I told everyone in the eddy I was only going to ferry. When I peeled out, I was shocked by what happened next. The whitewater decision making strategy that I got from Clay Wright years ago initially sounded strange. In this solo episode of The Discomfort Zone Podcast I work out why it became the
Ep#123 Take the Pressure Off: Whitewater Decision Making Read More »
Ann Gillard saw a gap in the paddling community and did what any good river person would do: she gathered her crew and got on the water to build a space where people can actually show up as themselves. Ann is an ACA Level 4 whitewater kayak instructor, NRS ambassador, and founder of Pride Day
Ep #111 How to Know When You’re Ready and Where You Belong with Ann Gillard Read More »
Whitewater kayaking naturally pulls us into the present moment. When you’re paddling a rapid, your senses sharpen, your mind clears, and you’re fully focused on the line ahead. But what if you didn’t have to wait for a rapid to access that state? In this solo episode of The Discomfort Zone Podcast, I share simple
Ep#104 Mindfulness for Paddlers: Simple Practices to Stay Calm, Focused, and in Flow Read More »
Have you been dialing in new skills only to watch them fall apart when things get spicy? Maybe your roll works great… until you get in the current.Maybe the moves you’ve been practicing fall apart on a new or harder river.Maybe skills that use to feel easy, now feel challenging. You’re not alone.And you’re not
Why Your Paddling Skills Plateau: The Hidden Root Cause No One Talks About Read More »
After six long months of excruciating pain, baby steps (literally), endless PT, walking, SUPing, chiropractic, and massage… I’m back in a kayak, and today I got back on whitewater! I paddled Section 9 of the French Broad (Class II–III), a stretch I know like an old friend and teach on all the time. I honestly
Back in My Boat: My First Day on Whitewater Again Read More »
Gratitude is one of the simplest and most underestimated mindset tools for paddlers — and for anyone navigating life’s rapids. We often think of gratitude as something soft, sweet, or reserved for the good moments. But in my experience, gratitude is also a strength tool. It’s a way to shift your nervous system out of
The Power of Gratitude to Shift Fear and Build Confidence Read More »
