The Discomfort Zone

What does it take to rebuild a life around what you actually love — not what looks impressive from the outside? Laura Kurup spent years as a high-performing tech executive — Chief Strategy Officer at the SEC, Chief Data Officer at the New York Fed — and somewhere along the way, paddling took a backseat. Then came a rare and aggressive breast cancer diagnosis at 40. What followed was a two-year unraveling and rebuilding that led her back to the river, into whitewater instruction, and toward a life anchored in her own intuition. In this episode, Laura and Anna explore what it really means to face discomfort — not just the dramatic kind, but the low-level stuff we spend enormous energy ignoring. Laura shares how cancer cracked open the identity she'd been clinging to, why letting go of control on the Grand Canyon led to better lines, and what she's learned about expanding her window of tolerance — on the water and in life. In this episode, you'll explore: Why high performers often ignore discomfort until it becomes a five-alarm fire — and how to work with it at lower levels instead The mental shift that transformed Laura's lines on the Grand Canyon: from controlling the plan to reading and running How identity attachment (like being "the canoeist who doesn't flip") can quietly limit your growth What a cancer diagnosis revealed about the difference between performing a life and actually living one Laura's take on using AI intentionally — and why she compares it to ketchup The river metaphor she brought home from the Grand: following the bubble line If you've ever pushed discomfort down until it exploded, played it too safe and ended up stuck on the rocks, or wondered what life might look like if you gave yourself permission to follow your intuition — this episode is for you. The river gives you a put-in and a take-out. How you run it is up to you. 🎧 Listen now and find your bubble line.

Whitewater kayaking naturally pulls us into the present moment. When you're paddling a rapid, your senses sharpen, your mind clears, and you're fully focused on the line ahead. But what if you didn't have to wait for a rapid to access that state? In this solo episode of The Discomfort Zone Podcast, I share simple mindfulness and breathwork practices that help paddlers reset their nervous system, quiet negative self-talk, and stay calm and focused — both on the river and in everyday life. These practices come directly from Week 7 of the Mental Agility Mastery 8 Week Course, where participants train their ability to pause, reset, and respond skillfully when things don't go according to plan. In this episode, you'll learn: • Why paddling naturally creates a powerful mindfulness state • How mindfulness helps you reset after a mistake, swim, or missed line • The 5-4-3-2-1 grounding exercise for returning to the present moment • Simple breathwork techniques to regulate your nervous system • How mindful movement strengthens confidence and focus One of the most powerful lessons from the river? Sometimes the most skillful move isn't paddling harder. It's embracing the pause. 🎧 Listen now and discover simple mindfulness practices that help you find flow — on the river and in life.

You've felt that edge before — the moment between staying in the eddy and peeling out into the current. In this episode of The Discomfort Zone Podcast, I sit down with world-class kayaker, coach, and avalanche specialist Tyler Curtis to explore what it really means to lean into uncertainty — on the river and in life. From freestyle kayaking and youth coaching, to living abroad and learning a new language, Tyler shares how following his passion shaped not just his career, but his resilience, confidence, and leadership. We talk about how fear evolves, how risk tolerance changes over time, and why modeling failure as a coach builds real trust. This conversation blends whitewater wisdom with practical mindset tools you can apply immediately — whether you're challenging yourself to run harder rivers, leading others, or navigating uncertainty in your everyday life. In this episode, you'll explore: How to tell the difference between real danger and the stories your mind creates Why modeling failure builds trust, confidence, and stronger coaching relationships How freestyle kayaking develops resilience and mental agility under pressure What youth athletes can teach us about courage and pushing comfort zones Why following your passion builds transferable life skills — from leadership to risk management If you care about building courage — in yourself or in the people you lead — this episode will change how you think about fear and growth. 🎧 Listen now to explore how passion becomes discipline, skill, and leadership.

What do you do when the pressure is on, and you don't have the answer? In this episode of The Discomfort Zone Podcast, I sit down with longtime paddler, freestyle competitor, and squirt boater Matt Hamilton to explore what real composure looks like in high-stakes environments. As a paramedic and ski patroller, Matt regularly operates where the margin for error is razor thin. On the water, he's spent decades river running, paddling freestyle, and chasing deep mystery moves. Across both worlds, he's learned that confidence isn't about eliminating stress — it's about staying effective within it. We talk about breathwork, repetition, aging in sport, the evolution of professional kayaking, and why variety and play are essential for long-term resilience. This conversation is about more than kayaking. It's about learning to zoom out, reset your nervous system, and keep moving forward — especially when you feel stumped. In This Episode, You'll Learn: Why composure means effectiveness under stress — not calm conditions How repetition and experience build real confidence over time What to do when you feel stuck or overwhelmed How play, community, and longevity shape resilience Why staying in the sport doesn't require chasing the latest tricks If you want to build resilience, confidence, and mental agility — on the river and in life — this episode is for you. 🎧 Listen now and explore what becomes possible when you stay grounded under pressure.

What do polar expeditions have to teach you about conserving energy, building resilience, and showing up with real confidence? In this episode of The Discomfort Zone, Anna sits down with endurance performance coach Jon Fearne, who has trained record breaking solo polar explorers, Atlantic rowers, and elite endurance athletes for nearly 30 years. This conversation isn't about heroics. It's about what builds real confidence and resilience day after day, and it's probably not what you think. They explore: Why routine reduces mental strain and builds resilience How small energy leaks — not big mistakes — cause failure How to train your nervous system for high-stress environments The psychology of solo adventure What failure really teaches you Why waiting for perfect conditions keeps you stuck Jon shares the unfiltered truth about elite performance: it's not built in heroic moments. It's built in daily discipline. If you've been waiting for ideal conditions before taking action — this episode is your reminder: Confidence comes from preparation. And preparation happens in the mundane. 🎧 Listen now and learn how to conserve energy, build resilience, and paddle with real confidence. About Jon Jon Fearne is an adventure performance coach who has worked with 1000's of endurance athletes all over the world from Atlantic Rowers to Record breaking Polar athletes, and multiple world endurance MTB riders. He's worked in the endurance and adventure industry for 29 years, starting out as an Outdoor education instructor in surf and kayaking, and then studied Sports Science, co-writing a MSc Athlete development and peak performance. He runs an endurance coaching business called E3C, and his passions include time with family and being in the mountains on skis.

This is the 100th episode of The Discomfort Zone Podcast — and it almost never happened. In this solo milestone episode, Anna reflects on the journey from sitting on the idea of a podcast for years to surpassing 50,000 downloads — and the single insight that finally helped her take the leap. That insight came from one paragraph in Hidden Potential by Adam Grant, where he describes three kinds of courage that accelerate growth: The courage to abandon your tried-and-true methods The courage to step into the ring before you feel ready The courage to make more mistakes than others make attempts Through stories from whitewater kayaking, launching her first instructional DVD for women, and navigating the fear of publishing a podcast, Anna shares how leaning into discomfort shaped not only her career — but her life. In this episode, you'll explore: Why discomfort is the gateway to growth How to peel out of your "eddy" and take action Why mistakes are essential for mastery How paddling mirrors the way we show up in life Reflection questions to help you move toward what matters most If you've ever felt stuck, hesitant, or unsure whether you're ready, this episode is your reminder that growth starts exactly there. The river doesn't wait for you to feel ready. You peel out of the eddy anyway. And that's where transformation happens. 🌊 Reflection Questions from This Episode Where in your life can you abandon your tried-and-true methods? Where can you step into the ring before you feel ready? Where can you make more mistakes than others make attempts? 🎧Listen now, and peel out toward what matters — even if you don't feel ready yet.

What if the river could teach you how to stay alive — and how to truly live? In this powerful episode of The Discomfort Zone, I sit down with Lauren Byrd — combat veteran, whitewater kayaker, and creator of PaddleCalendar — for an honest, courageous conversation about fear, grounding, and finding your way back to yourself through paddling. Lauren shares how kayaking became more than a sport — it became a lifeline. From learning to regulate her nervous system in an eddy before a rapid, to discovering the profound boat–body–head connection, Lauren walks us through how river skills translated directly into life-saving mental agility. We talk about: How grounding practices finally made sense — not in a classroom, but on the river Using eddies as a metaphor for pausing, breathing, and resetting in life Starting whitewater kayaking as an adult (in her late 30s) — and going all in Competing on the world stage without comparison or perfectionism Why being in the boat matters more than the outcome How playboating, presence, and progression helped shift suicidal thoughts into a desire to live This episode is for paddlers, adventurers, and anyone navigating fear, overwhelm, or big life transitions. You don't need to be running Class V to learn from the river — sometimes the most important work happens in the eddy. If you've ever felt stuck on the shore of your own life, this conversation is an invitation to get back in the boat, trust your process, and paddle forward — one intentional moment at a time. 🎧 Listen in and let the river remind you what's possible — on and off the water.

What if self-doubt isn't a sign to stop — but an invitation to listen more deeply? In this episode of The Discomfort Zone Podcast, Anna Levesque sits down with packrafter, educator, and counselor Jule Harle for a thoughtful, grounded conversation about imposter syndrome, purpose, and learning to trust what's guiding you — even when your mind is loud. Jule shares how feeling "not good enough" has shown up across her life, from moving to Alaska without knowing how to ski, to stepping into leadership roles in paddlesports, education, and community building. Rather than trying to silence that voice, she offers a different approach: non-attachment, kindness toward yourself, and staying connected to what genuinely feels meaningful. Together, Anna and Jule explore: Why imposter syndrome often appears when you're on the right path How heart-led desire can be a compass — even when the outcome is unclear Letting go of results while still showing up fully for the work The parallels between rivers, yoga, Ayurveda, and everyday decision-making Why rest, sleep, and seasonal rhythms are foundational for confidence How service, authenticity, and joy can coexist — without burnout This conversation weaves river wisdom, Eastern philosophy, and lived experience into a practical reminder: growth doesn't come from proving yourself — it comes from presence, curiosity, and staying kind to yourself along the way. 🎧 Press play and explore what it means to quiet the mind, open the heart, and keep choosing what feels true — on the river and in life.

What if happiness isn't something you wait for — but something you generate? In this solo episode, Anna walks you through a moment from the start of her year that offered a clear reminder of how you can create ease — even when things don't go as planned. Through this real-life moment, Anna unpacks one of the most powerful mindset shifts she knows: 👉 Sometimes the hardest decision is actually the most easeful one. Using whitewater kayaking metaphors, nervous system awareness, and mental agility tools, this episode explores: How to stop labeling your whole day (or year) as "bad" Why a "bad 10 minutes" doesn't equal a bad life — or a bad paddling day How to interrupt unhelpful stories and return to facts What it really means to generate happiness moment to moment Why being attached to "wins" creates emotional whiplash How to get off the up-and-down roller coaster and into a steadier wave train of life If you've had a rough start to the year, a missed line on the river, or a moment where plans unraveled fast — this episode is an invitation to reframe, breathe, and choose clarity over fear. Anna also shares how these practices are taught and trained inside her Mental Agility Mastery program — a live, small-group experience designed to help paddlers and adventurers move from feeling disempowered to grounded, confident, and capable. 🎧 Listen in if you're ready to: Paddle past unhelpful self-talk Make cleaner, more self-trusting decisions Find ease even when life feels hard And remember that nothing is ever all good or all bad Because just like on the river — it's about learning how to paddle through rapids with skill and self-trust.

In this encore episode of The Discomfort Zone Podcast, I sit down with Heidi Walsh, one of the most dynamic all-around female kayakers in the world and a 2025 Female Paddler of the Year finalist, for a raw conversation about mindset, resilience, and learning through failure in high-consequence whitewater. Heidi is known for charging Class V creeks, competing at the highest level of freestyle kayaking, and running massive waterfalls—including 92-foot drops. In this episode, she breaks down what it actually takes—mentally and technically—to keep progressing when the stakes are high and the beatdowns are real. We dive into the story behind her now-viral switch freewheel off Spirit Falls, and what it was like to follow that iconic moment with a humbling swim while attempting to hand-paddle through Chaos after her paddle was ripped from her hands. Heidi shares the lessons she took from that moment—and why mistakes, when approached with awareness and safety, are essential for growth. In this episode, we explore: How to fail safely while pushing your limits in kayaking Why beatdowns don't mean you're doing it wrong—they mean you're learning The mental skills required to run big drops and charge hard lines How to build resilience and confidence after setbacks What "sending it with style" really means beyond the highlight reel Heidi's grounded, no-nonsense approach to risk, progression, and self-trust offers powerful takeaways for paddlers—and anyone navigating fear, challenge, and growth in their own life. 🎧 If you're ready to rethink failure, build real confidence, and lean into discomfort with more clarity, this episode is for you.

In this encore episode of The Discomfort Zone Podcast, I'm joined by Sophie Gilfillan, recently named U21 Female Paddler of the Year, for a powerful conversation about mindset training for kayaking, managing fear, and letting go of perfectionism—without losing the joy of paddling. Sophie is a silver medalist at the Junior Women's World Freestyle Championships and a multi-discipline paddler across freestyle, slalom, and creeking. In this conversation, she shares how she works with pressure, self-talk, and expectations at a high level—while staying grounded and connected to why she paddles in the first place. In this episode, we explore: How to tell the difference between rational and irrational fear on the river Why perfectionism can quietly sabotage confidence and performance Sophie's "rule of thirds" mindset tool for bouncing back after tough performances How extreme slalom is changing the culture of competition A refreshing definition of success that isn't tied to medals or results With wisdom beyond her years, Sophie offers insights that apply to competitive paddlers and everyday river runners alike. Whether this is your first listen or a return to a favorite episode, this conversation is a reminder that progress doesn't have to come at the cost of joy. 🎧 Listen in and reconnect with why you love paddling.

What if you didn't set another resolution… and instead chose a theme you could actually live into? In this bonus re-release, I'm joined by my longtime friend and entrepreneur Michelle Tennant Nicholson for a grounded, energizing conversation about creating an annual theme that becomes a true north star — not a January idea you forget by February. We talk about what it really takes to stay engaged in your life (especially when you're tired, busy, or tempted to drift back into the comfortable shallows). You'll hear stories, laughs, and practical frameworks you can use right away — like reverse-engineering your year from the future, using people / places / things to build momentum, and treating "failure" as feedback instead of proof you're behind. Michelle also shares how she navigated a major life pivot after Hurricane Helene disrupted her homestead plans — and how choosing a theme helped her realign with purpose when the path got rocky. If you're craving clarity, courage, and a simple way to steer your attention into what matters most… this episode is your eddy to reset in — before you peel out into the year ahead. ✨ Listen now, and then send me (and Michelle!) your theme for the year.

In this inspiring episode of The Discomfort Zone, I sit down with Makinley Kate Hargrove, two-time Junior World Champion, World Cup gold medalist, and six-time U.S. Junior National Champion, to explore how she leans into discomfort and finds her flow both on and off the river. We dive deep into: 🌊 How elite athletes reframe pressure into purpose 😊 Why choosing joy is a daily practice — not a personality trait 🤝 The power of community for courage and resilience 💪 Navigating injury with patience, perspective, and grounded mindset tools ✈️ How travel and culture shape who we become as paddlers and humans 💗 The role of authenticity and vulnerability in the competitive world 🌟 What Makinley Shares in This Episode Makinley opens up about what it was like to compete on the world stage as a teenager, including the moment she first realized that discomfort could actually fuel her growth. She reveals the grounding practices she uses before competition — including visualization and tapping into joyful memories — that help her stay centered under pressure. She also talks about how she releases expectations from others and returns to the simple joy of paddling, especially when competition and travel become intense. And in a powerful segment, McKinley walks us through her shoulder injury journey, how she stayed mentally resilient through forced rest, and the comeback she's building with clarity, patience, and purpose. If you're a paddler, adventurer, or someone learning to navigate your own discomfort zone, this conversation offers courage, clarity, and so much heart. 🎧 Tune in and learn how to paddle past fear and into confidence — one joyful moment at a time.

If you've been stuck in negative self-talk, overwhelm, or the holiday-season hustle, this episode is your fresh breath of clarity. In this solo episode of The Discomfort Zone, I share two powerful mindset exercises that have helped me peel out of stress spirals, rebuild confidence, and reconnect with ease — even in the middle of a six-month injury that kept me off the river. Whether you're healing, navigating a busy season, or feeling mentally overloaded, these tools will help you shift from disempowered to empowered — which is exactly what mental agility is all about. 🌟 In This Episode, You'll Learn: 🌊 Fact vs. Story — the simple but profound tool that instantly interrupts negative spirals 💛 The Feeling Generator Exercise — how to create the emotions you want to experience, even before circumstances change 🧠 Why your brain constantly predicts danger (and how to work with it, not against it) 🚣‍♀️ How I rebuilt confidence while returning to whitewater after a herniated disc ✨ Why shifting your inner state is more powerful than positive thinking I also share the vulnerable truth about my healing journey: months of not being able to sit, lying on my stomach during coaching calls, and slowly rebuilding strength until I finally paddled my first whitewater run again — and the joy that came with it. 🌬️ These Tools Are For You If: You're tired, overwhelmed, or stuck in a stress loop You want to build a more confident mindset You want to shift your inner dialogue from harsh to empowering You're ready to navigate the rapids of life with more ease, not force These exercises are simple, accessible, and truly transformational — and you can start practicing them today. 🎧 Tune in and learn how to flip your internal script, generate confidence from the inside out, and paddle forward with clarity and courage.

What if the real discomfort zone isn't the big rapid, the waterfall, or the leap into the unknown — but the murky middle between who you've been and who you're becoming? In this powerful, honest conversation, Anna sits down with lifelong adventurer and Color My Outdoors founder Simone Adams to explore what it really takes to navigate fear, identity, and belonging in outdoor spaces. Together they dive into: 🌿 What discomfort actually looks like Simone shares how the discomfort zone isn't the scary new goal itself, but that tender in-between space where you've outgrown an old version of yourself but haven't stepped fully into the new one. 🧠 Journaling, self-awareness & manifesting with action She opens up about using journaling to process anxiety, build self-awareness, and create the kind of intentional, actionable manifestation that actually moves you forward. 🌊 Why your outdoor journey doesn't have to look like anyone else's From bucket lists that evolve to letting go of pressure to chase adrenaline, Simone and Anna talk about choosing the version of adventure that fits you now.  🏞 Reclaiming space in the outdoors Simone explains how Color My Outdoors helps people of color reconnect with nature, challenge internalized stereotypes, and feel welcome in outdoor recreation — without needing expensive gear or industry "rules." If you've ever felt pressure to paddle harder, show up a certain way, or push yourself before you're ready, this episode is your reminder that growth doesn't have to look like anyone else's. This conversation will ground you, inspire you, and remind you that the outdoors — and your growth — are yours to define.

In this episode of The Discomfort Zone Podcast, Anna sits down with Laura Zulliger — ACA Level 5 Coastal Kayak Instructor, whitewater paddler, and Saltwater Program Director for California Watersports Collective — for a powerful conversation about surrendering through challenge, trusting yourself in uncertainty, and finding play inside discomfort. Together, they explore: 🌊 The real meaning of the discomfort zone — why fear, doubt, and imposter syndrome always show up at the edges of growth 🧠 How paddling teaches surrender — and what "going with the current" looks like in everyday life 🤰 Pregnancy, recovery, and whitewater — the surprising overlap between both journeys 💪 Reframing failure as freedom — and why getting wetter might actually mean you're progressing 💫 The role of play in building courage, confidence, and resilience on the water and in life Anna and Laura weave together lessons from kayaking, surfing, and motherhood, revealing how transformation often comes not from pushing harder — but from letting go, trusting the process, and savoring the experience. 💬 Favorite Quotes "The only way out is through." "Sometimes you have to surrender to discover how strong you really are." "If you're getting wetter, you're getting better." If you're craving courage, connection, and a reminder that you're not alone on your growth journey, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

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 Zone, I sit down with French Broad Riverkeeper Anna Alsobrook and MountainTrue River Cleanup Operations Manager Jon Stamper, two leaders who stepped straight into the chaos with courage, clarity, and a whole lot of heart. We explore: 🌧 What discomfort really feels like — from itchy armpits to butterflies to the moment you realize the problem is bigger than anything you've ever seen 🏞 Behind-the-scenes stories from Hurricane Helene — including flooded wells, destroyed river access points, entire houses swept downstream, and shipping containers wrapped around bridge pilings 🤝 How community action becomes the antidote to overwhelm From grilling hot dogs for displaced neighbors to launching the largest river-cleanup operation in North Carolina history, Anna and Jon share how small steps created massive impact. 💪 Why taking action before you feel "ready" is sometimes the most powerful move, and how doing so expands our capacity for courage — on the river and in life. 🌊 A paddler's mindset for disaster, uncertainty, and leadership including "one spoonful at a time," reading the water ahead, and grounding the nervous system when everything feels like too much. This conversation is raw, inspiring, and deeply rooted in the heart of The Discomfort Zone: start where you are, trust yourself, and keep moving one paddle stroke at a time. If you're a paddler, adventurer, or someone navigating your own personal floodwaters, this episode will remind you that courage isn't about having the perfect plan… it's about looking where you want to go, and making the next right move. 🎧 Listen now and paddle into more courage, clarity, and community.

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 it's your roll falling apart, your eddy peel-outs feeling frantic, or the ever-present fear of being underwater (or in any challenge that doesn't seem to ever go away), chances are you're working on symptoms instead of the actual root. And when you build on a weak foundation? It only holds for so long… until it doesn't. Inside this episode, you'll learn: 🌊 The real cause behind head-lifting in the roll (hint: it's not your head) 🧠 How your nervous system reacts before your brain does — and why that matters for paddling confidence  💪 Why muscling through fear eventually stops working as we age or lose flexibility  🔥 The overlooked root cause driving tension, hesitation, and rushed decision-making on the river (and in life)  🔍 How to build true self-awareness so you can stop repeating patterns that keep you stuck  📹 Why video review is a game-changer for seeing what you can't feel in the moment  🌿 How Ayurveda taught me to look deeper — and how those principles apply directly to paddling + mindset I also share an update from my own healing journey — six months off the water, relearning how to engage my core, and rebuilding a stronger foundation inside and out. Growth isn't always sexy… but it is powerful. If you're ready to stop skimming the surface and actually transform the way you paddle, move, and navigate fear, this episode hands you the tools to build the strong, steady core you've been missing.

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, river guide, and founder of California Watersport Collective — to talk about how navigating the unknown on the river mirrors the discomfort we face in life, leadership, and growth. Melissa shares her "mental flow chart" — a practical, soulful framework for aking decisions when fear hits. We explore: 🌊 How to transform nerves into excitement when the butterflies kick in 🧠 Why "failure" on the river (or in business) is just another rapid to learn from 💪 The power of rituals, self-talk, and embodiment when stepping into challenge 🔥 What it really takes to build confidence, community, and courage over a 20-year paddling career 💫 And how to bring your inner silverback gorilla to the moments that scare you most. This one's not just for paddlers — it's for anyone ready to push past fear, trust themselves, and find flow on the river and in life. 👉 Listen now to learn how to paddle smarter through fear, failure, and growth — and why your next breakthrough might just start in your discomfort zone. About Melissa Melissa is a certified whitewater kayak coach, international guide, and founder of California Watersports Collective, a paddlesports school offering instruction and adventure programs across the U.S., Chile, Norway, and Italy. Melissa combines technical expertise with a deep passion for empowering others through outdoor adventure. She also leads a nonprofit initiative, Riverbound, focused on breaking down barriers to access in paddlesports, creating inclusive and supportive spaces on the water. A proud team paddler for Kokatat, Pyranha and Werner Paddles, Melissa brings 20 years of experience, mentorship and environmental stewardship to every river she shares. Connect with Melissa Cali Collective: https://cwwcollective.com/ IG: @cwwcollective FB: melissa.demarie Riverbound: https://www.riverboundoutreach.org/