As someone who cares deeply about horses, community, and mental wellness, this episode of the Liberated Equestrian Podcast bridges all three.

Kareem Rosser is a national polo champion, author of two deeply moving memoirs—Crossing the Line and When You're Ready— and Executive VP of Work to Ride, a nonprofit community-based prevention program that aids under-resourced urban youth through constructive activities centered on horsemanship, equine sports, and education in Philadelphia's Fairmont Park.

Growing up in the “Bottom,” a tough neighborhood in West Philadelphia, Kareem and his brothers discovered Work to Ride by chance, and soon the barn became a lifeline. From that unlikely beginning, Kareem, his younger brother, and their friend went on to form the first all-African American high school polo team to win a national championship in 2011.

While this is quite a story, what propelled me to invite Kareem to the podcast is his honesty about the emotional weight he carried off the field, including a life marred by poverty, violence, abandonment, and loss. Kareem discovered that what he thought were asthma attacks that began after the traumatic death of his best friend in his early childhood were panic attacks. Entering therapy in his twenties to deal with the overwhelming grief following a freak riding accident suffered by his then-girlfriend, Lee Lee Jones, in which she sustained a traumatic brain injury that forever changed the trajectory of their relationship (details of the accident are not described in the episode), he began to untangle the years of unspoken early childhood trauma to find healing, hope, and stability.

Kareem’s story is about grief, grit, and the courage to face what’s been buried for far too long.

We talk about the impact of adverse childhood experiences, how to heal from grief and loss, masculinity and mental health, and developing resiliency skills. Kareem speaks about the toll of being a high achiever without time to breathe, let alone process, and how therapy helped him slowly unravel and reweave his life.

This conversation hits the heart hard, but is also filled with hope.

Kareem emerged from the Bottom and is paying it forward. Through Work to Ride, co-founding the Philadelphia Polo Classic, serving on the board at Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital, and the Lee Lee Jones Patient Assistance Fund, Kareem is now giving back in powerful, purpose-driven ways.

In what ways might Kareem's story inspire and challenge you to stabilize and thrive so that you can live the life you were made for in this world that very much needs your story, your influence, too?

Head over to the blog at Stableminded.us to share your thoughts and find all the links!

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In this engaging episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Kendra Clarke of K. Clarke Equine—a biomechanics-focused trainer who brings a unique blend of precision, compassion, and creativity to her work with horses and riders.

Kendra’s story is one of deep-rooted passion and purpose, beginning with her early exposure to Centered Riding and leading to her advanced education in equine training and biomechanics. Her journey took her overseas to England, where she rode with top names like Conrad Schumacher, studied under Louise Davison, and was exposed first-hand to top trainers such as Carl Hester and Sandy Phillips, gaining the depth of knowledge that now shapes her distinctive approach.

What makes Kendra’s work so powerful is how she merges science, movement, and emotional awareness to support both horse and rider. She is one of only two 4* Train Your Seat (formerly Franklin Method) certified instructors in the U.S. and the only accredited Racewood Simulator coach in the country, in addition to being a Level 2 Centered Riding certified instructor and continuing to study the Franklin Method to enhance her skill and approach.

In our conversation, Kendra shares her mantra that “mindful riders create successful horses,” a theme that resonated deeply with me. We definitely "talked shop," reflecting on how trauma—whether physical or emotional—can manifest as restriction and tension in the saddle, and how the path to healing often starts with gentle, embodied awareness.

Kendra and I both wholeheartedly agree that “Suck it up is not the answer.” Instead, we both believe that riders need a safe space to be seen, heard, and supported—emotionally, mentally, and physically. That's what Kendra brings forth as an instructor. As I witnessed firsthand at one of her clinics, Kendra is masterful at helping riders rediscover movement they didn’t know they had, all in service of the horse’s well-being.

This episode is a must-listen if you're passionate about sustainable riding, body awareness, and the profound connection between horse and human.

Helpful Links

KclarkeEquine.com

Stableminded Counseling

Stableminded Coaching for Equestrians

Liberated Equestrian Membership

Liberated Equestrian Retreat

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In this episode of the Liberated Equestrian Podcast, we welcome Katie Staib, co-founder of the Equine Professionals Club, a platform created with her sister Shelby to revolutionize communication and connection in the horse industry.

Katie shares her inspiring journey through the competitive equestrian world—from hunter/jumpers to dressage, from working student to recognized dressage medalist—while navigating the mental and emotional toll of high-performance culture. She opens up about learning to prioritize faith, values, and well-being over identity tied to achievement.

With over a decade in the equestrian community, Katie brings deep insight into how burnout can manifest and how intentional boundaries and grace can create space for lasting joy and purpose in both horsemanship and life.

We dig deep into:

• The pressure to perform and how it can distort identity.
• Reclaiming mental health through faith, boundaries, and community.
• What you value at your core – if that were to be taken away, what is left?
• Why it's okay to step away—and how to return with grace.
• The vision behind the Equine Professionals Club and its industry-wide impact.

This episode is filled with encouragement for equestrians who feel burned out, unseen, or unsure of their next step and for those who are passionate about nurturing and shaping the next generation -- not only in the horse world, but beyond.

Helpful Links

Find Katie on Instagram at @equineprosclub

Stableminded Counseling

Stableminded Coaching for Equestrians

Liberated Equestrian Membership

Finding Calm

Liberated Equestrian Retreat

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.