What happens when you have a dream that sounds completely outrageous—and instead of talking yourself out of it, you decide to go? Meet Taryn Smith. A Nebraska native, Nebraska Wesleyan graduate, yoga instructor, traveler, adventurer, and now author-in-the-making, Taryn has already packed more into 26 years than most people could fit into a lifetime. And then there was the Atlantic. After reading a Vogue article about women rowing across the Pacific, Taryn became fascinated by the idea of ocean rowing. She tried to join an existing team, but no one picked her. So instead of deciding it wasn't meant to be, she made a different decision: She would row across the Atlantic alone. That decision led to two years of training, learning navigation and sea safety, living on a boat in England, raising sponsors, and preparing for something she'd never done before. In 2025, Taryn launched from the Canary Islands and spent 46 days rowing approximately 3,000 miles across the Atlantic, completely unsupported. Her official Ocean Rowing Society record shows the crossing from San Sebastián de La Gomera to English Harbour, Antigua, taking 46 days, 3 hours and 37 minutes. But the most fascinating part of this conversation isn't the physical feat. It's the mindset. Taryn talks about fear, failure, discomfort, impermanence, loneliness, resilience, and the power of taking small steps toward an enormous goal. She opens up about one particularly brutal day at sea involving 30-foot waves, exhaustion, painful sun exposure, and a marlin that followed her for miles. And somehow, she still finished that day having covered roughly 70 miles. She also shares one of the most important lessons from the entire journey: Being afraid doesn't mean you can't do it. Sometimes fear simply means you're doing something that can change you. And now? She's moving to New York City, writing a book, speaking to companies and universities about resilience, and already thinking about whatever adventure comes next. When Amy and Molly ask Taryn what she hopes her legacy will be, her answer is simple: You are capable of doing what you want to do in this world. Anything is possible. And then Taryn gives us perhaps one of the most perfect definitions of the Penthouse we've heard: “The Penthouse is the group of people that are in your corner.” Because we may be capable of extraordinary things—but we don't have to do them alone. This is a conversation about adventure, courage, resilience, trusting your intuition, embracing discomfort, and discovering just how much you're capable of. If you're waiting until you're ready, this episode might be for you. 🔗 Find Taryn Taryn Smith Movement — Taryn's official website, featuring her story, speaking work, adventures, and professional offerings. Taryn Smith Movement Instagram — @tarynsmithmovement — This is the social account she used to chronicle her Atlantic crossing, and it's the best place to follow her next adventures. Taryn Smith on Instagram Taryn's Speaking Page — Her current speaking work centers on the Atlantic row, resilience, community, and taking on big challenges. Taryn's Speaking & Events Girls on the Run Nebraska — Taryn partnered with Girls on the Run during her Atlantic campaign, raising funds and awareness for the organization. Girls on the Run Nebraska Nebraska Wesleyan University — Taryn is a 2022 Nebraska Wesleyan alumna, and NWU has a wonderful feature on her Atlantic crossing. Nebraska Wesleyan — Taryn Smith This is a Hurrdat ONE Production. Hurrdat ONE is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat ONE Network by going to Hurrdat ONE Website or visit Hurrdat ONE YouTube Channel! Timestamps: 0:00 — Meet the Nebraska Girl Who Rowed Across the Atlantic 2:22 — Where an Impossible Idea Begins 5:15 — The Detour That Became the Destination 7:07 — They Didn't Pick Her. She Went Alone. 9:33 — Two Years of Becoming Ready 17:34 — Fear Is Where Growth Happens 19:11 — The Day the Ocean Tried to Break Her 24:04 — Alone, But Never Truly Alone 25:52 — 2,999 Miles... and One Last Lesson 29:00 — “I've Never Felt Less Alone in My Life” 31:53 — So... What's Next? 35:30 — Your Penthouse Is the People in Your Corner #MeetMeInThePenthouse #TarynSmith #WorldsToughestRow #OceanRowing #WomenWhoAdventure #WomenSupportingWomen #Resilience #Courage #PersonalGrowth #Adventure #Nebraska #Omaha #WomenInLeadership
