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Artwork for The Discomfort Zone

The Discomfort Zone

Anna Levesque
Mental Agility
Whitewater Kayaking
Kayaking
Growth Mindset
Parenting
Financial Security
Confidence
Resilience
Grand Canyon
Community
Fear
Personal Growth
Skiing
Mount Kilimanjaro
Female Empowerment
Vulnerability
Aviation
Courage
Firefighting
Discomfort Zones

Do you feel called to something bigger — a dream, adventure, or purpose — but fear keeps holding you back? Welcome to The Discomfort Zone, where courage meets the edge. Every Tuesday, host Anna Levesque — world-class whitewater paddler, author, and mental agility coach — dives into raw, real conversations with people who have chosen growth over comfort. From wild rivers to life’s biggest transitio... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes85Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
SportsWildernessSelf-ImprovementEducation

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Artwork for The Discomfort Zone

Latest Episodes

🚀 From fighter jets to river rapids, this week’s episode of The Discomfort Zone takes you on a journey of resilience, courage, and service. Anna sits down with Khalid Kure — U.S. Air Force veteran, father of five, and leader of Team River Runner Col... more

What if discomfort wasn’t something to avoid, but an opportunity to grow? 🌱

In this episode, I sit down with Mardae Weaver — athlete, trainer, healer, and creator of Nowhere Solutions holistic retreat center in Nashville. Mardae’s path has taken h... more

In paddling and in life, nothing is wasted — every stroke counts, and every experience is money in the bank moving you toward your goal.

In this episode of The Discomfort Zone Podcast, Anna Levesque sits down with longtime paddler, coach, and story... more

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Recent Guests

Ruby Williams
A Quartz Valley tribal member and Kuduk person who has embraced her culture through kayaking.
Episode: Ep #79 Reclaiming the Current: Ruby Williams on Indigenous Youth, Paddling, and Resilience on the Klamath
Deborah Kane
Founder of Rally Crew, a new online gathering place for whitewater paddlers.
Rally Crew
Episode: Ep #78 8 Strategies for Thriving in Discomfort With Rally Crew Founder Deborah Kane
Kalob Grady
Professional kayaker and head of school at World Class Academy
World Class Academy
Episode: Ep #77 From Freestyle to Lifelong Flow with Kalob Grady
Chris Gragtmans
Former professional kayaker who now works in commercial and investment real estate.
Episode: Ep #75 Bright Shadow: Navigating Loss in Outdoor Adventure with Chris and Sommerville
Mike Wang
Entrepreneur paddler, instructor, foiler, and diversity trainer
Episode: Ep #71 Mike Wang on Turning Conflict and Anger into Connection
Trey Rouss
Founder of The Power of Water and The Connected Paddler, adjunct faculty at Michigan State University
The Power of Water, The Connected Paddler, Michigan State University
Episode: Ep #69 Growth, Kayaking & the Power of Being Real with Trey Rouss
Adam Spillman
Breathing and meditation teacher, mental skills coach, student, athlete and cancer survivor
Episode: Ep #68 Breathwork, Cancer Survival & Redefining the Human Experience with Adam Spillman
Anna Wagner
A passionate kayaker and a doctorate student in occupational therapy helping youth with special needs.
Columbia Gorge Junior Kayak Club
Episode: Ep #67 Train Your Brain for Courage with Anna Wagner
Nina Loretto
50-year-old Canadian pilot and former musician, who lost her first husband to suicide.
Episode: Ep #65 Finding Light After Loss — Nina’s Story of Grief, Healing & Hope

Host

Anna Levesque
Host and distinguished whitewater kayak and mental agility coach, known for her authentic conversations and empowerment strategies.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 139 ratings
  • The 360 on Life as a Paddler and Athlete

    Injury recovery, doubting yourself, dealing with outside (and inside) pressure to take risks, walking the edge of fear and giving up… Anna talks about ALL of it!

    Anna offers the highs and lows of life on the white water (and as a life-long athlete). She doesn’t sugar coat the challenges of both the physical and mental aspect of paddling exhilarating and dangerous waters… and yet always leaves you feeling empowered to take on the challenges while caring for yourself.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Baboa Girl
    Canada2 months ago
  • Invaluable Information!

    I absolutely LOVE Anna’s podcast!

    Her information, and the free webinar, made all the difference in helping me to “get out of my own head”, and learn how to roll.

    Not only this, but she and the people she interviews, have a wonderful way of using practical kayaking situations as illustrations to teach other life skills and mental agility.

    I always look forward to hearing the new podcasts when they download. And a few of them I have listened to more than just once.

    Thank you so much, Anna ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Uh oh!!
    United States3 months ago
  • So insightful

    One of my favorite podcast. Anna shares her insights about how the discomfort zone helps us growth. Love the river analogies. She brings amazing guests and is a skillful interviewer. Her last episode (#72) is so powerful about the courage to share her own experience of dealing with unexpected injury.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Susana Schwarz
    United States3 months ago
  • Thinking and Feeling

    I’ve been reading Anna’s blog and listening to her podcast for years. She and her guests are sharing the conversations you have with friends on long car rides, during long hikes, and on long phone chats. Their experiences mirror our own and their insights build emotional muscle. For me, they build more comfort during periods of feeling uncomfortable.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Susan Donkers
    United States5 months ago
  • Great insights

    Anna provides great, humble insights. I really enjoy her solo episodes and hearing her speak more candidly about life and its lessons. The guests that Anna has on are also great! A wide range of professional athletes to life coaches.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    hawaiisonmymind
    United States9 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the insightful discussions about navigating discomfort, finding courage, and pursuing passions.
Common themes include personal growth, emotional resilience, and practical strategies for overcoming fear.
Many fans express that the conversations feel like relatable discussions with friends, offering a sense of community.
Overall, the series is celebrated for its authenticity, depth, and inspirational content.
The show introduces compelling guests whose experiences resonate with those facing their own challenges.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Ep #84 From Fighter Jets to River Rapids: Khalid Kure on Courage, Service, and Healing
Q: What is your biggest goal?
To be there for the veterans.
Ep #84 From Fighter Jets to River Rapids: Khalid Kure on Courage, Service, and Healing
Q: When I say discomfort zone, what comes up for you or what does that mean to you?
Anxiety, for sure.
Ep #83 Balancing Fire, Flow, and Faith: Mardae Weaver on Discomfort as Opportunity
Q: What are your strategies for centering yourself?
Being very selfish, but not in a negative term. I make sure to hold space for myself while also supporting others.
Ep #83 Balancing Fire, Flow, and Faith: Mardae Weaver on Discomfort as Opportunity
Q: What does discomfort zone mean to you?
Opportunity is the first thing that popped up in my head.
Ep #82 Money in the Bank: Making Every Move and Every Fail Count with Anna Bruno
Q: What are some strategies you use before a competition or running a new river?
I tend to get really nervous and often have to find a place to puke, but once I start moving and remember how to kayak, those feelings dissipate.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Discomfort Zone

What is The Discomfort Zone about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This engaging series focuses on the concept of stepping beyond comfort zones, emphasizing personal growth through experiences that challenge fears and limitations. Through authentic conversations with diverse guests — including outdoor enthusiasts, athletes, and industry pioneers — it explores how discomfort can serve as a catalyst for self-discovery and empowerment. Topics frequently discussed include overcoming competition anxiety, the dynamics of nature, emotional resilience, and the importance of community support in navigating life's challenges. The unique blend of personal stories and expert insights aims to inspire listeners to confront their fears, embrace vulnerability, and pursue their passions wholeheartedly. Furthermore, the hos... more

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How many listeners does The Discomfort Zone get?

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Which podcasts are similar to The Discomfort Zone?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Discomfort Zone:

1. Jah Praise Whitewater
2. Outside Podcast
3. The Dirtbag Diaries
4. Climbing Gold
5. Fresh Air

How many episodes of The Discomfort Zone are there?

The Discomfort Zone launched 2 years ago and published 85 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Discomfort Zone?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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What guests have appeared on The Discomfort Zone?

Recent guests on The Discomfort Zone include:

1. Ruby Williams
2. Deborah Kane
3. Kalob Grady
4. Chris Gragtmans
5. Mike Wang
6. Trey Rouss
7. Adam Spillman
8. Anna Wagner

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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