Resilient Reiner

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Podcast by Nicole Burnett

Resilient Reiner

The Resilient Reiner with Nicole Burnett is your go-to podcast dedicated to mental performance coaching for reiners and western horse riders. Join us as we explore the power of the mind and how it can elevate your performance with your horse to new heights. Each episode uncovers invaluable strategies, techniques, and mindset shifts to help you overcome mental barriers, boost confidence, and achieve peak performance in the saddle. From managing competition nerves to cultivating focus and resilience, our podcast provides actionable insights and real-life stories that inspire and empower horse riders at all levels. Whether you're a passionate non-pro, rookie reiner, veteran competitor or seasoned pro, The Resilient Reiner is your go-to source for sharpening your mental edge and unlocking your equestrian potential & transforming your riding journey. Tune in, harness the power of your mind, and ride towards excellence.
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Latest episodes

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19 August 2025

#176 How to Sit the Sliding Stop (Without Bracing or Freaking Out)

You don’t need to be stronger to sit the stop—you need to feel safer.

Sounds backwards, right? But that’s exactly what I see trip up even the most talented riders in the arena. They’re told to sit deep and stay soft—but no one talks about how to do that when your brain is screaming “Danger!” the moment your horse locks in for the slide.

In today’s episode, I’m answering a question straight from a rider in our community who asked, “Nicole, how the heck do I sit at the sliding stop without bracing or getting thrown forward?” And if you've ever felt like a sack of potatoes or a ragdoll flung around during your stops, trust me—you are not alone, and you are not broken. You're just dealing with a very normal, very human nervous system response.

This episode is all about showing you how to work with your body—not against it—so you can ride your stops with softness, clarity, and confidence. If you’ve been gripping with your thighs, holding your breath, or tensing up when the pressure’s on… this one’s for you.

If you or someone you know has benefited from this episode, be sure to tag me @nicoleburnettmentalcoach and @resilientreiner on Instagram and share this episode with your community! I’m always curious to hear your stories, your takeaways, and your progress. And don’t forget to leave a review on iTunes—it helps more riders find the support they need. 🤠

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

  • Why your body braces during a sliding stop (even when you know what to do)
  • The surprising role your nervous system plays in seat softness
  • A clear, step-by-step breakdown of how to train your body to stay soft under pressure
  • What safety has to do with softness—and why “trying harder” doesn’t work
  • How to train your seat like you train your horse: with consistency, presence, and trust
  • The 3-part process I use with riders to help them stop spiraling and stay grounded

Questions I Answer:

  • “Why do I brace in the stop, even when I’ve practiced the right technique?”
  • “How do I keep from getting thrown forward or feeling like I freeze up?”
  • “What can I do before, during, and after a ride to stay more grounded in my body?”
  • “Is it really possible to retrain my nervous system to respond better in high-pressure moments?”

Links/Resources:

Whether you’re working on sitting your stops, rebuilding after a tough ride, or just trying to get out of your own head—remember this: your horse doesn’t need perfection. They need presence.

And presence starts with safety.

Safety allows softness.

And softness? That’s the secret to a powerful, beautiful stop.

You’ve got this.

Let’s ride. 🤠

Nicole

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05 August 2025

#175 Why Most Riders Never Reach Their Full Potential

You can have the best-trained horse in the warm-up pen… and still lose.

I know that sounds harsh, but I’ve seen it too many times to ignore. A rider pours months—heck, years—into perfecting every detail of their horse’s training. The circles are round, the stops are deep, the lead changes are smooth as butter. And yet, when the pressure’s on? They choke. Not because they’re not good enough—but because they never trained their mind to handle the moment.

In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on the real reason so many talented riders hit a ceiling they can’t break through. It’s not about talent. It’s not about horsepower. It’s about what’s happening between your ears. If you’ve ever walked out of the arena thinking, “My horse was ready, but I wasn’t,” this one’s for you.

If you or someone you know has benefited from this episode, be sure to tag us @nicoleburnettmentalcoach and @resilientreiner on Instagram and share this episode with your community! I’m always curious to hear about your experience. Also, don’t forget to leave a review on iTunes to help more riders discover the show.

In This Episode You Will Learn:

  • Why talent and training alone won’t guarantee success in the arena
  • The #1 mistake high-level riders make when preparing for competition
  • How to spot the difference between “wishful thinking” and real mental preparation
  • The mindset shift that separates average riders from elite competitors
  • A breakdown of what it actually means to train your mind like you train your horse

Questions I Answer:

  • Why do you still struggle to win even when their horse is fully trained?
  • What role does mindset play in competition results?
  • How can you prepare mentally for a high-pressure show?
  • What are the signs that you need a mental strategy (not just more saddle time)?
  • What should you focus on in the days leading up to a competition?

🚀 Ready For Your Own Mental Breakthrough? Here’s How:

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11:33

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29 July 2025

#174 Stop Wasting Energy Fighting Reality—Here’s What to Do Instead

Truth bomb: Wanting it to be different doesn’t make it so.

In this episode, we’re digging into one of the most overlooked—but powerful—mental performance tools I teach: radical acceptance. Not hustle. Not trying harder. Not demanding that things go your way. But meeting the moment exactly as it is… so you can actually do something about it.

Because here’s the thing—most riders burn out not from the ride itself, but from the resistance. From the frustration of, “My horse shouldn’t be acting like this,” or “I should be further along by now.”

Whether you’re dealing with tech meltdowns in your business, a horse that spooks at air, or a show that goes nothing like you planned, this shift will change how you show up—for real.

And no, radical acceptance doesn’t mean giving up or lowering your standards. It means dropping the drama and meeting reality so you can take smart, steady action in the only moment you truly have power: right now.

If you or someone you know has benefited from this episode, be sure to tag us @nicoleburnettmentalcoach and @resilientreiner on Instagram and share this episode with your community! I’d love to hear what hit home for you—and where you’re practicing radical acceptance in your own riding.

And if this episode gave you a new way of looking at something, please take a second to leave a review on iTunes. Your review helps other riders find the support they need too.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

  • Why radical acceptance is not the same as giving up
  • How to stop wasting energy on frustration and start riding from clarity
  • Real-life rider (and life!) examples where radical acceptance made all the difference
  • How to reclaim your mental energy and confidence—even in moments that feel “off”
  • The key difference between reaction mode vs. response mode
  • How this mindset shift helps you ride with more trust, more agency, and less mental noise

QUESTIONS I ANSWER:

  • What does radical acceptance actually mean, and how does it apply to riding?
  • How do you stop spinning out when things don’t go to plan with your horse?
  • Isn’t it important to be goal-driven? How do you balance acceptance with ambition?
  • What do you do when you’re emotionally flooded or upset about where you're at in your riding?
  • How can you use this mindset in real-time—at shows, in the arena, or when life throws curveballs?

LINK/RESOURCES:

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16 July 2025

#173 From “I wish I could do that…” to “I CAN ABSOLUTELY DO THIS!”

“I’m just free.” -Janessa

You know that dream? The one where you ride out into the arena with confidence, freedom, and ease — just you and your horse, no pressure, no second-guessing, no needing someone to hold your hand?

Well… what happens when you finally get the horse, the lessons, the gear — and you still don’t feel ready?

In this episode, I’m sitting down with one of my amazing clients, Janessa, to talk about the real stuff behind riding confidence. Not the fake-it-til-you-make-it kind — but the deep, grounded trust that changes how you ride, how you show up, and how you feel in your own skin. Janessa went from constant what-if spirals and fear of riding solo… to riding alone, lighthearted, laughing, and living out her cowgirl dreams in the saddle.

She’s been through our programs - Resilient Reiner Academy and Mental Gym for Equestrians, and the transformation she’s experienced will give you chills. If you’ve ever wondered whether confidence like that is possible for you — this episode is your proof.

If you or someone you know has benefited from this episode, be sure to tag us @nicoleburnettmentalcoach and @resilientreiner on Instagram and share this episode with your community! I'm so curious to hear what parts hit home for you. And if you’re feeling inspired, leave a review on iTunes so others can discover the podcast and find the support they need to ride with confidence, too.

In This Episode You’ll Learn:

  • What Janessa really struggled with — even after getting the “right” horse, trainer, and tack
  • The surprising realization that changed everything for her (and how it had nothing to do with her riding skills)
  • Why solo riding felt impossible before — and how she worked her way toward it, one breath at a time
  • The specific mental tools that helped her shift from spiraling thoughts to grounded confidence
  • How her work in RRA and MGE helped her ride with ease — and live with more freedom outside the barn, too
  • What riding her horse now feels like (hint: it's totally in alignment with who she is off the horse, too)

Questions I Answer:

  • Why do you still feel anxious around riding even when nothing’s “wrong”?
  • How do you stop overthinking and start enjoying time with your horse again?
  • What’s the difference between nervousness and not being ready?
  • How do you build confidence when you feel like I’m starting late in the game?
  • What does it actually look like to ride from a calm, focused place — not just hope the anxiety disappears?

🔗 LINKS & RESOURCES:

This episode is full of heart, honesty, and hope. Whether you’ve been riding for years or just getting started, Janessa’s journey is a reminder that the real transformation doesn’t start in the saddle — it starts in your mind.

Be sure to follow the podcast and stay tuned for more client stories, mindset tools, and rider breakthroughs. And if this story lit something up in you… don’t ignore it.

You’ve got more control than you think.

Nicole

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08 July 2025

#172 Aging, Leadership, And (NOT) Being The Hotshot

They won’t tell you this part.

That getting better, wiser, and more experienced… can sometimes feel like fading into the background.

You’re not the rookie anymore. Not the one everyone’s watching. And even if you’re still chasing big dreams, there are moments where it feels like most of your energy goes toward helping someone else win.

This week’s episode was born in a dark movie theater with buttered popcorn, where I thought I was watching an action flick—and instead got hit in the gut by something much deeper. Brad Pitt. Fast cars. And an unexpected masterclass in quiet leadership.

It cracked something open in me.

And if you’ve ever found yourself wondering, “Am I still going after my dream… or just helping everyone else chase theirs?”—this episode is for you.

We’re talking aging, ego, and that strange, tender season of evolving from the one in the spotlight… to the one holding the line. And what it really means to lead with strength no one claps for.

🎧 If this episode hit home—or reminded you of a rider who needs to hear this—tag me on Instagram @nicoleburnettmentalcoach and @resilientreiner so I can cheer you on and hear your story. And don’t forget to leave a review on iTunes so more riders can find this podcast when they need it most.

In This Episode You’ll Learn:

  • The surprising emotional gut punch from a Brad Pitt racing movie (yep, really)
  • How aging in the saddle can bring up grief—and wisdom
  • Why quiet strength is often invisible, but never wasted
  • What it means to lead behind the scenes (and why it’s just as powerful as standing in the spotlight)
  • How to honor the version of you that still wants the win—even if your role looks different now

Questions I Answer:

  • Can you still chase your dream and make space for others?
  • What happens when no one sees the work you’re doing behind the scenes?
  • How do you keep riding with fire and vision when you're no longer the "rising star"?
  • Is it okay to still want more, even if you're mostly mentoring, parenting, or supporting someone else's journey?

🔗 LINKS & RESOURCES:

This one’s close to my heart.

Sometimes, growth isn’t about riding harder—it’s about not giving up while carrying more quietly.

And still showing up. Still dreaming. Still going.

You’re not done. You’re just evolving.

Let’s ride.

— Nicole

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02 July 2025

#171 Sleep, Snacks, and Saddle Time: Surprising Foundations of Success

Treat yourself like a toddler for better rides?!

What if your biggest confidence issue isn’t mindset… but blood sugar? 🫣

Here’s something most riders don’t talk about: you’re not losing your edge because you lack grit—you’re running on fumes.

The horse world loves to glorify mental toughness. “Push through it.” “Cowgirl up.”

But what if the real reason you feel anxious, snappy, or disconnected in the saddle… is because you hasn’t had breakfast?

In today’s episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on a conversation most riders desperately need to have.

We’re not just talking about mindset—we’re talking biology.

Because if you’ve been second-guessing yourself, losing patience, or just not feeling the joy in riding lately…

It might not be a mental block.

It might be your body asking for literal gas in the tank.

Let’s talk about how sleep, food, and hydration are secret weapons for calm, confident rides—especially when you're working hard to rebuild trust, momentum, and fun again.

Whether you’re showing or trail riding, green horse or seasoned partner—this one’s for you.

🎧 If this episode hits home, don’t keep it to yourself.

Tag me @nicoleburnettmentalcoach and @resilientreiner on Instagram and share it with your barn crew or riding bestie. I want to know how this lands for you!

And if it sparked a breakthrough? Leave a review on iTunes—it helps other riders like you discover the show. 🤠

🧠 IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN:

  • Why fatigue and blood sugar crashes are secretly wrecking your confidence
  • The real reason you feel reactive or emotional in the saddle (and no, it’s not just “a bad ride”)
  • How elite athletes treat recovery, nutrition, and rest as performance tools—and why you should too
  • Tiny, doable shifts that help you ride clearer, calmer, and more connected—without changing your whole life

❓QUESTIONS I ANSWER:

  • Why does everything feel harder when you’re tired—even when you want to ride well?
  • How does food actually affect your mental performance as a rider?
  • What should you eat before a ride if you want to feel grounded and focused?
  • Is it really that big of a deal if you’re running on caffeine?
  • How do you know the difference between burnout and just needing rest?

🔗 LINKS & RESOURCES:

Let this be your reminder:

You don’t need more pressure. You need more presence!

And that starts with sleep, snacks, and support—just like you’d give a toddler before a rodeo day. 😉

So if you’ve been frustrated with your mindset or stuck in your head… Zoom out.

Your confidence might not be gone, it just might be tired, hungry, or dehydrated. Let’s fix that!

Catch you in the episode,

Nicole 💛

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