Podcast
Equestrian Performance Mindset
Hosted by Jocelin Lillienau · EN
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/
37episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
The Best Competition Mindset after a Setback - #245
6d ago00:16:58Tap to summarizeWhat if the best mindset for competition isn't confidence at all? After experiencing a fall before stepping up a level, many riders believe they need to "feel confident again" before they're ready to compete. But what if that's the wrong goal? In this episode of the Equestrian Performance Mindset Podcast, I and Lorna explore what the best competition mindset really looks like after a setback. They explain why even elite riders still experience nerves, adrenaline, self-doubt and fear before competing, and why trying to eliminate those feelings often creates even more pressure. Instead of chasing confidence, you'll learn why building mental capacity, your ability to regulate emotions, reconnect with yourself and make clear decisions under pressure, is what truly helps you perform at your best. Whether you're returning after a fall, preparing for your next competition, or simply tired of waiting to "feel ready," this episode will help you rethink what confidence actually means. In this episode you'll learn: Why confidence shouldn't be your main goal What the "best mindset" actually looks like before competition Why fear and nerves never completely disappear, even for professionals The difference between courage and forcing yourself through fear When listening to your body is the strongest decision you can make How to stop fear from making your decisions for you Why awareness is the first step to better performance The difference between building confidence and building mental capacity How to trust yourself even when fear is still present Resources Mentioned: 🧠 Apply for coaching: https://www.mindeq.eu/coaching Follow Jocelin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jocelinlillienau
Transcribe →How to Rebuild Your Confidence After a Fall - #244
2w ago00:15:48Tap to summarizeFalling off is part of riding. But for many riders, it's not the fall itself that keeps them stuck, it's the story they tell themselves afterwards. In this episode, we answer a listener's question about returning to competition after a fall while preparing to move up a level. If you've ever questioned whether you're ready, wondered if you've lost your confidence, or found yourself replaying worst-case scenarios after an accident, this conversation is for you. You'll discover why your brain naturally creates stories after an unfinished experience, how to separate facts from fear, and why confidence isn't actually what you should be chasing. Instead of trying to prove you're ready, you'll learn how to focus on what truly helps you perform at your best. Because one fall doesn't erase years of training, and it certainly doesn't define the rider you are. In this episode you'll learn: Why your brain creates fear after a fall How to separate facts from the stories your mind invents Why confidence isn't something you need before competing How to stop trying to prove yourself in competition The mindset shift that helps you trust your training again Why every setback contains valuable information How to define success beyond ribbons and results Practical ways to prepare mentally for your next competition Whether you're returning after a fall or preparing for a new level, this episode will help you approach your next ride with more clarity, trust, and confidence. Resources Mentioned: Weekly Hacks: https://www.mindeq.eu/weeklyhacks Join the MINDEQ Community https://www.mindeq.eu/community Follow Jocelin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jocelinlillienau
Transcribe →Why Focusing on Results Is Hurting Your Riding - #243
3w ago00:29:58Tap to summarizeHave you ever left a competition feeling disappointed because the scoreboard didn't reflect how hard you've been working? You're not alone. In this episode, we dive into one of the biggest mindset traps riders fall into: becoming obsessed with results instead of trusting the process. Whether you're chasing MERs, qualifications, clear rounds, better dressage scores, or simply trying to prove you're "good enough," this episode will help you shift your focus toward what actually creates long-term success. I and Lorna share personal stories from recent competitions, including breakthrough performances, difficult training sessions, unexpected run-outs, and the lessons that came from each experience. Because here's the truth: Your score is only the tip of the iceberg. Behind every successful rider are countless early mornings, setbacks, tears, lessons, adjustments, and moments where they chose to keep going. In this episode you'll learn: Why chasing results often makes riding harder How pressure changes your riding without you realizing it The difference between a process mindset and a results mindset Why every mistake is valuable information, not failure How curiosity can improve your confidence in competition Why training should feel like experimentation instead of testing yourself How to stop comparing yourself to other riders Why your competition results never define your ability as a rider Practical ways to stay focused under pressure Resources Mentioned: Coaching & support: https://www.mindeq.eu/coaching Weekly Hacks: https://www.mindeq.eu/weeklyhacks Join the MINDEQ Community https://www.mindeq.eu/community 📧 Email: info@mindeq.eu Follow Jocelin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jocelinlillienau
Transcribe →How to Handle Anxiety Before Jumping a Course - #242
4w ago00:28:24Tap to summarizeMany riders believe they need more confidence before they can jump bigger fences, move up a level, or perform well under pressure. But what if confidence isn't actually the problem? In this episode, we dive into why riders often become overwhelmed when something matters, whether that's stepping up a level, riding in a busy warm-up arena, or jumping a bigger track than they've tackled before. We explore how the brain responds to uncertainty, why your mind naturally looks for danger, and how fear can pull you away from the process you've practiced hundreds of times at home. You'll learn why anxiety isn't necessarily something that needs to be eliminated, how to focus on what you can control, and why learning to perform with nerves is often more valuable than trying to get rid of them completely. If you've ever found yourself overthinking distances, doubting your preparation, or questioning whether you're ready, this episode will help you approach those moments with greater awareness, clarity, and trust in your training. In this episode, you'll learn: Why riders often abandon their process when pressure increases. How uncertainty fuels anxiety before competitions. The difference between possibility and probability. Why your brain naturally searches for evidence of danger. How to focus on facts instead of fear-based stories. Why preparation creates confidence. How to build trust in yourself when moving up a level. The importance of finding your individual performance state. Why nerves aren't the enemy of good performance. How to make better decisions under pressure. Resources Mentioned: Coaching & support: https://www.mindeq.eu/coaching Weekly Hacks: https://www.mindeq.eu/weeklyhacks 📧 Email: info@mindeq.eu Follow Jocelin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jocelinlillienau
Transcribe →How to Start Before You Feel Ready - #241
Jun 1400:19:20Tap to summarizeDo you keep telling yourself you'll start when you feel more confident, more prepared, or more ready? Whether it's entering your first competition, moving up a level, coming back from a break, riding after an injury, or finally tackling a goal you've been putting off for months, many riders find themselves stuck in the same place: Waiting. In this episode, we explore why getting started often feels so difficult and why it has nothing to do with laziness, lack of motivation, or lack of confidence. Instead, your nervous system may be doing exactly what it's designed to do: protect you from uncertainty, failure, embarrassment, disappointment, or perceived danger. In This Episode, You'll learn: Why motivation is usually not the real problem How your nervous system keeps you stuck in your comfort zone The hidden fears behind procrastination and avoidance What analysis paralysis looks like in riding Why confidence is built through action, not before it How to use tiny actions to create momentum The importance of collecting evidence that you're capable Why perfection and perfect timing don't exist How professional riders handle nerves differently Practical ways to start before you feel ready Resources Mentioned: Coaching & support: https://www.mindeq.eu/coaching 🌐 Website: https://www.mindeq.eu 📧 Email: info@mindeq.eu Follow Jocelin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jocelinlillienau
Transcribe →Fear of Not Being Good Enough & What Other People Think - #240
Jun 700:19:27Tap to summarizeHave you ever found yourself wondering: Am I good enough? What will people think? Am I ready for this level? What if I mess up? You're not alone. In this episode, I and Lorna dive deep into one of the most common struggles riders face: the fear of not being good enough. But here's the surprising truth... This isn't actually a confidence problem. It's a nervous system problem. Many riders spend years chasing confidence, seeking reassurance, and trying to prove themselves to others. Yet no matter how many lessons, competitions, or compliments they receive, that feeling of "not enough" keeps showing up. In this episode, you'll discover why: Why the fear of not being good enough is really about safety How your nervous system interprets criticism, judgment, and mistakes Why people-pleasing is actually a survival strategy The connection between confidence, belonging, and performance Why external validation never creates lasting confidence How perfectionism keeps riders stuck in their comfort zone The difference between what people actually say and how your mind interprets it Practical tools to regulate your nervous system before riding or competing Simple breathing techniques and grounding exercises to use immediately Better questions to ask yourself when self-doubt shows up Resources Mentioned: Coaching & support: https://www.mindeq.eu/coaching 🌐 Website: https://www.mindeq.eu 📧 Email: info@mindeq.eu Follow Jocelin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jocelinlillienau
Transcribe →Why Riders Revert to Old Habits Under Pressure - #239
May 3100:23:01Tap to summarizeHave you ever walked out of the arena thinking: “Why did I do that? I KNOW better.” Maybe you tense up in a showjumping round, lean forward at fences, hold your breath cross-country, freeze hacking out, or fall straight back into old riding habits the second pressure appears. In this episode, we dive into why riders revert to automatic patterns under stress, and why it’s not because you’re a “bad rider.” Your nervous system is always trying to protect you. That “bad habit” you keep judging yourself for? It probably started as a strategy that once helped you feel safe. This episode is a powerful conversation about rider psychology, nervous system responses, fear, identity, pressure, self-judgment, and how awareness is the first step to changing patterns in the saddle. In This Episode, We Learn: Why riders fall back into old habits under pressure The difference between “bad habits” and protective patterns How fear and stress affect riding performance Why your nervous system prioritizes familiarity over effectiveness The hidden danger of labeling yourself as a “nervous rider” How rider identity impacts confidence Why awareness is key to changing riding patterns Nervous system regulation tips for riders How to stop spiraling after mistakes Practical mindset shifts for riding under pressure Resources Mentioned: Coaching & support: https://www.mindeq.eu/coaching Follow Jocelin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jocelinlillienau
Transcribe →Angry at Your Horse… Then Guilty After? 👇 - #238
May 2400:20:15Tap to summarizeIn this honest and powerful episode of the Equestrian Performance Mindset Podcast, I and Lorna dive deep into something so many riders experience… but rarely talk openly about: 👉 anger, frustration, and the self-judgment that follows. This episode was inspired by a listener question about losing patience with her horse after a difficult moment crossing a bridge, and the emotional spiral that followed afterward. Together, we unpack: Why anger often has nothing to do with the obstacle itself The hidden emotions underneath frustration in riding Why riders take their horse’s behaviour personally How powerlessness and fear can trigger emotional reactions The connection between perfectionism, self-worth, and riding struggles How to stop spiraling into guilt and shame after difficult moments Why your horse isn’t “doing it to you” How to approach emotional triggers with more awareness and compassion This episode is an important reminder that emotional reactions don’t make you a bad rider, they make you human. Resources Mentioned: Coaching & support: https://www.mindeq.eu/coaching Follow Jocelin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jocelinlillienau
Transcribe →Panicking at the Thought of a Show - #237
May 1700:25:25Tap to summarizeWhy do so many riders stay trapped in the same cycle of fear, self-doubt, and frustration… even when they’re working hard? In this episode, we dive deep into the hidden mental patterns that keep riders stuck, from overthinking and perfectionism to fear of failure and losing trust in yourself. We talk about why confidence isn’t something you magically “find,” but something you build through awareness, emotional regulation, and learning how to stop making mistakes mean something about who you are as a rider. If you’ve ever: replayed mistakes for days, doubted whether you’re good enough, struggled to trust yourself under pressure, or felt mentally exhausted from riding… this episode will completely change how you look at confidence and growth. What You’ll Learn: Why perfectionism actually blocks progress The reason riders stay stuck in cycles of fear and self-doubt Why mistakes are necessary for confidence and growth How your mindset affects every part of your riding The difference between performing and learning How to stop letting fear control your decisions in the saddle Resources Mentioned: Coaching & support: https://www.mindeq.eu/coaching Follow Jocelin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jocelinlillienau Win een gratis coaching sessie met Sara: https://www.mindeq.eu/sara
Transcribe →From Wanting to Quit to Debuting Novice with Kerry Donoghue - #236
May 1001:04:20Tap to summarizeWhat if the reason you're struggling in your riding… has nothing to do with your riding? In this powerful and honest episode, we sit down with Kerry, who went from nearly quitting horses altogether to stepping up levels, competing again, and completely transforming how she thinks, rides, and lives. This is not a story about “just pushing through fear.” This is about doing the deep, uncomfortable work that actually creates lasting confidence. We dive into: Losing confidence and wanting to give up The hidden fears riders don’t talk about Why perfectionism keeps you stuck How past experiences (even ones that didn’t happen to you) shape your riding The real process of shifting from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset If you’ve ever felt stuck, frustrated, or like you're holding yourself back… this episode will hit home. What You’ll Learn Why your riding struggles are often a reflection of what’s happening internally How fear is often about consequences, not the fall itself The difference between a perfectionist mindset vs a growth mindset How to stop beating yourself up after mistakes and actually move forward Why “just be positive” doesn’t work, and what does instead How to become a present rider and learner, not a self-critic Resources Mentioned: Coaching & support: https://www.mindeq.eu/coaching Follow Jocelin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jocelinlillienau Connect with Kerry on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kerry_don4801/
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