OW Spotlight Doug Rowe

Can you please tell us a bit about yourself and what you do? 

I have had quite a varied career path since leaving Wellington. However, a common theme has been my passion for health, fitness and the benefits these bring to people. In recent years, I founded a healthy snack bar company with my brother before becoming a holistic health coach, working with both individual and corporate clients. I’m currently a Wellness Advisor at Goldman Sachs.  

 

What inspired you to work in the wellbeing and fitness sector? 

It was a combination of factors, many of which were established during my time at Wellington. I loved sport at College and was fortunate enough to play in the first teams for all the major sports during my last year. This fostered an appreciation of the importance of being active and trying a variety of pastimes. After university, I followed my passion for skiing and moved to Colorado. Stumbling across the Rocky Mountain rugby league things somewhat spiralled out of control and I found myself in the US player pool (as I was born in New York I am a US passport holder).  

The level of training required was something I had not experienced before. I fast needed to learn how to train, fuel and recover correctly. There’s also a massive outdoors culture in Colorado. The locals really embrace a healthy living mindset. This rubbed off on me and I haven’t looked back.  

 

How do you maintain your own personal wellbeing? 

I do my best to focus on certain pillars in my life. The foundation is sleep. If I’m getting enough shut-eye then I have the energy to focus on the other priorities – such as nutrition, movement and maintaining meaningful relationships. Over the last ten years I have been exploring a more spiritual side of wellbeing. Yoga has provided me with both physical benefits but also great mental rewards. In general I try to prioritise my wellbeing and find excuses to do it rather than to avoid it.  

 

What is your career/personal highlight so far? 

I would have to break it down into a sporting, an educational and a career highlight.  

Getting capped by the US in both XVs and sevens, and in particular playing in the Hong Kong sevens (in front of the OWRFC 2003 touring party) was very special. Being offered a place at Cambridge for an MBA resulted in a life-changing 16 months. This, in turn, gave me the courage and nous to start my own business – moving from theory to practice gave me a wide (but not always welcome) range of experience! 

 

What would you say are ‘must have’ life skills/traits for young people today? 

Be reliable and keep your word. Doing what you say you’re going to do is incredibly important and will ensure you stand out from the crowd. 

Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Most of us get through life through trial and error. Opening yourself up to other people’s experiences means you can learn from their errors too. There will also be times in life where you simply can’t achieve things on your own. Having the courage to be vulnerable can often earn you a lot of respect.  

Never stop learning. Try to be curious and ask questions. Whether it is through travel, hobbies, learning a language or simply improving your knowledge of new aspects of your job, the process of learning has been shown to keep you young. A side benefit is that you’ll become more interesting too. 

Push your edge. Do things that get you out of your comfort zone. Every experience that scares you will expand your perception of your capabilities. Ultimately, this is best path to becoming a more complete human being. 

 

What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given? 

I have been fortunate enough to have been given great advice from a wide range of generous people. I have two that particular resonate at the moment.  

“Don’t worry what other people think.” This can often be a lot easier said than done. Reminding yourself that you are the one living your experiences can be very liberating. It is human nature for others to see your life and what it entails through their eyes. But it is your journey. So, do your best to enjoy it in a way that gives you the most meaning.   

“Be part of something bigger than yourself.” I feel very lucky to have had the start in life that Wellington gave me. Taking time to be considerate to those who are less fortunate is something I believe we should all do if we can. Being humane and showing kindness comes in so many different forms that there really are no excuses not to embrace it.  

 

Do you have a fond memory from your time at Wellington that you would like to share or perhaps a particular teacher that really stood out? 

As I’ve mentioned, sport played a huge role in my time at Wellington. One standout memory would the 1995 sevens season. After a disappointing XVs campaign we came under the tutorage of Kenny Hopkins.  

It was the first time in my life where I experienced inclusive coaching – Kenny’s approach and strategy was different from anything I had experienced thus far. Rather than feeling like we were pupils being managed by teachers, he repeatedly demonstrated that we were a single entity. His passion for both the game of sevens and our group as we developed was clear to see. Something he demonstrated by bursting into full song of Bread of Heaven as we crossed the Severn Bridge en route to our first tournament being held at Christ College Brecon.  

Kenny had the foresight to allow our captain, Jim Brownrigg (Hl 95), who went on to have a decade-long professional career with Bristol and Cardiff, to pick the team, while he focused on the coaching and tactics. This resulted in a tight bond and respect throughout the group. With each tournament we improved, culminating in us winning the Surrey Sevens and then the Rosslyn Park National Sevens. 

With thanks to Doug Rowe (Hl 95) for this Spotlight.