S6E15 - A Brain Injury, An Erg, and a Stubborn Will to Keep Going

Carolyn Webster-Stratton had been an active masters rower when she flipped over her handlebars while out for a bike ride in 2013. She can’t remember the first two weeks after the accident, but clearly remembers doctors painting a grim prognosis of her future with a traumatic brain injury. With a personal mantra of “keep going” and a dedication to recovery that includes daily long sessions on the erg, Carolyn returned to rowing in July 2025. After 12 years off the water, she's switched from sweep to sculling and is building new neural pathways.

 

GUEST
Carolyn Webster-Stratton
 Founder, The Incredible Years
 Professor Emeritus, University of Washington
Member, Vashon Rowing Club

 

QUICK LOOK

00:00 - Episode intro
00:25 - Banter
02:25  - Rowing Week 
03:45 - The Huddle
07:24 - Hot Seat Q&A
11:11 - Carolyn’s rowing origin story
13:58 - A bike accident, a brain injury, and stubbornly pushing (instead of resting) through recovery
22:54 - The best rowing advice Carolyn ever received
20:28 - The human brain, the simplicity of repetition on the erg, and dealing with feelings of inadequacies 
when returning to the water 
26:00 - Honoring where you’re at in rowing
33:00 - What the rowing life has given Carolyn
36:20 - Steady State Network news and notes

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To see photos and get links to the people, clubs, and events mentioned in this episode, check out the show notes on our website.

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

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

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