As most of you know, the story of Four Plus Granola and Kellys Family Foods started with our involvement in competitive rowing. I continue to train and compete, pretty much year-round, but every October when the days get shorter, the air gets cooler, and the leaves start to pop with color, my calendar revolves around one thing: preparing to compete in the Head of the Charles Regatta in Boston.
The Head of the Charles celebrated its 60th anniversary this year, and this year marked my twentieth year of taking part in one of the most iconic events in the rowing community. It’s my fall ritual — part family tradition, part celebration, but really, it’s the embodiment of what it means to stay committed to something I love. This year, there were more than 2,600 athletes from around the world, competing in 74 events, with nearly 400,000 spectators in attendance over three days.
When I rowed my first Head of the Charles, I had no idea what I was getting into. “The Charles” is a 3-mile course that winds its way up the Charles River passing under seven bridges with tight turns throughout. It is a pursuit-style race where boats chase each other up the course. In such a race, you have few cues as to how you are doing against your competition as you proceed up the river in single file, trying to overtake the boats in front of you and not be caught by the boats behind you. You don’t know the outcome until all the boats in your event have finished and the times are posted.
Training for the Charles each year is a reset button. It’s a reason to tune out the noise, focus on what matters in the sport I love, and find satisfaction in the daily work. Every session on the water or rep in the gym reminds me of the main lesson I’ve learned from rowing, the lesson that has carried me through more than just the rowing seasons: growth comes from persistence and consistent effort.
When I first started rowing, my coach told me: learn to row, then learn to race, and then you have to learn how to win. I thought success came from sheer drive — more time on the water, more effort, more intensity. Over time, I learned that what matters is consistency. Or as my college coach put it: “winning happens when preparation meets opportunity.” It’s the commitment to get out the door when it’s dark and cold, to train with discipline, let my body recover, follow the best practices for proper nutrition, and to stay balanced when life gets busy. This has been the rhythm of my life for more than 24 years of training and racing. The lessons of commitment, discipline, and balance extend far beyond sport — it’s about how you live every day.
You don’t need to row or race to understand this. Whether your goal is to improve your fitness, eat more healthfully, grow a business, or simply feel a little stronger and more grounded, the same principles apply. Progress happens when you stack small, steady choices. Consistently. It’s more than setting your sights on an outcome. You have to commit to a process, the path to get there.
This year, I was lucky enough to win my sixth gold medal at The Charles, and my fourth consecutive gold in the Men’s Senior Masters Double. Winning is great for sure, but the real story is about what it takes to train, to prepare, to keep showing up, and to remain competitive. And to celebrate the journey, not just the result.
I hope that each of you find similar joy in your own seasons of pursuing your goals and making progress through discipline — whatever your version of The Charles might be.
