After reading Levo’s recent article about what sports teaches young women, I added a comment saying that I learned the most during the low moments of my time with the crew team.

I was struck by how I had really never considered that until that exact moment I typed it. When I look back on my experience as a female coxswain on a men’s collegiate rowing team, I try to only the remember the best moments. I try to only think about the crazy-fun bus rides, the exciting races won and the friendships I made.

However, I know that my experience was very much like a rollercoaster, with some of the highest of highs and the absolute lowest of lows. Both my favorite and least favorite moments about college were related to crew somehow.

While the fun parts definitely made for great memories, it was the low moments I’m most thankful for. Those times when I was crying, angry or embarrassed, are the ones that I am most glad happened. While I was crying, I was learning about the (un)fairness of life. While I was angry, I was learning how to work with different people and how to overcome differences. While I was embarrassed, I was learning from my mistakes.

One experience that comes to mind was when my coach put me on the spot and forced me to practice my entire race plan out loud. I was sitting on one chair and my coach was on another facing me. Even though we were the only ones in the room, I broke down and panicked — I had stage fright. I was convinced that I was going to mess up, or that my plan and my calls were simply bad. My coach was disappointed in me, and I was even more disappointed in myself. I left the boathouse in tears. But the next day, I came back and delivered the plan perfectly.

Now, I certainly don’t hope or wish for bad moments and experiences, but when they happen, I embrace it. I know that it’s an experience I need in order to grow. I call these the “hurts so good” moments. Even while you’re in the middle of a bad moment, remind yourself that it’s going to be a learning experience. Remind yourself that you’re going to come out stronger, better. Remind yourself that you’ve survived before and you’ll survive again.

Have you had a “hurts so good” moment? What did you learn?