This one is a little different from my usual horse podcast episodes, but if you are a western rider, horsewoman, or busy woman trying to take care of everybody while quietly not feeling great in your own skin, this conversation is going to hit home. I am sharing my personal journey of losing 45 pounds—not as a “here’s the perfect formula” episode, but as a real conversation about what body change actually asks of you mentally and emotionally.

Because changing your body is not just about food, workouts, or the number on the scale. It is about identity. Self-trust. Patience. Emotional regulation. Nervous system support. It is about learning how to stay steady when progress is slow, how to stop treating yourself like a problem to fix, and how to build change from self-respect instead of self-criticism.

And honestly? That is not all that different from the work we do with horses.

If you are used to hearing me talk about resilience in the saddle, mental performance, confidence, and staying steady under pressure in the show pen, you are going to hear those same mental skills show up here too—just applied to health, strength, weight loss, and learning how to feel good in your own body again.

If you or someone you know has benefited from this episode, be sure to tag us @nicoleburnettmentalcoach and @resilientreiner on Instagram and share this episode with your community! I am curious to hear all about your experience. Also, be sure to leave a review on iTunes to help others discover the show.

In This Episode You Will Learn:

• Why weight loss is not just a physical process—it is a mental and emotional one too
• How identity work affects body change just like it affects confidence in the saddle
• What it looked like for me to stop trying to “push through” and start actually supporting my body
• The role sleep, hormones, thyroid health, vitamin D, and baseline lab work played in helping me feel better
• Why walking became one of the most powerful tools in my health journey
• How strength training has helped me build confidence, momentum, and trust in my body
• Why shame makes change harder—and what helps instead
• What emotional regulation has to do with food, cravings, consistency, and follow-through
• How all-or-nothing thinking can quietly wreck your progress
• Why slow progress does not mean failed progress
• How to notice your patterns without spiraling or turning them into a moral issue
• Why systems, support, and self-awareness matter more than self-criticism
• The mindset shift that made consistency feel easier and more natural
• How this health journey is already helping me feel stronger in my riding and more grounded in my life

Questions I Answer:

• What was going on for me physically, mentally, and emotionally before I started this journey?
• How did I know I was not just “fine,” even when I was told my labs looked normal?
• What changed when I started working with a doctor who actually listened?
• How did walking become such a big part of my weight loss and mental wellness?
• Why did I hire a personal trainer, and how has strength training helped?
• What mindset skills from horse riding and western performance apply directly to weight loss?
• How do emotional regulation and nervous system support affect eating habits and consistency?
• What do I do instead of spiraling when progress feels slow?
• How do I stay committed without turning everything into pressure, panic, or punishment?
• What beliefs have I had to change in order to make this sustainable?
• What has surprised me the most about this process so far?
• What do I hope other women and riders take away from this episode?

Links & Resources:

• 🎯 5 Days to Confident Competitor
• Stop “show nerves” and saddle up with swagger.
• 👉 https://nicoleburnettcoaching.thrivecart.com/5-days-to-confident-competitor/
• 🎯 Mental Gym for Equestrians
• Train your mind like a pro so you ride like one.
• 👉 https://mentalgymforequestrians.com/
• 🎯 Free Weekly Mental Coaching Tips
• Get rider-specific mindset tools in your inbox. Join my email list here.
• 👉https://www.resilientreiner.com/