Drew Taylor
Club CUBC Men
Year of Birth 1998
Hometown Dallas, TX
Nationality American
College Clare College
Undergrad/Graduate Masters
Year 2021
What are you studying? MPhil in Bioscience Enterprise
What is the most interesting part of your course? Do you have any professional or academic plans after? Learning about the intersectionality of medicine and business is the most interesting part of my course. The typical academic route limits a student to only developing technical skills in one sector or the other. However, this program seeks to uncover the nuance that exists in the overlapping area of the two spaces. With this interdisciplinary framework, I plan to go to medical school in the United States after I complete this Masters program.
Future ambitions? As a next step I’d like to become a doctor. I come from a long line of physicians and have always been fascinated by medicine. In terms of a sub-specialty, sports medicine is near and dear to me after dealing with so many amazing trainers over the years. I recognise though that it is almost impossible to predict what specialty I’ll end up choosing. During my mid-life crisis, I’ll probably pivot to the finance sector and start a biotech VC firm. Or I’ll just continue to pay lipservice to the idea of doing it.
How do you balance rowing and academic life? I like to use a kitchen timer to keep me focused and make soft deadlines to keep my work on track. Totally kidding. I wait until crunch time to get my work done. I can’t help the fact that I thrive in the clutch. No pressure, no diamond. Honestly though, I value sleep a lot and will tend to use that as a motivator.
When did you start rowing, and why? I started in 9th grade (high school). I broke my arm playing tennis and was randomly suggested to give it a go during my recovery period.
What was your first club? I first rowed for my high school, St Mark’s School of Texas which was a sculling team. I spent the rest of my high school rowing career with Dallas United Crew.
What is your favourite part of rowing for Cambridge? The technical prowess and scientific fixation of the training plan. This style of training stands in stark contrast to the American college mentality, but I find that I can use aspects of both in the way I approach practise every day.
What’s your rowing history, and what has been your biggest achievement so far? Silver in the men’s eight at junior worlds (USA), varsity all four years at Stanford, and team captain in my senior year.
Have you raced in the Boat Race before? No.
Your favourite race so far? Heats at junior worlds was a great race. The grand final of that same worlds was awesome too. Ended up being on the same water as many future friends that day.
Do you have any race day habits or superstitions? Favorite headband and lucky shirt the night before.
Your sporting idol? Roger Federer.
If you could have any sportsperson in your crew, who would it be? Michael Jordan.
What gets you through a tough session? Do you have a mantra, rituals? How I’ll feel after. Also not letting down the guys I’m rowing with. Sometimes I just remind myself to relax and not think about how much it really hurts.
Any hobbies, other interests outside rowing? Surfing, skiing and making vlogs.
How do you motivate yourself and your team-mates, especially with Covid restrictions? Just hype it up constantly. Make sure to have time away from rowing too.