Mindhop Blog

Do you ever feel like you get in your own way, tripping over invisible hurdles just as you’re about to reach your goals? Self-sabotage is a common yet often misunderstood behaviour that can prevent us from achieving our true potential. Let’s look at what self-sabotage is, why we do it, and most importantly, how we can break free from this cycle and reclaim our path to success. What is Self-Sabotage? Self-sabotage is when we engage in behaviours or thoughts that hold us back f

In a world obsessed with metrics and milestones, it's easy to fall into the trap of equating success with happiness. We're bombarded with images of smiling faces a top beautiful mountain peaks. Leading us to believe that once we reach that summit of achievement, weather thats riding bridleless and bareback on the beach, Winning a dressage test or finally getting the right canter lead consistently all our problems will magically disappear. But here's the kicker – success, as s

In 2024, my daughter competed at Crufts for the first time in Agility. You know, that joyful sport where dogs race through jumps, tunnels, and see-saws, tails flying and hearts full. Running on “The Green Carpet” is a big deal in the dog agility world—and she was there. Of course, she secretly hoped to win and make it to the main arena in the afternoon. Who wouldn’t? .    But we didn't set a goal. Not THAT goal anyway.   The Trouble with Performance Goals That kind of goal—“t

What is TRUE confidence?  Not the fake "Riding loudly with confidence" types that are actually just trying to cover up their own insecurities by projecting their opinions on to you. Not the riders with all the bravado that give a performance and  "make" the horse do things 'because they are not scared of any horse.' trying to impress onlookers. I mean REAL confidence that inspires others. They are grounded in who they are, they are quietly doing what feels aligned to their va

How do you relate to money? It definitely carries an energy in people with horses.  Non horse folk think we must be rich to have horses. We think we are poor BECAUSE we have horses.   We won’t spend money on our houses, on meals out, on ourselves.  Yet we find the money for the vet bills, the 107 supplements Thunderhooves needs, the new saddle, that mane detangler or that really nice matchy saddle pad and fly veil.   We feel guilty for spending money on anything but our horse

Sensory Circuits I just spent a week with a great friend of mine who is an Occupational Therapist working with children with social and emotional communication difficulties alongside other disorders such as ADHD, Sensory processing and autism.  We got into a super interesting discussion about managing the nervous system and the crossovers between what she does with her children at work and what I do with clients suffering from anxiety. (Especially around riding)   When I work

Life has a funny way of throwing us curveballs right? (When I say "funny" it is generally anything but at the time!) Just when you're making progress towards your goals, you find yourself knocked off course by unexpected challenges or setbacks. It can be disheartening, disappointing and frustrating but these moments also present opportunities for growth, resilience, and renewed determination. (Not that you want to hear that in the moment!) Some tips on how to navigate setbac