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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

54:10

Ep #17 How to Defeat Your Fear and Develop...

The Discomfort Zone ·

2024/05/14

If you want to grow your confidence, defeat your imposter syndrome and stop your fear from controlling you, this episode is a must listen. My guest, yoga teacher Michael Johnson, has the exceptional ability to make the practice of yoga and the understanding of yoga philosophy relatable, light hearted, and relevant to navigating your discomfort zone with courage and strength. In this conversation, Michael shares how his own journey into the study of yoga began when a teacher helped him start to focus

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40:51

Ep #16 How Perspectives About the River and Anxiety...

The Discomfort Zone ·

2024/05/07

In this conversation, Rush Sturges, renowned kayaker, filmmaker, and musician, shares stories of facing fear and uncertainty in kayaking and filmmaking, and the risks he takes to pursue his passions. Rush opens up about turning to meditation to manage a recent uptick in anxiety he’s been experiencing, and we talk about how to manage stress on and off the water. We also discuss the risks involved in kayaking, and the perspective change that can happen over time as we experience losing friends and

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50:36

Ep #15 Completing Ironmans and Not Underestimating...

The Discomfort Zone ·

2024/04/30

In this episode of the Discomfort Zone Podcast, Kristin Evans, a nurse practitioner and Ironman triathlete, shares how she differentiates between mental versus physical discomfort to navigate the challenges test the limits of her mind and body. Kristin emphasizes the value and satisfaction of finishing the race, whether it’s surrounded by a cheering crowd, or in a quiet and low-key manner surrounded by a small group of your most dedicated support crew. She encourages listeners to never

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50:57

Ep #14 Kayaking, Mental Health and the Importance Of...

The Discomfort Zone ·

2024/04/23

In this episode, Adam Edwards, professional paddler and content creator, opens up about mental health, humanizing whitewater kayaking, and his journey from focus on the gnar to prioritizing relationships on the river. Adam talks about how kayaking, and the Instagram reels he creates using kayaking fails, helps him work through his social anxiety and imposter syndrome. He shares his strategies for emotional regulation and the importance of seeking support when dealing with difficult emotions,

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47:41

Ep #13 How to Navigate Fear as a Family With Zenovia...

The Discomfort Zone ·

2024/04/16

In this conversation, Zenovia Stephens, founder of Black Kids Adventures, shares her experiences and strategies for navigating the discomfort zone with her family. Zenovia shares how she creates supportive relationships, and boundaries with her family members to maintain personal space during moments of discomfort. She also highlights the significance of having conversations with children about facing fears and working through them as a family. Zenovia addresses misconceptions about adventure sports

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47:29

Ep #12 Be Willing to Fail and Never Give up With Nick...

The Discomfort Zone ·

2024/04/09

In this conversation, Nick Troutman, accomplished paddler and content creator, explores the distinction between fear and danger when assessing risk versus rewards on and off the water. Anna and Nick also explore how failing and making mistakes are key to experiencing growth and overcoming self-doubt at the highest levels of achievement and performance. Nick is a big believer in the power of perseverance and passion in pursuing your goals, and Anna also brings up the concept of sunk cost, and the

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50:53

Ep #11 The Power of Facing Reality and Focusing on...

The Discomfort Zone ·

2024/04/02

In this heartfelt conversation, Anna and her Dad discuss how losing his mother at the age of 10 shaped his view of problem solving, and how that was passed down to Anna as strategy for facing discomfort. They talk about the importance of focusing on fundamentals when breaking down problems, what it’s like to feel more vulnerable as you age, the power of family having your back, and how every person must find their own unique strategy for navigating the discomfort zone. In this episode you’ll gain

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44:16

Ep #10 Staying Grounded and Thriving in Chaos

The Discomfort Zone ·

2024/03/26

In this episode, 14X Green Race Champion, Adriene Levknecht shares her strategies for thriving through chaos on and off the water, and how routines are key for her staying grounded. She shares how she preps for and overcomes fear in her paddling and racing, including her pre-Green Race rituals. Learn how stepping into her discomfort zone at an early age has taught Adriene that she can do hard things, and has boosted her confidence in her ability to figure things out on the fly, and when the

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53:23

Ep #9 How to Grow Your Zone of Stress Resilience with...

The Discomfort Zone ·

2024/03/19

Somerville, a licensed professional counselor and somatic experiencing practitioner, discusses how your nervous system works, and how you can grow your stress resiliency to face challenges. She shares strategies for getting comfortable with discomfort, and offers valuable advice on how to overcome perfectionism and self-judgment. Anna and Sommerville talk about the power of vulnerability and community in supporting personal growth and the benefits of sharing experiences and struggles with others

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48:01

Ep #8 How to Gamify Your Paddling for Performance and...

The Discomfort Zone ·

2024/03/12

Clay Wright, a legend of the whitewater kayaking world who recently won Kayak Session Magazine’s Paddling Legend Award in 2023, shares strategies for keeping your passion for whitewater fresh, and your performance top-notch. You’ll also learn Clay’s journey growing up in a paddling family, and how being left behind on trips has shaped how he approaches kayaking and coaching. Clay and Anna discuss strategies for facing fear and empowering your paddling mindset. In this episode you’ll learn: The

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44:37

Ep #5 Swimming the English Channel and Fat Shaming...

The Discomfort Zone ·

2024/03/05

In this conversation, Jennifer Whitlock, a fearless nurse practitioner and accomplished open water swimmer who recently traversed the English Channel, delves into the transformative power of pushing boundaries to unlock your ambitious aspirations. Reflecting on her journey and the hurdles she faced, Jennifer underscores the importance of forging your own path to success and refusing to be shackled by external judgments. After you listen to this conversation, you’ll be inspired to

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47:45

Ep #7 The Power of Mtn Biking, Representation and...

The Discomfort Zone ·

2024/03/05

In this episode of the Discomfort Zone Podcast, Laura Blythe, a passionate mountain biker and proud member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians shares her wisdom on stepping into your discomfort zone to build confidence, healing and resilience. She shares her experience running up against barriers to entry into mountain biking, why representation matters, and how she’s empowering her community to heal and grow by taking to the trails. If you’re an outdoor educator, facilitator, or company

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48:24

Ep #6 Yoga and Embracing the Darkness with Joe Taft

The Discomfort Zone ·

2024/03/05

In episode of The Discomfort Zone podcast, Joe Taft, a celebrated yoga teacher and yoga therapist, invites us to embrace every facet of the life cycle, even the challenging aspects found within the discomfort zone. He delves into the significance of self-awareness in confronting fear, offering tangible techniques for embracing these darker moments when they arise. Throughout our discussion, we explore the vital roles of ongoing learning and integration, debunk common misconceptions surrounding yoga,

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48:23

Ep #4 Returning to Extreme Racing as a 50 yro Mom...

The Discomfort Zone ·

2024/03/05

In this episode of The Discomfort Zone Podcast, Buffy Burge, a pioneer in Class V river running, talks about returning to extreme racing at the age of 50, after a 23 year hiatus, to race the Green with her teenage son. She shares why she feels that it’s important to be a strong role model for her sons in the realm of pursuing her own passions and facing her fears. Buffy asks Anna to remind her of a conversation they had back in 1998 on a river in Ecuador, where Buffy’s advice in an eddy was clutch

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51:43

Ep #2 Navigating Discomfort in Relationships on and...

The Discomfort Zone ·

2024/03/05

In this episode of the Discomfort Zone podcast, Anna and her husband, Andrew Holcombe, (they met on the freestyle kayak competition circuit in the early 2000s), discuss their experiences with discomfort and navigating challenges in their relationship. They share their top 3 discomfort zone challenges as a couple, including the decision not to have children and the difficulties of competing together. Throughout the conversation, they emphasize the value of communication, common ground, and accepting

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39:09

Ep #3 Climbing Everest and Following the Beat of Your...

The Discomfort Zone ·

2024/03/05

In this episode of The Discomfort Zone podcast, Philip Henderson, the leader of the first all African American Everest expedition, and pioneer in promoting outdoor activities for underrepresented communities, shares his insights on embracing discomfort and overcoming fear and anxiety. We talk about the importance of making choices based on personal growth and happiness, rather than seeking validation from others, and how he has navigated that in his own life. Philip shares his wisdom on how to

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08:48

Ep #1 Welcome to the Discomfort Zone Podcast

The Discomfort Zone ·

2024/02/24

In this first solo episode, host Anna Levesque introduces and gives context to the Discomfort Zone podcast. A mental agility and whitewater kayak coach, Anna defines mental agility and talks about what inspired her to share conversations with extraordinary folks who take on their discomfort zones for learning, growth and following their passions. Learn More: The Discomfort Zone Podcast

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