Meet Your Mentors
Bio:
Chris Bak is a four-time coastal rowing world champion and seven-time medalist, coach, and small business owner from Cincinnati, Ohio. A decorated athlete, he has been honored as USRowing’s Beach Sprint Male Athlete of the Year in both 2022 and 2024 and is actively training to represent Team USA at the 2028 Olympic Games.
Beyond his competitive career, Chris is dedicated to growing the rowing community through coaching, business ventures, and partnerships. He also co-directs a summer camp, hosting Spanish high school students for an immersive athletic and educational experience.
Outside of rowing, Chris is passionate about cooking and spending time with friends and family, especially on the ski slopes or hiking in the great outdoors. He is excited about the upcoming competition season and looks forward to working with athletes to develop their own athletic journeys.
Specialties:
Chris specializes in mentoring athletes who have a strong passion for their sport and are looking for steps and tools to unlock their next level of potential. His coaching style would be described as positive, motivating, and actionable.
Superpower:
Positivity
Impactful Moment:
Mentors have played huge roles in my life from my experiences as an athlete to in the working world. They have helped guide me through challenging and rewarding times.
A great lesson that a few mentors have taught me was to not be afraid to take on challenges. Everyone has to start somewhere and failing is a part of the process. One of the best ways to learn is to mess up and try again and to not be afraid to fail because all that it means is that you are trying.
This lesson has helped me grow as a person because it helped push me to start two of my businesses. I had no prior knowledge of how to run or operate a business but, overtime, I was able to work through obstacles and challenges. Due to the great mentors I have had along the way, I have been able to grow two successful businesses while still competing at the highest level in rowing.
