#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:

• 🎯 5 Days to Confident Competitor. Stop ‘show nerves’ and saddle up with swagger! https://nicoleburnettcoaching.thrivecart.com/5-days-to-confident-competitor/
• 🎯 Resilient Reiner Academy → The confidence to win so you ride like you belong. Sign up here! https://www.nicoleburnettcoaching.com/resilientreineracademy
• 🎯 Get Free Weekly Mental Coaching Tips → Join my email list! Subscribe here

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 💛