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. 3D AGO

    The Most Important Gift You Can Give Yourself as a Rider - #216

    As the year winds down, this episode invites you to pause, not to plan more, do more, or push harder, but to reflect. Because what if the most powerful thing you could give yourself this season isn’t a new piece of kit… but a mental shift? In this special, end-of-year conversation, I and Lorna explore the idea of non-material gifts; the internal qualities, permissions, and mindset changes that can completely transform how you ride, train, and live. Inside this episode, we talk about: The gift of saying no, and why every “yes” costs you something How people-pleasing drains your energy and quietly pulls you away from your goals Why self-trust (or trusting your process) changes everything, especially when things feel messy The freedom that comes from allowing yourself to make mistakes Why mistakes are rarely as bad as your mind predicts, and how they actually speed up progress The importance of being kinder to yourself, especially if you’re driven and ambitious How high expectations can motivate you and exhaust you at the same time The role of consistency, and why it looks different for different riders Knowing when to push… and when to give yourself permission to rest The overlooked power of being present, particularly during busy or emotional seasons This episode isn’t about fixing yourself. It’s about awareness. About noticing the patterns that no longer serve you, and choosing to give yourself what you actually need to move forward with more ease, confidence, and enjoyment. As you head into a new season, a new year, or simply a new week, this episode will help you ask a powerful question: What gift do I need to give myself to become the rider, and person, I want to be? We’d love to hear your answer. Share the gift you’re giving yourself and use the hashtag #gifttomyself or keep it somewhere visible so it becomes more than just a nice idea.   Resources Mentioned: 🧠 Receive 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/

    23 min

  2. DEC 15

    From Olympic Dream to Derby Miracle & The Mindset Behind It with Esteban Benitez Valle - #215

    This episode isn’t just a story, it’s a masterclass in mindset, belief, resilience, and refusing to give up on a dream even when everything around you says don’t bother. In this conversation, Esteban Benítez Valle takes us behind the scenes of qualifying for the Olympics, navigating heartbreak, dealing with insane pressure, and then - somehow - stepping into the legendary Hamburg Derby and doing what nobody expected him to do. But the REAL power of this episode? It shows that elite-level mindset is not magic. It’s a skill. A skill ANY rider can learn. Inside, Esteban shares: How he stayed certain about the Olympics even when everything went wrong Why he hired a sports psychologist before he needed one How he dealt with a season full of injuries, pressure, and travel The exact mindset shift that kept him focused instead of overwhelmed His process for shutting down negative thoughts instantly How he used visualization to ride a 160cm course before he ever rode it Why belief must come before evidence How he built a relationship with a horse he barely knew, days before the Derby Why treating the moment as a “gift” removes fear The mental routine that kept him calm, grounded, and razor-focused How he created a “tunnel” of focus in front of a stadium full of spectators And the one thing every rider should stop apologizing for when competing This episode isn’t about talent or luck. It’s about mindset, belief, consistency, and the courage to think bigger than your circumstances. If you’re a rider who: ✔ overthinks every mistake ✔ doubts yourself more than you admit ✔ feels like you’re not progressing fast enough ✔ wonders if you’re ever “good enough” ✔ freezes under pressure ✔ dreams big but feels small …this episode will show you what’s possible when you back yourself; fully, unapologetically, and consistently. And more importantly: It will show you how your mind becomes your biggest advantage when you train it like athletes in every other sport do.   Resources Mentioned: 🧠 Receive our weekly mindset & performance hacks: https://www.mindeq.eu/weeklyhacks 🧠 Be a part of the Mindeq Community: https://www.mindeq.eu/offers/djg9H2Bf Follow Jocelin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jocelinlillienau Follow Lorna on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lornahogarth_coaching/ Esteban's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ebenitezeventing/

    1h 1m

  3. DEC 8

    The Real Reason You Never Feel “Caught Up” - #214

    If you’re an ambitious rider trying to juggle horses, work, family, goals, money, fitness, and your sanity… this episode is going to feel like a deep exhale. Today, I and Lorna dive into one of the biggest struggles riders face: How do you manage everything without feeling overwhelmed, guilty, or constantly behind? And the honest answer? You don’t “balance” it. Because balance is a myth, an illusion we keep chasing, then beating ourselves up for not catching. Inside this episode, we explore: Why riders don’t actually have a time problem, they have a thinking problem How overwhelm isn’t failure… it’s the abundance of everything you once wished for The link between your to-do list and your limiting beliefs Why your mind becomes a “washing machine” of pressure, and how to stop feeding it  The REAL reason you procrastinate (hint: it’s not laziness) How to recognize when your subconscious is trying to protect you Why some days you glide through 80 tasks and others you can’t handle five The secret difference between an “incapable rider” and an “incapable state” This episode gives you the awareness, the metaphors, and the mental models to finally understand: why you feel overwhelmed why your brain spirals why you keep recreating the same stress patterns and how to start shifting out of them with compassion instead of criticism Whether you’re riding six horses a day or squeezing in one evening ride after work, this conversation will help you stop fighting your mind and start working with it.   Resources Mentioned: 🧠 Learn more about the Mindeq Community: https://www.mindeq.eu/offers/djg9H2Bf Follow Jocelin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jocelinlillienau Follow Lorna on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lornahogarth_coaching/

    19 min

  4. DEC 1

    Dressage Mindset Secrets with Sara Van Gool - #213

    In this inspiring and deeply honest conversation, we sit down with Sara, a dressage coach who blends technical training with mindset work to help riders show up with confidence, clarity, and calm. Sara shares how her own struggles with pressure, frustration, and self-doubt led her into mental performance work, and how she now teaches riders to overcome the exact challenges she once faced herself. We dive into: Why dressage riders struggle more than they realize How to build confidence as a rider (the real way) Creating a warm-up that actually works  Her unusual secret to staying present Why fun and relaxation must come before results  You’ll learn how self-talk: Reduces tension Keeps you in the moment Helps you respond to your horse Stops the “little men running around in your head Resources Mentioned: 🧠 Receive 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/ Sara's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saravangool_dressuurcoach/

    1h 3m

  5. NOV 23

    Releasing Old Judgments So You Can Ride Freely - #212

    In today’s episode, I and Lorna take a deep dive into one of the most emotionally charged struggles riders face: caring too much about what other people, especially trainers, think. A listener asks how to move on from a negative trainer experience in the past that still affects her riding years later. And that’s where this episode gets powerful. I and Lorna unpack: Why your mind holds onto old memories How past criticism can shape your confidence today And most importantly, how to change the emotional impact of those memories so they stop controlling you You’ll learn the exact process Lorna uses with clients to release old judgments, shift the “submodalities” of a memory, and take back control of how you feel. This episode isn’t just helpful, it’s transformational. If old comments, past trainers, or past mistakes still hold space in your mind… this one is for you.  Tools & Techniques You’ll Learn: How to alter visual “sub-modalities” (size, color, distance, speed) How to reduce the emotional charge of a memory Auditory techniques to silence or soften a trainer’s voice Kinesthetic tools to remove unwanted tension from the body The simple but powerful act of disassociating to reduce overwhelm Anchoring a new emotional state to replace the old one (And yes, I literally walk through an example with my own memory; you’ll learn a lot just listening to the process.) Quotes Worth Remembering: “You created the memory, that means you can also change it.” “You’re not changing the past. You’re changing the emotional meaning of it.” “Disassociate, change the picture, remove the feeling, and suddenly the memory loses its power.” “The moment you shift the sub-modalities, the memory cannot stay the same.” Resources Mentioned: 🧠 Receive our weekly mindset & performance hacks: https://www.mindeq.eu/weeklyhacks 🧠 Apply for coaching/discovery call: https://www.mindeq.eu/coaching Follow Jocelin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jocelinlillienau Follow Lorna on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lornahogarth_coaching/

    19 min

  6. NOV 17

    Conquering Fear, Expectations, and the 'What If' Chatter with Maeve Foley - #211

    How do you find your way back when intense fear and self-doubt take over your riding? In this deeply moving episode, Maeve Foley opens up about her journey, from being the fearless amateur who’d sneak off to jump bigger tracks, to facing crippling nerves after years away from the sport. She shares how a single bad stride changed everything, how grief shaped her riding, and how she slowly found her way back to courage, confidence, and joy. Together with I and Lorna, Maeve explores what it really takes to overcome fear, build true mental resilience, and learn to trust yourself, and your horse again. You’ll Learn: The hidden fears that can derail even the most experienced riders How one “bad stride” can anchor deep-seated fear, and how to rewire it The real reason nerves take over (and how to stop them from controlling you) Why bravery isn’t the absence of fear, it’s acting in spite of it How to move past setbacks, grief, and self-doubt to rediscover your love of riding Maeve’s powerful mantra: “I never want to leave anything on the table.” Key Quotes: “You haven’t lost your confidence, it’s still there, waiting for you to rebuild trust.” “Fear doesn’t mean stop. It means you’re stretching your comfort zone.” “Do the thing you’re scared of, that’s how you prove your thoughts wrong.” “When you stop fighting yourself, that’s when the progress starts.” Resources Mentioned: 🧠 Receive our weekly mindset & performance hacks: https://www.mindeq.eu/weeklyhacks 🧠 Be a part of the Mindeq Community: https://www.mindeq.eu/offers/djg9H2Bf Follow Jocelin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jocelinlillienau Follow Lorna on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lornahogarth_coaching/ Maeve's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foleymaeve/

    1 hr

  7. NOV 10

    Riding Under Pressure, and Rising Above It - #210

    "Pressure". Every rider feels it, whether it’s from expectations, money, owners, parents, or the quiet voice inside saying “you have to prove yourself.” In this powerful and honest conversation, I and Lorna unpack where that pressure really comes from and how much of it is self-created. We explore how fears of failure, financial strain, self-worth, and identity all tie into the invisible weight riders carry, and how to start letting it go. You’ll learn to recognize when pressure is helping you perform and when it’s holding you back, how to find your own “ideal pressure zone,” and how to reconnect with the real reason you ride: because you love it. You’ll Learn: Why pressure isn’t real, and how you’re actually creating it The difference between healthy pressure and destructive pressure How your self-worth and identity fuel performance anxiety Why “doing your horse justice” often adds emotional pressure, and how to reframe it How to find your optimal mindset state for peak performance The secret to enjoying the sport again, even when stakes feel high Key Quotes: “Pressure isn’t something you can touch, it’s something you create in your own mind. “You are a worthy, good human being right now, success is just a bonus.” “Pressure is a privilege, but only when you learn to manage it.” “Challenge the story you’re telling yourself, it’s often not reality.”   Resources Mentioned: 🧠 Receive 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/

    27 min

  8. NOV 3

    Your Mindset Toolkit for Injury & Chronic Setbacks - #209

    What do you do when life or your body keeps throwing setbacks your way? When pain, injury, or frustration make it feel like you’re right back at square one? In this heartfelt and empowering conversation, I and Lorna tackle a listener’s question about dealing with chronic back pain and the feeling of discouragement that comes when progress keeps getting interrupted. We explore what to do when your circumstances feel completely out of your control, and how to shift from frustration and hopelessness to curiosity, choice, and empowerment - one small mindset change at a time. You’ll Learn: How to stop spiraling into discouragement when things don’t go your way The crucial difference between your circumstance and your response How your thoughts directly shape your emotions, and your healing  Practical mindset tools for regaining a sense of control, even when pain persists The power of asking: “What about this can I control?” How hypnotherapy can help you reframe and even reduce the perception of pain Key Quotes: “You can’t always control your circumstances, but you can always control how you react.” “Your subconscious mind is always listening. What thoughts are you planting?” “You only have to get up one more time than you fall down.” “The goal isn’t to get rid of pain, it’s to learn how to live and move with it.” Resources Mentioned:  🧠 Apply for Hypno sessions: https://www.mindeq.eu/hypnoapplication 🧠 Receive our weekly mindset & performance hacks: https://www.mindeq.eu/weeklyhacks Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jocelinlillienau Follow Lorna: https://www.instagram.com/lornahogarth_coaching/

    19 min
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5
out of 5
11 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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