From a fall to Olympic gold — this is what elite mindset really looks like.

In this episode of On the Edge, I sit down with Laura Collett, Olympic gold medallist and one of the most respected riders in international eventing.

Laura’s journey is one of resilience, discipline, and elite performance under pressure. From her 2013 accident to standing on top of the Olympic podium, we go inside what it actually takes to rebuild, stay consistent, and perform when it matters most.

Timestamps

00:00 Second Chances After Injury 00:21 Meet Laura Collett 00:50 Falling in Love With Horses 02:09 Choosing Eventing 02:56 The Eventing Community 04:32 Growing Up in Team GB System 08:29 Hard Work and Small Wins 10:41 2013 Accident and Rehab 13:57 Racing Back Too Soon 15:37 Adapting to One Eye Vision 16:51 Olympic Dream Reality 18:34 Tokyo Lessons to Paris Gold 22:19 Mental Plan Under Pressure 25:35 London 52 Partnership Journey 28:07 Producing Horses With Patience 29:08 Quickfire Jump Off Round 32:27 Final Thoughts and Next Steps

About the Host:

Savanna Stirling is a Sports & Performance Therapist and 4* event rider, specialising in helping riders and high performers build confidence, emotional control, and consistency under pressure.

Through Edge Therapy, she works with clients to develop practical, evidence-based mental skills that translate directly into real performance.

If you’re ready to take your riding or performance to the next level: → Book a free chat: https://www.edgetherapy.co.nz → Explore tools and resources: https://www.edgetherapy.co.nz

Savanna is also building the Edge Performance Hub — a space for riders and high performers who want to go deeper into mindset, performance psychology, and real-world application.

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Melissa Galloway holds the highest dressage score ever recorded by a New Zealander at the Olympics — but behind that incredible achievement is a story of persistence, doubt, growth, and grit.

In this episode of On the Edge, Melissa shares what it really took to get there. We talk about the mental toll of elite sport, the identity struggles behind perfectionism, and how stepping back helped her reconnect with why she rides at all. She opens up about the moments she nearly gave up — and how choosing to keep going led to her greatest breakthrough.

Melissa isn’t just a world-class athlete — she’s a genuinely lovely human who gives back to the sport with grace and generosity. Whether you’re an equestrian, an athlete, or simply someone chasing a big dream, this conversation is full of real insight and powerful reminders that even when it feels like the end… it might just be the beginning of something better.

00:00 – Teaser: “It wasn’t until I took the pressure off…” 00:09 – Intro: What this episode is really about 01:00 – Growing up in Southland: the spark that started it all 04:20 – Melissa’s rise: from regional arenas to Olympic records 07:15 – The mental cost of the intensity overseas 10:00 – Feeling lost and nearly giving up 13:40 – Letting go: what changed when the pressure eased 17:05 – Redefining success and rediscovering the joy 19:30 – Supporting younger riders and giving back to the sport 21:10 – Jump Off Round: the rapid-fire rider questions 22:00 – Final thoughts & reflections 22:50 – Outro: like, follow, and share the ride

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In this episode of On The Edge, we dive into the inspiring journey of Monica Spencer, a New Zealand eventer who has competed at the World Equestrian Games, Maryland, Kentucky, and Burghley 5*'s and was the reserve rider for the Paris Olympics. Monica shares her unique perspective on resilience, mindset, and the highs and lows of competing at the top level of eventing.

Kindly brought to you by The Brave Pants Co.

[00:00] Introduction Savanna introduces Monica Spencer, highlighting her achievements and the remarkable mindset that has propelled her career.

[00:08] Early Life and Love for Horses Monica talks about growing up on the Kapiti Coast, learning to produce ponies from scratch, and how her rural upbringing instilled resilience and a love for eventing.

[01:08] New Zealand’s Influence on Riding Monica reflects on how New Zealand’s equestrian culture, from backyard ponies to pony club, shaped her skills and determination.

[03:24] Transition to International Competitions She shares her experience moving from local competitions to representing New Zealand at the World Equestrian Games and beyond.

[03:36] Mindset During Major Events Monica discusses her approach to handling pressure, staying focused, and striving for personal bests, no matter the stakes.

[06:49] Reflecting on Achievements Monica highlights the importance of appreciating the journey and how she’s learned to cherish every moment along the way.

[13:09] Learning from Setbacks She opens up about key challenges, including her fall at Adelaide Five Star, and how these experiences helped her grow as a rider.

[23:10] Preparation and Training Monica explains her belief that confidence comes from preparation, sharing how she sets her horses up for success through meticulous training.

[25:08] Pressure and Performance She explores how to cope with the pressures of competing at the highest level and her mantra of “pressure is a privilege.”

[29:22] Partnership with Max Monica discusses her bond with her champion horse, Max, their journey together, and her dream of retiring him in New Zealand.

[30:40] Future Goals and Current Horses Learn about Monica’s current team of horses, her plans for the LA Olympics, and how she’s preparing for the future.

[32:50] Advice for Aspiring Riders Monica shares heartfelt advice: “Be brave. Being brave is not the absence of fear but doing it anyway.”

[34:44] Jump Off Round A fun rapid-fire session where Monica reveals her pre-ride routines, her horses’ quirky habits, and the best advice she’s ever received.

[39:12] Conclusion and Gratitude Savanna wraps up the episode, thanking Monica for her insights and The Brave Pants Company for sponsoring.

Tune in for an inspiring look into the life and mindset of one of New Zealand’s top eventers. Don’t forget to follow, share, and join us next time!