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Donnie Macfadyen - Ocean Rowing Challenge

Posted on: 17 September 2025 by Switch the Play

Donnie has long been part of the STP community and we are excited and privileged to share his story and support his next adventure, which in turn is supporting us! 

Donnie is undertaking an incredible challenge of the 'Worlds Toughest Row" in 2027, from California to Hawaii, to raise money for Switch the Play. 

He is also looking for a team to join him! 

If you want more information or want to join/ support Donnie on this incredible experience please email info@switchtheplay.com

We spoke to Donnie about the challenge, his experience with STP and what next...

Firstly, what does STP mean to Donnie?

I first came across STP in January 2024. I was in a pretty bleak place professionally and personally. The sense of restlessness that has been bubbling under the surface ever since I retired from rugby had spilled over. And not for the first time... I was deeply unhappy in life and burnt out in my job. I felt directionless and without purpose. Passionless. I wasn't setting or achieving any goals. I didn't even know what I wanted. I was stuck. And felt alone.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
A good friend suggested I sit down and write about it. Explore what excited me, what I was passionate about. I truly believe we care about what we care about for a reason. 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                              When I put pen to paper what came out was how much the impact of my journey post sport had shaped who I had become. For the good and for the not so good. 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  The more I thought about it the more I became convinced that whilst it's always going to be difficult, transitions are, it doesn't have to be a 17 year odyssey of stumbling about in the dark. Confused, scared, embarrassed. Was I the only one who had fallen apart quite so dramatically after leaving pro sport? Am I the only one who is, to be brutally honest, just grateful to still be here? I was convinced even though I felt alone, I really wasn't alone. 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      So I went looking. And found STP. The sense of relief I felt on that initial call was huge. Validation. No you're not the only one, it's really common. You don't have to be ashamed, isolated. It's ok to have very mixed and confusing feelings about the sport you loved and played for so long. It's ok to look in the mirror and not know who you are. It's ok to have no idea of your place in the world now and what you are supposed to do. There is no one size fits all experience. And no one size fits all way it should go down. But there are common themes. We are here to help. How can we help? I felt like I had a team in my corner again. There was a sense of belonging and shared passion. These people understood and wanted to help. And as a result I want to help them. 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      How? I will come back to that. 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    STP offers so much to retired or soon to be retired athletes. A whole range of services and support. One of the services that made a huge impact on me is the mentoring they offer. Being able to explore new avenues in a safe environment. Nothing off the table. What do you want to do? Not what you do feel you "should" be doing? And STP also supported me unconditionally. When one thing didn't work out, no problem, now what? How can we help? That consistency of care meant a huge amount to me. 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      They also introduced and funded an initial block of sessions with a specially selected therapist. We did some incredible, life changing work together and I continue to see him now. But I would have never met him, seen the value in it, if STP hadn't done the intro and funded the first few calls. I am eternally grateful. 
 Why this row?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  How to show that gratitude? How can I help, how can I help those who will walk this path after me?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      I first came across the ocean rowing challenges in early 2023. Right before I found STP. I was desperately searching for something. Something that felt right. Something that truly excited me. I had spoken to someone who was about to do the Atlantic Crossing, a voice inside of me spoke up. This, this is what you have been looking for. But at the time my confidence and my resilience was shot to pieces. I didn't want to do it on my own. I flourish in teams, I want to belong. And as far as raising money goes, I didn't know where to start and what charity even resonated with me? 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   So I thought about it and the answer was, "you can't do that, other people do that." So I gave up on that idea and started exploring other options. My head was so full of "shoulds". There was no space for "maybe's and why nots" But the idea wasn't finished with me, it percolated and came back around again...
The idea of rowing across an ocean dropped back onto my radar at the start of this year. I was six calls into my STP mentoring with Adam, deep into the work with my therapist and with their guidance my mindset had shifted from "you can't do this" to "why the f**k not!" 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 So what has changed since first hearing about the challenge in 2023, to now?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      I have a cause that matters to me. I care deeply about other athletes and I can feel the pain of their retirement, the door being closed on that part of their life, that part of who they are. So I had a why, both intrinsically for myself and for a bigger purpose.  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  How have I myself changed? Through the work with my mentor, my therapist, and from listening to the stories of other athletes I have begun to listen to and honour, not dismiss, the voice inside of me that believes in myself again. The one that is searching for something. What do you want to do? It's ok to look for catharsis. No, it's not a crazy and impossible idea. People do this. Why not you? It does look hard and scary but let's put the dream before the plan! Ask for help! So I emailed STP and pitched the idea. 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Let's attempt something incredible, terrifying, life affirming and at the same time build awareness of, and raise money for, an amazing charity who do incredible work. Work that matters to me and many other people. 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    What do we want our legacy to be? 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Where are we with the row right now? Right at the start of the adventure. We are looking for other people who are up for taking on something of this magnitude. And it is a huge undertaking, it's not really a dip your toe in and see scenario!
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Who is this row for?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Perhaps it's people, like me, whose lives have already been touched by STP and want to give back, leave a legacy for the charity. Or perhaps someone who has never interacted with the charity but sees the value in the life changing work they do and wants to get involved.  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    We are planning on building out a crew of four. Currently we have one definite yes (me) and one maybe. Might this be something you are interested in? Or perhaps someone close to you? Perhaps you have been an athlete, maybe you still are... Or your son, your wife, your husband, your sister, your friend is stuck and looking for something to excite and challenge them. An adventure! Be part of a team again, to feel whole and have a once in a lifetime experience. 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     It will take a whole village to achieve this. So even if you don't fancy the actual row, we are looking for sponsorship, donations, support! If you or anyone you know is interested in getting involved in whatever way. Please do reach out. 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Finally, I have never been in a rowing boat in my life. I feel I may be in over my head... Help me!
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     If you want more information or want to join/ support Donnie on this incredible experience please email info@switchtheplay.com
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