Navigating New Waters: Meg's JRN Journey

Meg Neely joined the JRN team in 2023 as a member of our UK student and senior racing content group. A year later, in September 2024, Meg was promoted to editor and is now jointly responsible for editing the student and senior sections.

Away from JRN, Meg is currently preparing to compete in the 2026 World's Toughest Row - a gruelling 3,000-mile race across the Atlantic Ocean.

Ed Evans sat down with Meg to explore her JRN journey so far and discuss preparations for the Atlantic expedition.

Ed: Hey Meg, thanks for finding the time to sit down! You've been with JRN for two years now—what first prompted you to apply?

Meg: No worries—I'm happy to chat! My obsession with rowing naturally led me to consume JRN content, so I read the event previews regularly and listened to the podcast. When I saw on the JRN Instagram story that you were recruiting writers, I thought it would be worth giving it a go since I already knew I could talk endlessly about the sport.

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Ed: You started as a staff writer and are now jointly responsible for editing the written output of our senior domestic team. How would you describe your journey at JRN?

Meg: When I started writing previews, I experienced a lot of imposter syndrome. I'm relatively new to the sport and not a high-performance rower, so I doubted if I could provide valuable insights in my pieces. My confidence grew as I started writing more, and I enjoyed using JRN as a creative outlet.

Last season, I had the opportunity to work at the Henley Royal Regatta Press Office. It was incredible to be onsite for the entirety of the regatta, with my job meaning I was glued to the live stream and watching from the press box while writing racing summaries with the rest of the team. It was another big confidence boost for my writing because we had to produce high-quality reports within minutes of races crossing the line.

After that, I was promoted to Senior and Student Content Editor, which has been a fantastic opportunity to develop my editorial skills. I love being able to support other writers, help shape their work, and contribute to JRN in a more significant way. Editing has also made me a better writer—when reviewing other people's work, you start to notice patterns, strengths, and areas for improvement in your own writing.

Ed: You're currently preparing for the World's Toughest Row —a 3,000-mile race across the Atlantic Ocean. Can you tell us more about why you're taking part?

Meg: Absolutely! There are so many reasons why I am excited to be taking part in the race.

Of course, there's the physical aspect—rowing across an ocean is an immense test of endurance, and I'm excited to push my body to new limits. But what really fascinates me is the mental challenge. When you're in the middle of the Atlantic, there's nowhere to go and no option to quit. No matter how exhausted you are, you must keep going—for yourself, your teammates, and the goal you set out to achieve. That kind of challenge forces you to dig deep, and I'm excited to see what I learn about myself in those moments.

Beyond the personal challenge, we're using the row as an opportunity to fundraise for four incredible community-based charities. My chosen charity is Doing it for Dan , a Swindon-based charity that helps young people in Wiltshire and the surrounding areas access sports by removing financial barriers. Sport has been a massive part of my life, and I know firsthand how transformative it can be. If we can help even a handful of young people find their place in sports, this challenge will be even more meaningful.

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Ed: How are you and your team preparing for the journey?

Meg: Everyone in ocean rowing says the most challenging part is getting to the start line—and it's true! The physical side, like the gym sessions, erg workouts, and boat training, is demanding, but the logistical and mental preparation tests you.

In terms of physical training, we focus on what we can control—strengthening our bodies, building endurance, and becoming as comfortable as possible with the boat. But mental preparation is just as, if not more, important. We know that during the race, there will be moments when our bodies and minds are exhausted, and we'll be far from home, facing stress and discomfort. That's when mental toughness comes into play.

To prepare for this, we're working hard to create a positive crew dynamic because a cohesive, supportive team will be crucial when things get tough. We know we'll be living on a nine-meter boat for several weeks, so we're already having open conversations about supporting each other, dealing with tension or stress, and staying motivated when the miles start feeling endless. Developing our resilience to bounce back from setbacks is as significant as physical fitness.

Ed: Has anything you've learned from your preparations so far influenced how you work at JRN, and vice versa?

Meg: Definitely! One of the biggest lessons I've learned from our campaign so far is the power of collaboration. Our crew has prioritised making as many connections as possible with past rowers, giving us access to a wealth of knowledge. Instead of trying to figure everything out independently, we're tapping into a collective bank of experience to help guide our decisions. That's a lesson I've also taken into my work at JRN - whether it's writing or editing, collaboration always leads to better results.

On the flip side, JRN has influenced how we organise our crew. JRN's entire operation is run through Notion , and I've always been impressed by how structured and efficient it is. I've applied the same system to our crew's planning, making a huge difference in keeping everything organised.

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Ed: Balancing everything on your plate must make for a busy lifestyle. What has kept you at JRN?

Meg: Simply put, it is a lot of fun! I loved being a writer for the racing content team, and now I love editing even more. It is easy to make time for something you enjoy doing.

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Ed: JRN has undergone profound and rapid change in recent years. What stands out to you as our most exciting development?

Meg: Definitely the podcasts. I thought The End of The Island coverage from Head Of The Charles Regatta in Boston was excellent, and I am excited to see how Sharing the Podium grows over the next few seasons.

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Ed: What are you most looking forward to at JRN this year?

Meg: I love my role as an editor, and I'm excited to explore ways to expand my responsibilities, particularly in writer development. I want to help more writers refine their craft and grow in confidence, just like I did when I started.

I also can't wait to support JRN at Henley Royal Regatta this year! It's always a highlight of the season, and being part of the coverage will be a great experience.

Ed: Finally, what's your most outlandish prediction for 2025?

Meg: I'm not sure how outlandish this is, but I think London Rowing Club will get in the way of Thames Rowing Club winning club eights at Henley Women's Regatta for the fourth year in a row. At the Remenham Challenge, their club eights were less than a second apart!