The Discomfort Zone

Anna Levesque
  • 5.0 (63)
  • WILDERNESS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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 edge Insights from guides, coaches, and leaders creating impact in their fields Practical mental-agility + leadership tools you can use right away Lessons from expeditions, competition, and personal transformation How to navigate the discomfort that fuels growth, courage, and purpose Whether you're a paddler, outdoor enthusiast, emerging leader, or someone seeking more courage in everyday life, you'll walk away with practical tools to strengthen resilience, show up with confidence, and embrace the adventure of being alive. If you're ready to stop playing small and start living boldly, you're in the right zone.

  1. Ep #100 From Eddy to Action: The Courage Behind 100 Episodes

    12H AGO

    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 insight came from one paragraph in Hidden Potential by Adam Grant, where he describes three kinds of courage that accelerate growth: The courage to abandon your tried-and-true methods The courage to step into the ring before you feel ready The courage to make more mistakes than others make attempts Through stories from whitewater kayaking, launching her first instructional DVD for women, and navigating the fear of publishing a podcast, Anna shares how leaning into discomfort shaped not only her career — but her life. In this episode, you'll explore: Why discomfort is the gateway to growth How to peel out of your "eddy" and take action Why mistakes are essential for mastery How paddling mirrors the way we show up in life Reflection questions to help you move toward what matters most If you've ever felt stuck, hesitant, or unsure whether you're ready, this episode is your reminder that growth starts exactly there. The river doesn't wait for you to feel ready. You peel out of the eddy anyway. And that's where transformation happens. 🌊 Reflection Questions from This Episode Where in your life can you abandon your tried-and-true methods? Where can you step into the ring before you feel ready? Where can you make more mistakes than others make attempts? 🎧Listen now, and peel out toward what matters — even if you don't feel ready yet.

    17 min
  2. Ep #99 From Survival to Choice with Lauren Byrd

    FEB 10

    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 your way back to yourself through paddling. Lauren shares how kayaking became more than a sport — it became a lifeline. From learning to regulate her nervous system in an eddy before a rapid, to discovering the profound boat–body–head connection, Lauren walks us through how river skills translated directly into life-saving mental agility. We talk about: How grounding practices finally made sense — not in a classroom, but on the river Using eddies as a metaphor for pausing, breathing, and resetting in life Starting whitewater kayaking as an adult (in her late 30s) — and going all in Competing on the world stage without comparison or perfectionism Why being in the boat matters more than the outcome How playboating, presence, and progression helped shift suicidal thoughts into a desire to live This episode is for paddlers, adventurers, and anyone navigating fear, overwhelm, or big life transitions. You don't need to be running Class V to learn from the river — sometimes the most important work happens in the eddy. If you've ever felt stuck on the shore of your own life, this conversation is an invitation to get back in the boat, trust your process, and paddle forward — one intentional moment at a time. 🎧 Listen in and let the river remind you what's possible — on and off the water.

    45 min
  3. Ep #98 Imposter Syndrome, Purpose, and Packrafting with Jule Harle

    FEB 3

    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 trust what's guiding you — even when your mind is loud. Jule shares how feeling "not good enough" has shown up across her life, from moving to Alaska without knowing how to ski, to stepping into leadership roles in paddlesports, education, and community building. Rather than trying to silence that voice, she offers a different approach: non-attachment, kindness toward yourself, and staying connected to what genuinely feels meaningful. Together, Anna and Jule explore: Why imposter syndrome often appears when you're on the right path How heart-led desire can be a compass — even when the outcome is unclear Letting go of results while still showing up fully for the work The parallels between rivers, yoga, Ayurveda, and everyday decision-making Why rest, sleep, and seasonal rhythms are foundational for confidence How service, authenticity, and joy can coexist — without burnout This conversation weaves river wisdom, Eastern philosophy, and lived experience into a practical reminder: growth doesn't come from proving yourself — it comes from presence, curiosity, and staying kind to yourself along the way. 🎧 Press play and explore what it means to quiet the mind, open the heart, and keep choosing what feels true — on the river and in life.

    55 min
  4. Ep #97 Redefining Strong: Courage, Ego, and Longevity on the River with Darcy Gaechter

    JAN 27

    Ep #97 Redefining Strong: Courage, Ego, and Longevity on the River with Darcy Gaechter

    The Discomfort Zone

    53 min
  5. Ep #96 Bad Day or Bad 10 Minutes? Reframing Life, the River, and Your Year with Anna

    JAN 20

    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 unpacks one of the most powerful mindset shifts she knows: 👉 Sometimes the hardest decision is actually the most easeful one. Using whitewater kayaking metaphors, nervous system awareness, and mental agility tools, this episode explores: How to stop labeling your whole day (or year) as "bad" Why a "bad 10 minutes" doesn't equal a bad life — or a bad paddling day How to interrupt unhelpful stories and return to facts What it really means to generate happiness moment to moment Why being attached to "wins" creates emotional whiplash How to get off the up-and-down roller coaster and into a steadier wave train of life If you've had a rough start to the year, a missed line on the river, or a moment where plans unraveled fast — this episode is an invitation to reframe, breathe, and choose clarity over fear. Anna also shares how these practices are taught and trained inside her Mental Agility Mastery program — a live, small-group experience designed to help paddlers and adventurers move from feeling disempowered to grounded, confident, and capable. 🎧 Listen in if you're ready to: Paddle past unhelpful self-talk Make cleaner, more self-trusting decisions Find ease even when life feels hard And remember that nothing is ever all good or all bad Because just like on the river — it's about learning how to paddle through rapids with skill and self-trust.

    16 min
  6. ENCORE: Heidi Walsh (2025 Female Paddler of the Year Finalist) on Learning from Beatdowns and Sending with Style - Replay

    JAN 13 · BONUS

    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 whitewater. Heidi is known for charging Class V creeks, competing at the highest level of freestyle kayaking, and running massive waterfalls—including 92-foot drops. In this episode, she breaks down what it actually takes—mentally and technically—to keep progressing when the stakes are high and the beatdowns are real. We dive into the story behind her now-viral switch freewheel off Spirit Falls, and what it was like to follow that iconic moment with a humbling swim while attempting to hand-paddle through Chaos after her paddle was ripped from her hands. Heidi shares the lessons she took from that moment—and why mistakes, when approached with awareness and safety, are essential for growth. In this episode, we explore: How to fail safely while pushing your limits in kayaking Why beatdowns don't mean you're doing it wrong—they mean you're learning The mental skills required to run big drops and charge hard lines How to build resilience and confidence after setbacks What "sending it with style" really means beyond the highlight reel Heidi's grounded, no-nonsense approach to risk, progression, and self-trust offers powerful takeaways for paddlers—and anyone navigating fear, challenge, and growth in their own life. 🎧 If you're ready to rethink failure, build real confidence, and lean into discomfort with more clarity, this episode is for you.

    43 min
  7. ENCORE: Sophie Gilfillan (KS U21 Paddler of the Year) on Mindset and Letting Go of Perfectionism on the Water- Replay

    JAN 6 · BONUS

    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 silver medalist at the Junior Women's World Freestyle Championships and a multi-discipline paddler across freestyle, slalom, and creeking. In this conversation, she shares how she works with pressure, self-talk, and expectations at a high level—while staying grounded and connected to why she paddles in the first place. In this episode, we explore: How to tell the difference between rational and irrational fear on the river Why perfectionism can quietly sabotage confidence and performance Sophie's "rule of thirds" mindset tool for bouncing back after tough performances How extreme slalom is changing the culture of competition A refreshing definition of success that isn't tied to medals or results With wisdom beyond her years, Sophie offers insights that apply to competitive paddlers and everyday river runners alike. Whether this is your first listen or a return to a favorite episode, this conversation is a reminder that progress doesn't have to come at the cost of joy. 🎧 Listen in and reconnect with why you love paddling.

    46 min
  8. ENCORE: Michelle Tennant on Creating a Year and Life You Love - Replay

    12/30/2025 · BONUS

    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 north star — not a January idea you forget by February. We talk about what it really takes to stay engaged in your life (especially when you're tired, busy, or tempted to drift back into the comfortable shallows). You'll hear stories, laughs, and practical frameworks you can use right away — like reverse-engineering your year from the future, using people / places / things to build momentum, and treating "failure" as feedback instead of proof you're behind. Michelle also shares how she navigated a major life pivot after Hurricane Helene disrupted her homestead plans — and how choosing a theme helped her realign with purpose when the path got rocky. If you're craving clarity, courage, and a simple way to steer your attention into what matters most… this episode is your eddy to reset in — before you peel out into the year ahead. ✨ Listen now, and then send me (and Michelle!) your theme for the year.

    1 hr
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5
out of 5
63 Ratings

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 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 edge Insights from guides, coaches, and leaders creating impact in their fields Practical mental-agility + leadership tools you can use right away Lessons from expeditions, competition, and personal transformation How to navigate the discomfort that fuels growth, courage, and purpose Whether you're a paddler, outdoor enthusiast, emerging leader, or someone seeking more courage in everyday life, you'll walk away with practical tools to strengthen resilience, show up with confidence, and embrace the adventure of being alive. If you're ready to stop playing small and start living boldly, you're in the right zone.

Information

  • Creator
    Anna Levesque
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    103
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2024
  • Show Website
    The Discomfort Zone

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