Nut Up or Shut Up’ is an idea created by us in attempt to EXPERIENCE and essentially COMPLETE a bucket list compiled of tough (and crazy) physical activities. We’re not daredevils, not even close. We’re merely three fit individuals who aspire to push our boundaries and achieve the ‘ultimate’ in our lives.
So given that this is our first post, we thought we'd kick off this blog by telling you guys a bit about ourselves and what we set out to do.
GEORGIE
Hey Guys, it's Georgie here.
I am 19 years old and I am from Melbourne, Australia. I went to Melbourne Girls' Grammar School and graduated last year (2012). As this is a blog about rowing as well as three crazy rowers mucking around doing something awesome once a year, I thought I would tell you all a bit about my rowing experience.
I rowed in the MGGS first VIII in 2011 and 2012, where we enjoyed unparalleled success. We won the Australian National Championships and Head of the Schoolgirls for the first time in MGGS history in 2011, and then repeated it again in 2012. Something that really pushed me to try my hardest in 2012 to repeat such success were the words of renowned rowing coach Alex Henshilwood, who at the time was Director of Rowing at Melbourne University Boat Club, he said, "Doing something once is great, but to do it again is really spectacular."
In my final year of school, I was lucky enough to be offered a rowing scholarship to Princeton University in the USA. This is an incredible opportunity that I took, and I begin classes in September this year. During the time that I was accepted, I had begun rowing at Melbourne University Boat Club (MUBC), under the direction of my school coach turned MUBC coach, Mike Steele. Mike pushed me to pursue selection into the Australian Youth Olympic Team, which would compete in January 2013. Both Jason and I were selected into the team after rigorous testing, the ergo (stationary rowing machine) test in particular, where I leaped another milestone, probably the biggest ergo milestone for women: I broke 7 minutes on a 2000m ergo test. This milestone really shaped my perspective on what kind of rower I wanted to be.
Off the back of a successful Youth Olympic campaign, in which we won a silver medal in the VIII, I had a great first season in the Youth program at MUBC, the pinnacle of which was the Australian National Championships in Penrith, Sydney. Like Jason, I was selected into the Victorian Interstate Team, which is the most prestigious team for state representation, as it includes the Kings and Queen's Cup VIII races. I raced in two seat of the Victorian Women's Youth VIII for the Bicentennial Trophy, and after a tough battle with NSW, and after our audio system cutting out, we came in 2nd by half a length (just under 2 seconds).
After a big season, the thing I wanted to do most was relax and sleep, however, I am using this "off" season time (between April and August) to build up and upon my aerobic base. This is how this term of "Nut Up or Shut Up" came into the lives of Jason, Theo and I.....
Sam Loch and Matt Ryan, members of the Australian Olympic Men's VIII 2012, have just completed a 24 Hour Tandem Ergo Challenge, and in the process, broke the World Record of 366km by 14km. However, in training for this, word got around that they were both doing outrageous training distances. So Jason suggested one day that, how about we do a marathon (42.195km) ergo? Of course, Theo and I were like, yeah sure! Why, do you ask, would ANYONE want to attempt an ergo that would last likely around 3 hours? I warned you, we are crazy kids.... We also have a problem with people calling us pussies....(explains a lot, ay?)
Anyway, having now completed this ergo (I did it last weekend) with Jase, Theo did tandem with another rower (they were ONE MINUTE off breaking the world record!), I now hold the 2nd best time in the world for my age group (15-19 year olds) for the 42.195km erg, and Jase was ONLY 7 MINUTES off the world record for his age group! You would have thought that would be enough, yeah? But no.....I have decided that I want to climb the tallest free-standing mountain in the world, Mount Kilimanjaro. So I asked Jase, like he asked me with the erg, want to give it a crack? And he said, yeah for sure! When we got Theo in on the gig, he was keen as well.
After this decision, Jason tells us that we should do this kind of crazy thing once a year and create a blog to document it, and so here we are!
Tune it to see not only our rowing training and our journey to the Olympics, but also to see our preparations for Kilimanjaro, and many more crazy exploits beyond!
JASON
G'day guys Jason here.
Theo, Georgie (I just call her G) and I work as a team. But because we’re going to be based on separate sides of the world (G and Theo are moving to the US) it’s only fit that I tell you guys a bit about myself, and my part in this blog.
I was born and bred in Melbourne, Australia. I’m 19 years old and currently a Uni student studying osteopathy. I’ve always been very passionate about my sport – especially my rowing. Like G and Theo, I too drag myself out of bed most mornings for the opportunity to ‘push’ myself in a boat… sleeping-in ain't an option. It’s a COMMITMENT that we’ve had for several years now, and the main influence for creating Nut-up or Shut Up.
I rowed in the Xavier College 1st VIII for 2 years. In my second year I was elected Captain of boats, and under the direction of our new coach Simon Harrison we secured 4th place at ‘The Head of the River’ – the PINNACLE of schoolboy rowing. It was also during this year that I had the privilege to represent Australia in the Junior World Rowing Championships, at the famous Eton College, England. Never before had I experienced rowing at such a level. The opportunity to compete against some of the best in the world was an experience above all else, a MILESTONE in fact, and one of the reasons I’m rowing to this day.
I rowed in the Xavier College 1st VIII for 2 years. In my second year I was elected Captain of boats, and under the direction of our new coach Simon Harrison we secured 4th place at ‘The Head of the River’ – the PINNACLE of schoolboy rowing. It was also during this year that I had the privilege to represent Australia in the Junior World Rowing Championships, at the famous Eton College, England. Never before had I experienced rowing at such a level. The opportunity to compete against some of the best in the world was an experience above all else, a MILESTONE in fact, and one of the reasons I’m rowing to this day.
That was 2 years ago. Since then rowing has ventured me all around Australia, and BEYOND. It’s been a wild experience!! And definitely impacted on what type of rower I am today.
This year (2013), G and I competed at the National Rowing Championships, held in Penrith Sydney. It was an eventful regatta, and definitely one I’ll reminisce. Between us we competed in over 10 EVENTS, which meant plenty of racing. The highlight being on the final day, where we both raced in our Victorian Interstate Crews. Whilst the boys put up an admirable performance to come a close 4th, the girls (G's crew) came in 2nd, despite their audio system cutting out mid race!
So what’s this have to do with the rower I am today?? Well coming off a big season I’ve had the opportunity to sit down and decide what I want to do with my sport. It’s currently my off-season… yes there is such a thing… but despite enjoying some time away, I still feel like there’s more to my rowing. Whether it’d be making an Australian team, or breaking a personal best on a rowing machine, we've always been optimistic about what we want to achieve. We’re never afraid to challenge ourselves, to try something ‘OUT OF THE ORDINARY’. That’s where the marathon ergo comes in…
Inspired by the 24-hour tandem ergo challenge completed by Matt Ryan and Sam Loch, members of the Australian Olympic VIII in 2012, G and I decided to do our own outrageous ergo. I initially mentioned the idea of a marathon ergo (42.195km) as a joke, but no sooner did it become the REAL DEAL. 3 hours of continuous rowing made interesting by a good playlist and plenty of support. It was hard, don’t get me wrong… but that’s the point! We want to challenge ourselves.
So what’s next? Well this time it’s G's idea. An attempt to climb the WORLDS TALLEST freestanding mountain: Mount Kilimanjaro. Why? Well put it this way. We had no other choice but to ‘nut-up’.
So follow our stories, our rowing and our journey to Kili as we attempt to conquer physical feats – and live our lives to the peak!
THEODORE
After 2 fantastic intro's by Georgie and Jason, I'll come in and finish of the first of many posts in our blog! As Jason mentioned, all three of us have formed a very strong group over the time we've known each other, and I believe it essentially comes down to our common goals and ambitions; I'll get to that a little later on however.
Like the others I was also born in Melbourne and have lived here all my life, but have been very fortunate to have traveled all around the world, and I'm only 20. A key difference between myself and the others is that I never rowed in high school. In fact, I only have one year of experience, but what a year it has been. After having 3 arthroscopic surgeries on my knee due to soccer injuries, I decided to take up this wonderful sport. Little did I know it would suck me in like it has. The desire, the passion, the commitment resounds with our ways of life and with our ambitions and goals.
I've never been to any world championships, or the most elite level regatta, but what will take myself and the others there is our desire to succeed. After one season, I was 5 seconds away from breaking 6 minutes on my 2k ergo, while Jason was incredibly 1 second away. Georgie herself broke 7 minutes; an incredible feat!
All in all, this comes down to our passion for the sport and the determination we have to make the U23 team. The goal is that we will meet each other in Belarus in the World Championsips next year. But to make the highest level, we need to be nutty! This nuttiness starts with challenging ourselves with feats other rarely do. It started with our marathon, and now our climb of Kilimanjaro will follow. We will fulfill our pact to do something crazy every year.
This year I was incredibly accepted as a transfer student into MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), and will be finish my undergraduate studies there over the next 3 years, while competing against the best crews in the US collegiate system.
Despite our three different locations, our common goals in rowing will take us to places we never envisioned, and our love for what we do will always push us foward !
Nothing worth doing is easy.
"All men are created equal, some work harder in pre-season". - Eric Thomas
