The sixth episode of the Spidcast features Sue Holderness—2x NCAA Team National Champion at the University of Texas, elite sculler at the Craftsbury Green Racing Project, and Spid Werkz Z6 athlete.
From “Forty Acres” to the Vermont Woods
Sue traces her athletic path from high school soccer to rowing at the University of Texas at Austin, where she helped lead the Longhorns to back-to-back NCAA Team National Championships and an SEC title. Moving from a Division I powerhouse with catered dining halls and unlimited training staff to the Craftsbury Green Racing Project required a major lifestyle shift:
- Small-Boat Transition: Shifting from big sweep 8s to the technical precision of the single and pair.
- Cross-Training in Vermont: Building a massive aerobic engine during Vermont winters through skate skiing and steep hill jumps with poles.
Addressing “Structural Debt” in Elite Sport
While Craftsbury covers basic room and board in exchange for community work, Sue speaks openly about the hidden financial burdens of elite post-collegiate sports:
“Living in Craftsbury covers housing and food, but it doesn’t cover plane tickets to qualification regattas, regatta entry fees, daily supplementation, or personal savings. Many elite athletes retire not because they lack skill, but because they can’t afford to stay in the game.”
— Sue Holderness
Sue explains how micro-sponsorships from the Spid Werkz Zøn 6 program provide the exact liquid capital needed for travel, recovery gear (like Firefly recovery devices), and nutrition, preventing athletes from exiting the sport in debt.
Community-First Mindset & LA 2028
Off the water, Sue dedicates her free time to teaching twice-weekly adaptive fitness classes for individuals with mental disabilities in rural Vermont, hand-painting biathlon targets for Olympic hopefuls, and volunteering at local trail races. With her sights set firmly on the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, Sue embodies the authentic, community-driven spirit of the Spid Werkz Foundation.
Where to Catch the Episode
- Listen & Watch: Episode 6 is streaming now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.
- Connect with the Guest: Follow Sue Holderness on Instagram (
@sue_holderness), Strava, and check out the Green Racing Project. - Support Spid Werkz: Help bridge the gap for self-funded Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls by visiting spidwerkz.com.