This October, ESPN reporter Holly Rowe visited Ball State’s campus as a member of the David Letterman Speaker Series. During the afternoon, a few students had the privilege of interviewing Holly for the Learning With Dave interactive video series. I was among those lucky students
My interview with Rowe was groundbreaking in my little world. Though she uncovered many wonderful tricks of the trade of telecommunication and journalism, I found myself more enamoured with the strength, wisdom, and endurance Rowe gifted her audience.
For many young adults, Holly Rowe is an inspiration due to her ability to push boundaries and overcome obstacles. One of her biggest obstacles was cancer. Holly has dealt with cancer more than once in her lifetime, but she adds that even cancer didn’t get in the way of her dreams and passions.
Holly believes everyone should have more “go get it” attitude. She argues that nothing wonderful will be easily handed over. Everything worth something should be chased, and nothing, not even cancer, should hold you back from what you love. Rowe directed each student to focus on something in their life that they are so passionate about, no obstacle could distract them from completing it. For her, that was sports reporting. During treatment and bouts of lows, Holly says she was so immersed in sports reporting that her other problems weren’t relevant.
In a 2017 Saturday Down South article, Rowe says “I don’t think about having cancer when I’m out here. Monday, I have a CAT scan and have treatment. I’ll be a cancer patient on Monday. I’m not thinking about it today.” During our interview, she voiced that same drive.
Moral of the story? Discover your passion and pursue it. There are no excuses.
Story by Melodie Griffin.