What does it really take to peel out of the eddy with confidence—on the river and in life? In this solo episode, Anna shares insights from a Class IV day on the Cheoah River and a powerful conversation about mindset, trust, and making bold moves.

Learn how familiar thought patterns keep us stuck, and how generating the feelings you want—before the big rapid—can shift everything.

Whether you're on the water or navigating a challenge in life, this episode offers a fresh perspective on how to find your flow.

You’ll learn:

• Why familiar patterns feel safe—even when they hold you back
• A simple yet powerful morning practice to shift your energy
• How “spotting your landing” applies both on and off the river

If you’re ready to move through fear, let go of perfectionism, and feel more joy in your paddling and your life—this one’s for you.

💔In 2016, Nina Loretto, one of my oldest friends, experienced a life-altering tragedy when she lost her first husband to suicide. In this powerful and heartfelt conversation, she opens up about the deep discomfort of navigating that loss—and the strength it took to begin healing.

🕊️With remarkable honesty, compassion, and even humor, Nina shares how she found her way back to joy. She talks about the importance of breaking the silence around suicide, tending to your own well-being, and seeking support when you’re carrying grief. Her insights offer comfort and encouragement to anyone who has experienced loss or wants to better understand how to support others. 

✈️ We also explore Nina’s career as a commercial airline captain for West Jet —how she handles the demands of the job, why representation matters for women in aviation, and the unseen challenges aspiring pilots often face. 

This episode is moving, courageous, and uplifting. You will laugh, cry, and walk away inspired by Nina’s resilience and wisdom. ✨

If you're looking for a story that honors the complexity of loss and the power of hope, this one’s for you. 💛

Dive into an inspiring conversation with whitewater legend Todd Wells as he joins Anna Levesque to talk all things kayaking, courage, and community. This episode is packed with insight, heart, and a few splashes of river wisdom. 🌊

Here’s what you’ll hear:

🧭 How Todd is shifting his decision making in high-risk environments

💥 The hard-earned lessons from injuries—and how they shaped his approach to life and paddling

🧠 Why mental health, self-awareness, and emotional expression matter in adventure sports

🫂 The role of mentorship, communication, and community in shaping future paddlers

🔄 Reflections on generational shifts in paddling culture and teaching progression

🌟 How positive decision-making creates ripple effects for the next wave of river runners

Whether you’re a whitewater junkie or just love stories of grit and growth, this episode will inspire you to think deeper about the balance between risk and reward.

👉 Press play and paddle into the conversation!

In this powerful and heartfelt episode, we sit down with Brad Burden — former pro kayaker 🛶, kayak instructor, now basketball coach 🏀 and teacher — as he shares his evolving journey through leadership, parenting, and self-awareness 💬.

Brad gets real about what it's like to:

🔄 Recognize when your old ways of coaching and parenting just aren't working anymore

🧠 Support a child through mental health challenges with compassion and humility

🧘‍♂️ Let go of the need to always "fix" and instead learn how to simply be present

👥 Lead with self-awareness, even when it means putting your own emotions aside

🌊 Apply lessons from whitewater kayaking to the wild ride of life, parenting, and leadership

Whether you're a parent, coach, teacher, or just someone trying to show up better for the people in your life, Brad's insights will resonate deeply ❤️. 

This episode is an honest, vulnerable look at how we grow — not by having all the answers, but by learning to listen and respond to what the moment is truly asking of us 🔍✨.

In this solo episode, Anna shares one of the most powerful lessons from whitewater kayaking: lean into the rock. What does that mean? When things get hard—on the river or in life—our instinct is to pull away. But that resistance can make things worse. Anna breaks down how leaning into discomfort can actually help you move through it with more ease, grace, and strength.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

🪨 Why “leaning into the rock” helps you stay balanced in turbulent times

💭 How avoiding discomfort often makes things harder

🌬️ Mindset tools to help you stay grounded when life gets rough:

Breathwork strategies (like box breathing)

Grounding techniques to bring you back to the present moment

How to separate fact from story to shift your perspective

The power of asking for help—and allowing yourself to receive it

🌊 How leaning in opens up new possibilities and momentum, even when things feel stuck

Whether you're navigating rapids or real life, this episode will inspire you to meet challenges with courage—and trust your ability to find your way through.

🎧 Hit play and let’s paddle through the hard together.

This week, I sit down with the amazing Jessie Stone — medical doctor, pro kayaker, and founder of Soft Power Health, a nonprofit making a real difference in Uganda 🇺🇬✨

💥 In this inspiring convo, we dive into:

🚣‍♀️ The power of hard moves in easy water — in paddling and in life

🧘‍♀️ How visualization and meditation support physical healing and mental strength

🤝 Building trust and deep relationships with communities along the White Nile

🌱 Self-discovery, growth, and embracing challenges

💪 Changing the conversation around women in whitewater

🛶 The joy of showing up for the long haul—on the river and beyond

🔥 If you’re chasing big goals, craving inspiration, or just love a good adventure story, this one’s for you.

🎧 Tune in now and get ready to be moved!

In this epic episode, I sit down with Heidi Walsh—one of the top all-around female kayakers on the planet—to talk about the mental and technical game behind hucking 92-ft waterfalls, throwing down in freestyle comps, and charging Class V creeks.

We dive into the wild story behind her recent switch freewheel off Spirit Falls—a jaw-dropping downriver trick that had the internet losing its mind. Heidi shares what it was like to follow up that viral moment with a swim trying to hand paddle through Chaos after her paddle got ripped out of her hands —and the powerful lessons she took away from it.

Her honest take on embracing mistakes, learning from beatdowns, and building mental resilience will fire you up to push your own limits—whether you're on the water or tackling life’s rapids.

🎧 If you’re ready to level up your paddling game and get inspired by raw, real, and badass river wisdom, hit play on this episode! 🚀

In this week’s episode, I sit down with world champion SUP athlete and coach, Seychelle, for a conversation packed with game-changing insights on paddling, business, and life.

🎯 From valuing your worth and asking for what you want, to leveraging your ego and practicing self-accountability, Seychelle shares the strategies that have fueled her success—on and off the water.

🏄‍♀️ Whether you’re chasing SUP podiums or personal breakthroughs, you’ll love Seychelle’s powerful mindset tips, including:

 ✅ Why your legs (not just your arms) are the secret weapon for a powerful SUP stroke.  ✅ Strategies for staying consistent with race training—even when motivation dips.  ✅ The game-changing impact of hiring a coach to level up your paddling, business, and personal goals.

🔥 Plus, Seychelle gets real about recent lessons in saying no and setting boundaries—a must-hear for anyone juggling performance and passion.

If you’re ready for a dose of inspiration and some next-level SUP wisdom, this episode is for you. 🎧💥

🚣‍♂️ Want to elevate your river leadership and paddling instruction skills? This episode is a must-listen!

Join me as I sit down with two powerhouse paddlesports educators, Anne Sontheimer and Jordan Taylor, for a deep dive into the art and science of leadership on the water. With a combined 80+ years of experience in whitewater kayaking, we unpack the key elements that make great instructors and leaders stand out.

🌊 What does it take to guide others through challenge and uncertainty? 

🌟 How can embracing the 'discomfort zone' fuel growth and confidence? 

🗣 What are the secrets to managing tough conversations and setting realistic expectations in certification processes?

We cover it all—adaptability, presence, feedback, joy in teaching, and redefining success beyond just technical skills. Whether you're an experienced instructor, an aspiring leader, or simply passionate about paddlesports, this episode is packed with insights that will help you level up your approach.

🎧 Tune in now and take your leadership to the next level!

What does it take to push past fear, redefine your limits, and keep chasing adventure—no matter what life throws your way?

In this episode, I sit down with Isaac Levinson, a multi-sport athlete and former US National Slalom Team member, as he opens up about his incredible journey through adventure sports, the life-altering back injury that changed everything, and his recent autoimmune diagnosis.

Isaac shares powerful insights on: ✅ The fine line between physical and mental discomfort ✅ How mindfulness fuels healing and growth ✅ The power of choice in turning fear into joy ✅ Coping with disappointment and setbacks ✅ Redefining goals to stay in the game for the long haul

Whether you're an athlete, an outdoor enthusiast, or just someone looking for inspiration to overcome obstacles, this episode is packed with wisdom, resilience, and the true spirit of adventure.

🎙️ Tune in now and get ready to see challenges in a whole new light!