Starting the 2026 Season Strong – Goals, Mindset & Rider Wellbeing

Welcome back to Showjumping 101 — the podcast hosted by Sam Forrest and presented by Joanne Sloan Allen and Sameh El Dahan.As we head into a brand-new year, many riders are setting goals, chasing progress, and feeling that familiar pressure to start fast and do more. But is that always the right approach?In this episode, Joanne and Sameh are joined by Sandie Robertson, the team’s official mindset performance coach, and Amir Fitt, official fitness and nutrition coach, for an honest and practical conversation about starting the season with clarity rather than chaos.From setting realistic goals without pressure, to managing sleep, recovery, and mental wellbeing during the darker months and the intensity of indoor season, this episode is packed with advice riders can actually apply — whether you’re competing at the top level or balancing riding around everyday life.