After 11 years as an IT consultant, Roz Savage knew she wanted to take her life in a new direction. But little did she realize she'd be charting a new course in a kayak. To help raise awareness about environmental issues and sustainable living, she rowed across the Atlantic in 2005. Now she wants to become the first woman to row solo across the Pacific, from San Francisco to Australia. She completed the first leg of the trip to Hawaii in 2008. Stage 2, to the island nation of Kirbati, was completed in 2009. The final stage is scheduled for later this year.
Consulting: Why did you decide to leave your consulting career behind to pursue your new adventures?
Savage: I think I knew from Day 1 that management consultancy was not really the job for me. I felt I had a purpose in life, and I didn't know what it was. So, in search of an answer, I wrote two versions of my own obituary—the one I wanted and the one I was heading for. They were very different. I realized that if I was going to get back on track for the kind of life I dreamed of, I was going to have to make some big changes.
Consulting: Was your consulting background helpful?
Savage: I am glad to have had the consulting experience, as it taught me valuable skills in project management. I am still the Queen of the Spreadsheet! It also made me more confident around technology, and now I love using blogs, videos, podcasts and Twitter to share my adventures.
Consulting: What are the biggest challenges and rewards to your ocean adventures?
Savage: Ocean rowing is really tough. The Atlantic was my toughest row, because it was my first, and I just didn't know if I could do it. There were definitely moments when I was bouncing around in 20-foot swells thinking, "I'm a management consultant, get me out of here!" Each of my three major ocean rows so far has taken around 100 days, and when I get to about Day '60 or 70, I still start thinking I've had about enough.' But then it really cheers me up when I get wonderful messages from people telling me I've inspired them—and that makes it all seem worthwhile. From the very start, I've wanted to use my rowing to show people just what is possible, and it seems to be working.
Consulting: What are your next goals?
Savage: I've now completed two stages of a three-stage bid to row the Pacific. I'll be back out on the water in April for the third and final stage to Australia. Meanwhile I'm busy with my other main vocation—as an environmental campaigner. In Copenhagen for the COP15 summit, [I gave] presentations on how we need to work towards sustainable living. Ten years ago I would never have dreamed that I could feel so happy and fulfilled.
—J.S.
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