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!

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.

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.

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.

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.