S4E23 - The Jen Huffman Connection
from Steady State Podcast Hosted by Steady State Network
Jen Huffman gave her son a guilt trip about learning to row. “You would make your great grandpa so happy!” And when your great grandpa is Joe Rantz, 7 seat in the University of Washington crew that took gold at the 1936 Olympics, you learn to row. Jen also took up the challenge and learned to row as an adult, quickly becoming an accomplished masters rower in the Seattle area. Growing up, Jen didn’t know much about her Grandpa Joe’s rowing history. But late in his life, she found his memorabilia from the crew’s trip to the Berlin Olympics. Jen tells us how a scrapbook she made became the jumping off point for author Daniel James Brown’s now blockbuster book The Boys in the Boat. Ten years after the book was published, it’s become a George Clooney-directed movie. We talk with Jen about the power of rowing and seeing her grandpa brought to life on the big screen. . QUICK LOOK 00:00 - Intro 01:49 - Team huddle: Jen’s rowing bio 02:13 - Jen’s rowing week rated a 6, and included a “sushi race” in Lake Union in Seattle, WA 05:33 - Hot Seat Q&A 08:34 - Getting to know grandpa Joe 13:18 - Jenn guilt-tripped her son into learning to row, then learned to row herself in 2008 18:24 - Coaching gymnastics, coaching rowing, and taking off your coach’s hat when you’re rowing 25:56 - Jen’s 2023 rowing season 28:45 - The story of The Boys in the Boat book began with a family scrapbook 34:42 - Being a part of Daniel James Brown’s writing process, and learning about Grandpa Joe chapter by chapter 39:55 - MOHAI exhibit, Joe’s “Amerika” flag, and some Husky Challenger history 43:28 - North Cascades Crew Joe Rantz Boathouse on Lake Stevens . To see photos of Jen, Joe, and 1936 UW memorabilia, and to get links to the people, clubs, and events mentioned in this episode, check out the show notes on our website. . This episode was made possible in part by Breakwater Realty, Concept2, EB5 Investors, RowSource, and our Patrons.
Embed this episode
What this episode covers
After guilt-tripping her son into learning to row, Jen Huffman followed suit. At age 38, she stepped into a boat for the first time and quickly became an accomplished masters rower. She also gained new appreciation for her grandpa – Joe Rantz – seven seat in the University of Washington’s 1936 Olympic gold medal winning crew. Through a series of incredible coincidences, Joe’s memorabilia – and Jen’s scrapbook – became the spark for The Boys in the Boat.
No transcript yet.