Ever dreamed of rowing on the Nile? Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro? Competing in the World Rowing Indoor Championship?

Egyptian Nermine Khenefar found rowing in her 40s when, winded on her ascent of Mt. Kilimanjaro, friend and explorer Omar Samra suggested she take up the sport to increase her aerobic capacity. After just a few years, Nermine is an avid masters rower and indoor rowing competitor who is seeking to row everywhere she travels and welcome visitors to row with her on the Nile in Cairo.

EPISODE QUICK LOOK

00:00 - Episode intro 01:38 - Nermine's rowing origin story 03:35 - Rowing Week 1-10: training for the 2025 World Rowing Indoor Championships 05:39 - The Hot Seat Q&A 09:24 - Competitive horse riding came to end with a knee injury 11:00 - Rowing as spiritual and sacred time 13:36 - Rowing provided renewed body confidence 14:31 - Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro on her 40th birthday 17:23 - Challenges of racing when there are so few masters women rowing in Cairo 22:53 - Flat water rowing on the River Nile, coastal rowing on the Red Sea 27:53 - Rowing bucket list

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To see photos of Nermine, and get links to the people, clubs, and events mentioned in this episode, check out the show notes on our website.

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This episode was made possible in part by Breakwater Realty, RowSource, and our Patrons.

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Steady State Podcast is written, produced, hosted, and edited by Rachel Freedman and Tara Morgan. Tara provides additional audio engineering and is our sponsor coordinator. Rachel manages the website, social media, and e-newsletter. Our theme music is by Jonas Hipper.

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