INTERVIEW: Horse-inspired Growth and Healing with Chris Nichols ‪ ‬ Born to Be a Badass

Chris Nichols is the President and Executive Director of The Medicine Horse Project, which is a non-profit organization dedicated to the rescue of abused, abandoned, neglected, or displaced horses. She is certified in horse inspired growth healing and facilitates programs for veterans, women's empowerment, and at risk youth with her method of discovering resiliency through horsemanship. Chris also offers horsemanship workshops and clinics helping equestrians develop deeper connection and partnership with their horses.
 
In this episode, Chris and I discuss:
How humans and horses work together to learn and heal one another in a safe space. Dealing with and moving past fear through acknowledgement, vulnerability and building a network of support. Women’s empowerment and education through horsemanship activities to build trust, confidence, leadership and personal strength.  Fear now as opposed to an anticipated fear. Meeting basic needs of both humans and horses: safety, nourishment, play and sex/ intimacy.   
Key Takeaways:
Chris’s favorite self care practice being with the horses and getting to spend undemanding time with them. To spend time in their world and become a part of the herd. Chris’s advice for women is to make yourself a priority. To live and plan your life for you. If you don’t take care of yourself you can’t be your best self for you or anyone else. Have the courage to step back – it’s critical for your own self health. Follow 1 WIG (Wildly Important Goal) You can’t do 10 things well – do one in a wildly important way. Chris’s advice to develop their own personal power and courage comes to the basic 4 needs of humans and animals. Safety, nourishment, play and sex/intimacy. Defining what makes you safe and what actions you are taking to fulfill those things to build confidence, power and to chase your passion so all aspects of your life are fulfilling.  
"It takes courage to step back, push yourself back from the complicated table and take a moment for yourself." —  Chris Nichols
 
Organization Mentioned: Lifesavers Wild Horse Rescue
Book Mentioned: Move Closer Stay Longer by Dr. Stephanie Burns 
Retreat Mentioned: Wild Horse Empowerment Journey For Women
 
Connect with Chris Nichols:
Facebook: The Medicine Horse Project
Website: MedicineHorseProject.org
Instagram: @themedicinehorseproject 
Donate: The Medicine Horse Project
 
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