Best Arnaldo Brown Podcasts (2024)

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 effor…

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Ep#39 Sommerville Johnston on Grief, Grounding and Mental Health After Hurricane Helene 48:59

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1M ago48:59

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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 healin…

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Ep #38 Anna on Living Through Hurricane Helene, Gratitude and Compassion 18:38

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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 thoug…

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Ep #37 Anna on Lessons From the River: How to Set Boundaries Like River Banks 23:01

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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…

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Ep#36 Arnaldo Cespedes on Positive Self-Talk, the Common Language of the River and Enjoying Every Moment 41:45

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Ep #35 Michelle Weger on Living With Narcolepsy, a Giant Service Dog and Not Snoozing Your Dreams 51:17

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By Anna Levesque

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Ep #34 Stephen Wright on the Power of Fun, Failure and Being the Stoke You Want to See in the World 52:33

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If you need some positive inspo this week, this episode is for you! Stephen Wright is one of the most accomplished and positive paddlers I know. In this conversation Stephen shares how he navigates his discomfort zone in competition, squirt boating, coaching and starting his carbon boat building company, Dreamboat Kayaks. You’ll learn about his coa…

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Ep #33 Anna Levesque on Lessons From the River That Help You Navigate the Flow of Life 15:57

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By Anna Levesque

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Ep #32 Sophie Gilfillan on Mindset Training for Kayaking and Letting Go of Perfectionism 45:19

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Join me for an inspiring conversation with Sophie Gilfillan, recent silver medalist in Junior Women at the World Freestyle Championships, who has also excelled in slalom kayaking, and creek boating. In this episode of the Discomfort Zone Podcast, Sophie delves into the delicate balance between rational and irrational fear, sharing how she navigates…

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Ep #31 Nicole Bernardin on Going at Your Own Pace in Ultra Running and Life 40:28

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Nicole Bernardin, a passionate ultra runner, reminds us to separate fact from fiction to stop ourselves from getting derailed by the lows or the highs of racing and life. She shares her mental agility strategies for completing endurance races, and how the sport has helped her cultivate patience, resilience and confidence in all areas of her life. N…

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Ep #30 Adam Herzog on Recovering From a Catastrophic Accident and Redefining Success 59:43

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Imagine recovering from a catastrophic climbing accident that resulted in major multi -systems trauma, including a skull fracture, a broken back, bruises in both lungs and 15 broken bones, to race the Green just 11 months later. Adam Herzog, an accomplished whitewater kayaker and outdoor enthusiast, did just that. This week, Adam shares his journey…

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Ep #29 Eleanor Knight on How to Not Let Mistakes and Scary Experiences Stop You 47:25

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By Anna Levesque

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Ep #28 Shane Benedict on Building Confidence With Hard Moves in Easy Water 1:00:25

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Shane Benedict, co-founder of Liquid Logic Kayaks, is one of the most confident paddlers that I know, and in this conversation he shares how he cultivated that confidence, and has sustained it for 40+ years on the water. He also talks about his passion for designing kayaks, and what part of the design and development process feels most uncomfortabl…

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Ep #27 Shawanna Kendrick on Pushing Through Hard and Finding Freedom on MT Kilimanjaro 51:31

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Shawanna Kendrick, founder of The Hiking, Healing and Outdoors Life (H2O), shares how her recent expedition to Mt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania was both a personal and generational goal, and the lessons she learned along the way. Our conversation delves into cultivating self-awareness and personal growth through adventure, the benefits of pushing through…

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Ep #26 Benny Marr on Whitewater Kayaking, Ego and Choosing Confidence 56:47

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Benny Marr is known as one of the best big wave and river paddlers in the world, but I’ve always been just as impressed by his self-awareness, growth mindset and lighthearted humor. There’s so much packed into this episode! Benny shares his thoughts on ego and kayaking, and how he has used his ego for both ‘good’ and ‘evil’ throughout his career. H…

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Ep #25 Brenna Kelleher on Performance Coaching and Shifting Discomfort Zones 1:01:34

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Brenna Keller, a top PSIA ski instructor and guide, dives into the interplay between fear and excitement, highlighting how mindset can help achieve a flow state. .She explains how fear, when managed properly, can enhance performance. The conversation also examines the discomfort zone beyond skiing, particularly in communication and relationships, w…

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Ep #24 Holley Gardel on Adjusting Your Attitude and Altitude in Flying and in Life 1:03:39

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In this episode, helicopter air ambulance pilot, Holley Gardel, shares strategies for transforming negative feelings into powerful cues that propel you to perform at your best. We talk about the power of mental performance training, how it unlocks potential in every aspect of life, and how it’s not just for elite athletes. Holley champions thorough…

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Ep #23 Abby Holcombe on Facing Fear and Staying True to Yourself 46:51

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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 i…

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Ep #22 Shaun Eggie on Helping Veterans Heal Through Whitewater Kayaking 36:01

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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…

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Ep #21 Sage Donnelly on Reaching Goals and Cultivating a Class V Mindset 54:36

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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…

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Ep #20 Chris Gragtmans on Setting Boundaries in Pursuit of Your Passions 1:03:37

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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 passio…

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Ep #19 Emily Jackson on Making Your Own Way and Turning Challenges Into Opportunities 52:26

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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, a…

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Ep #18 Cindy Frost on Firefighting, Hiking the AT and How to Make Powerful Choices 45:37

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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 ab…

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Ep #17 How to Defeat Your Fear and Develop Self-Control Through Yoga 54:10

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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…

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Ep #16 How Perspectives About the River and Anxiety Change With Age With Rush Sturges 40:51

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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 o…

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Ep #15 Completing Ironmans and Not Underestimating Your Capabilities With Kristin Evans 50:36

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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 cheerin…

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Ep #14 Kayaking, Mental Health and the Importance Of Community With Adam Edwards 50:57

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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 an…

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Ep #13 How to Navigate Fear as a Family With Zenovia Stephens 47:41

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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 significa…

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Ep #12 Be Willing to Fail and Never Give up With Nick Troutman 47:29

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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 performa…

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Ep #11 The Power of Facing Reality and Focusing on Fundamentals with Reg Levesque (Dad) 50:53

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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 pow…

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Ep #10 Staying Grounded and Thriving in Chaos 44:16

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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 earl…

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Ep #9 How to Grow Your Zone of Stress Resilience with Sommerville Johnston 53:23

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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 Sommervil…

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Ep #8 How to Gamify Your Paddling for Performance and Longevity 48:01

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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 approa…

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Ep #7 The Power of Mtn Biking, Representation and Being Prepared with Laura Blythe 47:45

8M ago47:45

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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 representatio…

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Ep #6 Yoga and Embracing the Darkness with Joe Taft 48:24

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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 …

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Ep #5 Swimming the English Channel and Fat Shaming with Jennifer Whitlock 44:37

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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 yo…

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Ep #4 Returning to Extreme Racing as a 50 yro Mom with Buffy Burge 48:23

8M ago48:23

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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 f…

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Ep #3 Climbing Everest and Following the Beat of Your Own Drum with Philip Henderson 39:09

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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…

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Ep #2 Navigating Discomfort in Relationships on and off the Water with Andrew Holcombe 51:43

8M ago51:43

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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 …

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Ep #1 Welcome to the Discomfort Zone Podcast 8:48

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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. L…