The Discomfort Zone

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 storyteller Anna Bruno — a six-time member of the USA Freestyle Team and current Marketing Communications Manager at NRS.

From pre-competition nerves that literally send her running for the bu...

What does it mean to honor the voice inside you that says “Not today”—even when your skills say yes? In this conversation, Brett Mayer, lifelong educator, athlete, and Policy Director at the American Canoe Association, joins Anna to explore how discomfort shows up on the river, in public speaking, and in stewardship. Together, they unpack identity, ego, and the courage to choose connection over conquest.

✨ What You’ll Learn in This...

Ever feel like your inner critic has you stuck in a recirculating hole? 🙋‍♀️ Same here.

In this solo episode, I share the 5 steps to stop negative self-talk — the exact ones I use when my own mind starts spiraling - which it has been doing recently on my back-healing journey.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

✨ Get curious about your inner dialogue
🛑 Interrupt the negative loop
🌊 Replace it with affirmations + embodied feelings
📒 Gathe...

What does it mean to reconnect with your river, your culture, and your courage — all through the power of kayaking?

In this episode of The Discomfort Zone, I sit down with Ruby Williams, a Quartz Valley tribal member and Kuduk person raised along the banks of the Klamath River in Happy Camp, California. Ruby’s paddling journey began in 2022 with Paddle Tribal Waters, and has since taken her from the first full descent of the 310-mi...

What if the mistake you’re dreading is the very thing that sharpens your line?

In this conversation, I sit down with Deborah Kane—founder of Rally Crew, a new “online eddy” for whitewater paddlers—to talk about launching big ideas, running big rapids, and staying human when the outcome isn’t guaranteed.

From walking away from months of work to the power of one person saying “I’d bet on you,” Deborah offers an honest, practical play...

What does it take to fall in love with kayaking for life—not just for the next big rapid? In this episode, I sit down with Ottawa River local and Head of School at World Class Academy, Kalob Grady, to talk about the evolution of freestyle, the joy of paddling for fun, and the mindset shifts that keep you in the sport for decades.

We dive into:

🌊 Why the “middle ground” of freestyle fun matters for skill and stoke

🧠 How to build ...

Ten weeks after a herniated disc sidelined me, I’m finally sitting at the mic to share my biggest recovery wins—and the hard lessons I wish I’d learned sooner.

Here’s what’s inside:
✨ How my ego delayed my healing (and how yours might too)
🚣‍♀️ Why kayaking + heavy lifting can be a dangerous duo for your low back
🩻 The MRI that changed everything—and why I wish I’d gotten it sooner
🧘‍♀️ The surprising mind-body practices speedin...

In this episode I’m joined by the co-founders of the nonprofit Bright Shadow, Chris Gragtmans, accomplished whitewater kayaker, and Somerville Johnston, licensed professional counselor. Bright Shadow creates intentional spaces for community healing and reconnection for those grieving losses to and of the natural world — a topic that’s often overlooked in high-performance communities.

Together, they share how Bright Shadow came to b...

What happens when a paddling pioneer shares decades of quiet wisdom on business, life, and the river? You lean in and listen.

This week I sit down with Joe Pulliam—whitewater legend, founder of Dagger Kayaks, and one of the most thoughtful minds in the paddlesports world. From building his first boats in the 1960s for friends, to helping shape some of the most respected brands in the industry, Joe’s story is rooted in passion, purp...

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 confidence through discomfort — for both ki...

💥 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 I have to do it all.

Here are some ...

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.

We talk about:
🌀 How anger and di...

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 existentially.

I talk about:
💥 The pain that t...

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 person.

💬 Along the way, they dive...

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 after a life-threatening diagnosis and...

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.

🔥 In this episode, we dive into:

🧠 Ne...

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 the water or navigating a challenge...

💔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 the importance of breaking the si...

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 to life and paddling

🧠 Why ment...