Why Not?

When you see a piece of content on social media do you ever think about how its made? Well today I speak to content creator Carly Sterling just about that

We talk about her love of horses and the danger of turning your passion into your job

About how she came to work in content creation and being able to combine it with her love of horses

The importance of getting on with who you work with and having someone who pushes you to go to the next level

The things that you can find on the internet and not letting the fact you don't have a degree hold you back

We also talk about the Grassroots Rider Academy and how it was such a learning experience in so many aspects

Being the first official staff member of The Grassroots Gazette and what that was like and the confidence boost it gave her

Working in media and how it is always changing which makes it so exciting

We also spoke about her horse Nova and what it was like bringing her on, having had her from 6 months old and the many ups and downs that came with it

The dangers of social media and comparing yourself to others highlight reels

Not putting too much pressure on yourself and acknowledging the little wins and the mindset that is needed to make decisions based on the bigger picture instead of the end goal

The crossover with horses and content creation and how they can be used to help each other

We also talk about what Carly is most excited for in the coming year and we finish we a stellar peice of advice from Carly

If you want to keep up with Carly you'll find her:

Instagram: @cs_equine

And you'll find some of her awesome content on @thegrassrootsgazette

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

Instagram: @chrissyhfitness

https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/v7m8t6

Do you ever think about your relationship with food? How would you class it?

Today I speak to nutritional therapist and body image coach Linn Thornsonson all about that

We talk about her own story and how her journey led her to a career and realising that it's a common theme with people

How the scale shouldn't cause an emotional reaction and if it does it might be better just to stay away from it

That its completely normal for our bodies to change over time but it's important to acknowledge how something not fitting makes you feel

Linn also talks about how one comment at 16 is what set her down the path of disordered eating

We talk about her time in racing yards and the dangerous practices some riders to do make weight

And how so little consideration is given to the stable staff or jockeys when making regulations which makes it very difficult to make a livable career out of it

Linn speaks about similarities she sees in clients and how no matter the size internalized fatphobia is present

about fitness and how to get some movement, you don't have to go to the gym but also the gym shouldn't be a punishment for what you've eaten

that social media and filters have us questioning our sense of self

We also talk about some things that help the people we work with and the difference having enough food makes to every other part of your life

That you don't have a discipline problem you more often have a self-compassion problem

Recovery and that it looks different to different people

That dieting and calorie deficits literally go against our body's survival instincts

Linn has some great advice at the end of the interview

If you are interested in working with Linn you can find her:

Website: www.straighforwardnutrition.com

Instagram: @healing_relationship_with_food

Podcast: The Joyful Nourishment Podcast

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

Instagram: @chrissyhfitness

https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/v7m8t6

Today I speak to Sarah Elebert, She is a co-founder of women's equine media brand, COO of Envious Dresshire and mother too to beautiful girls

We talk about Equitas and the need for a brand like it for women in the industry and to bring equity to them

That the differences in physiology between men and women need to be acknowledged

We talk about the "Why can't we?" campaign and the importance of educating people on how traditional uniforms can push people out of the sport

This campaign has led some governing bodies in the equine industry to change the rules on competition and allow dark jodhpurs to be worn

We also discuss how the majority of people working and contributing to the industry are women and that that needs acknowledgement

We then speak about envious dress hire and how it is more about just hiring out clothes but how style can make you feel

That how many similarities she has found in the mindset and confidence of women and how it's affected by what they wear be it at an event or in a competition

Sarah also talks about the "envious girl" and how they want them to feel when they wear their pieces

That sometimes a style that you wouldn't normally pick for yourself can have you feeling like a boss and having someone like Nicola of Envious can be the difference

We then move to motherhood and how Sarah navigates running these two companies while being a mother to two girls who are 2 and under

That it is ok to ask for help and people want to help you so make use of it

Sarah also has some great advice at the end of the podcast for those who are trying to do it all

If you would like learn more about Equitsas or Evnvious you can find them:

Equitas:

Website: www.equitas.ie

Instagram: @equitaseire

Envious Dress hire:

Instagram: @enviousstylinganddresshire

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

Instagram: @chrissyhfitness

https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/v7m8t6

So I wanted to do a little follow-up on the episode I did last week about starting a training programme in January but this time from the perspective of an equestrian looking to start working on their own fitness

So here are my tips for Equestrians

Firstly I talk about those almost gymnastic-type workouts you see aimed at riders and how they are not necessary for 90% of people

That working on cardio is also important

Being realistic about the time that you have to train.. it will be less than you think it will

The importance of getting a coach when first starting out, just like getting lessons with your horse, if you're a beginner to gym work you will need help too

Thinking about how your body is engaging when you are doing jobs around the yard and how that can almost be extra training

The difference that strength training can make to muscle tightness, pain and your riding position

And that you don't even need to be in a gym to do this type of training

That we do everything for our horses but never look after ourselves

Make sure that if you have goals that you are making a plan to get there otherwise you will never reach them

Want to listen to ep #147? here's the link:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6yrUsDmU1gokF9Z5aB89LU?si=b260b5ab53af4a6e

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

Instagram: @chrissyhfitness

https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/v7m8t6

It is the first week of January (kind of), Motivation is high and you are ready to GO!

You've probably got a list of things that you are going to do and it's all gonna be sorted by February...

So let's slow down for 1 second here... is this something that you do every year? Has it worked?

If not I have some advice for you in this episode.

First thing I say is to be realistic.. we often overestimate what we can do and get disheartened when we can't actually achieve that

That you need to find something that you enjoy so it doesn't become a chore

I also touch a bit on nutrition and how just cos a diet worked for someone doesn't mean it will work for you

That habits don't change overnight, you need to gradually change them over time

You need to be honest with yourself about why you actually want to do it

And also digging into why you do what you do which you may need extra help with

Possibly the most important one is to stop relying on motivation because motivation will only get you so far... it needs to become a part of your life as motivation will only get you so far

Make sure you break down your big goals into smaller goals and celebrate those milestones

It's so important to not run yourself into the ground by going too hard when you start a journey like this, it is time for you... remember that!

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

Instagram: @chrissyhfitness

https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/v7m8t6

Christmas season is well and truely in full swing. This can be a stressful time for people, especially regarding food.

Today I welcome Sarah Hawkins of F.I.G. Nutrition back to the podcast to speak about the effects this can have and how to manage this

We discuss how this time of year food and drink are abundant and how this can be difficult to navigate if you struggle with digestive issues or disordered eating patterns

That when you give yourself permission to eat certain foods you will eventually get sick of them

Looking a food that you have rules about and where they come from

How prevalent undereating still is and the effect this has on our overall health

The importance of adding foods into our diets instead of cutting out everything

The problem of different holistic professionals giving out advice without having any actual training in nutrition and the damage that it can do

We also discuss how if you want to start a certain type of diet you have to be ready to do it forever and if you can't see that as part of your life long-term, it's not for you

That success is in the middle ground

Sarah also gives some really good advice at the end of the episode for those who are a bit worried about the upcoming madness that everyone can do with

If you would like to find out more about working with Sarah, you can find her here:

Instagram: @f.i.g._nutrition_

Website: www.fignutrition.ie

Email: [email protected]

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

Instagram: @chrissyhfitness

https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/v7m8t6

Back in January I was lucky enough to be invited onto The Grassroots Gazette Podcast, and I wanted to share this episode with you all!

From The Grassroots Gazette Podcast:

"Let's talk fitness. We are joined on the podcast by Chrissy Hawkins from "Strong in the Saddle" and the Why Not? podcast to discuss rider fitness and the benefits of exercise when it comes to mental health. Be sure to check Chrissy on www.chrissyhawkins.com

Thanks to The Grassroots Gazette Podcast and its Hosts Gary and Aoife for having me!

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

Instagram: @chrissyhfitness

https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/v7m8t6

After being diagnosed with an aggressive form of MS in 2020 life changed drastically for Heather Lemon except for one thing: Freya

Heather is a grade 2 para dressage rider who has competed at international level with her horse Freya

She starts by explaining the different grades what they entail and how you are graded for competing and also about her own disability

The difficulty of getting a diagnosis during the height of COVID

and how it was almost a relief when she got confirmation that it was MS and there was a plan to manage it

We then talk about Freya and how she initially planned to break her and sell her but all the traditional methods were just not working

That was until she discovered horsemanship and this type of training not only made a world of difference to Freya but was also a big reason that Heather is still able to ride today

We also talk about how all horses are different yet we try to use the same approach to training them all which doesn't always work

That Freya didn't actually initially like Dressage and still has her

We then talked about all the aids that are available for riders with disabilities, the first step to getting these was getting classified but this actually ended up leading to her competing in international para dressage competitions

She also explains what judges are looking for in modern dressage and how different horses move

Heather also speaks about how planning ahead is harder when you are disabled and making smaller goals is better for her

And how much Freya and horses have helped her when managing her illness and giving her something to work towards

If you want to find out more about Heather and follow her story you can find her here:

Instagram/Facebook/Tiktok: @freya_the_connemara

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

Instagram: @chrissyhfitness

https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/v7m8t6

TW talks of mental health issues and self-harm

The teenage years can be the most challenging years for many people.. yet for some reason they seem to be forgotten by mental health services and this is why Rach knew something needed to change

Today I speak to Rach Freidili, a Teen Whisperer and Connection coach who works with teen girls and their mothers on reconnecting and building strong relationships

She spoke about her own story and why this took her to this type of work

How teenage boys and teenage girls' brains work differently

That seeing her own daughter spiral during COVID was what led her down this path

That teenagers lead by example so if you don't take care of yourself they won't do it either

The importance of learning your own triggers when your daughters are kicking off and ways to manage it

we also talk about how those around her reacted to her when she decided to tackle this issue and if they've changed their opinions sometimes

how to integrate self-care into your day and that it can be as simple as a 5 min meditation

The effect social media has on both teenage girls and women

That our brains work differently because of our cycles and it's just not talked about enough

Rach also has a really simple piece of advice at the end that we all need to hear sometimes

If you want to find out more about working with Rach you can find her:

Website. www.positivetouch.net

Instagram: @teen.whisperer.nature

Facebook: @positivetouch

Podcast for mums: Teen whisperer

Podcast for Teen girls: Be Yourself

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

Instagram: @chrissyhfitness

https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/v7m8t6

Staying active in the winter is HARD... it's cold, it's wet, it's dark.. why would you want to move?

But Staying active in the winter can be a fun and healthy way to combat the cold weather and potential lethargy. This is why in this week's episode I talk about ways that you can do it

Obviously being a wee bit biased, firstly I talk about Joining a gym or fitness studio for access to indoor exercise equipment.

But if this is not your cup of tea I also talk about different indoor classes that you can join including Dance, Martial Arts and Yoga.

Not forgetting the many indoor sports leagues like Basketball, Badminton and so many more. This is also a great way to meet people and socialise while having fun with a sport you love.

I also mention signing up for charity events like winter runs or walks. Having a cause that you are doing it for can be what you need to get up and out.

I also mention some different ones like doing jobs around the house or going for a wander around a shopping centre as the main thing is to get moving in some way that you can!

I'd love to hear any different ideas or tricks you have too!

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

Instagram: @chrissyhfitness

https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/v7m8t6