Rowing Through Adversity: The Champion’s Guide to Resilience

What does it take to push through life’s toughest challenges?
How do world-class athletes cultivate resilience that extends far beyond the water?
In this episode I am joined by two extraordinary rowers – Naomi Riches MBE and Mette Bloch – who share their remarkable journeys of perseverance, mental toughness, and triumph.
Their stories remind us that while not everyone will become a champion rower, we all have the power to navigate adversity and emerge stronger.
Here are some insights from the interview you need to know:
- Separate yourself from results – failure at something doesn’t make you a failure as a person. It’s important to maintain self-confidence while working on improving outcomes.
- Find humour and fun even in difficult situations – maintaining a positive mindset helps generate dopamine which enhances learning and performance.
- Choose your media consumption carefully – focus more on positive news and limit negative news consumption that can increase anxiety and cortisol levels.
- Set clear boundaries – both with others and yourself regarding workload, time commitments, and energy expenditure to avoid burnout.
- Be honest about your limits – communicate openly when you need breaks or can’t take on more, rather than pushing yourself too far.
- Resilience is about elasticity – it’s the ability to stretch your comfort zone gradually like a muscle, while maintaining your core identity.
- Motivation needs regular renewal – resilience requires consistently reminding yourself of your “why” and end goals when facing challenges.
- Have a strong support system – surround yourself with the right people who understand your goals and can help you achieve them.
- Focus on what you can do rather than what you can’t – direct energy toward possibilities instead of limitations.
- Persistence matters more than power – as quoted in the transcript: “A river does not cut through rock because of its power, but because of its persistence.”
A river does not cut through rock because of its power, but because of its persistence.
– Naomi Riches MBE
As we navigate through these challenging times, the lessons from Naomi and Mette serve as a beacon of hope and inspiration. Their stories remind us that resilience is not just about enduring difficulties but actively choosing to rise above them.
You can listen to this Business Elevation Show interview with Naomi Riches, Mette Bloch & Chris Cooper here. Alternatively on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Tunein, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio (latter US only).
More about Naomi Riches MBE:

Naomi Riches is a Paralympic gold medalist, an inspirational speaker, and a dedicated advocate for inclusion and diversity. As an accomplished rower, she represented Great Britain with distinction, achieving remarkable success, including six World Championship titles, a bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Paralympics, and a gold medal at the London 2012 Paralympic Games. Her perseverance, teamwork, and leadership continue to inspire those around her, proving that abilities, not disabilities, define true potential.
Awarded an MBE for her services to rowing, Naomi’s dedication to excellence extends beyond sport. After retiring from elite competition in 2013, she continued to challenge herself and inspire others. In 2016, she set a Guinness World Record as the first woman to row the length of the Navigable Thames in under 48 hours.
Today, Naomi is a motivational speaker and community advocate, sharing her life experiences to empower and motivate audiences worldwide. She also serves as a Deputy Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire, championing causes that promote inclusivity and opportunity for all.
More about Mette Bloch:

Mette Bloch is a distinguished Danish rower who achieved significant success in the early 1990s. She secured a gold medal in the lightweight women’s single sculls at the 1992 World Rowing Championships.
Beyond her athletic career, Mette has established herself as a prominent motivational speaker, author, and psychotherapist. Since 1999, she has been a full-time lecturer, focusing on energising audiences, enhancing group interaction and communication, and fostering innovation and positivity.
Mette has authored six books. In 2020, she launched the podcast “Lykkefix”, where she hosts inspirational conversations with well know Danish personalities.
Additionally, she works with companies to enhance employee retention by increasing workplace happiness.
Her diverse experiences and engaging communication style have made her a sought-after speaker, known for her ability to inspire and motivate audiences across various sectors.