Marius van der Pol | NZSAS, Emirates Team New Zealand AC75 Winner, 500m Ergo NZ Record

Tall Poppy Talk · 2024-04-23

"If you're not uncomfortable, you're not growing" - Marius van der Pol.

Marius is a true powerhouse that can’t be defined by one sporting code or discipline. Instead, he embodies a larger sense of the overall noun: Athlete. He served with the NZSAS (aka the New Zealand Defence Force Special Forces) in Iraq and the Solomon Islands, he cycled the length of NZ at age 20, all before joining Emirates Team New Zealand.

He set, and holds, the New Zealand record on an indoor rower with a frightening time of 1:14 for 500m.

His reputation proceeds him, one writer referring to the ‘the sheer power, grit and determination of Van Der pol.’

Marius's career with Team New Zealand began with an email to the Chief Operation Officer, and has taken him from joining Emirates Team New Zealand as a grinder on the AC75, winning The 36th America’s Cup and, now as a cyclor for The 37th America’s Cup.

The team stands as the defender for The 37th America’s Cup, being held in Barcelona this year.

As many who know Marius personally would attest too, he’s also just a really nice guy who’s generous with his time and knowledge.

Listen to the full interview on Spotify, iHeart Radio, or Apple Podcasts.

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Tall Poppy Talk

Tall Poppy Syndrome, it's a social phenomenon, we all know, but don't often unpack. Kia ora, my name is Grace Lewis and I am on a mission to change the conversation around tall poppy syndrome. By focusing on the positives, rather than weaponising people's success, we can grow more Tall Poppies and fuel a culture that is based on genuine celebration of people's achievements. Join me as I interview legendary people who are [tall poppies] in their field, about their experience - & the lessons they've learned along the way.

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