New Mum Rowles Shifts Focus Ahead of Paris 2024

Two-time Paralympic rowing champion Lauren Rowles felt lost when her double sculls partner Laurence Whiteley retired after the pair won gold in Tokyo three years ago.

The Birmingham native has become a prominent figure on the Commonwealth, European, and world stages, but with Whiteley’s departure, she found herself grappling with an identity crisis. The joy that once accompanied her status as an elite athlete began to fade as she struggled to envision a life outside of rowing.

Rediscovering Identity and Purpose

“After Tokyo, I had a really challenging time with my mental health,” Rowles shared candidly. “I think a large part of that stemmed from the fact I didn’t know who I was off the water. I don’t think there was a Lauren that existed away from a rowing boat.”

Indeed, the impact of being a champion can be overwhelming. Rowles remembers the moment she achieved her first Paralympic gold medal in Rio, filled with elation and hope for the future; yet she soon realised something fundamental was missing from her life. “I shoved that feeling down and just didn’t face up to what was missing in my life,” she admitted. “I pushed through and kept working hard, but it wasn’t really until the pandemic that I realised I needed to prioritise myself.”

Strikingly, it was the confines of lockdown that acted as a catalyst for self-reflection. Forced to pause in her athletic journey, Rowles started to confront the “Lauren off the water” she had always overlooked. “It was only then that I realised spending all my teenage years—my formative years—going through high-performance sport and being moulded into this athlete meant I didn’t really know myself,” she explained.

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A Fresh Perspective on Success

Now, as she prepares to head to Paris, Rowles embraces a newfound understanding of achievement. “I always felt I had to be a certain way to succeed,” she noted. However, since her moment of awakening, she believes the world has witnessed her transformation into a well-rounded individual. “I came out in 2020, got engaged, and became a mother. All of these things form the foundation of Lauren the rower.”

With Paris 2024 in her sights, Rowles is on a mission to become the first British rower to win three Paralympic gold medals. Yet, she understands that her holistic approach to life—one that enriches her experience outside her sport—will be the bedrock of her upcoming success. “Being in lockdown forced me to address the Lauren off the water that I hadn’t allowed myself to look at,” she added, highlighting the significance of mental health in sports.

The Evolution of a Champion

Rowles’s journey mirrors that of many athletes who find themselves at a crossroads in their careers, especially in the Paralympic context where the stakes and expectations can be incredibly high. The soaring success achieved by athletes at events like the IPC World Championships casts long shadows, often leading to struggles with self-identity post-competition.

In the world of Paralympic sports, where determination and resilience shine through, Rowles’s story resonates deeply. The hours of training, the dedication to the sport, and the accolades earned are palpable successes. Yet, they also come with profound challenges. The transition from an athlete’s identity to a more multifaceted self often feels like standing at the edge of a vast lake, wondering whether to dive in or stay safe on the shore.

Looking back at her golden moments, Rowles faces the notion that perhaps success isn’t merely about medals and podium finishes. It’s about the journey; the trials; the growth. She likens her evolution to a metamorphosis, akin to a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly—requiring both vulnerability and courage.

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A Bright Future Ahead

Rowles stands poised at the brink of a potential trinity of triumphs in her sport. Yet, she carries with her the wisdom garnered from personal experiences beyond athletics. “I think people have watched the evolution of Lauren as a regular person,” she remarked. “The narrative is shifting, and I want to highlight that being a successful athlete can coexist with being a fully realised human being.”

Her journey serves as both inspiration and a reminder of the importance of mental health and self-acceptance in the demanding world of elite sports. As she navigates the waves of competition leading up to Paris, Rowles is not merely chasing gold; she is setting an example of balance, resilience, and personal growth.

With each stroke on the water, Rowles embodies the spirit of the Paralympics—defying odds, redefining success, and proving that the heart of an athlete beats as much for the self as it does for the sport. As she prepares for her next race, one can’t help but wonder: what new heights will she achieve, both on and off the water?