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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

45:19

Ep #32 Sophie Gilfillan on Mindset Training for...

The Discomfort Zone ·

2024/08/27

Join me for an inspiring conversation with Sophie Gilfillan, recent silver medalist in Junior Women at the World Freestyle Championships, who has also excelled in slalom kayaking, and creek boating. In this episode of the Discomfort Zone Podcast, Sophie delves into the delicate balance between rational and irrational fear, sharing how she navigates the mental challenges of paddling and competition. She reveals how the rule of thirds has become her secret weapon for bouncing back from tough

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40:28

Ep #31 Nicole Bernardin on Going at Your Own Pace in...

The Discomfort Zone ·

2024/08/20

Nicole Bernardin, a passionate ultra runner, reminds us to separate fact from fiction to stop ourselves from getting derailed by the lows or the highs of racing and life. She shares her mental agility strategies for completing endurance races, and how the sport has helped her cultivate patience, resilience and confidence in all areas of her life. Nicole also shares her story of having to face a difficult divorce after completing one of the biggest races of her career, and how her journey led her to

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59:43

Ep #30 Adam Herzog on Recovering From a Catastrophic...

The Discomfort Zone ·

2024/08/13

Imagine recovering from a catastrophic climbing accident that resulted in major multi -systems trauma, including a skull fracture, a broken back, bruises in both lungs and 15 broken bones, to race the Green just 11 months later. Adam Herzog, an accomplished whitewater kayaker and outdoor enthusiast, did just that. This week, Adam shares his journey of overcoming the accident and how it has redefined his discomfort zone. Through his recovery, Adam discovered what it means to surrender and accept

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47:25

Ep #29 Eleanor Knight on How to Not Let Mistakes and...

The Discomfort Zone ·

2024/08/06

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01:00:25

Ep #28 Shane Benedict on Building Confidence With...

The Discomfort Zone ·

2024/07/30

Shane Benedict, co-founder of Liquid Logic Kayaks, is one of the most confident paddlers that I know, and in this conversation he shares how he cultivated that confidence, and has sustained it for 40+ years on the water. He also talks about his passion for designing kayaks, and what part of the design and development process feels most uncomfortable, and most satisfying. Shane shares the strategies he uses to stay present in the moment, and the importance of keeping kayaking fun, and resisting the

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51:31

Ep #27 Shawanna Kendrick on Pushing Through Hard and...

The Discomfort Zone ·

2024/07/23

Shawanna Kendrick, founder of The Hiking, Healing and Outdoors Life (H2O), shares how her recent expedition to Mt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania was both a personal and generational goal, and the lessons she learned along the way. Our conversation delves into cultivating self-awareness and personal growth through adventure, the benefits of pushing through hard, both for yourself and for others, and why it’s important to live an inspiring life for yourself and for future generations. Shawanna shares

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56:47

Ep #26 Benny Marr on Whitewater Kayaking, Ego and...

The Discomfort Zone ·

2024/07/16

Benny Marr is known as one of the best big wave and river paddlers in the world, but I’ve always been just as impressed by his self-awareness, growth mindset and lighthearted humor. There’s so much packed into this episode! Benny shares his thoughts on ego and kayaking, and how he has used his ego for both ‘good’ and ‘evil’ throughout his career. He distinguishes between being self-conscious versus self-confident, and how that has helped him grow and progress on and off the water. We talk about the

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01:01:34

Ep #25 Brenna Kelleher on Performance Coaching and...

The Discomfort Zone ·

2024/07/09

Brenna Keller, a top PSIA ski instructor and guide, dives into the interplay between fear and excitement, highlighting how mindset can help achieve a flow state. .She explains how fear, when managed properly, can enhance performance. The conversation also examines the discomfort zone beyond skiing, particularly in communication and relationships, where the courage to speak up can be challenging but crucial. Brenna and Anna talk about the potential dangers of constantly seeking adrenaline in both

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01:03:39

Ep #24 Holley Gardel on Adjusting Your Attitude and...

The Discomfort Zone ·

2024/07/02

In this episode, helicopter air ambulance pilot, Holley Gardel, shares strategies for transforming negative feelings into powerful cues that propel you to perform at your best. We talk about the power of mental performance training, how it unlocks potential in every aspect of life, and how it’s not just for elite athletes. Holley champions thorough preparation, seeking support, and celebrating even the smallest victories on the path to your success. Holley shares candid insights into her career as a

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46:51

Ep #23 Abby Holcombe on Facing Fear and Staying True...

The Discomfort Zone ·

2024/06/25

Abby Holcombe, a world champion kayaker who started paddling while traveling the world with her parents in their Winnebago van, shares her strategies for overcoming fear and building confidence while pushing her limits. Abby tells the story of running the Grand Canyon at the age of 12, and how that trip taught her the value of breaking challenges into smaller pieces, and honoring her feelings, including what she calls cry-yaking. Abby and Anna talk about the changing culture of whitewater paddling,

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36:01

Ep #22 Shaun Eggie on Helping Veterans Heal Through...

The Discomfort Zone ·

2024/06/18

In this episode, Shaun Eggie, a military veteran who has found healing through whitewater kayaking, shares his experiences and strategies for navigating discomfort and post-military life. Passionate about supporting veterans in re-integrating into civilian life, and healing mental injuries, Shaun talks about strategies for grounding, the importance of separating fact from story, and what you can do when you get caught up in negative narratives. This episode will give you practical strategies for

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54:36

Ep #21 Sage Donnelly on Reaching Goals and...

The Discomfort Zone ·

2024/06/11

What does it take to get to become World Champion, and run some of the most challenging rapids in the world? In this episode, Freestyle World Champion and top extreme paddler, Sage Donnelly shares the strategies she uses in competition, and when taking on big whitewater, to calm her mind, stay focused and find her flow. Not only is she a successful multi-disciplined paddler, she is committed to helping others, like her, with Type 1 diabetes, celiac and hypothyroidism not let their diseases define

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01:03:37

Ep #20 Chris Gragtmans on Setting Boundaries in...

The Discomfort Zone ·

2024/06/04

In this episode Chris Gragtmans, a former professional kayaker, life-long adventurer who now works in commercial real estate, talks about setting boundaries and finding balance between family, work and adventure. Chris shares his philosophy on working smarter, not harder, and why learning how to say no is key to his success in following your passion, and living a life that is important to you. We also talk about why following your instincts and why walking rapids you've run hundreds of times is also

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52:26

Ep #19 Emily Jackson on Making Your Own Way and...

The Discomfort Zone ·

2024/05/28

Emily Jackson, a three-time world freestyle champion and marketing director at Jackson Kayak, shares what it was like growing up in a famous paddling family and how her unconventional childhood has shaped her approach to discomfort and goal setting. She describes her journey of overcoming the fear of disappointing others, particularly her father, and the importance of choosing your own way. Emily and Anna’s conversation delves into a lot of different topics including the challenges of envy and

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45:37

Ep #18 Cindy Frost on Firefighting, Hiking the AT and...

The Discomfort Zone ·

2024/05/21

Handling discomfort in high pressure situations can be challenging, and Cindy Frost, a lieutenant in the Austin Fire Department and avid adventurer, shares insights on how to respond powerfully. We talk about parallels between firefighting and whitewater kayaking, her experience solo thru hiking the Appalachian Trail, and the lessons she learned about self-sufficiency and the power of choice. Cindy also shares how comparing yourself to others can cause you to play small, and how celebrating your

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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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112 results

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