From the ICU to a Million Meters: How Rowing and Personal Coaching Helped Me Reclaim My Health After a Diabetes Scare

This blog is a guest post from Hydrow member Earl Ian Laidlow.  

It all started with a wake-up call. Last year, I ended up in critical care with undiagnosed diabetes. My blood sugar was so high that the doctors couldn’t believe I was conscious! I spent three days in the ICU, hooked up to insulin and saline. After a candid conversation with my doctor, the message was clear: I had to make some serious lifestyle changes or risk not being around much longer.  

I rode my Peloton bike during the pandemic, but I never really enjoyed the biking workouts.  Biking started to feel more like a chore, and I knew that if I was going to deeply invest in my health and fitness, I needed to find a workout I actually enjoyed doing.  

In late October, I took the plunge and bought a Hydrow rowing machine—and I’m thrilled to say I’ve finally found a fitness activity I genuinely look forward to. While Hydrow’s engaging workouts, supportive Athletes, and motivating community were a huge part of my success, the personal coaching sessions I took with Hydrow’s Lead Personal Coach Megan Hanewald made all the difference.  

This is my story.  

How I transformed my rowing with Hydrow’s personal coaching 

One of the best decisions I made early on was booking a personal coaching session with Megan. She watched me row, captured a slow-motion video, and pinpointed areas where my form was off before I had the chance to develop any bad habits.

For instance, I was hinging too late during my Recovery and not fully extending my arms before moving my body forward. It can be very difficult to correct your form on your own, so Megan’s compassionate, non-critical guidance was invaluable in helping me stay accountable. 

After our session, Megan sent me a detailed breakdown of what I needed to work on, which I printed out and taped next to my Hydrow as a constant reminder. She also recommended specific workouts that reinforced the fundamentals of the rowing stroke. That repetition made all the difference. In the beginning, I had to consciously think through every part of the stroke. Now, it’s all muscle memory. 

Since that first session, I’ve met with Megan two more times, and each one has been a major step forward in my rowing journey. After every training session, I complete Hydrow’s Assessment Row, and I’ve noticed my splits are improving and my meters are climbing. When I first started, I was doing five- and 10-minute classes, and now I’ve graduated to 45-minute and hour-long rows.  

The surprising benefits of Hydrow: More than just weight loss 

By the time I met with Megan again in February, she immediately noticed something remarkable—I had lost a significant amount of weight. As of now, I’m down 60 pounds. My A1C, which was a frightening 14 when I was in the ICU, has dropped to a healthy 4. I’m no longer diabetic! 

But the benefits of Hydrow go far beyond the numbers on the scale or lab reports. It’s about regaining my energy, being there for my 21-year-old son, and feeling strong and capable again. 

In just five months, I’ve logged over a million meters, a milestone I never thought I’d reach. My girlfriend likes to joke that I spend more time with the Hydrow than with her—and, well, I playfully tell her, “Don’t make me choose!” (She even wears my Hydrow socks and puts coffee in my Hydrow flask, so I think she gets it.) 

I row every morning before my commute into Manhattan from Long Island and again when I get home, using my train ride to plan out my workouts. Outside of rowing, I’m also hooked on Pete’s mobility classes and am currently doing Owen’s yoga for sleep program.  

I was even telling Megan that I might join some kind of competition this summer—and again, this is coming from someone who didn’t even know how to row six months ago!  

Why I highly recommend Hydrow personal coaching 

In my experience, Megan has been the ultimate "cheat code" for mastering rowing. Without her guidance, I wouldn’t have logged so many meters in such a short time or improved my technique as quickly. While Hydrow’s instructional videos are certainly helpful, personalized feedback from an expert like Megan can accelerate your progress and take your rowing to the next level. 

I’m incredibly grateful for her coaching, which has been a game-changer in both my rowing and my overall health. Thanks to Hydrow and Megan, I’m stronger, healthier, and more confident than ever. 

If you're serious about improving your rowing, I highly recommend booking a personal coaching session with Hydrow. Whether you're a beginner or looking to fine-tune your form, her one-on-one feedback will make all the difference. 

Thanks, Megan!