Mercantile Radio

Mercantile Radio features stories, insights and voices from the heart of Rowing, hosted by Olympic Gold Medallist Drew Ginn OAM. Sponsored by Choice Capital and 776BC.

Mercantile Radio is a sports podcast hosted by Mercantile Rowing Club, with 49 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Mercantile Rowing Club hosts Mercantile Radio, a sports show with 49 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

• 

  Episode #49

  The Boat Beside You Becomes the Coach: Scott Rowe - Episode 49

  Aug 16, 202645 minS1

  What happens when you swap the podcast studio for a walk along the Yarra? In this return episode of Mercantile Radio , Drew Ginn OAM catches up with Scott Rowe for a wide-ranging “walk and talk” about his first season coaching at Mercantile, the club’s European campaign, Henley Royal Regatta, athlete development, technology, racing and the art of making boats go fast. Following a season of strong performances at the Australian Championships, athletes progressing to national teams and three Mercantile crews travelling to Europe, Scott reflects on what he has learned - and what comes next. From the value of small boats to the dangers of becoming obsessed with watts, this is a conversation about coaching what is in front of you, developing adaptable athletes and creating an environment where people learn by doing. Who is Scott Rowe? Scott Rowe is an experienced Australian rowing coach and a key member of the coaching team at Mercantile Rowing Club. Across a long coaching career, Scott has worked with athletes at school, club, pathway and national-team level. His approach centres on developing technically capable athletes, building strong relationships and giving rowers the skills to make boats move across different combinations and boat classes. Since joining Mercantile, Scott has played an important role in developing the club’s emerging athletes and strengthening its connection with Australia’s national pathway. Why Is This Conversation Important? 1. Small Boats Build Better Rowers Scott is a strong believer in developing athletes through pairs and small boats. Rather than spending an entire season preparing an eight, small boats teach athletes how to move a boat, take responsibility for their rowing and develop the technical foundations required at the highest level. 2. Data Is Powerful — If You Understand It Watts. Boat speed. Angles. Length. Telemetry. Technology is becoming increasingly important in rowing, but Scott cautions against allowing one number to dominate coaching. Bigger wattage doesn’t necessarily mean a faster boat. The challenge is understanding what the data means and connecting it with what you see and feel on the water. As the conversation reminds us: Ergs don’t float. 3. Every Great Crew Needs an Enabler Not every athlete who makes a boat faster has the biggest erg score. Scott and Drew explore the idea of the “enabler” — the athlete whose rhythm, length and feel allows everyone around them to perform better. Crew selection is about finding combinations, not simply ranking individuals by physical metrics. 4. Athletes Learn by Racing One of Scott’s biggest lessons from Henley was the value of racing itself. Training prepares athletes physically and technically, but competition teaches them to respond to pressure, make decisions, fight when they are behind and understand themselves as competitors. Every time you’re on the start, you learn something. 5. Coaching Is About People With established athletes, coaching isn’t necessarily about rebuilding their rowing. It becomes about small technical adjustments, relationships, understanding personalities and knowing which button to press at the right moment. The higher the level, the more important the human side of coaching becomes. You Can Quote Us On That “Ergs don’t float.” “You need an enabler in every boat.” “Every time you’re on the start, you learn something.” “The boat beside you becomes the coach.” “You don’t need to spend all of your time in a big boat in order to make a big boat go quick.” “Rowing is a personality-driven sport.” “Length and loose.” Hosted by: Drew Ginn OAM Guest: Scott Rowe, Mercantile Head Coach and Australian Team Coach Produced by: Nicholas Finster Sponsored by Choice Capital and 776BC Presented by Mercantile Rowing Club

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #48

  Bobby Thatcher: Building Champions Without Chasing Medals - Episode 48

  Aug 9, 20261h 19mS1

  What does it take to build one of the world's most successful school rowing programs? In this episode of Mercantile Radio, Drew Ginn sits down with Bobby Thatcher, Head of Rowing at St Paul's School in London, to explore the philosophy that has produced multiple Henley Royal Regatta victories, generations of international athletes, and a coaching culture centred on curiosity, ownership and continuous improvement. Bobby shares the technical principles behind fast boats, the importance of athlete buy-in, how data supports, but never replaces feel, and the profound personal experiences that shaped his coaching philosophy. From racing at the Atlanta Olympics to missing selection for Sydney 2000, this is an honest conversation about resilience, leadership and why great coaching is about developing people as much as producing results. Who is Bobby Thatcher? Bobby Thatcher is one of the most respected school rowing coaches in the world. As Head of Rowing at St Paul's School (London) for the past 15 years, Bobby has transformed the program into one of Britain's most successful schoolboy rowing programs, winning multiple Henley Royal Regatta titles while consistently producing athletes who progress to Great Britain and leading university rowing programs. Before joining St Paul's, Bobby spent six years developing the rowing program at Latymer School. As an athlete, he represented Great Britain at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games in the double scull alongside James Cracknell, competed at the 1999 World Championships, and was coached by the legendary Harry Mahon, whose influence continues to shape Bobby's coaching philosophy today. Why This Conversation is important 1. Great Programs Are Built on Culture, Not Just Winning Bobby explains that every crew is different. Success doesn't come from repeating last year's formula—it comes from understanding the personalities, strengths and motivations of each new group of athletes. His message is clear: sustained success is built through relationships, trust and culture. 2. Coaching Is About Creating Ownership Rather than simply instructing athletes, Bobby believes the best coaches help athletes understand why they row the way they do. By creating genuine ownership and encouraging athletes to solve problems together, crews become more connected, more resilient and ultimately faster. 3. Technical Excellence Is About Protecting Boat Speed Throughout the conversation Bobby repeatedly returns to one simple principle: Don't damage the boat. From Harry Mahon's influence through to modern biomechanics and telemetry, Bobby explains why the fastest crews move efficiently, stay relaxed and maintain rhythm rather than forcing the boat through the water. 4. Failure Can Become Your Greatest Teacher One of the most powerful moments of the episode is Bobby's honest reflection on missing selection for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. Rather than defining him negatively, that experience shaped the compassionate, transparent and athlete-centred coach he became. His story reminds us that setbacks often become the foundation of great leadership. 5. Rowing Builds Better People Beyond medals and trophies, Bobby believes rowing teaches resilience, delayed gratification, teamwork and self-awareness. His measure of success isn't simply winning Henley—it's seeing former athletes continue rowing, thriving at university and becoming better people. You Can Quote Us On That "Don't damage the boat." "Every crew has a different personality." "The best coach is yourself." "Kids should row because they love rowing." "Winning is never guaranteed." "The process has to be fair." "You don't build great programs on your own." Hosted by Drew Ginn OAM Guest: Bobby Thatcher Produced by Nicholas Finster Sponsored by Choice Capital and 776BC Presented by Mercantile Rowing Club

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #47

  Alex Hill: Gold, Grit and More to Give

  Aug 2, 20261h 13mS1

  What separates Olympic champions from the rest of the field? According to Alex Hill OAM, it isn't bigger erg scores or harder training, it is clarity. In this episode of Mercantile Radio, Olympic Gold Medallist Alex Hill OAM joins Drew Ginn OAM for an insightful conversation about three Olympic campaigns, the lessons learned from winning and losing, and why Australia's success in Tokyo was built on a simple philosophy: know exactly how you want to row. From growing up on the Murray River to winning Olympic Gold in Tokyo, Alex reflects on the coaches who shaped him, the evolution of Australian rowing, the pursuit of technical excellence, and why he's still chasing improvement after three Olympic Games. Whether you're an athlete, coach or rowing enthusiast, this conversation offers an honest look inside the mindset of one of Australia's most accomplished sweep rowers. Who is Alex Hill? Alex Hill OAM is one of Australia's most accomplished sweep rowers. An Olympic Gold Medallist in the Men's Four at the Tokyo Olympic Games, Olympic Silver Medallist from Rio 2016, World Champion and multiple World Cup winner, Alex has represented Australia across three Olympic Games and has become a cornerstone of the Australian Men's Sweep Team. Growing up in South Australia's Riverland before attending Prince Alfred College, Alex progressed through junior and Under 23 rowing to become one of Australia's most respected athletes. Today he continues his international career racing in the Men's Pair alongside fellow Adelaide Rowing Club member Angus Dawson while mentoring the next generation of Australian rowers. Why This Conversation Matters 1. Olympic Success Is Built on Clarity Alex shares one of the most compelling insights of the episode: Tokyo wasn't won because Australia trained harder, it was won because everyone knew exactly how they wanted to row. The squad shared one technical philosophy, allowing athletes to move seamlessly between crews while maintaining speed and consistency. 2. Great Coaches Teach Principles, Not Just Technique Throughout his career Alex worked with Johnny Driessen, Tim Conrad, Chris O'Brien and Ian Wright. Despite their different personalities, each reinforced the same fundamental lesson: Move the boat further on every stroke. It's a reminder that great coaching focuses on timeless principles rather than constant technical change. 3. Failure Can Become the Foundation for Success Alex openly reflects on the disappointment of Paris and contrasts it with Tokyo. Rather than blaming fitness or effort, he believes the Australian squad gradually lost clarity around its identity and rowing style. It's an honest discussion about how elite teams recover, learn and rebuild. 4. Olympic Finals Are Won Before Race Day When asked what he thinks about on an Olympic start line, Alex's answer is surprisingly simple: Stay calm. Trust the work. Trust the process. Years of preparation allow athletes to treat the Olympic Final as simply another opportunity to execute. 5. Rowing Is About Continuous Learning Even after three Olympic Games, Alex still sees himself as a student of the sport. Whether coaching beginners, racing a pair, or learning from teammates and coaches, he believes improvement comes from remaining curious and coachable. You Can Quote Us On That "Trust the work. Trust the process." "Don't let the boat slow down." "Everyone has big ergs. The difference is how far you move the boat." "I still feel like I've got more to give." "The day I stop enjoying it is probably the day I retire." Hosted by: Drew Ginn OAM Guest: Alex Hill OAM Produced by Nicholas Finster Sponsored by Choice Capital and 776BC Presented by Mercantile Rowing Club

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #46

  Eight Seconds and Nine Months: Teal Cohen on Getting Cut, Getting Strong and Getting Gold - Episode 46

  Jul 26, 20261h 11mS1

  From being cut from the US National Team to becoming a World Champion. Teal Cohen's story is one of resilience, belief and relentless consistency. In this episode of Mercantile Radio, Teal shares how one phone call changed her mindset, why consistency beats intensity, and how the USA Women's Four rebuilt itself into World Champions. An inspiring conversation for athletes, coaches, leaders and anyone striving to improve. Who is Teal Cohen OLY? Teal Cohen is one of the rising stars of USA Rowing and a member of the 2025 World Championship-winning Women's Four. A Paris 2024 Olympian in the Women's Quadruple Scull and NCAA Champion with the University of Washington, Teal has become known for her resilience, relentless work ethic and commitment to continuous improvement. After the disappointment of the Paris Olympic Games, she rebuilt her confidence, transformed her physical performance and helped lead the United States back to the top of the world in sweep rowing. Today she trains full-time at the US High Performance Centre in Princeton while balancing a professional career outside rowing. Why This Conversation Matters What do you do after your Olympic dream doesn't go the way you hoped? For Teal Cohen, the answer was simple: go back to work. Following the Paris Olympics, Teal returned to the USA sweep squad alongside teammates carrying similar disappointment. Less than a year later they stood together as World Champions. Resilience After Setback Olympic disappointment became the motivation rather than the end of the journey. Teal explains how setbacks can become powerful fuel for future success. The Power of Great Coaching One phone call from her former college coach completely changed her perspective after missing selection. Instead of sympathy, she received belief, clarity and a plan. Consistency Wins Rather than chasing miracle sessions, Teal focused on showing up every day. A disciplined winter of training resulted in an eight-second improvement on her 2km erg. Building Championship Culture The USA Women's Four developed trust through everyday training, shared challenges and enjoying difficult sessions together. Trust Before Performance Championship crews are built long before race day. Trust is created through countless sessions where teammates consistently show up for one another. Individualised High Performance USA Rowing is embracing sports science and personalised training programs, recognising that athletes respond differently and perform best with individual support. Looking Towards LA 2028 With Los Angeles on the horizon, Teal discusses why the current Olympic cycle is the ideal time to experiment, learn and continue building speed. You can quote us on that "You have nine months until Olympic selection. That's plenty of time." "The easiest way to get faster is to keep doing what you're doing—consistently." "To walk away as a World Champion after a less-than-great Olympic experience was just awesome." "The most important thing in any boat is trusting the people you're rowing with." "With success comes so many losses that people never see." Hosted by: Drew Ginn OAM Guest: Teal Cohen USA Produced by: Nicholas Finster Sponsored by Choice Capital and 776BC Presented by Mercantile Rowing Club

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #45

  The Boy Who Became an Olympic Coxswain: Neil Hewitt - Episode 45

  Jul 19, 202649 minS1

  Some rowing stories define a club. Others define a generation. Neil Hewitt's journey began as a nine-year-old boy at Mercantile Rowing Club, coxing Sunday morning outings with the club's old legends on the Yarra River, Melbourne. It culminated in steering Australia's Men's Eight to an Olympic Bronze Medal at the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games, one of the most significant eras in Australian rowing history. In this remarkable conversation with Drew Ginn, Neil reflects on growing up at Mercantile, learning the craft of coxing from some of the club's greatest figures, competing in the famous Kings Cup campaigns of the 1950s and discovering that sometimes the greatest lessons in sport come many years after the finish line. More than an Olympic story, this is a conversation about resilience, perspective, craftsmanship and the lifelong friendships created through rowing. Who is Neil Hewitt? Neil Hewitt is an Olympic Bronze Medallist and one of Mercantile Rowing Club's most respected members. Beginning his rowing journey as a young coxswain, Neil developed into one of Australia's finest racing tacticians, culminating in selection as coxswain of Australia's Men's Eight at the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games. His career helped shape one of the golden eras of Victorian and Australian rowing while establishing a lifelong connection with Mercantile Rowing Club that continues today. Why This Conversation Matters Mercantile's History Comes Alive Neil's memories transport listeners back to a time when rowing clubs were built on mentorship, tradition and community. Learning from Mercantile's senior members wasn't simply about rowing - it was about belonging. The Craft of Coxing Long before cox boxes and GPS technology, Neil relied on instinct, rhythm and observation. He explains how coxswains once learned to: Read the Yarra River currents, judge boat speed from puddles, feel the rhythm of the crew, steer with almost invisible movements. It is a fascinating insight into an almost forgotten craft. Sometimes Bronze Feels Like Gold... Eventually One of the most moving parts of the conversation is Neil's honesty. Despite winning an Olympic Bronze Medal, he admits it took almost ten years before he truly appreciated what the crew had achieved. His reflections remind us that perspective often arrives long after competition ends. Great Coaches Build Belief Neil recalls the influence of legendary coach Bob Aitken, whose simple message before every race became a philosophy for life: Do your best - and you'll always give yourself a chance. The Perfect Row Perhaps the most beautiful moment comes when Neil describes the feeling every rower spends a lifetime searching for. When the rhythm arrives. When every athlete moves together. When the boat suddenly becomes effortless. You Can Quote Us On That "I learnt to swim and I never mastered swimming. Thankfully, I was always close to the boat." "Do your best and you've got a real good chance." "It took me ten years to get over winning the bronze medal." "You could just feel the boat changing… it went really sizzling." "We didn't have cox boxes in those days, you had to feel the boat." Why You Should Listen Neil Hewitt represents a remarkable link between Mercantile's earliest generations and today's athletes. His stories remind us that while equipment, training methods and technology have evolved dramatically, the essence of rowing has never changed. Rhythm – Trust – Teamwork - Belief. This is not simply the story of an Olympic medal. It is the story of what it means to belong to Mercantile Rowing Club. Hosted by: Drew Ginn OAM Guest: Neil Hewitt OAM Produced by: Nicholas Finster Sponsored by Choice Capital & 776BC

  ListenShow Notes

Recent guests on Mercantile Radio. Study who booked and why before you pitch.

Based on semantic analysis of episode topics and host coverage, this show is a strong guest fit for executives in:

Industry fit is computed by PitchCentric using vector embeddings of the show's episode catalog.