The Discomfort Zone

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, inc...

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 d...

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 he...

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...

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...

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. Cind...

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,...

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 i...

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 surrou...

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...

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 fa...

In this conversation, Nick Troutman, accomplished paddler and content creator, explores the distinction between fear and danger when assessing risk versus rewards on and off the water. Anna and Nick also explore how failing and making mistakes are key to experiencing growth and overcoming self-doubt at the highest levels of achievement and performance. Nick is a big believer in the power of persev...

In this heartfelt conversation, Anna and her Dad discuss how losing his mother at the age of 10 shaped his view of problem solving, and how that was passed down to Anna as strategy for facing discomfort.  They talk about the importance of focusing on fundamentals when breaking down problems, what it's like to feel more vulnerable as you age, the power of family having your back, and how every pers...

In this episode, 14X Green Race Champion, Adriene Levknecht shares her strategies for thriving through chaos on and off the water, and how routines are key for her staying grounded. She shares how she preps for and overcomes fear in her paddling and racing, including her pre-Green Race rituals. Learn how stepping into her discomfort zone at an early age has taught Adriene that she can do hard thin...

Somerville, a licensed professional counselor and somatic experiencing practitioner, discusses how your nervous system works, and how you can grow your stress resiliency to face challenges. She shares strategies for getting comfortable with discomfort, and offers valuable advice on how to overcome perfectionism and self-judgment. Anna and Sommerville talk about the power of vulnerability and commu...

Clay Wright, a legend of the whitewater kayaking world who recently won Kayak Session Magazine's Paddling Legend Award in 2023, shares strategies for keeping your passion for whitewater fresh, and your performance top-notch. You'll also learn Clay's journey growing up in a paddling family, and how being left behind on trips has shaped how he approaches kayaking and coaching. Clay and Anna discuss...

In this episode of the Discomfort Zone Podcast, Laura Blythe, a passionate mountain biker and proud member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians shares her wisdom on stepping into your discomfort zone to build confidence, healing and resilience. She shares her experience running up against barriers to entry into mountain biking, why representation matters, and how she's empowering her community...

In episode of The Discomfort Zone podcast, Joe Taft, a celebrated yoga teacher and yoga therapist, invites us to embrace every facet of the life cycle, even the challenging aspects found within the discomfort zone. He delves into the significance of self-awareness in confronting fear, offering tangible techniques for embracing these darker moments when they arise. Throughout our discussion, we exp...

In this conversation, Jennifer Whitlock, a fearless nurse practitioner and accomplished open water swimmer who recently traversed the English Channel, delves into the transformative power of pushing boundaries to unlock your ambitious aspirations.     Reflecting on her journey and the hurdles she faced, Jennifer underscores the importance of forging your own path to success and refusing to be shac...

In this episode of The Discomfort Zone Podcast, Buffy Burge, a pioneer in Class V river running, talks about returning to extreme racing at the age of 50, after a 23 year hiatus, to race the Green with her teenage son. She shares why she feels that it's important to be a strong role model for her sons in the realm of pursuing her own passions and facing her fears. Buffy asks Anna to remind her of...

In this episode of The Discomfort Zone podcast, Philip Henderson, the leader of the first all African American Everest expedition, and pioneer in promoting outdoor activities for underrepresented communities, shares his insights on embracing discomfort and overcoming fear and anxiety. We talk about the importance of making choices based on personal growth and happiness, rather than seeking validat...

In this episode of the Discomfort Zone podcast, Anna and her husband, Andrew Holcombe, (they met on the freestyle kayak competition circuit in the early 2000s), discuss their experiences with discomfort and navigating challenges in their relationship. They share their top 3 discomfort zone challenges as a couple, including the decision not to have children and the difficulties of competing togethe...

In this first solo episode, host Anna Levesque introduces and gives context to the Discomfort Zone podcast. A mental agility and whitewater kayak coach, Anna defines mental agility and talks about what inspired her to share conversations with extraordinary folks who take on their discomfort zones for learning, growth and following their passions. Learn More: The Discomfort Zone Podcast