Post-Rio transition ‘brutal’ for Canada’s Jennerich

It was a medal which was years in the making after the duo did not make the final at the London 2012 Olympics, despite winning silver at the 2011 World Rowing Championships.

Since Rio several Olympic medallists have retired from their international rowing careers. While Jennerich has not made an official retirement statement yet, the 34-year-old is busy with life after rowing.

Taking up a university coaching role directly after Rio, Jennerich felt that she had something to offer the next generation. She then moved on to a role as athlete coach services coordinator. “I wanted to give back to the sport that had given so much to me,” says Jennerich. “I also knew from post 2012 that the Olympic ‘crash’ can be far and hard and I knew that I needed some sort of commitment in my life right away; I needed a place to be at a certain time each day because last time I didn’t have that and I felt completely lost. Coaching gave me some structure.”

World Rowing talked to Jennerich about the challenges and opportunities of life after the Olympics.  

World Rowing: Can you tell us a bit more about your experience of the challenges athletes face when retiring?
Lindsay Jennerich: Oh man, there’s not enough room to answer this question. The transition is BRUTAL.  Few speak of it because athletes are trained to ‘tough through’ things, to rarely ask for help and to give the appearance that everything is fine and under control.  The transition is the hardest thing I have ever gone through. Your identity has shifted or is missing, your body is completely changing, life seems less exciting, though I’m sure I just have to learn to see it through a different lens.  

I’m trying to focus on the good things though. I can go out on a Friday night if I want, I have the dog I always wanted and I don’t have to worry about walking around for hours and getting tired!

But I miss being that dedicated to something. I miss, with my very special partner Patricia Obee, relentlessly pursuing one goal with absolute focus and commitment. I miss being that fit and getting paid to be!

WR: Is there any advice you would give your younger self around “life after sport”?
LJ: I feel I went through a mini transition after 2012 because I thought I was done (that only lasted about 12 months), but I still went through that phase a bit.  So this time around, in the months just before the Olympics, I really started to focus on appreciating what I got to do every day.  

The advice I’d give my younger self is to appreciate the whole journey as it’s happening.  There’s really nothing else in life that is quite like being a full time, elite athlete and you should really savour every moment, good or bad because the lessons are invaluable later. 

Also, have a bit of a plan. I don’t think I would encourage people to dive fully into a major plan because if you’re serious about getting on an Olympic podium, I just don’t think you can divide your focus that much. But I do think having an idea of what you want to do would be very helpful. 

WR: What are your plans for the future?
LJ: I plan to keep gaining experience in the administrative side of sport and hope to advance my career in that area.  Plus, I am planning mine and (Olympic rower) Gabe Bergen’s wedding. So that keeps me busy.

WR: Do you still want to be involved with rowing in the future?
LJ: I absolutely want to be involved in rowing. I think my journey to the Olympic podium was one that forced me to learn a great deal about the sport.  I feel that I understand rowing and the rowing stroke better than anything else in the world because there were so many times, where I was put in a position, where I just had to work it out for myself (or Patricia and I did) and in that, I feel I truly became and expert at something.  

I do know that rowing will forever be a huge part of my life.  I used to write the word ‘rowing’ in school notebooks just because I liked the way it looked. 

                WR: Are you still in contact with Patricia Obee your rowing partner?
LJ: Obee and I see each other at least once a week and we text daily. We will always be in each other’s lives and she’s going to be a bridesmaid at my wedding.