Busting Out of Burnout: Hope for Healing from Trauma, Liberated Equestrian Podcast, 013

Have you ever wondered what life might look like after burnout—when healing from trauma finally takes hold in ways you never expected?

In this episode of The Liberated Equestrian Podcast, I’m sharing my personal story of moving from burnout to breakthrough to reclaim my life. I reflect on how undiagnosed ADHD, unresolved trauma, and chronic stress quietly fueled the end of my previous ministry—something I only recognize now that I’ve moved into this season of stabilizing and thriving.

But as I’ve moved into deeper healing, exploring the impact of the traumatic experiences that shaped my view of self, others, and God, I’ve discovered that “being who others wanted me to be” was part of my survival strategy. It was a way to find belonging, believing that I would finally feel safe. Instead, “being all things to all people” resulted in internal turmoil that only exacerbated my burnout. Can you relate?

The biggest point of conflict was how I “should” go about integrating my faith into a trauma-informed practice with clients. Even though I knew exactly how to do this as a coach, it felt different as a therapist and even in the equestrian space.

I once believed that living out the Biblical truths, which was the backbone of my book, Meet the New You, was the solution to breakthrough and transformation. Jesus transformed my life, so wasn’t this the solution for everyone else? But why was I still stuck at times. Why were my clients stuck?

While these questions hovered in the back of my mind, my love of horses led me into the equine-assisted work and revealed the missing piece for so many. No, not horses, but rather the horses showed me how to pay attention to what was happening in our brain and body from a neuropyschological perspective. This new perspective of the nervous system only enhanced my belief in God’s design not only of the body but also the significance of relational trauma as well as the need for relational healing.

Yet somewhere along the way in my training, I believed the lie that I needed to keep Jesus in the corner of my personal life and that my professional work as a therapist needed to stick within the evidence-based realm of practice.

Until now.

I’ve come full circle to realize that healing can not be compartmentalized.

That I can not compartmentalize what I believe from what I practice.

I didn’t realize I put God in a box — seeing faith and psychology as complementary but not integrated. By doing so, I was compartmentalizing parts of me that I believed were not allowed to show up or have a voice. This was all on a subconscious level . . . and it was exhausting! Yet through my personal healing work, God has revealed the urgency to live in authenticity, and that has lit a fire deep in my soul that I didn’t even know I was missing for the last few years.

So my friend, I’m here to say that I believe God beautifully designed the mind, heart, body, and soul to function as an integrated whole in the context of relationships — with God through our faith In Jesus Christ as Lord and with other image bearers of Christ.

I’m here to be that image bearer to you.

I accept you, wherever you are in your journey of healing.

I accept you, wherever you are in your faith.

I am here, holding hope for your transformation from the inside out, as you seek belonging, breakthrough, and becoming on this journey of liberation.

It is my hope and prayer that this episode inspires you to explore what authentic life transformation could look like for you.