Firehorse Equine Facilitated Learning

07/02/2024

15 years ago today, my life changed instantly and unexpectedly thanks to the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires.

Today I remember my great good fortune in surviving that fire, and I remember those who weren't so fortunate, losing their lives or the lives of family members or friends. I thank all those who fought those fires, rescued and looked after those who were caught in them.

I also remember my horse Walker, who survived those fires with me, and who passed away 4 years ago today on the 11th anniversary of Black Saturday. We miss him every day.

Tough times teach you many things and perhaps the most important is that change, adversity and challenge happen to all of us from time to time. I think life isn't about trying to avoid these things, it's about finding and keeping our balance despite them. It's about how we weave them into the tapestry of our life and draw meaning from them so that we emerge having somehow found whatever light we could within the dark.

Thanks again to everyone here who has supported me during my various tough times; the list of people is long, and I am forever grateful for your care and friendship.

22/11/2023

I was lucky enough to be interviewed by Sarah Berry from the Age and Sydney Morning Herald for an article on the benefits of excercise when you are being treated with chemotherapy …. And wow, doesn’t George look handsome!

New research has found links between physical activity and the wellbeing of people going through chemotherapy.

28/04/2023

Many of you will know that I received an ovarian cancer diagnosis in November 2021. After 6 months of pretty intense treatment (surgery, chemo and radiation therapy), I finished treatment in April 2022. Apart from being totally unexpected for me, I learnt very quickly that I was extremely lucky to have caught this when I did. Many women are not so lucky and are often diagnosed when the condition is advanced, when treatment options are limited and the prognosis isn’t good. It’s hard to diagnose because the symptoms often go under the radar and can be mistaken for a lot of other things.
So I’ve joined a group to walk the Larapinta track in the Northern Territory of Australia in August. We’re raising funds for research so that more women can have better treatments and an improved chance at life.
If you’d like to donate, head to my fundraising page below. Every bit helps.
Now I guess I’d better get training !

I'm taking on a huge challenge to support an incredible cause. Please sponsor me by clicking the link. Thanks so much!

28/04/2023

Last Friday my horses and I had the pleasure of working with a small group of coaches to explore the idea of connection.

One of the most profound learnings for the group was the idea that setting clear boundaries - both in terms of physical space but also emotional space - can actually foster closer connection.

Having enough physical space around you is important in order to be able to think clearly - the space the body needs for the mind to be present (according to Linda Kohanov). But many of us fear that setting boundaries with our loved ones and friends will drive them away rather than bring them closer.

Ironically, the reverse can be true. Being calmy and assertively clear about what you need to be able to connect comfortably with someone else allows you to bring your whole self to the interaction. As with horses, intention, clarity and timing is important. Setting boundaries when you are feeling calm is always better, and more likely to achieve the outcome you are hoping for, than when you are feeling angry or resentful.

09/02/2023

I was invited to speak at the Team Teal fundraising event at the Bendigo Harness Racing club last night. Duncan McPherson started fund raising for ovarian cancer research and awareness when he lost his wife to ovarian cancer in 2010 and now, for 6 weeks in February snd March, harness racing around the country supports this cause. After my presentation, I spoke with Paul Campbell who runs social media around harness racing. You can check it out below. In the meantime, get onboard Team Teal at

www.womencan.org.au/event/team-teal-racing/homePaul

14/12/2022

This wonderful innovation from Linda Kohanov was taught to myself and colleagues when Linda visited Australia in 2018. It can work with humans too ..

This video is about Heart Breathing, one of the key skills involved in what author and teacher Linda Kohanov calls "Sentient Communication." In the video, sh...

19/10/2022

There are a lot of people out there handling very challenging times right now. So being able to cope with life's knocks and still thrive is an ever more vital skill.

So here is my Tough Times Manifesto. It's drawn from the lessons I learned from my own experiences living through adversity of all kinds over the years. It's also the essence of the stories I tell when speaking and coaching.

If this finds you in the middle of a Tough Time, take heart, be kind to yourself and know that, eventually, this too shall pass.

28/08/2022

It’s Monday morning and a good time to check in with the herd. If you’ve ever wondered why horses make good teachers it’s because being with them helps us to become more aware of
how we are showing up and the impact that could be having on our life, work, relationships etc. If you’d like to know more about learning experiences with horses (no riding or horse experience necessary), message me or look out for our new workshop schedule coming soon…

01/08/2022

Being able to dance with personal (and global) sudden, unexpected change and adversity seems to be a vital capability right now. So I thought I share 6 quotes (I do love a quote.....) to help kick off the week and re-frame your experience...

“In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.” Albert Camus

“Your hardest times often lead to the greatest moments of your life. Keep going. Tough situations build strong people in the end”. Roy T. Strong

“It’s important for you to understand that your experience facing and overcoming adversity is actually one of your biggest advantages”. Michele Obama

“When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind not with it.” Henry Ford

“When something goes wrong in your life, just yell “Plot Twist” and move on.” Unknown

“Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors.” African proverb