Afleveringen
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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 coach, including how to face scary stories and beta about a river without letting it derail my confidence.
If you’ve ever found yourself overanalyzing rapids or battling self-doubt in high-pressure moments, this episode will give you actionable strategies and thought-provoking questions to help you.
And, as always, the lessons learned on the river go far beyond kayaking—they’re the same skills that help us navigate life’s challenges too.
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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 confidence to leave time and space for creativity and being present with students. Whether you're a kayak instructor, a yoga teacher, or both, this conversation offers valuable insights for your practice and your students.
We also unpack the courage it takes to build a business that supports your physical and mental well-being while making a sustainable living.
And, if you've ever thought yoga isn't for you because you're "not flexible," Libby busts that myth and explains why yoga can be a game-changer for paddlers.
Join us for an inspiring discussion that reframes discomfort—not as something to avoid, but as a powerful force for growth, change and success.
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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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 about serving as an election observer in Afghanistan, and how she found an unlikely bridge to local communities: food. By stepping into kitchens and learning traditional dishes, she forged deep relationships in a place where connection wasn’t always easy.
We also dive into some real talk—her challenges raising three teenagers, the rollercoaster of perimenopause, and all the messy, beautiful moments in between.
Join us for a conversation about discomfort that’s equal parts funny, insightful, and deeply human.
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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 understanding our unique nature. Vishnu shares invaluable wisdom on acceptance, motivation, and the transformative power of simple yet intentional lifestyle shifts.
Expect personal stories, practical strategies, and deep reflections on:
✨ Embracing discomfort as a catalyst for growth and healing
✨ Ayurveda’s guidance for aligning with your unique constitution
✨ The magic of morning rituals and self-care practices
✨ Lessons from spiritual teachers and the art of presence in relationships
✨ The discipline-freedom paradox—and why structure is the key to liberationThis episode is an invitation to rethink your relationship with discomfort, tune into your inner wisdom, and take small but powerful steps toward balance and well-being.
If you’re ready for a conversation that’s both deeply insightful and immediately applicable, this one’s for you. Tune in now.🎧
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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, boundaries, and the art of finding humor in life’s challenges.
Together, we unpack how understanding emotional reactions can transform communication and deepen connection, while also exploring self-acceptance, body positivity, and the power of creating supportive environments.
It’s a real, relatable conversation about balancing autonomy with offering help, embracing emotional intelligence, and growing stronger—individually and together.
If you want to be a better partner in adventure, tune and gain insights from a couple who’ve been adventuring together for 20+ years and still loving it.
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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 go of habits and relationships that no longer serve, we offer a fresh perspective on creating a life you love.
Together, we dive into the art of reverse-engineering success, reframing failure as feedback, and realigning with purpose when the path gets rocky (like when Michelle’s homestead was destroyed by Hurricane Helene and she pivoted to van life).
Full of personal stories and practical tips, this episode is your guide to choosing your path forward with intention, courage, and a dash of daring. :)
Tune in to make 2025 your best year yet!
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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, and challenging judgments within outdoor communities. From skill-building through training and coaching to fostering community through intentional outreach, this episode is packed with actionable strategies for making the outdoors more inclusive for everyone.
Anna and Gerry also dive into the art of balancing diverse passions and interests, offering insights on how this multifaceted approach enriches their work—and yours. Whether you're passionate about building community, integrating varied interests into your career, or simply finding your place in the great outdoors, this conversation will leave you inspired and ready to take action.
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This week on The Discomfort Zone Podcast, I’m joined by Boyd Ruppelt—a seasoned whitewater kayaker, guide, and instructor—who shares his wisdom on confronting fear and managing risk in high-stakes environments.
Boyd offers a deep dive into the art of risk management and the guiding philosophies that shape his approach to both pursuing and guiding adventure sports. Together, we explore the unique mental challenges of kayaking and draw parallels to other sports Boyd is passionate about - skydiving and surfing.
Boyd’s stories and insights shine a light on how understanding fear can transform it into a powerful tool for growth and self-discovery.
If you’ve ever wondered how to embrace risk, push your limits, and cultivate a richer, more fearless engagement with life, this episode is for you. Tune in and let Boyd’s journey inspire your own path through discomfort and beyond!
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This week’s episode with Greg McFadden, owner and guide at Canyons River Company on Idaho’s iconic Middle Fork and Main Salmon Rivers, takes you into the transformative experience of “life without mirrors” on multi-day trips.
Greg shares the art of building trust on the river, the delicate balance of leadership and vulnerability, and the unique responsibilities that come with guiding.
He also shines a light on the progress of LGBTQ+ representation in paddlesports and the critical need to create safe, inclusive spaces for underserved and marginalized communities in the outdoors.
We also explore the importance of self-care, setting boundaries, and Greg’s exciting plans to deepen community engagement and support.
If you’re ready to be inspired to spark change and create a more inclusive world, this conversation will leave you energized and ready to paddle forward.
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In this week’s episode, Kara Weld, co-owner and CEO of Immersion Research, shares how she approaches the discomfort zone in business, kayaking and her relationship.
This conversation provides many insights for life on and off the water, and lots of river analogies! Kara shares about her experiences as a competitive canoe slalom kayaker and business owner, emphasizing the balance between risk and reward and the challenges of decision-making in entrepreneurship.
We also hit on the dynamics of working with your significant other, the evolution of women's participation in kayaking, and the importance of elevating women in the sport.
Spoiler alert: we barely scratched the surface on those last topics, so a follow-up episode will definitely in the works!
Don’t miss out on this rich and engaging conversation. Your paddling and your life will be better for it.
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In this episode of The Discomfort Zone Podcast, I sit down with Danny Mongno, a true paddling industry veteran, as he opens up about his journey through the highs and lows of a career in paddle sports.
From his passion for teaching to overcoming physical challenges like hip surgeries, Danny shares the resilience it takes to stay active in an ever-evolving outdoor industry.
We delve into the impact of e-commerce on small retailers, the growing significance of fitness and personal connections, and how the paddling community is shifting focus toward athletes who lift others up.
Discover how Danny, through his work at NRS, is supporting events that are reuniting paddlers, amplifying women’s voices, and empowering athletes to make a lasting impact.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about the outdoors, community, and the power of connection in sports.
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Anyone can get to the bottom of a rapid because the water flows downstream, and so it is with life. We will all end up at the end of the journey. The question is, what moves do you want to make and how do you want to feel once you’re there?
In this solo episode I reflect on big picture strategies that we use when learning how to navigate the river, that also apply to navigating life.
There’s a time and place to go with the flow, but that strategy may have you end up in a place you don’t want to be.
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My guest this week, Ottie Robinson Shaw, is a 6X Freestyle World Champion, and who is aspiring to be the best and beat the boys.
Ottie shares how, growing up, she was very afraid of failure, and the strategies she has been able to overcome that fear to become the successful competitor she is today.
She also talks about navigating major injuries, like the labrum tear she suffered during the last World Championships that took her out of paddling for months.
One of my favorite parts of this conversation is when we talk about the pressure to put on a happy face when you feel devastated inside by a performance or injury. We ask the questions - when do we get to be ourselves and show the emotion that we’re truly experiencing?
This conversation has tons of inspo on how to overcome fear, improve your mental game and be yourself.
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If you’ve watched a Matchstick Productions (MSP) ski film within the last 25 years, then you’ve witnessed the incredible work of this week’s guest, renowned filmmaker and skier, Scott Gaffney.
In a big life change, Scott recently left MSP to step into a big discomfort zone of trying to make it as a freelance filmmaker and cinematographer.
He shares what keeps him up at night, and the struggle to balance his passion for skiing and fun with his desire to work on films outside of adventure sports.
Scott tells stories of skiing naked, the importance of having fun, and walking the line between doing things for yourself and being a content creator and entertainer.
If you’re thinking of making a big life change and want to know what you might grapple with in the transition, this episode will provide valuable insights.
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If you’re a whitewater paddler and you’ve wondered how the legendary ‘Brown Claw’ came to be, you’ll get the facts in this episode, directly from Dave Fusilli, one of the OG Demshitz.
If you’re not a whitewater paddler and that sounds like crazy talk, you’ll still want to tune in because Dave tends to bring out the best in people. He seems to effortlessly balance not taking himself too seriously while also being very thoughtful and committed to connection, kindness and kayaking, of course.
In this conversation we explore the themes of discomfort, decision-making, mindfulness, and the power of our spiritual connection to water.
Dave also generously shares how he has been navigating the recent loss of his good friend, and industry icon, Bren Orton.
You’ll come away from this episode with inspiration for being more authentically yourself, having more fun, spreading more love and being a little kinder to yourself and others.
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In this episode, certified counselor Somerville Johnston returns to the show to do a dive deep with Anna into the mental health impacts of Hurricane Helene on their Asheville community.
They candidly explore the emotional landscape of discomfort, self-care, and survivor guilt, while underscoring the essential role of community support in the healing process.
The conversation sheds light on the importance of showing compassion—for ourselves and others—as they reflect on the collective grief that follows natural disasters.
Anna and Somerville discuss the complexities of grief and loss, emphasizing how grief is an ongoing process. They share personal strategies for coping, stressing the importance of routines, presence, and allowing emotions to flow freely.
Ultimately, this dialogue is a powerful reminder of the strength found in small acts of care and the profound interconnectedness between individual struggles and community-wide recovery.
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Last week Hurricane Helene devastated parts of our town and much of Western North Carolina.
This is a solo episode on my reflections of the past week because it felt like the right thing to do rather than go to a pre-recorded interview episode.
I literally re-recorded this episode 4 times because nothing I say captures all of the emotions and thoughts that have been running through me. There are no words, and things will continue to change as the recovery continues.
Settling on the focus of compassion, gratitude, focusing on what we can create anew from this devastation, and knowing that we will be able to return to the rivers for healing when the time is right.
Thanks for tuning in to this episode where I am very much in my discomfort zone on many levels.
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If you want to learn to set better boundaries, then to tune into this week’s episode about my absolute favorite teaching from the river: How to set boundaries like river banks.
Learning how to set boundaries around what’s important to you is essential to living a life that is fulfilling and meaningful to you.
Unfortunately, boundaries can get a bad rap as too confining, rigid and not fun. However, when you look at the flow of the water in a river - full of fun, beauty, power and freedom, you’ll notice that none of that could exist without the boundaries of the river banks.
In this episode you’ll learn how to direct the flow of your energy, focus and awareness towards what’s important to you.
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Need some inspiration on positive self-talk to face your biggest challenge?
Arnaldo Cespedes, accomplished Costa Rica paddler, instructor and guide, shares his strategies for self talk that get him through challenges on and off the water.
We also talk about what it takes to recover from injury, his top advice for river leaders, and the discomfort and benefits of traveling, connecting with others, and learning to speak a new language.
If you want a reminder to take a pause and enjoy life to the fullest, this conversation will provide!
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