PODCAST · sports
The Discomfort Zone
by Anna Levesque
Do you feel called toward something bigger — a dream, adventure, or purpose — but fear keeps holding you back?Welcome to The Discomfort Zone — the outdoor, mindset, and leadership podcast where courage meets the edge.Every Tuesday, host Anna Levesque — world-class whitewater kayaker, World Championship medalist, author, and mental agility coach — dives into raw, real conversations with paddlers, athletes, leaders, adventurers, and purpose-driven humans who choose growth over comfort.From powerful stories on wild rivers and mountain trails to navigating major life transitions, these conversations explore what it truly takes to face fear, build confidence, and find your flow — on and off the water.You'll hear:Stories from whitewater kayakers + outdoor athletes pushing their edgeInsights from guides, coaches, and leaders creating impact in their fieldsPractical mental-agility + leadership tools you can use right awayLessons from expeditions, competition, and personal transformatio
Episodes
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Ep #127 Breaking Barriers in Whitewater with Rolando Arrieta and Courtney Smit
What does it take to stay calm above a big rapid when you're also wondering whether the people in the eddy have your back? In this episode of The Discomfort Zone Podcast, Anna Levesque, former professional whitewater kayaker and founder of Mind Body Paddle, talks with two instructors who are...
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Ep #126 Healing a Bulging Disc Without Surgery Solo Ep
A year ago, a low back injury meant Anna Levesque couldn't sit in a kayak, or even a chair. She wondered if she would ever paddle whitewater again. This season she's back surfing, stern squirting, paddling Class IV whitewater, and coaching. In this solo episode of The Discomfort Zone Podcast…
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Ep #125 Trusting Yourself in Skiing and Business with Nadia Burton
How do you learn to trust yourself enough to know your limits, and still take the big risk when it counts? In this episode of The Discomfort Zone Podcast, Anna Levesque, former professional whitewater kayaker and founder of Mind Body Paddle, talks with Nadia Burton, founder of WhatVest and Big...
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REPLAY: The Brown Claw and Losing Bren with Dave Fusilli
Have you ever wondered how the legendary Brown Claw got started? Dave Fusilli runs West Coast sales and marketing for Pyranha Kayaks, is a longtime IR athlete, and is one of the founders of Demshitz and the Brown Claw. In this replay of one of the most downloaded episodes of The Discomfort Zone...
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Ep #124 Undamming the Klamath River with Amy Bowers Cordalis
On her birthday, Amy Bowers Cordalis was handed a detonator wired to a dam on the Klamath River and told to stomp on it as hard as she could. In this episode of The Discomfort Zone Podcast, Anna Levesque, former professional whitewater kayaker and founder of Mind Body Paddle, talks with Amy…
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REPLAY: Grow Your Stress Resilience with Sommerville Johnston
Sommerville Johnston brought a rubber band to this recording. Stretched, it is the discomfort zone. Pulled further, it snaps. How much stress resilience do you have before you snap? Sommerville Johnston is a licensed professional counselor, somatic experiencing practitioner, wilderness guide, and...
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Ep #123 Take the Pressure Off: Whitewater Decision Making Solo Ep
She told everyone in the eddy she was only going to ferry. When she peeled out, she was shocked by what happened next. The whitewater decision making strategy that Anna Levesque, former professional whitewater kayaker and founder of Mind Body Paddle, got from Clay Wright years ago sounded…
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REPLAY: How Benny Marr Uses Ego in Kayaking
What does ego have to do with confidence in kayaking? Benny Marr, one of the best big wave and expedition paddlers in the world, has a surprising answer that will help you discern whether to run a challenging rapid or walk away. In this conversation from 2024 on The Discomfort Zone Podcast with...
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Replay: Abby Holcombe on Facing Fear and Staying True to Yourself
What do you do when you are the only thing between you and the line you know you can run? Abby Holcombe, world champion freestyle kayaker, four-time USA national champion, and three-time USA team member, joins Anna Levesque on The Discomfort Zone Podcast to talk about the fear she knows is...
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Ep #122 Doing It Scared: How Confidence Actually Gets Built
How do you break through the resistance to doing the things you know will build your confidence, but you're afraid of doing them? In this solo episode of The Discomfort Zone Podcast, Anna Levesque, former professional whitewater kayaker and founder of Mind Body Paddle, takes on the hard truth…
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Ep #121 Kayaking Is 95% Mental: Bryan Kirk on Nerves and Flow
How do you settle your nerves when the pressure is on and everyone is watching? In this episode of The Discomfort Zone Podcast, Bryan Kirk, a former member US Freestyle Kayak Team member and Worlds medalist who has taken social media by storm with his old school boats and tricks, claims that once…
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Ep #120 Juliet Jacobson Kastorff on Confidence vs Control
What does it actually take to lead a team, run an international guiding business, and still choose the hard line when it would be easier to stay comfortable? Juliet Jacobsen Kastorff is co-founder of Endless River Adventures, owner of Rio Quijos Ecolodge in Ecuador, and founder of the nonprofit...
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Ep #119 How to Break Big Fears into Small Steps with Sara Hunter
What do you do when fear shows up and your instinct is to either force your way through or quit altogether? In this episode of The Discomfort Zone Podcast, Anna talks with Sara Hunter, a licensed clinical mental health counselor, certified emotionally focused couples therapist, and PMBIA Level 1...
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Replay: The Power of Joy with Keeya Wiki on the Klamath
What does it mean to paddle a river your family fought six generations to free? This week marks the one-year anniversary of the historic first descent of the undammed Klamath River by Indigenous youth in the Paddle Tribal Waters program. To honor it, Anna is replaying her conversation on The...
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Replay: Train Your Brain for Courage with Anna Wagner
What does it actually take to train your brain for courage, and can you do it while running a 13-mile hike-in class V expedition and going back to school full-time? In this replay episode of The Discomfort Zone Podcast, Anna Levesque revisits her conversation with Anna Wagner: whitewater paddler,...
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Replay: Sage Donnelly on Cultivating a Class V Mindset
Sage Donnelly just became the Queen of the North Fork, and it's the perfect time to revisit our 2024 conversation on The Discomfort Zone Podcast, recorded when she was the reigning Women's Freestyle World Champion. Sage is a multi-discipline competitor across slalom, freestyle, and extreme…
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Ep #117 Where Is Baer: A Life Built on Showing Up and Figuring It Out
Ever feel like you need the perfect plan before you can start anything? This conversation might change that. In this episode of The Discomfort Zone Podcast, Anna sits down with Chris Baer, a raft guide and whitewater kayaker who lives half the year out of a converted school bus and spends his...
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Ep #116 Why I'm Done Empowering Women with Anna
What if the language you've been using to help people is actually underselling them? In this solo episode of The Discomfort Zone Podcast, Anna Levesque shares a perspective shift that stopped her in her tracks: after 25 years of building a brand around "empowering women," she's retiring the…
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Ep #115 Why Your Flip Isn't a Failure with Casey Bryant Jones
What does it take to help someone do something they're afraid to do? In this episode of The Discomfort Zone Podcast, Anna sits down with Casey Bryant Jones, Director of the Ottawa Kayak School, for a conversation that gets into the real inner game of learning whitewater kayaking. Casey has spent...
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Ep #114 James Byrd: The Passion Behind the North Fork Championship
Have you ever had a "stupid, hare-brained idea" that worked so well it took over your life for a decade? That's exactly what happened to James Byrd when he looked at the North Fork of the Payette River in Idaho, thought about his college football stadium experience, and decided the best kayakers…
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Ep #113 Naina Adhikari: The Woman Changing What's Possible on the Ganga
What does it take to keep going when everything around you — the sport, the culture, the system — says this isn't your place? At the age of 13, Naina Adhikari made her way to the Ganga River, 300 km from her home village to start learning how to whitewater kayak. She couldn't swim, and was the…
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Ep #112 Why You Keep Missing Moves On the Water and In Life
Why do some paddlers make moves look effortless while others keep missing them by inches? And when did you last give up on a move you could have made? In this solo episode, Anna shares what two recent private instruction clients discovered that changed everything: looking where you want to go…
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Ep #111 How to Know When You're Ready and Where You Belong with Ann Gillard
Ann Gillard saw a gap in the paddling community and did what any good river person would do: she gathered her crew and got on the water to build a space where people can actually show up as themselves. Ann is an ACA Level 4 whitewater kayak instructor, NRS ambassador, and founder of Pride Day on...
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Ep #110 C1 World Champion Seth Chapelle on Persistence, Fatherhood, and Letting Go
Seth Chappelle competed at ten Freestyle Kayak World Championships before standing on top of the podium in 2023. That kind of persistence doesn't happen by accident — and it doesn't happen without discomfort. He's also an ER nurse, volunteer ski patroller, and a stay-at-home dad to two girls…
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Ep #109 Jak Fantastic: Pain, Amputation, and Radical Resilience on the Water
What does resilience actually look like when pain isn't occasional - it's constant? Jak Fantastic has been kayaking since she was six years old, born with severely clubbed feet and limited mobility. By 14, she was on the GB Freestyle Kayak Team. By 19, she was facing hip dysplasia, multiple...
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Ep #108 Your Younger Self Would Be Blown Away - Solo Ep
Today is my 52nd birthday — and I'm doing something I don't do nearly enough: actually stopping to celebrate. If you're someone who moves straight to the next goal, minimizes what you've accomplished, or quietly compares yourself out of your own wins — this one's for you. I'm sharing a simple...
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Ep #107 Fear as a Tool: How River Mutton Stays Locked In
What if slowing down your progression isn't playing it safe — it's actually the most ambitious thing you can do? River Mutton is an extreme whitewater world champion from New Zealand who does tricks over waterfalls, runs lines most paddlers only dream about, and deliberately keeps her progression...
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Ep #106 Grit Over Talent: Resilience, Risk, and Paddling Hard Stuff with Mariann Sæther
Ask Mariann Sæther what got her to two world championships, and she won't say talent. Mariann is a two-time world champion in extreme kayaking, a mother of two, and one of the most accomplished women in whitewater history. She retired from competition in 2024 after nearly three decades of…
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Ep #105 From Cancer Diagnosis to the Grand Canyon: How Laura Kurup Found Her Flow
What does it take to rebuild a life around what you actually love — not what looks impressive from the outside? Laura Kurup spent years as a high-performing tech executive — Chief Strategy Officer at the SEC, Chief Data Officer at the New York Fed — and somewhere along the way, paddling took a...
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Ep #104 Mindfulness for Paddlers: Simple Practices to Stay Calm, Focused, and in Flow
Whitewater kayaking naturally pulls us into the present moment. When you're paddling a rapid, your senses sharpen, your mind clears, and you're fully focused on the line ahead. But what if you didn't have to wait for a rapid to access that state? In this solo episode of The Discomfort Zone…
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Ep #103 Tyler Curtis on Modeling Courage and Why Passion Matters
You've felt that edge before — the moment between staying in the eddy and peeling out into the current. In this episode of The Discomfort Zone Podcast, I sit down with world-class kayaker, coach, and avalanche specialist Tyler Curtis to explore what it really means to lean into uncertainty — on…
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Ep #102 Confidence Under Pressure with Matt Hamilton
What do you do when the pressure is on, and you don't have the answer? In this episode of The Discomfort Zone Podcast, I sit down with longtime paddler, freestyle competitor, and squirt boater Matt Hamilton to explore what real composure looks like in high-stakes environments. As a paramedic and...
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Ep #101 Polar Expeditions, Resilience & Real Confidence with Jon Fearne
What do polar expeditions have to teach you about conserving energy, building resilience, and showing up with real confidence? In this episode of The Discomfort Zone, Anna sits down with endurance performance coach Jon Fearne, who has trained record breaking solo polar explorers, Atlantic rowers,...
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Ep #100 From Eddy to Action: The Courage Behind 100 Episodes
This is the 100th episode of The Discomfort Zone Podcast — and it almost never happened. In this solo milestone episode, Anna reflects on the journey from sitting on the idea of a podcast for years to surpassing 50,000 downloads — and the single insight that finally helped her take the leap. That...
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Ep #99 From Survival to Choice with Lauren Byrd
What if the river could teach you how to stay alive — and how to truly live? In this powerful episode of The Discomfort Zone, I sit down with Lauren Byrd — combat veteran, whitewater kayaker, and creator of PaddleCalendar — for an honest, courageous conversation about fear, grounding, and finding...
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Ep #98 Imposter Syndrome, Purpose, and Packrafting with Jule Harle
What if self-doubt isn't a sign to stop — but an invitation to listen more deeply? In this episode of The Discomfort Zone Podcast, Anna Levesque sits down with packrafter, educator, and counselor Jule Harle for a thoughtful, grounded conversation about imposter syndrome, purpose, and learning to...
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Ep #96 Bad Day or Bad 10 Minutes? Reframing Life, the River, and Your Year with Anna
What if happiness isn't something you wait for — but something you generate? In this solo episode, Anna walks you through a moment from the start of her year that offered a clear reminder of how you can create ease — even when things don't go as planned. Through this real-life moment, Anna…
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ENCORE: Heidi Walsh (2025 Female Paddler of the Year Finalist) on Learning from Beatdowns and Sending with Style - Replay
In this encore episode of The Discomfort Zone Podcast, I sit down with Heidi Walsh, one of the most dynamic all-around female kayakers in the world and a 2025 Female Paddler of the Year finalist, for a raw conversation about mindset, resilience, and learning through failure in high-consequence...
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ENCORE: Sophie Gilfillan (KS U21 Paddler of the Year) on Mindset and Letting Go of Perfectionism on the Water- Replay
In this encore episode of The Discomfort Zone Podcast, I'm joined by Sophie Gilfillan, recently named U21 Female Paddler of the Year, for a powerful conversation about mindset training for kayaking, managing fear, and letting go of perfectionism—without losing the joy of paddling. Sophie is a...
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ENCORE: Michelle Tennant on Creating a Year and Life You Love - Replay
What if you didn't set another resolution… and instead chose a theme you could actually live into? In this bonus re-release, I'm joined by my longtime friend and entrepreneur Michelle Tennant Nicholson for a grounded, energizing conversation about creating an annual theme that becomes a true…
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Ep #95 How World Champion Freestyle Kayaker Makinley Kate Hargrove Turns Discomfort Into Growth
In this inspiring episode of The Discomfort Zone, I sit down with Makinley Kate Hargrove, two-time Junior World Champion, World Cup gold medalist, and six-time U.S. Junior National Champion, to explore how she leans into discomfort and finds her flow both on and off the river. We dive deep into…
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Ep #94 From Overwhelmed to Empowered: Two Simple Practices to Reset Your Mindset Fast
If you've been stuck in negative self-talk, overwhelm, or the holiday-season hustle, this episode is your fresh breath of clarity. In this solo episode of The Discomfort Zone, I share two powerful mindset exercises that have helped me peel out of stress spirals, rebuild confidence, and reconnect...
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Ep #93 Claiming Your Space: Simone Adams on Courage, Belonging & Outdoor Joy
What if the real discomfort zone isn't the big rapid, the waterfall, or the leap into the unknown — but the murky middle between who you've been and who you're becoming? In this powerful, honest conversation, Anna sits down with lifelong adventurer and Color My Outdoors founder Simone Adams to...
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Ep #92 The Only Way Out Is Through: Laura Zulliger on Surrender, Play & Paddling
In this episode of The Discomfort Zone Podcast, Anna sits down with Laura Zulliger — ACA Level 5 Coastal Kayak Instructor, whitewater paddler, and Saltwater Program Director for California Watersports Collective — for a powerful conversation about surrendering through challenge, trusting yourself...
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Ep #91 Hurricane Helene Recovery: Lessons in Rapid Response, Collective Resilience, and Caring for Our Rivers
When Hurricane Helene tore through Western North Carolina, it didn't just reshape the riverbanks — it challenged an entire community to step into the unknown and take action, even when no one felt "ready." In this powerful episode of The Discomfort Zone, I sit down with French Broad Riverkeeper...
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Ep #90 Fix the Foundation: Anna on Getting to the Root of Fear and Skill Breakdowns
Most paddlers are trying to build courage and skill on top of a shaky foundation — and they don't even know it. In this solo episode, I break down why so many paddlers (and humans!) focus on the wrong thing when they're trying to improve. Whether it's your roll falling apart, your eddy peel-outs...
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Ep #89 Flowcharts, Fear, and Silverback Courage with Melissa DeMarie
What if the same mindset that gets you through a Class IV rapid could help you start a business, write a book, or take a bold leap in life? In this episode of The Discomfort Zone, Anna sits down with Melissa DeMarie — international kayak coach, river guide, and founder of California Watersport...
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Ep #88 Say Yes Anyway: How Olympian Sofia Reinoso Turns Discomfort into Confidence
In this episode of The Discomfort Zone, Anna Levesque talks with Olympian and extreme kayaker Sofia Reinoso, the first Mexican woman to compete in Canoe Slalom at the Olympic Games. Sofia opens up about what it takes to say yes anyway — even when fear, uncertainty, or failure show up on the path…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Do you feel called toward something bigger — a dream, adventure, or purpose — but fear keeps holding you back?Welcome to The Discomfort Zone — the outdoor, mindset, and leadership podcast where courage meets the edge.Every Tuesday, host Anna Levesque — world-class whitewater kayaker, World Championship medalist, author, and mental agility coach — dives into raw, real conversations with paddlers, athletes, leaders, adventurers, and purpose-driven humans who choose growth over comfort.From powerful stories on wild rivers and mountain trails to navigating major life transitions, these conversations explore what it truly takes to face fear, build confidence, and find your flow — on and off the water.You'll hear:Stories from whitewater kayakers + outdoor athletes pushing their edgeInsights from guides, coaches, and leaders creating impact in their fieldsPractical mental-agility + leadership tools you can use right awayLessons from expeditions, competition, and personal transformatio
HOSTED BY
Anna Levesque
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Discomfort Zone have?
The Discomfort Zone currently has 137 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Discomfort Zone about?
Do you feel called toward something bigger — a dream, adventure, or purpose — but fear keeps holding you back?Welcome to The Discomfort Zone — the outdoor, mindset, and leadership podcast where courage meets the edge.Every Tuesday, host Anna Levesque — world-class whitewater kayaker, World...
How often does The Discomfort Zone release new episodes?
The Discomfort Zone publishes regularly with 137 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to The Discomfort Zone?
You can listen to The Discomfort Zone on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Discomfort Zone?
The Discomfort Zone is created and hosted by Anna Levesque.
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