Keep Rowing

Every week my social media feeds are flooded with products, gadgets, books, services, and films that I apparently need to buy or watch RIGHT NOW. The algorithms are relentless. They know me far better than I’d like to admit.

And because my shopping tendencies are well documented (mostly by the Amazon delivery drivers), it’s no secret that I often surrender. Before I know it, whatever caught my attention is sitting on my front porch within a day or two.

This week, however, Instagram kept knocking on my door with something different. Instead of another kitchen gadget or pair of sneakers, it introduced me to a new Apple TV documentary called Row for Life.

The film follows Angela Madsen—a retired Marine, Paralympian, and extraordinary athlete—who, at the age of sixty, set out to row solo across the Pacific Ocean from Los Angeles to Hawaii.

I quickly learned that this wasn’t her first impossible dream. Angela had already successfully crossed the Atlantic Ocean twice despite being partially paralyzed from the waist down. Before long I was completely hooked. Listening to her describe the preparation, the physical demands, and the winding road that had brought her to this moment was captivating.

If you’re looking for something meaningful to watch, I encourage you to find this documentary.

Go ahead.

I’ll wait.

Seriously.

But if you don’t already know how the story ends, stop reading now and come back after you’ve watched it.

I’ll still be here.

I wasn’t prepared for what I experienced.

As I drove to the gym this morning at the completely unreasonable hour of 4:35 a.m., I couldn’t stop thinking about Angela. I had questions. Lots of them. The ending stayed with me. It haunted me. Yet somehow, so did her determination to keep rowing.

Did I expect the fairy-tale ending?

Absolutely.

I wanted the triumphant finish. The celebration. The crossing of the finish line.

Maybe that’s because I know what it’s like to train for one. I’ve spent months preparing for races, dreaming about crossing that final line with my hands in the air. I’ve also experienced my share of DNFs—Did Not Finish—not just on obstacle courses, but in life itself.

Instead of letting the story go, I started digging.

I looked up the filmmaker and discovered a podcast about the six-year journey of bringing this documentary to life. Six years. Imagine believing in a story for that long.

Naturally, I found her Instagram page and followed her. I left a comment explaining how deeply the film had affected me and how haunted I was by Angela’s story while simultaneously inspired by her relentless courage.

To my surprise, she responded just a few hours later.

Instant fan.

She is a remarkable storyteller, and she honored Angela’s life with incredible care and compassion.

Driving home through the rain this afternoon, I realized something.

Not every story gets the ending we desperately want.

Not every race ends with medals.

Not every dream reaches the shore.

But maybe that isn’t the point.

Maybe the point is to keep rowing anyway.

To keep showing up when the waves are higher than we expected.

To keep believing in ourselves when no one is standing on the shoreline cheering.

To keep moving forward even when the finish line disappears beyond the horizon.

Angela Madsen reminded me that courage isn’t measured by how a story ends. It’s measured by the willingness to begin, to keep going, and to refuse to let fear decide when the journey is over. None of us are promised a fairy-tale ending. We are, however, given the opportunity to choose how we face the miles in front of us. Whether the shoreline is ten feet away or ten miles beyond what we can see, I’ll keep rowing. I hope you will too.

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Author: KikiFikar

Kiki Fikar is a native New Yorker who is passionate about taking the day to day life we all experience and sharing it in her tales from Suburbia. She will often be found at the gym, writing snippets each day for future story lines, listening to her two children create their lives, and building the perfect beachfront home and writing retreat in her mind.

31 thoughts on “Keep Rowing”

  5. I heard about this story. damn it was so tragic and the unknown aspect of it just hits you in the gut. your point about us not getting the ending we want is a really pertinent one for me, but despite its tempering effect, it’s just that: a tempering effect meant to give us perspective. I still, at this age, believe in the power of dreams and the power of persistence in the face of large crashing waves. in the end, the only thing we can absolutely do to guarantee us reaching the other shore is to indeed keep rowing. Mike

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  6. Twinnie, so I know we’re joined at the hip with NASA and jeeps and Jimmy Buffett and so much more… but 4:30 am? 😵🥱😴 “You go ahead, I’ll meet you at the gym.” 😉

    But seriously… now you’ve got my curiosity piqued. I gotta watch this, I love this sort of thing. And at age 60… and paralyzed from the waist down? Wow.

    Very cool exchange between you and Soraya…I’ll let you know after I watch it. Cause, you know, the algorithm needs to know! 😎🏄🏻‍♂️

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  8. I hope you enjoy it! Somehow I think you will given our twindom! Yes the 5 am gym is crazed. The drive there gets scarier each time. Knowing I’m done training for the day though…priceless!

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  9. Your post really resonated with me. It’s amazing how something recommended by an algorithm can end up having such a meaningful impact. Angela Madsen’s story is a powerful reminder that real courage isn’t about guaranteeing success—it’s about having the determination to keep moving forward despite the uncertainty.

    I also liked your point that not every journey ends the way we hope. That’s true for school, careers, and life in general. Sometimes the greatest lesson comes from the effort, resilience, and perseverance we show along the way rather than the final outcome. Your reflection reminded me that even when things don’t go according to plan, continuing to push forward is what truly defines us. Thanks for sharing such an inspiring story and perspective.

    Liked by 1 person

  17. It’s so true, Courage is found in the Journey, not only the destination. I need to watch this movie. Thanks for sharing. I’m always looking for something exciting to watch…

    May God give us strength to keep moving forward through every storm and season.

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  19. I had to google the story, and it is so sad. However, I respect Angela’s courage throughout her life. I agree with you that no one is guaranteed a happy ending but that shouldn’t stop anyone from moving forward. Thank you for sharing this truly haunting story.

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  22. Powerful story! Thank you for sharing. I was reading her story and wondered why the Marines refused to pay her medical bills. It seems to me that her initial injuries occurred when she was in the Marines. Interesting! 4:35 a.m. in the gym? That’s dedication, my friend. 💪🏼

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  23. Oh it is powerful! Yes, it seems she was on the basketball team for the Marines and was severely injured during a game. Surgery caused the paralysis.

    Yes this early morning gym thing is great but on days like today I feel like I went to the gym 3 days ago. lol

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  24. That’s crazy! There’s really not much information out there about her case. Your gym comment is hilarious. I mowed the lawn this morning and trimmed some of the trees, and now I’m licking my wounds. It’s too hot to be outside working. 🥵

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