In this powerful episode of the Priority Living Podcast, Coach Bill Goodwin sits down with Sally Jane Mixon, founder and CEO of Abijah’s on the Backside, a nonprofit bringing equine-assisted mental health counseling to the racetrack. Sally shares how horses became part of her own healing journey, how they help people process trauma, anxiety, PTSD, and burnout, and why the backside of a racetrack has become an unexpected place of hope and restoration.
Sally holds an M.A. and license in Clinical Professional Counseling and is certified as both an equine specialist and mental health professional in the ARCH therapeutic framework used at Abijah's. She has dedicated her career to harnessing the healing power of horses, serving first responders, military personnel, professional athletes, and the racetrack community.
Sally is the daughter of a Marine and sister to twin law enforcement officers. She also works as an exercise rider at racetracks and serves as Chaplain at Canterbury Park, giving her a unique perspective on the racing industry and its potential to transform lives. Her vision for Abijah's is rooted in her faith where she sees the full potential of off-track Thoroughbreds, in partnership with the racing industry, igniting a global movement of healing.
You’ll hear moving stories from Sally’s work with military members, first responders, and professional athletes, along with practical insight into the emotional and spiritual lessons horses can teach us about courage, vulnerability, and trust. Sally also opens up about her personal journey, the vision behind Abijah’s, and what it means to live with purpose, faith, and resilience.
If you’ve ever wondered how healing begins, how hope is restored, or what horses can reveal about the human heart, this conversation will encourage and inspire you.
Listen in for:
• The story behind Abijah’s on the Backside
• How equine therapy helps people confront trauma
• Why vulnerability is key to courage
• Leadership lessons from racehorses
• Encouragement for anyone carrying an impossible dream
Subscribe for more conversations that help you live with purpose, perspective, and hope.
Links:
http://prioritylivingpodcast.com/
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Email: [email protected]
Phone: 715-379-1370
IG: @abijahsfoundation
Website: www.abijahs.org