Equestrian Performance Mindset

Jocelin Lillienau
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The Equestrian Performance Mindset podcast is teaching equestrians how to get the most out of themselves by training their mind alongside their riding skills. It provides actionable tips on how to: Improve performance, Reframe failure, Build courage & confidence and how to Achieve success, happiness & fulfillment in and out of the saddle. Tune in today to start making strides towards your dreams! Inspired by my own two favorite podcasts The Mindset Mentor and EquiRatings Eventing podcast! Connect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jocelinlillienau/

  1. 1D AGO

    How to Stop Caring What Other Riders Think - #230

    Have you ever felt completely thrown off by what someone said about your riding? In this episode, we dive deep into one of the biggest mental challenges riders face: dealing with other people’s opinions, whether they’re spoken out loud or just imagined in your head. After coming back from a recent event surrounded by top-level riders, we share real, raw experiences of self-doubt, comparison, and criticism, and most importantly, how to handle it without letting it ruin your performance. Because here’s the truth: It’s not what people say that impacts you the most… It’s the meaning you give it. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why you often think people are judging you (even when they’re not) The difference between facts vs. the story you create in your mind How to stop spiraling after someone makes a comment A powerful 3-step framework to process criticism quickly How to decide whose opinion actually matters Why discomfort (riding with top riders, competing higher) is actually a GOOD sign How to turn criticism into confidence and focus before competition  Real Story From This Episode After being told to drop from 3-star all the way back to 1-star, I share how I: Broke down the comment objectively Separated fact from emotion Reframed the situation Regained focus before cross-country Delivered a strong performance anyway This is a must-listen if you’ve ever doubted yourself before going into the ring.  Resources Mentioned: 📲Subscribe to Our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@EquestrianPerformanceMindset ✉️ Register for our Weekly Mindset & Performance Hacks: https://www.mindeq.eu/weeklyhacks  Follow Jocelin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jocelinlillienau Follow Lorna on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lornahogarth_coaching/

    29 min

  2. MAR 22

    Why Riders Lose Focus in Competition - #229

    Have you ever had a great warm-up… only to enter the arena and suddenly everything feels harder? You can’t see your distances. Your horse feels strong. You start overthinking everything. And before you know it… your round starts falling apart. In this episode, I and Lorna dive into one of the most common (and misunderstood) performance blocks in riding: 👉 Where your focus goes under pressure. Because here’s the truth: It’s not that you’ve suddenly lost your ability. It’s that your attention has shifted to the wrong place. Whether it’s: Worrying about what others think Trying too hard to fix something Obsessing over distances Or focusing on the result instead of the process All of these create narrow, rigid focus, and that’s what actually causes mistakes. In this episode, we break down: Why riders develop “tunnel vision” under pressure How focusing on results destroys your feel The difference between process vs outcome focus Why “don’t think about it” NEVER works How to quickly reset your focus mid-round Practical tools to expand your awareness instantly The connection between your eyes, nervous system, and performance Because the best riders aren’t the ones who never lose focus… They’re the ones who know how to shift it back, fast. Resources Mentioned: 📲Subscribe to Our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@EquestrianPerformanceMindset ✉️ Register for our Weekly Mindset & Performance Hacks: https://www.mindeq.eu/weeklyhacks  Follow Jocelin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jocelinlillienau Follow Lorna on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lornahogarth_coaching/

    21 min

  3. MAR 15

    The Moment Every Rider Hates (But Needs) - #228

    Ever had that moment where you feel like you’ve finally figured something out in your riding… Only for everything to suddenly fall apart again? In this episode, I and Lorna spoke about one of the most frustrating moments every rider experiences: when progress seems to disappear overnight. After months of consistent rounds and feeling like things were finally under control, I suddenly found myself in a competition round where my horse felt strong, unresponsive, and completely out of control. The first thought? “I’m simply not good enough to ride this horse.” Sound familiar? But what happened next became one of the biggest breakthroughs in my riding. Instead of staying stuck in judgment, I chose curiosity, asking better questions, seeking feedback, and experimenting with a completely different approach to riding my horse. And the results were powerful. In this episode we dive into: Why progress in riding is never linear The dangerous trap of the “I’m a bad rider” story How your belief system (paradigm) shapes your performance Why the solution that worked before can suddenly stop working The difference between fighting your horse vs riding with them How stepping into curiosity instead of judgment unlocks growth Why feeling “out of control” might actually mean you're riding at the next level Because sometimes the moment that feels like failure… Is actually the beginning of your next breakthrough. Resources Mentioned: 📲Subscribe to Our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@EquestrianPerformanceMindset ✉️ Register for our Weekly Mindset & Performance Hacks: https://www.mindeq.eu/weeklyhacks  Follow Jocelin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jocelinlillienau Follow Lorna on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lornahogarth_coaching/

    31 min

  4. MAR 8

    Preparing For The First competition of The Season - #227

    You’ve trained all winter. You’ve put in the hours. You feel ready at home. So why does everything feel different at your first competition of the season? In this episode, we unpack what really happens in the build-up to your first event, whether you’re an eventer, showjumper, or dressage rider stepping back into the outdoor arena. Because here’s the truth: Effort and results are not directly linked. And when expectations rise, pressure follows. We talk about: Why the word “season” creates hidden pressure How expectations silently increase tension (in you and your horse) Why your brain treats competition as a threat The difference between outcome-based thinking and process-based riding How to shift from “test mode” to “experiment mode” Why measuring emotion ruins reflection How to reflect using data, not feelings The power of intention over expectation Why staying present is your biggest competitive advantage If you’ve ever: Felt sick before your first show of the year Questioned why winter training “didn’t work” Got stuck replaying a dressage score before showjumping Felt like you had something to prove… This episode will completely shift how you approach competition season.  Your first competition of the season isn’t a test of your worth. It’s information. Resources Mentioned ✉️ Email us your mindset questions: info@mindeq.eu 📲Subscribe to Our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@EquestrianPerformanceMindset Follow Jocelin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jocelinlillienau Follow Lorna on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lornahogarth_coaching/

    24 min

  5. MAR 2

    Why Riders Still Doubt Themselves - #226

    We coach riders on mindset every single day. But here’s the truth: We’re still doing the work too. In this episode, we invite you inside our own heads;  unfiltered, unscripted, and completely honest. We talk about: The limiting beliefs we’re still working through Why “I’m not talented enough” can exist even when results improve How self-doubt shows up at higher levels Ego vs growth in competition What happens when performance unravels Why confidence isn’t something you chase How to respond when things get uncomfortable Why discomfort is actually a sign of growth If you’ve ever: Stepped up a level and questioned whether you belong there Felt like everyone else is improving except you Worried you’re not talented enough Struggled with imposter syndrome as a rider Wondered why confidence doesn’t “stick” This episode will feel like someone finally saying the quiet part out loud. Because mindset work isn’t about eliminating doubt. It’s about recognizing it faster, and responding differently. Resources Mentioned: 📲Subscribe to Our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@EquestrianPerformanceMindset ✉️ Register for our Weekly Mindset & Performance Hacks: https://www.mindeq.eu/weeklyhacks  Follow Jocelin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jocelinlillienau Follow Lorna on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lornahogarth_coaching/ Eileen's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eileengu?igsh=MXYydmFndDJ0bjhveQ%3D%3D

    24 min

  6. FEB 23

    Composure at 5* Level, What It Really Takes with Mohamed Ashraf Abdallah - #225

    You can be experienced. You can be ambitious. You can be performing at a high level. And still feel like you don’t belong there. In this episode with Mohamed, we dive deep into something many driven riders quietly struggle with: The gap between external performance and internal belief. We explore: Why high achievers often feel like imposters Why results don’t automatically create confidence The hidden pressure of being “serious” about your sport How fear of judgement impacts performance Why comparison keeps you stuck The difference between ambition and self-criticism How to build confidence that isn’t dependent on outcomes If you’ve ever: Felt like everyone else is more talented Questioned whether you’re good enough for the level you’re riding Feared stepping up because “what if I mess it up?” Worked incredibly hard but still doubted yourself This conversation will hit home. Because confidence isn’t something you earn from results. It’s something you build internally, deliberately. Resources Mentioned: 📲Subscribe to Our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@EquestrianPerformanceMindset 🎁 YouTube Launch Competition: https://www.mindeq.eu/youtubelaunch Follow Jocelin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jocelinlillienau Follow Lorna on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lornahogarth_coaching/ Follow Mohamed on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mohamedashraf_a92/

    1h 2m

  7. FEB 15

    Winning Doesn’t Guarantee Confidence - #224

    You won the class. You rode well. You hit your goals. So why does one piece of feedback still hit so hard? In this episode of the Equestrian Performance Mindset Podcast, we unpack something almost every competitive rider experiences: Winning doesn’t automatically create confidence. Success doesn’t fix insecurity. And feedback can feel threatening, even when it’s positive. After winning two dressage tests and placing 1st and 2nd in show jumping, Lorna shares a powerful realization: Her brain deleted all the positive feedback… and zoomed in on the “improvement” points. Sound familiar? We dive into: Why your brain distorts feedback (and how it links to survival) Why winning doesn’t equal confidence Red brain vs blue brain (threat vs challenge thinking) How to receive feedback without spiraling How to rewire negative interpretation patterns Why mindset work is about accurate interpretation, not fake positivity The difference between enjoying success and tearing yourself apart If you’ve ever: Won and still felt “not good enough” Focused on the 1% that went wrong Struggled with trainer feedback Felt your confidence drop after comments Questioned yourself despite good results This episode is for you. Because confidence isn’t built from results. It’s built from how you interpret them. Resources Mentioned: 📲Subscribe to Our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@EquestrianPerformanceMindset 🎁 YouTube Launch Competition: https://www.mindeq.eu/youtubelaunch Follow Jocelin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jocelinlillienau Follow Lorna on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lornahogarth_coaching/

    25 min

  8. FEB 8

    Regaining confidence after crashing into a fence - #223

    What do you do when a distance doesn’t appear… and everything falls apart right before you go in the ring? In this episode of the Equestrian Performance Mindset Podcast, I and Lorna dive into a real-life competition moment many riders fear: a jumping warm-up disaster, and how your mental recovery routine determines what happens next. After a dramatic warm-up moment that ended in the middle of an oxer, I break down exactly how I reset my mindset, rebuilt confidence in minutes, and still delivered a strong round at 1.30m. This episode isn’t about perfect distances. It’s about trust, focus, and learning how to ride forward after something goes wrong. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: Why you should fix your head before fixing your horse How negative self-talk destroys confidence, and how to stop it fast What to focus on instead of distances when nerves take over The power of giving your brain a simple job under pressure How elite riders mentally recover when mistakes happen Why most riders think they’re “bad”, and why that belief is wrong How imposter syndrome and people-pleasing sabotage your warm-up Why you rarely see mistakes on social media (and why that matters) If you’ve ever: Missed a distance and spiraled mentally Felt embarrassed after a warm-up mistake Questioned whether you’re good enough to ride at your level Carried one mistake into an entire round This episode will change how you handle pressure, permanently.   Resources Mentioned: 📲Subscribe to Our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@EquestrianPerformanceMindset 🎁 YouTube Launch Competition: https://www.mindeq.eu/youtubelaunch Follow Jocelin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jocelinlillienau Follow Lorna on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lornahogarth_coaching/

    28 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.7
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

The Equestrian Performance Mindset podcast is teaching equestrians how to get the most out of themselves by training their mind alongside their riding skills. It provides actionable tips on how to: Improve performance, Reframe failure, Build courage & confidence and how to Achieve success, happiness & fulfillment in and out of the saddle. Tune in today to start making strides towards your dreams! Inspired by my own two favorite podcasts The Mindset Mentor and EquiRatings Eventing podcast! Connect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jocelinlillienau/

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