River runner Jess Parks has rowed the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon 14 times, but she didn’t start out “outdoorsy.” Once a NYC crew rower surrounded by skyscrapers, a single road trip west changed her trajectory. In this episode, we talk about how she went from rowing in city rivers to guiding whitewater in Colorado, finding her home in Alaska, and building a life around big water, community, and mentorship.
Jess shares how it feels to drop into the rapids with heart racing, muscles firing, everything else falling away, and how risk, awe, and mentorship intertwine on the river. We also explore what it means to be a woman at the oars, to teach others, and to recognize those once-in-a-lifetime canyon moments while they’re happening.
If you’ve ever dreamed of rowing the Grand Canyon, chasing adventure, or saying yes before you feel ready — this one’s for you.
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