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

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In this episode, Lisa Pulliam, host of the Liberated Equestrian Podcast and founder of Stableminded.us, reflects on attending the Horse World Expo — not as a wide-eyed newbie, but as someone deeply changed by years of work as an equine-assisted coach and therapist. She shares insights about how growth isn't always easy to measure, especially in the horse world, where expertise can be subjective. She discusses her "science and art" approach to horsemanship, blending an understanding of the horse's nervous system with trauma-informed care practices. Highlighting demonstrations by Warwick Schiller, she describes how a powerful lesson about “destination addiction” — the tendency to fixate on outcomes as a way to survive present discomfort -- struck her personally! Lisa also invites you to consider whether your pursuit of goals might be driven by survival instincts rather than true purpose, and how releasing that fixation can lead to greater peace and presence.

Helpful Links

Stableminded Counseling

Stableminded Coaching for Equestrians

Liberated Equestrian Membership

Finding Calm

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In this episode of the Liberated Equestrian Podcast, host Lisa Pulliam is joined by Jenna Knudsen, founder of The Smart Equestrian and a passionate Equestrian Life Coach with over 40 years of experience in the saddle and 14 years coaching others to live empowered, intentional lives—on and off the horse.

Jenna shares her powerful journey of transformation, emphasizing that liberation begins with releasing shame, honoring our limits, and embracing intentional living. Together, Lisa and Jenna explore what it means to evolve beyond our beginnings, especially as equestrians and women navigating the complexities of life, identity, and mental health.

From the challenges of depression and ADHD to the hormonal transitions that come with a woman's journey, this candid conversation highlights the importance of morning rituals, setting priorities, and living a life aligned with purpose. Lisa and Jenna invite listeners to see their relationship with horses as a reflection of their inner growth, encouraging them to slow down and savor the connection without pressure.

• “Liberation means being open to this brave new world.”
• “You have to find purpose in the smallest things to find your way out of depression.”
• “Intentional living gets what is inside of you into the world.”
• “The ways females present with ADHD are socially acceptable, so the diagnosis is missed.”
• ”For middle-aged women with ADHD, the coping strategies that once worked are no longer sufficient in light of hormonal issues common in the perimenopausal and menopausal stages along with the stressors of life.”

Whether you're feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or simply craving a deeper connection with your horse and yourself, this episode will remind you that growth is always possible—and your journey is worth every step.

Helpful Links

Jenna Knudsen

The SMART Equestrian Planner

Thrive Toolbox - ADHD & Women

Stableminded Counseling

Stableminded Coaching for Equestrians

Liberated Equestrian Membership

Finding Calm

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It is an honor to be joined by Cathy Woods on this episode of the Liberated Equestrian Podcast. She is not only a lifelong equestrian who enjoys backcountry trail riding but also a longtime yoga instructor, author of Yoga for Riders, and creator of her trademarked program, Body, Mind, Equine, Cathy is passionate about focusing on overall equestrian wellness. She has partnered with amazing venues such as Equitana, Liberty Festival, Equine Affaire, Warwick Schillers Journey on Summit, Tryon International Equestrian Center, and C Lazy U Ranch to educate and equip fellow equestrians in the practice of authentic yoga and mindful horsemanship.

As Cathy describes, "Restrictions in our bodies and restrictions in our minds restrict our horse." She explains how yoga and the meditation cushion can be the groundwork for the human, providing a way to show up better for our horse. Cathy describes how the practice of yoga on the mat (not the horse) can help you become aware of your breath and body in a way that unlocks how you show up in and out of the saddle. She also shares that we can respond to those interrupting thoughts by "Thanking the mind for its opinion and coming back to the breath."

Cathy's emphasis on living in the present moment came at an influential time in my life when I had the privilege to experience one of her retreats. I learned from her how to be more present in the moment by focusing on the "recent future." Her encouragement to "Get into a position that would not distract you from the moment" was equally impactful. Since trauma can result in fantasy-prone thinking, living for the next thing instead of living in the present moment and enduring pain by trying to ignore it, these simple expressions from Cathy were helpful tools in my recovery from my riding accidents and influenced the direction of Finding Calm.

As Cathy shares in her closing thoughts, "We get to partner with horses. It is a blessing. It is an honor." This episode will inspire you to be a healthy partner and a blessing to your horse as a way to honor them.

Helpful Links

Cathy Woods

Yoga for Riders

Thrive Toolbox for 5-4-3-2-1

Cavaletti Collection Saddles

Liberated Equestrian Membership

Finding Calm

Counseling

Coaching for Equestrians

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On this episode of the Liberated Equestrian, I'm joined by Callie King, founder of HorseClass.com, an international online education platform dedicated to bringing top instructors together to share their expertise in riding, training, and equine care.

Our discussion kicked off with a reflection on what it means to be a liberated equestrian, which tied perfectly into her experience living in Oaxaca, Mexico, where she continues to develop educational programs for riders worldwide. Callie shared that the word for liberated, or free, in Spanish is "libre" and it has come to be the cue word she uses with her horses when she "turns them free" from their work together.

Callie describes that "journey with horses on the Pennsylvania farm where she grew up has taken her across disciplines and landscapes—from endurance riding in the Colorado mountains to gentling mustangs in California and trekking in Mexico." In 2012, Callie started CRK Training as a way to support her riding students beyond their weekly lessons. Over the years, it evolved into HorseClass, a global resource for equestrians seeking thoughtful, effective training methods.

Throughout this episode, Callie and I explored how her approach to horsemanship has transformed through her experiences both in working with training horses as well as students. She has come to discover the science behind the "flow" necessary for peak performance for both the recreational rider and athlete, as well as the horse. Together, we explored what this looks like in learning, especially redefining calm as not relaxation but rather as an aspect of stress leading to confidence and skill.

This is what Callie described as the tension between conscious competence and unconscious competence -- that time in which you feel like a confident and capable rider and then you hop on a horse you've never ridden before and it feels like you forgot everything you knew. Can you relate?

Well, it is in moments like this that we grow as we find the flow that enhances peak performance.

To hear more examples and dig into a new way of thinking about the breakthrough awaiting you, tune into this episode of the Liberated Equestrian!

Helpful Links

Finding Calm

Liberated Equestrian Community

Counseling

Coaching for Equestrians

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Continuing the backstory that led to launching the Liberated Equestrian Podcast, in this episode I’m digging a little bit more into my return to the horse world in the last decade.

It’s been quite a journey in a relatively short period of time of becoming a second-season equestrian and experiencing everything from the joy of riding again to fulfilling the dream of horse ownership to experiencing the challenges of issues that present when you own a creature you can’t keep in your home never-mind your property.

This episode is truly about providing you with the tools to find your voice and confidence using the C.A.L.M. Framework designed for growth . . . and liberation!

The C.A.L.M. Framework was inspired by my experience as a second-season rider and mental health professional, and laid the foundation for the came the creation of Finding Calm with HorseClass.com. Yes, I needed calm to address my fears and anxiety after two riding accidents. As I used the resources of therapy, including EMDR, and a supportive community – including my trainers – I was able to heal and grow. Truly this was the inspiration behind the liberated equestrian -- I found my voice and I want you to find yours too!

While the course and book is designed to help riders navigate through fear and anxiety, the C.A.L.M. Framework is relevant for all equestrians!

In this episode, I unpack that framework and how to use it in developing your own theory of horsemanship and humanship essential in the pursuit of becoming a liberated equestrian.

Helpful Links

Finding Calm

5-4-3-2-1 in the Thrive Toolbox

Liberated Equestrian Community

Counseling

Coaching for Equestrians

Remarkable Kodiak Jack Series

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