By Linda Dulye, President/Founder, Dulye Leadership Experience and Dulye & Co.
Last month, I took on a new challenge in one of my greatest passions—ROWING.
On January 8, my Sarasota County Rowing Club coach, Bernhard Stomporowski, sounded a call for candidates for a women’s masters lightweight crew for the Sarasota Invitational Regatta (SIR) on February 23. At that time, I had shed 13 pounds since last fall, dropping from 149 to 136 and thought—why not? How tough could it be to hit the 130-pound (max to compete) weight requirement by race day? NOTE: Wisdom from a chronological senior who didn’t see 130 during her senior year in high school!
Spoiler alert: It was insanely tough.
To be safe, I aimed for 127 pounds to allow for fluctuations at the regatta’s weigh-in from a different scale than my home version, my race uniform, consumed beverages and food, etc. But I exceeded even my own expectations—hitting 124 pounds on race day! And not only did I make weight, but my crew also took home a gold medal.
My success has prompted many inquiries: How did I do it? With a compass to guide me. Here’s a snapshot of my RIM (Reduction In Me) strategy:
- Dialing in my nutrition. I became hyper-aware of carb, protein (I’m a vegetarian), and fat counts. Arrivederci, crusty Italian bread with fresh mozzarella, a personal favorite.
- Expanding my workouts. In addition to my regular gym, spin, and erg sessions, I added lap swimming—a game-changer for improving mental clarity and endurance. Sorry, yoga, you just weren’t for me.
- Cutting out wine. Specifically, Chardonnay—painful and even more painful. I searched for non-alcoholic alternatives, but let’s just say… still searching.
- Leaning on my husband. Roger Gibboni, aka the head chef in our home, masterfully created vegetarian dishes that packed more protein, not pasta—no small feat in an Italian kitchen
- Navigating social situations. I had to be strategic about dinner invitations, happy hours, and restaurant choices to stay on track.
- Elevating strength training. I worked closely with my trainer, Ryan Kriegel, to supplement my rowing club’s on-and-off-water training with new routines to isolate legs, arms, abs, and lower back muscles.
- Managing the mental battle. Between obsessing over my scale, fighting food cravings, and attempting to enjoy zero-alcohol Chardonnay (nope), my stress and frustration were escalating. I tempered the tension with the positive juju of supportive friends and crew mates (thank you, all!), Dua Lipa songs, and my pooches’ exuberance.
- Believing in myself. As a die-hard Super Bowl LIX Champion Philadelphia Eagles fan, I channeled my team’s intensity and determination, telling myself: Fly, Linda, Fly!
If my experience can inspire even one person to reignite their motivation for a New Year’s resolution or a personal goal, then sharing this journey will be worth it. Whatever your challenge may be—believe in yourself, design your RIM strategy, and push forward. You just might surprise yourself.
And maybe even take home the gold.
Linda (second from left) and crew mates Carol Moses, Jackie Morris, and Michelle Moran
