David Ambler 
London, England 
Psychology
Winthrop

"Ex Nemo" is a phrase central to our team; it is featured on much of our kit and around Newell Boathouse. It comes from latin phrase "Ex Nemo Non Feces" which effectively, and unapologetically translates as "Don't take (blank) from anyone". It is a saying and motto that our team drives to embody in the competitive setting on a daily basis.  

Rowing at a high level is both physically and mentally taxing. To put yourself in a position to win requires the combination of both technical and physiological ability. However, it also requires the mental resilience to be the crew that does not give in when a race gets hard. It is an aim of our team to be the ones that do not give in when a race gets challenging and the pressure is on. Charley, our head coach, refers to it as "stubbornness". It is something that, as athletes on this team, we have learnt and developed throughout our time here. It is one of many things I have taken away from this team that cannot be learnt in the classroom. 

I am reminded of this "stubbornness" in numerous races across the years. However, for me, it was best displayed in our final moments on campus this year. Just before spring break, we heard that all students would be required to leave campus within a few days, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this message, our team still held onto the hope that the season might somehow be able to go. Whilst the rest of campus tried to find a silver lining in this moment, effectively bringing forward senior week by a few months, our team did not lose hope. The next day, we were officially informed that our season had been cancelled. Despite this and the obvious emotions that went with it, the whole team came down to the boathouse to perform a two-kilometre test on the rowing machine. For anyone who has not experienced one of these, it is difficult to convey what these are like, but for those who do know, they will recognise what such an action shows. Despite the cancellation of our season and the rest of campus partying rampantly, HUBC held onto this stubborn drive. For me personally, this event embodied the saying "Ex Nemo" and its a memory that, whilst strange in its circumstance, I will hold onto dearly.  

This concept is just one of an array of things I will take away from my time as a member of our team. I am grateful for my teammates, who I have trained alongside through thick and thin throughout the years. I have developed friendships that I will cherish for the rest of my life and I greatly look forward to the chance to see these people once isolation ends. I am further grateful and indebted for the coaches as well. Having spent numerous hours each day at the boathouse, six days a week, to me they are much more than just coaches. They are role models, guardians and friends who have always had mine and my teammates best interests at heart. Having the opportunity to interact and develop through their leadership is something that I will sorely miss. 

As I now graduate, reflecting on my time as an athlete at Harvard, I am incredibly thankful for the experience I have had. I know my time here would be vastly different had I not been a part of such an amazing team and group of individuals. I look forward to the chance to create more memories with these people.  

Ex Nemo Non Feces.