Episode 6 – The Sofi Reinoso Story: Carving a Path from Veracruz, Mexico to the Olympic Stage

Show Notes

In this episode of Following Waters, host Brett Mayer sits down with Sofi Reinoso, a two-time Olympian, Pan American Games medalist, and the first Mexican canoe slalom paddler to win a medal at an ICF event.

Sofi shares her journey from growing up around the rivers of Veracruz, Mexico, to competing on the world’s biggest stage in Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024. Along the way, she talks about what first drew her to paddling, the challenges of trai...

In this episode of Following Waters, host Brett Mayer sits down with Steve “Steve-O” McKone, director of the Calleva River School in Poolesville, Maryland. Steve-O shares his journey from his first paddle on the George Washington Canal at 19, to becoming a lifelong paddler, teacher, and community builder.

Together, Brett and Steve explore:

The moment kayaking first captured Steve-O’s imagination and soul.How Calleva River School cultivates grit, resilience, and confidence in paddlers of all ages.Stories of challenge, growth, and joy that come from a life spent on the water.Steve-O’s vision for building communit...

Episode 4: The Anna Levesque Story

Join us for a powerful conversation with paddling and mindset pioneer Anna Levesque, who works to bring a more holistic path to paddling culture through coaching, yoga, breath work, and cultivating awareness.

About Anna Levesque

Anna is a Canadian paddler, former World Freestyle Kayak medalist, and author of Yoga for Paddling. She founded Mind Body Paddle, blending kayaking, yoga, Ayurveda, and mental agility coaching to empower paddlers—especially women—and has been named one of the “most inspirational paddlers alive” by Canoe & Kayak Magazine .

Anna hosts The Discom...

Episode 3: Maps, Memories, and the Currents that Shape Us: Gordon Dalton & the Spirit of Exploration

From the rivers of Virginia to backcountry creeks across the country, Gordon Dalton’s life is defined by paddling, wilderness discovery, and thoughtful storytelling.

About Gordon Dalton

Gordon is a Virginia-based paddler whose passion for rivers began with a canoe in 1989 and his first kayak in 1992. Since then, he’s explored countless creeks across the Blue Ridge and American West, working as a video kayaker in the late 1990s on rivers like the New and Gauley. Along the way...

Episode 2: Kickflips, Currents & Preparation — The Adam Herzog Story

From skate parks to the powerful flow of the Stikine River, Adam Herzog shares how intentional preparation and a love for place shaped his journey as a paddler, racer, and wilderness medicine educator.

Featured Guest: Adam Herzog

Adam Herzog started out skateboarding in Western North Carolina before discovering paddling in his teens. Over the years, that transition blossomed into a paddling career defined by discipline, edge-of-your-seat adventure, and deep purpose. After racing the Green Race annually for over two decades, he ultimately fulfilled a lifelong aspi...

Episode 1: the Bobby Miller Story: Paddling, Teaching, and Finding Purpose in the Flow

What drives someone to spend their life navigating whitewater? In this premiere episode of Following Waters, host Brett Mayer sits down with professional paddler, teacher, father, and outdoor educator Bobby Miller to explore that question from the inside out.

Bobby has been paddling Class V rivers for over two decades and is known for his smooth, powerful style on steep creeks and big water alike. But behind the drops and lines is a story about balance—between risk and responsibility, family and fr...