt like I actually got to sort of see how far I could take it because I was never the right size and in some ways, and logically I do sort of rationalized with myself like, well, that's what it's like to be an injured rower. You know, like you didn't have the right body type, or whatever the story is, but I would say commentary is the thing that like, has paid me back in dividends, because it's given me the chance to be involved in international rowing in a way that I never I thought that was never going to be a possibility out so so I feel really lucky. So I feel so lucky. I really do. I never take it for granted. I do not ever take it for granted.
Kristi Wagner 19:04
So amazing. That's really awesome. Thank you. And it's so fun to listen to you.
Colleen 19:10
Such a blast. And to get to like shout out and like it's when you have been racing like over the years and to have the chance to like commentate on your races. And then I'm like sending cat splits on the side. And like, sorry, I meant to be doing that with the like speed system. But it's it's amazing. Yeah. How like the SRA community, you can still feel it there too. You know,
Kristi Wagner 19:36
you said you had some questions for me. Yeah,
Colleen 19:40
I want to know, I want to hear more about your podcast. So tell me about the idea. And also what did I always think to what an interesting space that you're playing in this idea that like it's not just the big performance moments, there's time in between I want to hear about your ideation around that. Yeah. So
Kristi Wagner 19:56
I you know, like everything in life Cat connected me to Christine. And I think honestly, I was like, didn't really know what to expect when I met her. I looked up her website and and I thought everything was super cool. But also I knew that she was working for the downtown Bureau and like I work as our as the regatta director in Saratoga. So I also thought that maybe he wanted me to meet her, you know, I wasn't really sure, yeah. But I just had been like, fan girl of I love podcasts. And I listened to tons of podcasts, sports ones stories. I listen to the daily every day, you know, like, this summer, I still listen to This American Life like AI, whatever. So then I met her at Crewe coffee. And I guess I had kind of had this idea of like, just, you know, whatever. I listened to so many podcasts. So I thought, Oh, if I had a podcast, it would be really cool. And I feel like I listened to a lot of podcasts, which feature athletes for like one episode, and they tell kind of their like Greatest Hits, you may say, and it features them, you know, right around the Olympics. And I literally listened to like one of my teammates, Michelle sexer, on a podcast, like I'm talking about right now. And it was great. But it's like, what are all your highlights, you know, you're gearing up for your second Olympics, whatever, hopefully. And like, to me, it's so much more than just that. And I think the thing that was so cool about going to the Olympics, there were so many cool things about going to the Olympics, but one of them was how many people were just really invested. And it really does take the help of so many people that don't even realize that they're helping and what they're doing. After I went to the Olympics, everyone wanted to hear about it, which is really nice. And I'm normally kind of bad at talking about this is the other thing about me, free the podcast, I never talked about rowing. Like, honestly like to my family to my friends. Like, it couldn't have been more of a one at like, I just didn't talk about it. And so I thought this would be, you know, a really cool way to share my story and my journey, which is way harder than I thought it would be like being vulnerable is really hard. Because I mean, as you know, like, it's not all fun. And it's not always easy. And I think it's been hard to balance how much I really want to share on the podcast I want to share but like, also, you know, you're always working through things and like acutely things seem like a bigger deal than you know, they maybe are. But it's also been really cool to share different people's stories and their journeys. I don't know, it's been really fun. What's been most surprising to it's been really interesting when I talk to athletes from different sports, how many parallels there are like the Honestly, I feel like while the sports are different, almost everything is the same, like the mindset and the lifestyle. And just so many things are super, super similar, which is really cool. What's
Colleen 23:02
been on, you mentioned that like opening up piece, which makes perfect sense. And I agree with you, I think in general in life, you're like, how much weight do I give to this thing, because if I talk it into existence, or into a bigger problem that it is like my brain could believe something that like or put another way, it's like we shouldn't believe everything that our mind tells us just because we have the thought doesn't mean that we give it validity. So I can see that being challenging at times to sort of do on the on the air and live also really rewarding because you end up you know, certainly like connecting with people what has been challenging about the podcast, maybe like, besides or expanding on on that, whichever.
Kristi Wagner 23:39
Well, so I was dating someone for a long time. And we broke up last summer. And I think I was a little hesitant to have him on the podcast in the first place. Just because that felt like really opening up my life. And then we broke up. And then I had to talk about it on the podcast.
Colleen 24:04
So when he was on you guys were together, and then you guys broke up, or was he on? No,
Kristi Wagner 24:09
no, got it dated for like, four years. And so he was on, which was a great conversation and you know, totally fine, but then, you know, we broke up and I had to talk about it on the podcast, which was hard. But I think also like, you know, like we're saying everything over, you know, in time, time heals all wounds. And yes, it's not you know, it's a part of life. And I think that's been a cool thing. me sharing stuff is all everything's a part of life and other people have, you know, experiences just like the ones I'm having. And so that you know, the more I can share in a way that still makes me feel comfortable. I'm happy that people can know that Olympians don't feel Often all the time and, you know, their their boyfriends break up with them at inopportune times and but like, it's okay. So I think that that kind of thing just is not easy in the moment, but I don't know.
Colleen 25:15
But it's important. And there's a reason to that you love podcasts like, I know, you mentioned, there's some sports ones or whatever. But like, clearly you feel connected to the people that you listen, I
Kristi Wagner 25:26
think that there's a weird thing about podcasts that make them feel just so authentic. It's this really cool. I know, it's not super new anymore, but medium that's just different. Like, I know, it's edited, but it doesn't feel as edited as say, you know, newspaper article or magazine article, and definitely less than, like TV, but it's not reality TV. I don't know, it's this cool space in the middle. So,
Colleen 25:52
yes, agreed. And there's something because of that, the medium of podcast sort of becomes almost inherently more intimate, because when is someone actually like using their voice to just off the cuff tell their own story, right. And something that's not Yeah, like a scripted interview, or a planned interview or things like that. It is a space where it is one can work comfortably. Open up. That's cool, too, that you're interviewing folks from other sports. So it's beyond rowing. It's more about those three years.
Kristi Wagner 26:21
And honestly, I've had a ton of different kinds of guests. And it's all been fun. And even, you know, I'll do episodes where it's just me talking.
Colleen 26:31
I want to know a little bit more about Paris, like, I want to just hear open ended, you know, it's what February now. So lights coming up like is when the clock strikes midnight on New Year's Eve, and it turns to 2024 Is that like a shift for you are like, what's it like in these months coming up?
Kristi Wagner 26:50
So it's funny because my brother got married New Year's Eve. So I was literally, like, very aware when it became 2024. And I did think about it. I was like, it's 2024. But I don't know, I personally, yes, there is a big goal. But there are intermediary goals along the way. And I have things I want to accomplish, you know, personally, and, you know, tea and team boats and stuff. And I think just, you know, controlling what I can control and checking things off along the way. Because for me just thinking about I want to do well, in this race that's really far away is like, almost overwhelming. Yes, that is a goal. And honestly, like, I mean, everybody knows you're doing a workout. And it's hard. And you're like, Yeah, you know, and now I would say 2024, for me really started in like November 2023. In my mind, I didn't know right after the head of the Charles, I was like, get your button gear, Christina. But I'm like, nope. Keep crushing this workout. If you're not somebody else's, like there's just been, yeah, somebody, oh my gosh, I can't even remember who was gave me very good advice. Maybe it was more than one person of like, this will probably seem unsustainable, and it should seem unsustainable, like, you're not trying to sustain this anymore. There's six months, and that you can do something unsustainable for that time period. But at the same time, trying not to get super, like, super stressed about anything. And, you know, trusting that I because I really have done the training since Tokyo like Greg Stone coached me when I rode with Chevy. And following the Olympics, he was like, you know, you can take a little bit of time off. But it's really important because this is a shorter Olympic cycle, because of the pandemic, there's not a lot of time to take off and getting back into training is going to be a good thing. So I really did get back into training pretty quickly. And I've had good training for three years now. Yes. And so I think finding the balance between like, yes, wanting to do more and push myself but also being able to trust, you know, the process that that I've been on. And I think you know, Jozy rates disagree, great training plan. And, you know, just trusting the process, I guess. Yeah,
Colleen 29:18
that's smart. I like that advice, too. You know, obviously, I'm not in your shoes, but that notion of like, if it feels different than what it would feel like one year ago, like that's because it is different. Because like, that's a very logical thought path to get to where it's like, right, yeah, because it is different. Like it's a different moment, but hearing you on the foundation being strong. I guess my last question is the community at Saratoga is obviously I mean, Team Christi. There's like a sandwich named after you in downtown Saratoga. How did the like high school kids when you were preparing for Tokyo? Help ground you and like have you been able to take some of that like just your interactions with them? I don't know how much how little you were able to coach at the time. But like, how has that helped shape? The athlete you are today? No,
Kristi Wagner 30:05
I mean, so I coached I moved to Saratoga in like the end of 2016. And I coached until Tokyo, and huge effect on me. Like, if I was ever having a bad day, going to juniors practice would brighten my day right up. And even if I thought something was like, hard, and then I go, and they're doing these super hard things, and their children who just went to school, like I'm like, why am I thinking that's hard. And you know, the relationships you create with the kids is, is also just so special and coaching. I coached a lot of different groups and got to know a lot of different kids around the boathouse, which was really, really fun. And then, you know, so many of them went and rode in college, get to follow that, like, really fun. So then right after Tokyo, I started as the regatta director for Saratoga rowing, and I've coached a very little bit during that time, it's been a lot harder, because we are required to travel a lot more, and be away a lot more. And there's new coaches. And when I coached just with cat, he was really, really flexible with us and me and traveling and everything. It's not that they're less flexible. Now. It's just I understand they want people in for consistent periods of time. Yes. Which I think makes perfect sense. It doesn't make me sad, because I don't know as many kids on the Saratoga team, as I did before. But they know me. And I do like, I do know a lot of them. Yeah, but it's definitely a bit there's a bit more separation than there was at the beginning. Yeah. Which, what
Colleen 31:47
did you take with you? What did you like take from that, from being with them into like, who you are now,
Kristi Wagner 31:53
I think that one thing I have going for me is that I take everything seriously. But I really want it to be fun. And I think that a big part of that is like that I wrote in high school in college, but also that I spent so much time coaching. The other thing, big takeaway that I took from my own coaching is when I was in high school in college, and coaches would speak to the whole group. I thought every word they were saying was directed at me. Ways. Every word. And then I started coaching and you know, you're expected to say this was also the most hilarious part about coaching. I'm like, they're expecting me to give a prerace talk, like, I'm just a pump these children up what am I supposed to say? But I know and they're all looking at you like they guys, you're like, oh, I don't know, it's gonna be fine. Did you?
Colleen 32:43
Did you find yourself sharing things that like, like you would have wanted to hear in there? Yes,
Kristi Wagner 32:49
in there. So it's funny. I had my new boyfriend Ian on the podcast last week. And he asked what I missed most about coaching. And I started talking to all about this kind of thing. But I did I have this one really core memory of, you know, like, it was a big race. The other thing is, I got to coach the TV a lot. And I just have a special place in my heart for a TV to be matched. I just love it too. There's, there's no losing, because like, yeah, if you it's a good yeah, it's just a great vibe. And like those kinds of kids, you know, like they want to try I mean, even 3d sometimes like, Oh, it's just so exciting. So I loved the groups, I got to coach also, like, it was really fun. But there's this one day and it was before the Saratoga Invitational and it was when Eric Berkey was coaching. I was coaching with him. And so he kind of gave this basically, they had been seated, not that well. And like as a team, and he kind of gave them this not bad speech, but about like protecting our water. And it was really intense. It was really like, This is our house. And this is our water and blah, blah, blah. And it's not that it was bad. It was just that my to the boat was you know, sweet baby angels. And like they're in a daze, we're in a different place. And so we went aside and I was like, You know what, we're not going to throw away what he just said, but I just want you guys to go out and just have fun, be warming up and be like, I am out here with my friends. And I love what I'm doing. And there's no place I'd rather be. And I am going to try my hardest in this race because I care but not because of anything else ended up having a great race and it was all great, but like, I just I feel like that was something I wanted somebody to say to me. Yeah, you know, however long ago which is probably why I like cats so much.
Colleen 34:53
I mean, it's true because you can cut the tension sometimes with a knife and when you're like 16 years old and you're shoving off the dock and Your like, the pressure of the world is on your shoulders. And it's like, it's actually just fine. And especially at that age where like, the performance is so dynamic anyway, you know, like that much shift in mindset can have a profound effect on how they actually perform if they relax, and they don't have
Kristi Wagner 35:19
to read the kid though. And I think that's the other was always the really interesting. Like, some of them, you'd go up to them behind, you know, during an erg test, and you just start yelling at them to go faster, and they go faster. And some of them they would cry. So right, you know, which kid is which kid. And but no, the Saratoga community is so great. It makes me sad that I'm not there more, because I really do miss feeling like I was a part. Like, I am a part of that community. And I know, I am still a part of the community. But yes, it was definitely a lot more boots on the ground. But there was I know, we were close to the end. But there was a really great moment, at the head of the Charles like, right after the Olympics, and they made some announcement about how you could go to the US rowing tent and meet an Olympian. And one of the kids was like, I don't need to do that I know an Olympian and I was just like, yes, you know, there's so cute, but I think that's the other really cool thing, or that's been the really cool thing of like, we were just regular people, the middle schoolers had no idea, you know, that, that all the Orion athletes are on the national team. Like, they don't care if we're working at Stuarts or rowing on the national team. Like, we're just people to them that they spent two hours with three times a week. And I think I really liked that, like, I liked that it wasn't like we were up on this pedestal because even still, I don't feel the need to be on a pedestal, the opposite
Colleen 36:51
of that, to me is almost like when a national team is like training in your boathouse or something. And they're, you're like, there's like this reverence, which is cool. And the moment or maybe it's not even a national team, but like, one or two people, and there's like a reverence, like, oh, you can't talk to them, or you can't like go near them, or they're not like humans. and the like. opposite of that is what you've described to me, which is like the warmth, and the getting to know them as people and I'm getting to know you, and like their middle school, that day is the same as your national team person, bad day. And like, it's a bad day as a as a human being. And I also think, do it and when you were chatting, like, and you will and understandably, right with Paris around the corner, you're like, Oh, I just I can't be there as much. And I miss it. I was like, she'll be back. Like that community doesn't go away. Like those people don't go away like that support doesn't go away. And like, people don't forget each other. Either. They're coming down to the site to you know, not and, you know, as you were saying earlier, right, like chatting to you about their experience, like 20 years ago, or whatever, like, there is, like, sprinkle of magic in that place. And I'm like, No, you're in it. Like, I forget that you didn't grow up there. So I'm just like, oh, Christie, like Saratoga, you know,
Kristi Wagner 38:04
but I do feel adopted, I do now feel like, I feel like Saratoga has given me so much and everyone you know, all the staff there over the years, but obviously, especially can chase and so that's the other thing that I just can feel so good about, like, I am happy that I could work now for Saratoga rowing and in my role like as regatta director, I can share Fish Creek and Saratoga with so many people and, and, you know, keep some of the ideals that they had. Of course, I challenged them on some things but like, yeah, that it's just really cool that the head of the fish can continue to be like the head of the fish and it doesn't need to be head of the Charles or whatever, you know, like it can be its own saying and what makes it so great, you know, is like the mud and you know, so yes, it's
Colleen 39:01
it's real, like yes, there's like a little utopia that I feel like it doesn't change when I do come home. And it's a great point that like the head of the fish doesn't need to be the like biggest five day fall regatta in America. It's like no one cares. Like it's just that of the fish and the fish heads are sacred and the art the like artists that make them is like a whole thing that's been going on for how many years and like cat is their cats. The best coach, like the best coach in the world. Yes, he really is. He's just so good.
Kristi Wagner 39:30
It almost makes me feel good that I yell at him sometimes.
Colleen 39:34
No, it's good. I'm sure he likes to be challenged to like that's a good thing. I feel like it's it's amazing. And you moved to Saratoga to be coached by him right like for Orion Yeah,
Kristi Wagner 39:44
yeah. I mean, I really think Kat is, is really great. So I hope that everybody really enjoyed that. Thank you so much to Colleen for coming on the podcast and being so open and sharing so so much. I really just appreciate her for coming on and talking to me for so long. It was so nice of her. And to end the show this week, I've just been thinking, Well, really my roommate, Claire spurred my thinking about the shack documentary. And I think I've shared this quote before, but in the Shaq documentary, he just at one point is like, above all, be nice. You just got to be nice. And I think that that's kind of my motto going into into this race week. You know, like, be nice, you know, you can race hard, but still be nice, and you can be nice and victory and you can be nice and defeat. I think I just I don't really care what other people do, but if I can do that, then I'll be proud of myself. So that's my quote of the week very nice. From Shaq and I'm sure many other people. So thanks for listening. I'd love to hear from you. So send us a topic suggestion or if you'd like to submit a question for our Ask Christy anything segment, head to our website, the other three years.com
Transcribed by https://otter.ai