Rowing for Fitness, Strength, and Sport w/ Shane Farmer, Anders Varner, Doug Larson, and Travis Mash #791
Mar 26, 2025
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Shane Farmer, founder of Dark Horse Rowing and a 4X CrossFit Games athlete, shares his passion for making rowing accessible to everyone. He discusses the challenges of creating engaging content in the rowing community and the balance of rigorous training schedules. The conversation dives into rowing's technical nuances and importance in endurance sports, sharing personal victories and stories from racing around America. They explore how rowing can foster community while breaking down elitism, making it an inclusive sport for all.
Shane Farmer's mission with Dark Horse Rowing is to make rowing more accessible for everyday fitness enthusiasts rather than just elite athletes.
His personal experience with burnout highlights the importance of prioritizing mental health and enjoyment in high-pressure content creation roles.
The podcast discusses the competitive dynamics of the rowing equipment market, focusing on Concept2's dominance and the implications of Rogue's Echo rower launch.
Deep dives
Shane Farmer's Rise in the Rowing Community
Shane Farmer has established himself as a significant player in the rowing and fitness space, particularly through his successful YouTube channel, which has nearly reached 300,000 subscribers. His content focuses on making rowing more approachable and accessible to a wider audience, moving beyond just elite athletes to include everyday fitness enthusiasts. He has returned to competitive rowing after taking a hiatus, showcasing his expertise by achieving five national championships with his team. This success reinforces his credibility in the field and highlights the appeal of his engaging content.
Overcoming Burnout and Finding Passion
Farmer candidly discusses his experiences with burnout from the pressures of consistently producing content, which led him to take a hiatus from video production. During this break, he reassessed his approach and returned to creating videos that he genuinely enjoys, resulting in a reinvigorated passion for his work. This change allowed him to reconnect with the sport he loves, while also sharing that experience with his audience, ultimately leading to improved video performance and engagement. His journey emphasizes the importance of mental health and finding joy in one’s pursuits, especially in high-demand fields.
Rowing Equipment and Market Dynamics
The podcast discusses the rowing equipment market, highlighting the dominance of Concept2 rowers and the recent controversial launch of Rogue's Echo rower, which is perceived as a knockoff. Farmer explains how the loyal following of Concept2 has established a high barrier for competitors, with Rogue's actions being seen as opportunistic and damaging to their partnership. While there is excitement in rowing innovation, like Rogue's efforts, there is skepticism about the quality and legitimacy of competitors who attempt to challenge a well-established brand. This situation showcases the complexities and rivalries within the fitness and equipment industry.
Adapting Training Methods for Success
Farmer outlines his training regimen, incorporating both on-water practices and indoor rowing exercises, emphasizing the importance of zone two training for building endurance. He balances his weekly training with commitments to family life, demonstrating how elite athletes manage personal and competitive responsibilities. The variety within his workouts includes high-intensity rowing sessions and steady-state workouts, which have significantly contributed to his recent successes. This structured approach to training highlights the strategic planning necessary for competitive athleticism while maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Encouraging New Talent in Rowing
Farmer reflects on the challenges of introducing new athletes to the sport of rowing, noting the intimidating culture surrounding rowing clubs. He emphasizes the need for a more welcoming environment to attract newcomers, especially children, to the sport. With a lack of accessibility to rowing facilities and barriers due to elitism, Farmer advocates for outreach efforts, particularly through his online resources. By bridging the gap between the rowing community and potential new athletes, he aims to foster a love for the sport and facilitate growth within the rowing population.
Shane Farmer is the founder of Dark Horse Rowing. He’s a rower, a 4X CrossFit Games athlete, former gym owner, Concept2 Master Instructor and has made his career de-mystifying rowing for non-rowers. He’s married with two kids and has 13 chickens and an orchard. He loves soil regeneration, permaculture, and testing himself regularly at new and interesting forms of fitness.
