We know horses can cause anxiety but can they help you cure it too?

This week, I’m joined by Siobhan O’Gara, better known as @trottingawaymyanxiety_ on Instagram.

As much as she cringes at the term, she’s an equestrian influencer who has built a community by simply showing up and being herself.

Siobhan rode as a child but took a break when she didn’t have her own horse.

Now, with adult money, she hasn’t just bought one—she’s got four!

We chat about how quickly she went from one to three horses in just a few months, how she balances them all, and the feeling of bringing home her first horse after literally writing down exactly what she wanted.

The universe definitely delivered!

We also talk about her unconventional approach—buying horses without ever riding them first—something that would make most equestrians break out in a sweat.

Then, we switch gears to her experience with anxiety and how it completely halted her life. Siobhan shares how, despite not having an obvious trigger, her anxiety became so severe she was convinced she had a physical illness.

She opens up about:

• The fight to get doctors to listen and not misdiagnose her with depression
• Taking a solo flight to Edinburgh after nearly 10 years of being unable to travel
• How content creation helped her feel real again
• Why social media actually helped both of us find answers for our own mental health struggles

We also chat about how animals can be a lifeline during tough times, the pressure to be a “proper equestrian”, and why it’s okay to just have fun with your horses instead of chasing competition goals.

Siobhan gives some great insight into the equestrian community, common misconceptions, and shares her advice for anyone wanting to grow online.

And of course, she wraps up with the final question in a way only she can.

Find Siobhan on Instagram: @trottingawaymyanxiety_

If you are interested in working with me you can find me :

Equestrian Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠@stronginthesaddle_⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Equestrian Tiktok: @ stronginthesaddle

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Website:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.chrissyhawkins.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠