I Dream of Crew Team

One morning, in early Spring I was out for a run by the Charles River near Boston. Having calm water in my eyesight seemed to make my 5K easier. Suddenly, the rhythmic cadence of a man screaming, “Stroke! Stroke! Stroke!” cut through the air. I was so stunned that I stopped dead in my tracks to investigate. Looking toward the river, I saw four broad-shouldered men in a narrow boat gliding across the water. It looked far more fascinating than the workouts I do on my rowing machine at home.

I was in awe of the way the oars exited and then re-entered the water, practically launching the boat forward. The team worked together with a machine-like precision that could teach some manufacturers a thing or two about efficiency. Their profound level of focus was palpable—it’s the kind of clear vision you have when you already know your destination.

From that day on, I made an appointment to run at Charles at the same time, so I could watch the rowers. I later learned that these weren’t just any rowers—they were the Harvard Crew, one of the premier rowing teams in the world. Although I was past my college years, I wanted to share their camaraderie.

One day, I waited for their practice to finish, so I could tell them that I’d been admiring their efforts for the better part of Spring. I met Mike, the Captain, and jokingly asked him to name the strongest rower on the team. He smiled, and then he said something that stuck with me:

“The whole is greater than its individual parts,” Mike said.

The Harvard Crew team exemplified that lesson, and you can also apply this motto to your fitness journey. Maybe you didn’t eat perfectly yesterday or have the best workout ever, but those instances don’t define your fit life. The overall goal is to keep making strides to live healthy. That’s what matters most.