The Discomfort Zone

Ep #85 Dane Jackson on Fear, Flow, and Finding the Fun


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You might know Dane Jackson as that guy in the pink boat, the G.O.A.T. of Whitewater, or the paddler who somehow manages to throw tricks off of rarely run Class V drops. But in this episode, we go deeper β€” into what really drives his courage, how he navigates fear, and why fun might just be the ultimate superpower.

Dane opens up about:

  • 🌊 What "comfort zone" really means to him β€” and how he lives right on the edge of it

  • 🧠 How fear actually keeps him safe (and why "no fear" is a myth)

  • πŸ’ͺ The mental and physical prep behind big waterfalls and world championships

  • πŸ•Š Why failure isn't the opposite of success β€” it's part of the flow

  • ❀️ How joy, curiosity, and community fuel his drive more than competition ever could

Through stories of big water, mindset mastery, and pure love for the sport, Dane reminds us that courage doesn't mean the absence of fear β€” it means showing up anyway.

πŸ’‘ Why Listen

If you've ever looked at someone fearless on the water and thought, "I could never do that," this episode is for you. Dane pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to trust yourself in the moment, stay calm when things go sideways, and find joy β€” not pressure β€” in the pursuit of growth.

You'll walk away with:

  • πŸ”₯ A new way to use fear as fuel β€” not a stop sign

  • 🌬 Tools for grounding yourself in presence when challenges arise

  • 🌊 The reminder that courage comes from preparation, not perfection

  • πŸ˜„ Inspiration to bring more fun, play, and joy back into your paddling β€” and your life

πŸŽ™οΈ Listen now to paddle past fear, find your flow, and fall back in love with the process β€” on the river and in life.

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The Discomfort ZoneBy Anna Levesque

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