The Discomfort Zone

What happens when the student becomes the teacher — and your kid starts paddling harder than you ever did? In this heartfelt and often hilarious conversation, I sit down with Ken and Cashion Porter-Shirley, a father-son duo whose relationship has evolved from early river days full of coaching and "peer pressure" to deep mutual respect and role reversal. Together, we dive into: 🧠 Building confiden...

💥 This episode is a real-time reflection four weeks into navigating the ups and downs of my journey to healing my back.   I've resisted recording an update because I feel vulnerable, but this podcast is about the Discomfort Zone, and I'm in it!  I'm sharing hard lessons I'm learning about slowing down, letting go, and rewriting old patterns around self-worth, over-scheduling, and the belief that...

This one goes deep, y'all. 💛 In this episode, I sit down with Mike Wang—a paddling coach and entrepreneur —who shares his powerful journey of navigating discomfort both on and off the water. From growing his self-awareness and communication skills to confronting deep family wounds, Mike opens up about the courageous conversations he's had with his father, who physically abused him and his mother....

I've always prided myself on taking good care of my body. Yoga, chiropractic, massage — the whole mind-body paddle package. But recently, I found myself in unfamiliar territory: excruciating sciatic pain that left me unable to get in my boat… right before Women's Paddle Fest. In this solo episode, I'm sharing what it's like to hit that wall — physically, emotionally, and even a little existentiall...

What happens when you stop chasing perfection and start getting real—with yourself, your fears, and the people around you? In this raw and inspiring conversation, 🛶I sit down with 🎤 Trey Rouss, owner of The Power of Water,  to paddle straight into the heart of discomfort—and the unexpected power it holds. Using kayaking as both metaphor and mirror, they explore what it really takes to grow as a...

What if your breath could be the key to healing, resilience, and reclaiming your power? In this inspiring and heartfelt episode, I sit down with Adam Spillman — a cancer survivor, breathwork and meditation teacher — whose journey will shift the way you think about discomfort, recovery, and self-discovery. ✨ Here's what we dive into: 🧠 How breathwork helped Adam heal emotionally and physically af...

Need a boost of adventure, energy, and motivation? You're going to love this conversation with accomplished whitewater paddler and adventurer Anna Wagner! She's tackled some of the toughest multi-day expeditions in North America — from the Stikine to the Middle Kings, plus multiple 💦 70+ ft waterfalls in the PNW. But her real superpower? Turning fear into fuel and self-doubt into confidence. 🔥 I...

What does it really take to peel out of the eddy with confidence—on the river and in life? In this solo episode, Anna shares insights from a Class IV day on the Cheoah River and a powerful conversation about mindset, trust, and making bold moves. Learn how familiar thought patterns keep us stuck, and how generating the feelings you want—before the big rapid—can shift everything. Whether you're on...

💔In 2016, Nina Loretto, one of my oldest friends, experienced a life-altering tragedy when she lost her first husband to suicide. In this powerful and heartfelt conversation, she opens up about the deep discomfort of navigating that loss—and the strength it took to begin healing. 🕊️With remarkable honesty, compassion, and even humor, Nina shares how she found her way back to joy. She talks about...

Dive into an inspiring conversation with whitewater legend Todd Wells as he joins Anna Levesque to talk all things kayaking, courage, and community. This episode is packed with insight, heart, and a few splashes of river wisdom. 🌊 Here's what you'll hear: 🧭 How Todd is shifting his decision making in high-risk environments 💥 The hard-earned lessons from injuries—and how they shaped his approach...

In this powerful and heartfelt episode, we sit down with Brad Burden — former pro kayaker 🛶, kayak instructor, now basketball coach 🏀 and teacher — as he shares his evolving journey through leadership, parenting, and self-awareness 💬. Brad gets real about what it's like to: 🔄 Recognize when your old ways of coaching and parenting just aren't working anymore 🧠 Support a child through mental he...

In this solo episode, Anna shares one of the most powerful lessons from whitewater kayaking: lean into the rock. What does that mean? When things get hard—on the river or in life—our instinct is to pull away. But that resistance can make things worse. Anna breaks down how leaning into discomfort can actually help you move through it with more ease, grace, and strength. In this episode, you'll lear...

This week, I sit down with the amazing Jessie Stone — medical doctor, pro kayaker, and founder of Soft Power Health, a nonprofit making a real difference in Uganda 🇺🇬✨ 💥 In this inspiring convo, we dive into: 🚣‍♀️ The power of hard moves in easy water — in paddling and in life 🧘‍♀️ How visualization and meditation support physical healing and mental strength 🤝 Building trust and deep relation...

In this epic episode, I sit down with Heidi Walsh—one of the top all-around female kayakers on the planet—to talk about the mental and technical game behind hucking 92-ft waterfalls, throwing down in freestyle comps, and charging Class V creeks. We dive into the wild story behind her recent switch freewheel off Spirit Falls—a jaw-dropping downriver trick that had the internet losing its mind. Heid...

In this week's episode, I sit down with world champion SUP athlete and coach, Seychelle, for a conversation packed with game-changing insights on paddling, business, and life. 🎯 From valuing your worth and asking for what you want, to leveraging your ego and practicing self-accountability, Seychelle shares the strategies that have fueled her success—on and off the water. 🏄‍♀️ Whether you're chas...

🚣‍♂️ Want to elevate your river leadership and paddling instruction skills? This episode is a must-listen! Join me as I sit down with two powerhouse paddlesports educators, Anne Sontheimer and Jordan Taylor, for a deep dive into the art and science of leadership on the water. With a combined 80+ years of experience in whitewater kayaking, we unpack the key elements that make great instructors and...

What does it take to push past fear, redefine your limits, and keep chasing adventure—no matter what life throws your way? In this episode, I sit down with Isaac Levinson, a multi-sport athlete and former US National Slalom Team member, as he opens up about his incredible journey through adventure sports, the life-altering back injury that changed everything, and his recent autoimmune diagnosis. I...

Want to uplevel your leadership game? This episode is a must-listen! Jennifer McClanahan, a trusted advisor to C-suite leaders, sits down with me for a powerful conversation about human-centered leadership. We dive deep into the real challenges of leadership—taking risks, building strong relationships, practicing vulnerability, and communicating with impact to create a thriving workplace culture....

In this solo episode, I'm sharing with you my experience returning to some of the rivers in Western North Carolina that have changed since Helene. Learning 'new' rivers made me realize that, although some of the rivers challenged me before Helene, they were still in my comfort zone because I knew them so well. Discovering new features and rapids challenged me to practice the strategies that I coac...

In this episode, Libby Hinsley, a doctor of physical therapy, certified yoga therapist and author, talks about her experiences with hypermobility syndromes and how discomfort can be a powerful catalyst for transformation. As teacher/instructor trainers in our respective disciplines, we share effective teaching strategies and the evolution of moving from the need to be over-prepared to having the c...

This week, I sit down with my dear friend from college, Jiffer Bourguignon, for a heartfelt and hilarious conversation about life, discomfort, and the unexpected ways we find connection. Jiff shares what it's been like living as an American expat in Germany for decades—navigating cultural nuances, language mishaps, and the kind of miscommunications that are so awkward, they're funny. Jiffer talks...

From the moment I first spoke with Vishnu Das—an experienced Ayurvedic doctor and teacher—I knew I could listen to him talk about Ayurveda and yoga forever. Now, after nearly 15 years of mentorship, I'm beyond excited to share his insights with you. In this rich and thought-provoking conversation, we explore the power of self-awareness in navigating discomfort and the profound role Ayurveda plays...

In this episode, I'm stoked to welcome back my husband, Andrew Holcombe—a skilled paddler, natural leader, and my favorite partner-in-adventure —for another heartfelt (and sometimes funny) chat about tackling the discomfort zone in close relationships. We dive into our own experiences, sharing the good, the awkward, and the downright messy moments that come with navigating communication, boundarie...

What's your theme for the upcoming year?  This week my longtime friend and entrepreneur, Michelle Tennant Nicholson, joins me in a conversation that will help you create a powerful theme for the new year. We share personal journeys of setting annual themes and stepping into the discomfort zones that fuel personal growth. From embracing risks and committing to exhilarating experiences, to letting g...

In this episode of the Discomfort Zone Podcast, Anna sits down with Gerry Seavo-James, Deputy Campaign Director for the Sierra Club's Outdoors for All campaign. Together, they explore the transformative power of equitable outdoor access and the discomfort zones we face in work, play and building community. Gerry shares personal stories of navigating risk, overcoming gear and financial barriers, an...