Olivia Henry
COLLEGIATE ROWER
Being a woman in the sports community empowers me, making me feel both strong and supported. As a four-year member of the RIT Women’s Rowing team, I have embraced the challenges and camaraderie that come with being a collegiate athlete. I have grown a love for the sport and one of my favorite parts of it is my team. Everyday at practice, I’m surrounded by an amazing group of women who support each other unconditionally, creating a family oriented environment where I always feel like I belong. Before rowing, I was a swimmer, so stepping into college athletics felt like a natural continuation of my journey as both an athlete and a woman in sports.
From a young age, I have always been active, thanks to my family instilling a love for being active in both me and my brother. Whether it was dancing, hiking, biking, skiing, or simply going on walks, staying active was a natural part of my upbringing. This foundation played a crucial role in my decision to pursue sports as I grew older, as being surrounded by an active family naturally encouraged my athletic journey. I love playing sports because they push me to improve, make me stronger, and connect me with a supportive team of like-minded individuals.
My mom is an athlete, competing in marathons and trail races and is an avid hiker. She has greatly influenced my desire to be a woman in sports and has proven that I can take on challenges. Her dedication and strength inspire and motivate me every day. She has shown me that with effort and determination, anything is possible. Growing up, whenever I said "I can't," she always said "don’t say you can’t, you can.” This mindset has shaped my own outlook, reinforcing the belief that success comes from perseverance. She is someone I deeply admire, and I hope to be just as active and strong as she is when I reach her age, maintaining my strength and motivation for an active lifestyle. I am in awe of her.
Being an athlete comes with challenges, but I believe these experiences build strength just as much as lifting weights does. Rowing requires mental toughness, and I’ve had to train myself to stay focused and not let this impact my performance. Rowing is team based and everyone must work in sync to succeed but there is an aspect where it becomes an individual sport. Off the water, our workouts require us to tune into our own strengths and weaknesses. Staring at numbers on a screen—whether they fall short of expectations, don’t meet the workout’s targets, or aren’t a new personal best—can be frustrating. One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced is managing the stress that comes from not meeting my own expectations and getting caught up in what I’m not achieving. Over time, I’ve learned that it’s okay to fall short and have an off day. Once I adopted the right mindset, I began to see these struggles as stepping stones rather than setbacks. Now, instead of holding me back, they push me forward, making me a stronger and better rower.
We complete individual test pieces to measure our progress in speed with a set distance. These tests are as much a mental challenge as a physical one—you push yourself to the limit, wanting to improve each time. I’ve dedicated hours to getting stronger and faster, all with one goal in mind: breaking 7:30 on my 2,000 meter row. Recently I achieved it, finishing with a 7:27.2, my greatest accomplishment yet! I started at 7:34, and from the beginning of the season, I was determined to get faster and fix my form. I focused on my mindset, prepared myself, and told myself I wanted it badly enough to make it happen. When I saw the numbers I had worked so hard for, I couldn’t stop smiling. There’s something incredible about giving your all and seeing your effort pay off. The feeling was indescribable—completely unreal. This experience reinforced what I’ve always believed: with the right mindset and motivation, you can achieve anything, no matter the field.
I have big hopes for my future and have set goals that I’m actively working toward. My first goal is landing a design job at a major company like Apple, Nike, Google, or Spotify. I want to create eye-catching, interactive designs that not only make an impact but also make people stop and say, wow, that’s cool! Beyond my career, I’m committed to maintaining—and even surpassing—my current level of physical activity. I’ve developed a love for weightlifting and CrossFit, and I want to continue pushing myself in those areas, possibly even competing down the road. And of course, rowing will always be a part of my life, whether it’s on the erg or on the water. Most importantly, I want to achieve the greatest level of happiness possible, surrounded by the people and things I love, living my best life. It can’t get any better than that.
I hope the future of women in sports continues to evolve toward greater recognition, respect, and opportunities. Women should know they are just as capable as anyone else. I want to see more representation at different levels, whether that’s athletes, coaches, people in media coverage, etc. The world needs to see women of all races and ethnicities thrive in this area. Equal pay, resources, and investments in women's sports should not be debated, they should be the standard. I hope young girls grow up and see that they belong in sports and that this is not just a men’s world, and that they should never question if they are capable because they are. The culture of women’s sports should foster confidence, resilience, and community, where women are supported and valued for more than their achievements but their dedication and love for their sport. Overall, I hope that women in sports redefine limits and inspire the future generations to want to achieve their dreams and goals without one thought of hesitation. These barriers can be broken and I will always be an advocate to uplift and empower women in sports. Obstacles and outdated standards can only affect us if we let them. Once we break these barriers, we’ll be on top of the world.
