Passion For Rowing Becomes Career

I am always amazed how often people start off on one career path and then change directions going down a completely different road that ultimately leads them to the self-fulfillment and success they have been looking for all along.

It happened to Victoria Draper. As a student studying communications and business, at the University of California Davis, Draper’s goal was to join the U.S. Olympics rowing team. A lofty goal, to be sure, but one perfectly within her reach. She had been rowing for about 10 years and was totally drawn to what she called “the heartbeat” sound of the oars hitting the side of the boat in perfect unison.

After graduating from college, she put her degree to work and became immersed in the financial world, working at Smith Barney as a registered assistant. Life seemed to get in the way and she found it impossible to find the time needed to attain her goal.

Then Draper had an idea. She decided to leave her regular job and open up a rowing studio. This would give her the time to train for her passion, and, as a positive spin-off, income from the gym would take care of her financial responsibilities.

And Rowbics™ was born.

Basically, Draper took traditional rowing practices and techniques and developed her own program called QuadCore Conditioning. It’s a series of isometric and traditional rowing movements that strengthen the legs and upper body as well as the heart and lungs, all set to music with a beat.

Although it seemed the perfect arrangement giving her the time she needed to train for the Olympic team, her workout involved around eight hours day of solo training. Draper discovered she missed interaction with people back at the gym.

In this moment of self-discovery, she decided to concentrate on her studio, teaching classes herself and focusing on opening more Rowbics studios around the country to spread the benefits of the routine that she’d created.

Currently in addition to Long Beach, there already are programs in action in Brea and Huntington Beach and more are scheduled to open in Boston, New York and Wyoming.

“It’s very inspiring to see how the program transforms its participants,” Draper enthuses. “The best part is that it works for everyone, both young and old, the overweight and the unfit.”

Classes are 50 minutes long and students can set their own pace.

“I always suggest to newcomers to take it slow so that it becomes a habit they enjoy,” says Draper. “And they can build from there.”

Despite her business acumen, Draper has definitely discovered her vocation is inspiring others. She certainly piqued my interest enough to give it serious consideration when I finally catch up with myself and make the time (isn’t that everybody’s problem?)

In the meantime, what happened to that Olympic dream?

Well, Draper has put it back in the dream box and says she is quite happy to leave it there.

For more information visit www.rowbics.com