Rosie Shares All: Lessons from a River Guide

Interviewed and scribed by Kristi Lee

Last May, Rosie embarked on a new adventure as she headed to West Virginia to become a whitewater rafting guide on the New River. Through an occasionally spotty cellphone call, we had the chance to catch up with her. In true MECC fashion, we asked her to reflect on her learnings, ah-ha moments, and key takeaways. We loved hearing how so many of her insights apply in all areas of life – on or off the river!

The power of intention…

I have moments where I have to catch my breath because I cannot believe this is really happening. I set a goal, I created the intention, I told people I was going to do it…and I’m here! Even in the face of some who were skeptical, I’m doing something that not too long ago felt like just a dream.

Your team isn’t always who you think your team is…

Before I arrived, I thought that I would apply everything I have learned about group dynamics to the crew on my boat. But I quickly found that the lessons are much more applicable to the people I am living with this summer.

Experiencing imposter syndrome…

On my first day, I was placed in the back of a boat. I had no idea what I was doing – big time imposter syndrome! But here is what I learned: trainees check out as full-fledged guides when the head guides determine we can no longer learn more from the training staff and must begin to learn from making our own mistakes.

On making mistakes…

One of my first learnings was that making mistakes did not mean that I was “not doing well”. The head guide told us on day one, “You’re going to make mistakes. Making mistakes doesn’t affect the quality of your guiding; your ability to fix those mistakes impacts what kind of guide you are.” This is a universal truth on the river and off the river.

On being a woman in a male-dominated field…

The lead guide shocked most of us on the first day of training when he looked at the men and unapologetically told them that the women make better guides. He explained that because men are physically stronger, they will rely on muscling their way down the river. Because we cannot power our way through, women pick up on the details, pay attention to the nuances, and learn to finesse the river faster.

You’re holding a lot…

People’s joy, fun, happiness and safety are in your hands while they are in your boat. People like different things. Some people want an adrenaline rush…they want to get tossed out of the boat and into the water. That means sometimes you have to make people feel like they are in danger, without actually putting them in danger. Guiding is a marriage between the need for safety, fun and adventure.

On transitions…

The transition from MECC onto the river was exactly what I expected. It is the ‘in between’ that has been harder than predicted. I am struck by how much I think about the “two loops” theory that we utilize with teams. It looks so simple on paper, but right now I am living between two systems: I am in the “new” of river life while trying to stay connected to the “old” home life. It is challenging to be in the middle and even harder to explain to my friends my new reality.

Share a surprise…

Being with like-minded people! We joke that we are river rats in spite of the fact that all of the new guides are super educated and articulate. What really galvanizes us is that we are seekers. We love to experience and learn about the world, people and cultures through adventures in new places. I’ve started an unofficial book club by passing around my copy of The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho…we have deep conversations about the world and how it works.

Looking to have your own adventure? Rosie is currently guiding with River Expeditions.