drewginn

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CrewLab Round Table with Beijing Men's Pairs Medalists

Rowing Reunion Episode Overview Join us for an engaging conversation with elite rowers across four continents, sharing insights and stories from their international rowing careers. This episode features a virtual reunion of six renowned athletes who have competed against each other in various world championships and Olympic Games. Key Participants George Bridgewater (New Zealand) – Former…

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Coaching as Space-Making: The Athlete’s Role in Performance Growth

Great coaching shouldn’t be just about control or prescribing every detail of training and performance. Instead, imagine it being more about creating space—an environment where the athlete can explore, be curious, play, develop their intent and actions, push limits, and ultimately expand their own capacity. The best coaches don’t just provide answers or instructions; they ask the right…

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The Power of Awe

A Pathway to Gratitude, Clarity, and Connection For some time now, I have enjoyed the profound benefits of Awe—being deeply moved by moments, experiences, people, and environments. Like many of us, I find that certain experiences resonate in a way that is both grounding and inspiring, creating an unshakable sense of connection and meaning. Photo by Benjamin Davies on Unsplash Awe as a Catalyst…

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Lessons from the Oarsome Foursome

OARSOME FOURSOME 1990 – 1996 1996 Celebrating Gold with Coach Noel Donaldson Reflections from Outside & Within by Drew Ginn The story of the Oarsome Foursome is one of the most compelling team narratives in Australian sporting history. It isn’t just about gold medals or record-breaking performances—though they/we achieved both. It’s about resilience, teamwork, and the relentless pursuit of…

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Flashback - Impromptu Ride from Sydney to Melbourne for Tour de Cure (2017)

On route second morning with 375km to go Our Sydney to Melbourne Bike Ride for Tour de Cure Hi everyone, welcome to the video! I’m thrilled to have Drew Ginn and Andrew Pike with us. They recently embarked on an impromptu cycling journey from Sydney to Melbourne—a massive feat organised by Drew—to support cancer research. Andy hopped on a plane the next morning, and they started their…

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The Bass Strait Cancer Challenge: A Journey of Camaraderie and Adventure

The Bass Strait Cancer Challenge was a remarkable journey filled with camaraderie, adventure, and a sense of accomplishment. Five individuals embarked on a paddling expedition across Bass Strait, facing various challenges and experiencing the beauty of the Australian coastline. Paddlers: Jack Slykhuis, Mark Slykhuis, Tim Altman, Peter Bland, and Drew Ginn Embarking on the Bass Strait Cancer…

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1 Week To Go - Bass Strait Cancer Challenge

Join Us in the Fight Against Cancer with Every Paddle Stroke Embark on an extraordinary journey across the Bass Strait and be part of a formidable effort to conquer cancer. Our Paddling Bass Strait Challenge is more than an adventure; it’s a mission to make a difference in the lives of those affected by cancer. Every stroke through these treacherous waters is a step closer to a cure. We invite…

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Creating Your Ideal Week for Success

This is a follow up post The Backbone of Performance – Rowing Race Plan or Ideal Week Implementing the ‘Ideal Week’ Business Plan Inspired by Rowing Race Plan and strategic processes is about having a plan or routine and then refining it until the recipe is just right for ongoing sustainable success. Since being involved in a couple of sports now, and then moving into a high performing sales…

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The Backbone of Performance - Rowing Race Plan or Ideal Week

This is, in many ways, a rowing-specific post; however, in my current work at Marshall White and for much of my career in the last 10 years, the concept of the ‘Race Plan’ being the backbone of performance, it can easily be linked to the idea, ‘Ideal Week’ as the backbone of performance in the workplace. In this post, I will explore the strategic and long-term benefits of utilising a race…

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OCEAN IMMERSIVE + Planning A Bass Strait Paddling Challenge (Adventure) for Cancer

The Zen of Ocean Ski Paddling and Beyond Imagine gliding over the ocean’s surface, your paddle slicing through the water with a rhythmic beat, not always on a perfect count but full of rhythm none the less. Each stroke propels you forward as you navigate the ever-changing seascape. This is more than just a physical challenge; it’s an exercise in mental acuity and emotional balance. Welcome to…

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PLAY Dancing with Life: The Whimsy and Wisdom of a Playful Mindset & Movement

The Essence and Joy of Playful Movement Ever observed a child in their element of play? They effortlessly run, jumping, and skipping, radiating pure joy. As adults, we often disconnect from this playful essence in our movements. Yet, embracing the pleasure found in movement can profoundly enrich our daily lives, bolstering both physical and mental health. Rediscovering Movement as a Form of…

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The Fox, the Wave, the Light Bulb, and Systems: Uniting Elements for Innovative Leadership

My affinity for symbolism, creative elements in storytelling, and the integration of parts in leadership likely stems from several key reasons: Richness of Symbolism: I find symbols to be powerful tools in communication. They convey complex ideas succinctly and memorably. As a leader, using symbolism like the fox (cunning and strategy), waves (adaptability), and the light bulb (innovation)…

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Reflections on Rowing, Team Dynamics, and Power Phases Harmony (FREE/GINN)

Today I look back on my years rowing with Duncan Free and the wonderful journey we went on with Chris O’Brien from 2006 to 2008 and it actually started further back from Duncan and I in 1997. Exploring Themes Team Dynamics and Individual Perceptions in Rowing: Looking at how each team member’s perception of events and techniques can vary significantly from one another. The reflections on…

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The Art of Sport

Sport at it’s core, more than just competitions or physical activities; they are expressions of human creativity, emotion, spirit. Sport as Art Expression Let’s delve deeper into this concept: Sport as a Play or Drama: Every sporting event can be viewed as a play, complete with its own narrative, characters, and drama. Athletes are like actors, each playing a role, contributing to the…

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The Art Of Intrinsic Motivation

In the 1999 World Rowing Championships, James Tomkins and I had the chance to showcase our teamwork and skill in St Catherines, Canada in the coxless pair event. Prior to our success I have a vivd memory of sitting under a tree days out from the final. I was just enjoying a deep sense of connection to nature. I reflected on what was ahead of with the final race of the season, the wonderful…

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Harmony on the Rotsee A Crew's Quest for Flow in Lucerne (Sympatico)

“Simpatico,” which derives from the Greek noun “sympatheia,” meaning “sympathy,” was borrowed into English from both Italian and Spanish. Sympatico is a word of Italian origins. Its definition means like-minded or likable. Meaning “sympathetic” in both Spanish and Italian, sympatico is rooted in the Greek sympathes, “fellow feeling. “sympathetic, understanding, congenial,” 1864 (in fem.…

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Unleashing Your Flow State: The Key to Optimal Performance

Getting into a flow state, also known as “being in the zone,” is particularly beneficial for athletes, as it can significantly enhance performance. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi’s popular 1990 book Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience IntroductionFlow state, also known as being “in the zone,” is a mental state in which a person becomes fully immersed and focused on a particular activity. During…