In this episode of the podcast, I’m reading Chapters 6 and 7, The Decision – Sort of, and Imbalance is a Good Thing. As you will hear, at this stage of the journey, I’m somewhat flailing. Looking back on it, I’m still surprised that I took the path I did. Some part of me saw the promise of taking the more difficult path – something that was typically not my norm.

It has been fascinating for me to go back and read these chapters several years later. I typically can’t remember what I wrote last week, much less four years ago. In that way, it’s fresh. It’s also a little bit like reading a personal journal. I’m reminded of what I went through. 

I hope you enjoy these chapters – they will keep coming every week until we get through the book, and then my podcasts with guests will resume. 

This episode of the podcast features chapters 4 and 5 of Dancing the Tightrope. If you haven’t listened to the first 3 chapters, I suggest listening to those first. It will help make sense of what’s coming in these next few chapters.

When I listened back to Chapter 3, where I read the sidebar blog “Where’s My Choice Here?”, it was somewhat stunning to me that many of the threads that I pulled together for Dancing the Tightrope started well before the accident that lays the foundation for the book. I was already onto the themes of dealing with fear, adrenaline, pressure and uncertainty. In some ways, I had been bumping up against the glass ceiling of my beliefs; the pivotal fall from the horse offer me a way to shatter those beliefs if I chose to open myself up to seeing things in a new way.

What’s standing out for me in this process of creating an audio version of the book are the pivotal moments, where a seemingly innocuous choice created huge change. The small choice to go trail riding could have just as easily been the choice to give up horseback riding for good. The small choice to call Bruce could have just as easily been something I never got around to doing. 

The choice to go back for a second visit to Bruce was both a mystery and a big damn deal. In the world of the way I had done things up to this point, that second visit would not have happened. Yet it did -  in this new world I was discovering.

Chapter 4 talks about our second visit to Camden to understand what this somewhat strange approach to life, horses and learning to live in nature’s world was all about. Chapter 5 shows you where I began to use what I was learning – somewhat naively at the time. In fact, reading it back now sometimes feels like I’m reading someone else’s story.

In Chapter 5, I’m still deciding if I should ever get back on a horse – something that’s difficult to grasp, given that I’m riding all the time these days. Think about a decision you’ve made that now seems so obvious – or a decision you are grappling with that may someday become obvious. Maybe these chapters will help you sort through the risks and rewards with an improving mindset.

This week’s episode is – drumroll – Chapter 3 of Dancing the Tightrope. I’m just going to say it – you were right and I was wrong! I’m speaking to those who’ve been telling me for a long time that they would appreciate an audio version of my book. 

Not only have I been getting great feedback and gratitude for providing the book in this form, but I have also surprisingly enjoyed reading it myself. After all, I wrote this over 4 years ago. It’s given me a fresh perspective on the themes and principles I began learning and refining after my fall from the horse – and it’s also shown me how far I’ve come. For example, if you had told the 2020 version of me that I would be riding with Stevie Delahunt at an endurance boot camp a mere five years later, I would have laughed in your face. But that’s where I was in early March when Chapter 2 of the book came out. It just goes to show you that you can teach an old – dare I say it – dog new tricks. 

This chapter sets the stage for so much of what I’ve put into practice in the last five years. It chronicles my first visit to Camden to work with Bruce Anderson. To say that I was resistant is an understatement. So was Jen, as you will hear in this Chapter 3 of Dancing the Tightrope. 

In my last episode of the podcast, I started an experiment by reading the first chapter of my book Dancing the Tightrope. My promise was that if I heard from my readers and listeners that it was valuable, I would do more. Secretly, I did not expect anything to come of it. Of course, I was wrong!

You have spoken (at least some of you!) and I am listening. This episode of the podcast is Chapter Two of Dancing the Tightrope. It covers a lot of ground, both about my recovery from my accident and my waterskiing. More importantly, it sets the stage for many of the gold nuggets to come.

Something else happened when I read the book – especially this chapter – that I did not expect. I felt like a first-time reader in many ways. This chapter was written four years ago. Reading it now - out loud - is giving me new perspective. Something I dreaded doing is now becoming a useful practice. Who would have thought? 

It’s reminding my WHY I wrote the book. Here’s a quote from Chapter 13: If pressure is a test to show others we are good enough, we are doomed to live at the mercy of those whose approval we seek. If pressure is a catalyst to unleash our true nature, we can truly live while we are alive.

The worst accident of my life showed me how to live while I’m alive. Imagine giving up the need to prove yourself. Imagine truly living. That’s why I wrote the book. 

Stay tuned. More chapters to come. 

And I’m still seeking feedback. (Thank you to those who’ve already shared your insights.) What do you like about hearing me read these chapters? What would make it easier for you to listen? What gold nuggets are you taking away?

This episode of the podcast is something new. Let’s call it an experiment. I’ll explain shortly, but first some context. 

Since I published Dancing the Tightrope, What Falling Off a Horse Taught Me About Embracing Pressure, Fear and Uncertainty in 2022, many people have asked me for an audio book. While I’m aware of the huge trend towards audio books, I’m not an audio-book listener. I love to read, and I LOVE to listen to podcasts. However, listening to audio books has just never worked for me. I just zone out. So the thought of putting out a version of my book that zoned people out was very unappealing to me! 

Also, the thought of reading my entire book out loud caused me to cringe. Now, if you have followed my work for a while, you might have noticed in that last sentence that I was “gulping”, trying to get to the end quickly, rather than considering taking it a step at a time. 

Recently, one of my favorite podcasts, The Tim Ferriss show put out a chapter of his first book The Four Hour Workweek. Once I started listening to it, I almost changed to another podcast. It so happened that I didn’t have anything else in the hopper, so I kept listening. While I DID zone out, I also came away with a couple of good takeaways.

It got me to thinking - why don’t I do the same thing? All I have to do is read ONE chapter of my book.  

So that’s what I am doing for this episode of the podcast. What you will hear in this podcast is Chapter One of Dancing the Tightrope. 

Here’s where the experiment part comes in. Now that I’ve done one chapter, I’m willing to do more, but only if it makes a difference to others. 

This is where you come in. Did you like listening to this chapter? Would you like to hear more? What feedback do you have for me as the reader? (Yes, really, I would like to be better and the only way is to hear your feedback.) 

If I hear from enough people that this was something that worked well for them, I will audio publish the rest of the book, more than likely as I did here, as a series on the podcast. Eventually, I will then get it on Audible. 

My guest for this episode of the podcast is Chris Heron, who is the Director and Head Coach of Waterski and Wakeboard Scotland. Not only is he a coach, he is also the 3 time Scottish National Waterski Champion. 

This podcast happened because I just happened to open an email that came in through my contact form on my website. Nine times out of ten, those emails are junk solicitations. In this case, it was members of Chris’s waterski team reaching out to say that they were fans of the podcast and thought he would be a good guest. I’m so glad I opened that email – because he WAS a great guest, and I had some much fun with this conversation.

We spoke about everything from the routines and rituals that he has found useful in competition to getting over fears to his philosophy of learning. Chris comes at waterskiing from both the coaching and athlete perspective, which adds depth to his viewpoints. Plus, he is STILL skiing in the winter! We talked about the benefits of cold exposure, which he takes to a whole level beyond what most do. 

Whether you are a water skier, or your performance happens in other domains, there’s something in this podcast for you. I’m sharing his slick bio below.

I hope you enjoy this episode with Chris Heron.

My guest for this episode is Chantel Prat. If her name is not already familiar to you, she is the author of the book The Neuroscience of You. What got me really excited about having her on the podcast was her willingness to play with ideas about learning from two sides of the coin: the science of it in her academic world and the experience of it in my world as a lay person. 

We met in 2023 at the Journey on Podcast Summit where we were fellow presenters. In the last year, I’ve been putting together some pieces about learning how to stay present under pressure – even when the body starts saying “danger, danger.” Some if what I’m experiencing flies in the face of the typical coaching around managing stress. It’s made me curious about how the neuroscience of it works. So at the 2024 Podcast Summit, I spontaneously asked Chantel to help me make sense of it and she agreed. After our first conversation, we said “We’ve got to do a podcast.” So that’s the backstory.

As you will hear, this episode is all about learning. In our conversation, we truly geeked out together about how we humans learn, grow and change. Chantel asks two very relevant questions about what happens when we start getting the physical signals of stress: What is the feeling for? And what is the story for? 

What most impresses me about Chantel is that she models what she teaches. She is truly a learner, which is what makes her a great teacher. 

We had many quotable moments in this episode. Perhaps my favorite was when she said: “The feeling is the fuel that catalyzes change.” If you follow any of my blog posts or social media pages, you will recognize that I couldn’t agree more!

Now here’s a little more about Chantel:

Chantel Prat, author of The Neuroscience of You, is a Professor at the University of Washington with appointments in Psychology, Neuroscience, and Linguistics, and at the Institute for Learning and Brain Sciences. Her interdisciplinary research investigates how variable brain designs combine with our lifetime of experiences to shape the unique way each person learns, understands the world and operates in it. She is the recipient of a Pathway to Independence Award from the National Institute of Health, speaks internationally at events like the World Science Festival, and has appeared in a number of media outlets including PBS, Scientific American, Rolling Stone, Popular Mechanics, and Travel + Leisure.

I hope you enjoy this episode of The Creative Spirits Unleashed podcast. Please be sure to share it with anyone you think would enjoy it!

My guest for this episode is Nancy Zintsmaster, who is co-founder and master trainer in The Carolyn Resnick Method Liberty Horsemanship. I’m going to start this introduction with a question: What would your life – and leadership  - look like if you were able to partner with others using connection and harmony rather than control, force or fear? That is the core question Nan and I explored in this conversation. We got into the deep corners of what it looks like to create connection in a disconnected world, both with humans and with horses.  

In this conversation, we got into the implications for self-awareness, learning how to be congruent within ourselves, how to give up control, and what it takes to get back in touch with our natural humanity. Imagine dancing with the others in your life through connection and harmony.  

More about Nancy:  

Co-Founder, Certified Instructor, and Master Trainer in The Carolyn Resnick Method Liberty Horsemanship. Nancy Zintsmaster embodies the transformational power of The Carolyn Resnick Method. A lifelong horse enthusiast, her love for these magnificent animals began in childhood, but it wasn’t until she discovered Carolyn Resnick’s book, Naked Liberty, that she realized the profound connection possible between humans and horses. Her journey took a pivotal turn in Costa Rica, where she rescued seven horses in dire conditions. Committed to earning their trust and respect, she embraced Carolyn’s liberty training approach. What started as a rescue mission evolved into a deeply personal transformation, revealing that these sentient beings had as much to teach her as she had to teach them. Nancy’s path eventually led her to Carolyn Resnick herself, forging a life-changing partnership. Carolyn recognized Nancy’s natural gift with horses and her passion for The Resnick Method. This collaboration solidified Nancy’s role as one of its most dedicated advocates. Today, as a Master Trainer, Nancy is committed to sharing The Resnick Method with horse lovers worldwide. She teaches this compassionate and effective communication style to promote better relationships between humans and horses, ensuring both receive mutual rewards. Nancy resides at her ranch, Dance with Horses—The Resnick Method’s Costa Rica location—perched atop a mountain with breathtaking views of Lake Arenal and the Arenal Volcano. There, she continues her mission to inspire others through her work with horses. 

I had the good fortune to be in a clinic with Nan the last September. Watching her work with horses at liberty is a sight to behold. If you are interested in her clinics, she has several clinics scheduled both in Costa Rica and in the states next year. The one I’m most interested in is the one being held down the road from me at REIN Rescue, where I’m on the board of directors. Dates for that clinic are July 22-24, 2025.  

I hope you enjoy this conversation with Nancy Zintsmaster. 

After a brief hiatus, the podcast is back with guest water skier Corey Vaughn. You may remember that we spoke in the Spring, where Corey described his 1000-day plan to see how far he could take his water ski goals if he chose to really go for it. In that conversation, he laid out some specific goals for the season, and promised to return in the Fall to review the season, regardless of the outcome. 

In this conversation, we review Corey’s season, diving into some of the high and low points. I won’t spoil the outcomes of his goals; however, I will say he ended the season ranked 3rd in the World rankings, up from 9th at the beginning of the season and 28th at the beginning of the 2023 season. 

However, Corey isn’t skiing only to gain in the rankings, or even to win tournaments. As he said in our conversation in the Spring, he said “I’m deeply curious to find that edge,” meaning to see what happens if he approaches the sport with the intention to see how far he take can it. 

Corey takes us behind the scenes of several of the highlights from this season, including the heartbreaking moment in the Master’s qualifier where the handle slipped from his grip at the juncture that would have qualified him for the prestigious tournament. It was the kind of event that gets stuck in your mind, and Corey describes how he walked himself out of the disappointment so that this “mistake” did not poison his thinking for the rest of the year. He also gives us a window into the ingredients he has found that have improved both his outcomes and the process towards achieving those goals. 

We devoted a good bit of this conversation to the subtle mindset distinctions that make a difference when operating at the tip of the spear. He was very generous in revealing what he has found the ingredients that matter most to improve his performance. 

My guest for the episode is Jessie Dowling. She is an endurance rider who just completed the Tevis Cup last month and the Mongol Derby last year. Both of these events are some of the toughest horse races in the world. Given that, you might expect that Jessie has been at this for a very long time. However, this is a relatively new endeavor for her, as you will hear in this podcast. She basically says “I’m just a girl who loves horses.”  

What I found really interesting in speaking with Jessie was how she made the shift from running her cheesemaking business to attempting these grueling races. This conversation is full of nuggets of wisdom. At the core, she values being present as one of the most important ways she shows up in the world. You will notice how she breaks things down into smaller steps. It never seems as if she is tackling a huge thing, but instead, she focuses on each step. She also has deeply cultivated her resilience and physical strength, which I find inspiring, because it shows that endurance isn’t an inborn trait - it’s a skill that can be built. 

Here’s Jessie’s biography: 

Jessie Dowling founded and ran an award winning sheep and goat dairy and farmstead creamery named Fuzzy Udder Creamery and made cheese from sheep, goat and cow's milk for 13 years in Midcoast Maine.  After 17 years in the dairy industry she decided to make a huge change and pursue her true passion, endurance riding, training horses, and helping others connect with horses. She sold her cheese business at the end of May and decided to celebrate by riding in the 2024 Tevis Cup.  Jessie also trained with Stevie Delahunt  leading up to riding and completing the 2023 Mongol Derby 

In the end, Jessie is making life choices that support her in living the life she loves. We could all use a little more of that. 

I hope you enjoy this podcast with Jessie Dowling.