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Artwork for The Discomfort Zone

The Discomfort Zone

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

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,... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes91Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Self-ImprovementEducationSportsWilderness

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Artwork for The Discomfort Zone

Latest Episodes

When Hurricane Helene tore through Western North Carolina, it didn't just reshape the riverbanks — it challenged an entire community to step into the unknown and take action, even when no one felt "ready."

In this powerful episode of The Discomfort... more

Most paddlers are trying to build courage and skill on top of a shaky foundation — and they don't even know it.

In this solo episode, I break down why so many paddlers (and humans!) focus on the wrong thing when they're trying to improve. Whether i... more

What if the same mindset that gets you through a Class IV rapid could help you start a business, write a book, or take a bold leap in life?

In this episode of The Discomfort Zone, Anna sits down with Melissa DeMarie — international kayak coach, riv... more

In this episode of The Discomfort Zone, Anna Levesque talks with Olympian and extreme kayaker Sofia Reinoso, the first Mexican woman to compete in Canoe Slalom at the Olympic Games. Sofia opens up about what it takes to say yes anyway — even when fea... more

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Recent Guests

Anna Alsobrook
French Broad Riverkeeper at MountainTrue, she facilitates water quality monitoring and citizen science efforts in the French Broad River watershed.
MountainTrue
Episode: Ep #91 Hurricane Helene Recovery: Lessons in Rapid Response, Collective Resilience, and Caring for Our Rivers
Jon Stamper
River Cleanup Operations Manager for MountainTrue and a veteran raft guide and swift water rescue instructor.
MountainTrue
Episode: Ep #91 Hurricane Helene Recovery: Lessons in Rapid Response, Collective Resilience, and Caring for Our Rivers
Melissa DeMarie
Certified whitewater kayak coach, international guide, and founder of California Watersports Collective
California Watersports Collective
Episode: Ep #89 Flowcharts, Fear, and Silverback Courage with Melissa DeMarie
Sofia Reinoso
A highly accomplished whitewater kayaker from Veracruz, Mexico, the first Mexican to achieve the Olympics in Canoe Slalom.
Episode: Ep #88 Say Yes Anyway: How Olympian Sofia Reinoso Turns Discomfort into Confidence
Keeya Wiki
A 17-year-old indigenous kayaker dedicated to community organizing and advocating for her peoples.
Klamath River, Yurok peoples
Episode: Ep #87 The Power of Joy with Keeya Wiki: Indigenous Youth on the Klamath River
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

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 142 ratings
  • Awesome!

    I love Anna’s soothing voice! It reminds me of the voice in my head when I work on my forward stroke form on the flat water. Because I was lucky enough to get a kayaking class for Anna and she made my form so much better! Mental game is the hardest thing to teach and I love how she is teaching it and also getting into the heads of the best in whitewater to show us how they prepare their mental game!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Dave redhead
    United Statesa month ago
  • 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
    Canada4 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 States4 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 States5 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 States7 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.

Apple Podcasts
#189
United Kingdom/Sports/Wilderness
Apple Podcasts
#225
Germany/Sports/Wilderness
Apple Podcasts
#68
Norway/Sports/Wilderness
Apple Podcasts
#138
Taiwan/Sports/Wilderness
Apple Podcasts
#142
Ireland/Sports/Wilderness
Apple Podcasts
#173
Denmark/Sports/Wilderness

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Ep #91 Hurricane Helene Recovery: Lessons in Rapid Response, Collective Resilience, and Caring for Our Rivers
Q: What are some strategies that y'all use to move through your discomfort zone when you're in it?
Acknowledging the feeling, focusing on breathing, and trying to remove oneself from anxiety-inducing thoughts.
Ep #91 Hurricane Helene Recovery: Lessons in Rapid Response, Collective Resilience, and Caring for Our Rivers
Q: What does discomfort mean to you or discomfort zone?
Discomfort is seen as a learning opportunity and a zone of growth.
Ep #89 Flowcharts, Fear, and Silverback Courage with Melissa DeMarie
Q: What is your strategy for when things get uncomfortable?
Melissa discusses how her experiences have allowed her to evaluate situations objectively and use a mental flowchart to address challenges.
Ep #85 Dane Jackson on Fear, Flow, and Finding the Fun
Q: How do you square losing friends in kayaking with your passion for the sport?
Dane acknowledges the difficulty of losing friends in the sport but balances it by cherishing the joy and community it brings.
Ep #85 Dane Jackson on Fear, Flow, and Finding the Fun
Q: Do you experience fear? How do you face fear if you do?
Dane shares that he is nearly always scared and believes fear sharpens focus, ensuring he makes safer decisions.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
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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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Which podcasts are similar to The Discomfort Zone?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Discomfort Zone:

1. Jah Praise Whitewater
2. The Hammer Factor
3. Outside Podcast
4. The Jordan Harbinger Show
5. B-Flow Sessions: The Whitewater Kayaking Podcast

How many episodes of The Discomfort Zone are there?

The Discomfort Zone launched 2 years ago and published 91 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?

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What guests have appeared on The Discomfort Zone?

Recent guests on The Discomfort Zone include:

1. Anna Alsobrook
2. Jon Stamper
3. Melissa DeMarie
4. Sofia Reinoso
5. Keeya Wiki
6. Ruby Williams
7. Deborah Kane
8. Kalob Grady

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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