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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

47:11

Ep #57 From Fear to Joy: Isaac Levinson’s Journey...

The Discomfort Zone ·

2025/03/11

What does it take to push past fear, redefine your limits, and keep chasing adventure—no matter what life throws your way? In this episode, I sit down with Isaac Levinson, a multi-sport athlete and former US National Slalom Team member, as he opens up about his incredible journey through adventure sports, the life-altering back injury that changed everything, and his recent autoimmune diagnosis. Isaac shares powerful insights on: ✅ The fine line between physical and mental discomfort ✅ How

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59:03

Ep #56 the Power of Human-Centered Leadership With...

The Discomfort Zone ·

2025/03/04

Want to uplevel your leadership game? This episode is a must-listen! Jennifer McClanahan, a trusted advisor to C-suite leaders, sits down with me for a powerful conversation about human-centered leadership. We dive deep into the real challenges of leadership—taking risks, building strong relationships, practicing vulnerability, and communicating with impact to create a thriving workplace culture. Jennifer breaks down power dynamics in organizations and debunks the myth that being human-centered

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17:44

Ep #55 Anna on Scary Stories and How to Face Them

The Discomfort Zone ·

2025/02/25

In this solo episode, I’m sharing with you my experience returning to some of the rivers in Western North Carolina that have changed since Helene. Learning ‘new’ rivers made me realize that, although some of the rivers challenged me before Helene, they were still in my comfort zone because I knew them so well. Discovering new features and rapids challenged me to practice the strategies that I coach, including how to face scary stories and beta about a river without letting it derail my confidence

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54:20

Ep #54 Libby Hinsley on Discomfort as a Catalyst for...

The Discomfort Zone ·

2025/02/18

In this episode, Libby Hinsley, a doctor of physical therapy, certified yoga therapist and author, talks about her experiences with hypermobility syndromes and how discomfort can be a powerful catalyst for transformation. As teacher/instructor trainers in our respective disciplines, we share effective teaching strategies and the evolution of moving from the need to be over-prepared to having the confidence to leave time and space for creativity and being present with students. Whether you're a kayak

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44:18

Ep #53 Jiffer Bourguignon on the Discomfort of Belonging

The Discomfort Zone ·

2025/02/11

This week, I sit down with my dear friend from college, Jiffer Bourguignon, for a heartfelt and hilarious conversation about life, discomfort, and the unexpected ways we find connection. Jiff shares what it’s been like living as an American expat in Germany for decades—navigating cultural nuances, language mishaps, and the kind of miscommunications that are so awkward, they’re funny. Jiffer talks about serving as an election observer in Afghanistan, and how she found an unlikely bridge to local

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01:05:02

Ep #52 Vishnu Das On the Wisdom of Discomfort

The Discomfort Zone ·

2025/02/04

From the moment I first spoke with Vishnu Das—an experienced Ayurvedic doctor and teacher—I knew I could listen to him talk about Ayurveda and yoga forever. Now, after nearly 15 years of mentorship, I’m beyond excited to share his insights with you. In this rich and thought-provoking conversation, we explore the power of self-awareness in navigating discomfort and the profound role Ayurveda plays in understanding our unique nature. Vishnu shares invaluable wisdom on acceptance, motivation, and the

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42:32

Ep #51 Andrew and Anna on Navigating Discomfort in...

The Discomfort Zone ·

2025/01/28

In this episode, I’m stoked to welcome back my husband, Andrew Holcombe—a skilled paddler, natural leader, and my favorite partner-in-adventure —for another heartfelt (and sometimes funny) chat about tackling the discomfort zone in close relationships. We dive into our own experiences, sharing the good, the awkward, and the downright messy moments that come with navigating communication, boundaries, and the art of finding humor in life’s challenges. Together, we unpack how understanding emotional

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59:32

Ep #50 Michelle Tennant on Creating a Year and Life...

The Discomfort Zone ·

2024/12/31

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53:05

#49 Gerry Seavo James on Breaking Barriers and...

The Discomfort Zone ·

2024/12/24

In this episode of the Discomfort Zone Podcast, Anna sits down with Gerry Seavo-James, Deputy Campaign Director for the Sierra Club's Outdoors for All campaign. Together, they explore the transformative power of equitable outdoor access and the discomfort zones we face in work, play and building community. Gerry shares personal stories of navigating risk, overcoming gear and financial barriers, and challenging judgments within outdoor communities. From skill-building through training and coaching to

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01:09:33

Ep #48 Boyd Ruppelt on Facing Fear and Managing Risk

The Discomfort Zone ·

2024/12/17

This week on The Discomfort Zone Podcast, I’m joined by Boyd Ruppelt—a seasoned whitewater kayaker, guide, and instructor—who shares his wisdom on confronting fear and managing risk in high-stakes environments. Boyd offers a deep dive into the art of risk management and the guiding philosophies that shape his approach to both pursuing and guiding adventure sports. Together, we explore the unique mental challenges of kayaking and draw parallels to other sports Boyd is passionate about - skydiving and

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49:50

Ep #47 Greg McFadden on Life Without Mirrors and...

The Discomfort Zone ·

2024/12/10

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10:51

Ep #46 Anna on Using Gratitude to Confront Your Fear

The Discomfort Zone ·

2024/12/03

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47:34

Ep#45 Kara Weld on Discomfort in Business and...

The Discomfort Zone ·

2024/11/26

In this week’s episode, Kara Weld, co-owner and CEO of Immersion Research, shares how she approaches the discomfort zone in business, kayaking and her relationship. This conversation provides many insights for life on and off the water, and lots of river analogies! Kara shares about her experiences as a competitive canoe slalom kayaker and business owner, emphasizing the balance between risk and reward and the challenges of decision-making in entrepreneurship. We also hit on the dynamics of

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47:18

Ep#44 Danny Mongno on the Highs and Lows of Working...

The Discomfort Zone ·

2024/11/19

In this episode of The Discomfort Zone Podcast, I sit down with Danny Mongno, a true paddling industry veteran, as he opens up about his journey through the highs and lows of a career in paddle sports. From his passion for teaching to overcoming physical challenges like hip surgeries, Danny shares the resilience it takes to stay active in an ever-evolving outdoor industry. We delve into the impact of e-commerce on small retailers, the growing significance of fitness and personal connections, and how

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16:04

Ep #43 Anna on Going With the Flow vs Navigating Your...

The Discomfort Zone ·

2024/11/12

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37:41

Ep#42 Ottilie Robinson-Shaw on Fear of Failure, Being...

The Discomfort Zone ·

2024/11/05

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53:49

Ep #41 Scott Gaffney on Following Your Passion,...

The Discomfort Zone ·

2024/10/29

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54:06

Ep #40 Dave Fusilli on the Origins of the ‘Brown...

The Discomfort Zone ·

2024/10/22

If you’re a whitewater paddler and you’ve wondered how the legendary ‘Brown Claw’ came to be, you’ll get the facts in this episode, directly from Dave Fusilli, one of the OG Demshitz. If you’re not a whitewater paddler and that sounds like crazy talk, you’ll still want to tune in because Dave tends to bring out the best in people. He seems to effortlessly balance not taking himself too seriously while also being very thoughtful and committed to connection, kindness and kayaking, of course. In this

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48:59

Ep#39 Sommerville Johnston on Grief, Grounding and...

The Discomfort Zone ·

2024/10/15

In this episode, certified counselor Somerville Johnston returns to the show to do a dive deep with Anna into the mental health impacts of Hurricane Helene on their Asheville community. They candidly explore the emotional landscape of discomfort, self-care, and survivor guilt, while underscoring the essential role of community support in the healing process. The conversation sheds light on the importance of showing compassion—for ourselves and others—as they reflect on the collective grief that

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18:38

Ep #38 Anna on Living Through Hurricane Helene,...

The Discomfort Zone ·

2024/10/08

Last week Hurricane Helene devastated parts of our town and much of Western North Carolina. This is a solo episode on my reflections of the past week because it felt like the right thing to do rather than go to a pre-recorded interview episode. I literally re-recorded this episode 4 times because nothing I say captures all of the emotions and thoughts that have been running through me. There are no words, and things will continue to change as the recovery continues. Settling on the focus of

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97 results

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