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PODCAST

The Discomfort Zone

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

sports wilderness

All Episodes

01:01:13

Ep #77 From Freestyle to Lifelong Flow with Kalob Grady

The Discomfort Zone ·

2025/08/19

What does it take to fall in love with kayaking for life—not just for the next big rapid? In this episode, I sit down with Ottawa River local and Head of School at World Class Academy, Kalob Grady, to talk about the evolution of freestyle, the joy of paddling for fun, and the mindset shifts that keep you in the sport for decades. We dive into: 🌊 Why the “middle ground” of freestyle fun matters for skill and stoke 🧠 How to build a growth mindset and embrace failure in low-consequence environments

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16:14

Ep #76 Injury Update: What I Wish I Had Known and...

The Discomfort Zone ·

2025/08/12

Ten weeks after a herniated disc sidelined me, I’m finally sitting at the mic to share my biggest recovery wins—and the hard lessons I wish I’d learned sooner. Here’s what’s inside: ✨ How my ego delayed my healing (and how yours might too) 🚣‍♀️ Why kayaking + heavy lifting can be a dangerous duo for your low back 🩻 The MRI that changed everything—and why I wish I’d gotten it sooner 🧘‍♀️ The surprising mind-body practices speeding up my recovery 🌿 Barefoot walks, yoga nidra, and the healing magic

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58:08

Ep #75 Bright Shadow: Navigating Loss in Outdoor...

The Discomfort Zone ·

2025/08/05

In this episode I’m joined by the co-founders of the nonprofit Bright Shadow, Chris Gragtmans, accomplished whitewater kayaker, and Somerville Johnston, licensed professional counselor. Bright Shadow creates intentional spaces for community healing and reconnection for those grieving losses to and of the natural world — a topic that’s often overlooked in high-performance communities. Together, they share how Bright Shadow came to be and why they believe it's important to acknowledge the personal

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01:08:07

Ep #74 From Boat Builder to Industry OG: Joe Pulliam...

The Discomfort Zone ·

2025/07/29

What happens when a paddling pioneer shares decades of quiet wisdom on business, life, and the river? You lean in and listen. This week I sit down with Joe Pulliam—whitewater legend, founder of Dagger Kayaks, and one of the most thoughtful minds in the paddlesports world. From building his first boats in the 1960s for friends, to helping shape some of the most respected brands in the industry, Joe’s story is rooted in passion, purpose, and humility. We explore: 🌊 The heart and grit behind building

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52:09

Ep #73 Trading Places: A Father-Son Story of...

The Discomfort Zone ·

2025/07/22

What happens when the student becomes the teacher — and your kid starts paddling harder than you ever did? In this heartfelt and often hilarious conversation, I sit down with Ken and Cashion Porter-Shirley, a father-son duo whose relationship has evolved from early river days full of coaching and “peer pressure” to deep mutual respect and role reversal. Together, we dive into: 🧠 Building confidence through discomfort — for both kids and parents 👨‍👦 The moment Cashion started ‘worrying’ about Ken

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17:59

Ep #72 Anna on Rethinking How I Work, Teach, Move and...

The Discomfort Zone ·

2025/07/01

💥 This episode is a real-time reflection four weeks into navigating the ups and downs of my journey to healing my back. I’ve resisted recording an update because I feel vulnerable, but this podcast is about the Discomfort Zone, and I’m in it! I’m sharing hard lessons I’m learning about slowing down, letting go, and rewriting old patterns around self-worth, over-scheduling, and the belief that I have to do it all. Here are some takeaways that I share: 🌊 The humbling truth of injury for lifelong

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57:06

Ep #71 Mike Wang on Turning Conflict and Anger into...

The Discomfort Zone ·

2025/06/17

This one goes deep, y’all. 💛 In this episode, I sit down with Mike Wang—a paddling coach and entrepreneur —who shares his powerful journey of navigating discomfort both on and off the water. From growing his self-awareness and communication skills to confronting deep family wounds, Mike opens up about the courageous conversations he’s had with his father, who physically abused him and his mother. We talk about: 🌀 How anger and discomfort can actually fuel growth 🗣️ The importance of curiosity

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12:36

Ep #70 Anna - When Pain Forces You to Pause — And Let Go

The Discomfort Zone ·

2025/06/10

I’ve always prided myself on taking good care of my body. Yoga, chiropractic, massage — the whole mind-body paddle package. But recently, I found myself in unfamiliar territory: excruciating sciatic pain that left me unable to get in my boat… right before Women’s Paddle Fest. In this solo episode, I’m sharing what it’s like to hit that wall — physically, emotionally, and even a little existentially. I talk about: 💥 The pain that took me down and the empathy it cracked wide open 🚣‍♀️ The tough

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49:40

Ep #69 Growth, Kayaking & the Power of Being Real...

The Discomfort Zone ·

2025/06/03

What happens when you stop chasing perfection and start getting real—with yourself, your fears, and the people around you? In this raw and inspiring conversation, 🛶I sit down with 🎤 Trey Rouss, owner of The Power of Water, to paddle straight into the heart of discomfort—and the unexpected power it holds. Using kayaking as both metaphor and mirror, they explore what it really takes to grow as a person. 💬 Along the way, they dive into: 💥 Why discomfort is where transformation begins—and how to

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53:50

Ep #68 Breathwork, Cancer Survival & Redefining the...

The Discomfort Zone ·

2025/05/27

What if your breath could be the key to healing, resilience, and reclaiming your power? In this inspiring and heartfelt episode, I sit down with Adam Spillman — a cancer survivor, breathwork and meditation teacher — whose journey will shift the way you think about discomfort, recovery, and self-discovery. ✨ Here’s what we dive into: 🧠 How breathwork helped Adam heal emotionally and physically after a life-threatening diagnosis and surgery 🌊 Redefining identity and reconnecting with paddling after

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59:52

Ep #67 Train Your Brain for Courage with Anna Wagner

The Discomfort Zone ·

2025/05/20

Need a boost of adventure, energy, and motivation? You're going to love this conversation with accomplished whitewater paddler and adventurer Anna Wagner! She’s tackled some of the toughest multi-day expeditions in North America — from the Stikine to the Middle Kings, plus multiple 💦 70+ ft waterfalls in the PNW. But her real superpower? Turning fear into fuel and self-doubt into confidence. 🔥 In this episode, we dive into: 🧠 Neuroplasticity & body awareness — what Anna learned from studying

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14:28

Ep #66 How to Shift Your Fear to Find Your Flow with...

The Discomfort Zone ·

2025/05/13

What does it really take to peel out of the eddy with confidence—on the river and in life? In this solo episode, Anna shares insights from a Class IV day on the Cheoah River and a powerful conversation about mindset, trust, and making bold moves. Learn how familiar thought patterns keep us stuck, and how generating the feelings you want—before the big rapid—can shift everything. Whether you're on the water or navigating a challenge in life, this episode offers a fresh perspective on how to find your

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51:45

Ep #65 Finding Light After Loss — Nina’s Story of...

The Discomfort Zone ·

2025/05/06

💔In 2016, Nina Loretto, one of my oldest friends, experienced a life-altering tragedy when she lost her first husband to suicide. In this powerful and heartfelt conversation, she opens up about the deep discomfort of navigating that loss—and the strength it took to begin healing. 🕊️With remarkable honesty, compassion, and even humor, Nina shares how she found her way back to joy. She talks about the importance of breaking the silence around suicide, tending to your own well-being, and seeking

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48:26

Ep #64 Charging Hard & Choosing Wisely with Todd Wells

The Discomfort Zone ·

2025/04/29

Dive into an inspiring conversation with whitewater legend Todd Wells as he joins Anna Levesque to talk all things kayaking, courage, and community. This episode is packed with insight, heart, and a few splashes of river wisdom. 🌊 Here’s what you’ll hear: 🧭 How Todd is shifting his decision making in high-risk environments 💥 The hard-earned lessons from injuries—and how they shaped his approach to life and paddling 🧠 Why mental health, self-awareness, and emotional expression matter in

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52:01

Ep #63 Letting Go & Leading with Presence: Brad...

The Discomfort Zone ·

2025/04/22

In this powerful and heartfelt episode, we sit down with Brad Burden — former pro kayaker 🛶, kayak instructor, now basketball coach 🏀 and teacher — as he shares his evolving journey through leadership, parenting, and self-awareness 💬. Brad gets real about what it's like to: 🔄 Recognize when your old ways of coaching and parenting just aren't working anymore 🧠 Support a child through mental health challenges with compassion and humility 🧘‍♂️ Let go of the need to always "fix" and instead learn

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12:24

Ep #62 Lean Into the Hard: River Wisdom for Real Life

The Discomfort Zone ·

2025/04/15

In this solo episode, Anna shares one of the most powerful lessons from whitewater kayaking: lean into the rock. What does that mean? When things get hard—on the river or in life—our instinct is to pull away. But that resistance can make things worse. Anna breaks down how leaning into discomfort can actually help you move through it with more ease, grace, and strength. In this episode, you’ll learn: 🪨 Why “leaning into the rock” helps you stay balanced in turbulent times 💭 How avoiding discomfort

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54:08

Ep #61 Jessie Stone on Paddling with Purpose

The Discomfort Zone ·

2025/04/08

This week, I sit down with the amazing Jessie Stone — medical doctor, pro kayaker, and founder of Soft Power Health, a nonprofit making a real difference in Uganda 🇺🇬✨ 💥 In this inspiring convo, we dive into: 🚣‍♀️ The power of hard moves in easy water — in paddling and in life 🧘‍♀️ How visualization and meditation support physical healing and mental strength 🤝 Building trust and deep relationships with communities along the White Nile 🌱 Self-discovery, growth, and embracing challenges 💪

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40:28

Ep #60 Sending It with Style: Heidi Walsh on Running...

The Discomfort Zone ·

2025/04/01

In this epic episode, I sit down with Heidi Walsh—one of the top all-around female kayakers on the planet—to talk about the mental and technical game behind hucking 92-ft waterfalls, throwing down in freestyle comps, and charging Class V creeks. We dive into the wild story behind her recent switch freewheel off Spirit Falls—a jaw-dropping downriver trick that had the internet losing its mind. Heidi shares what it was like to follow up that viral moment with a swim trying to hand paddle through Chaos

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48:51

Ep #59 Paddle Like a Boss: Lessons in Confidence,...

The Discomfort Zone ·

2025/03/25

In this week’s episode, I sit down with world champion SUP athlete and coach, Seychelle, for a conversation packed with game-changing insights on paddling, business, and life. 🎯 From valuing your worth and asking for what you want, to leveraging your ego and practicing self-accountability, Seychelle shares the strategies that have fueled her success—on and off the water. 🏄‍♀️ Whether you’re chasing SUP podiums or personal breakthroughs, you’ll love Seychelle’s powerful mindset tips, including: ✅

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50:27

Ep #58 The Art of River Leadership: Lessons in...

The Discomfort Zone ·

2025/03/18

🚣‍♂️ Want to elevate your river leadership and paddling instruction skills? This episode is a must-listen! Join me as I sit down with two powerhouse paddlesports educators, Anne Sontheimer and Jordan Taylor, for a deep dive into the art and science of leadership on the water. With a combined 80+ years of experience in whitewater kayaking, we unpack the key elements that make great instructors and leaders stand out. 🌊 What does it take to guide others through challenge and uncertainty? 🌟 How can

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