The Mounting Block - Riding, Life, and Laughs, Because We're Over 40 and Still Getting a Leg Over!

This week on The Mounting Block, Marissa shares the latest chapter in her horse search journey, riding everything from Gypsy Cobs and Clydesdales to highly sensitive Andalusians, while Oriel celebrates a major personal milestone as she conquers her fear of cantering over poles and small jumps.The pair are then joined by entrepreneur, business leader and change specialist Anna Whitlam for an incredibly honest conversation about success, self-doubt and what really happens behind the scenes of high achievement.Anna opens up about growing up with dyslexia, finding confidence through horses, building and selling a highly successful business, and the difficult personal toll that followed. She shares how a Masters in Change at INSEAD led her on an unexpected journey of self-discovery, uncovering the unconscious beliefs and survival mechanisms that shaped her career, leadership style and relentless drive to achieve.Together, they explore burnout, imposter syndrome, workplace culture, corporate acquisitions, psychodynamics, leadership, resilience and the importance of understanding ourselves before we can truly understand others. It's a powerful conversation about vulnerability, identity, and learning that success doesn't always look the way we think it does.If you've ever questioned your own abilities, struggled with self-doubt, or wondered why some people seem to have it all together, this episode is a reminder that everyone is carrying a story beneath the surface. Key Topics Covered include:Horse shopping highs and lowsOvercoming riding fears and building confidenceFinding resilience through horsesDyslexia, childhood challenges and self-beliefEntrepreneurship and selling a businessBurnout and the hidden cost of successPsychodynamics and human behaviourLeadership, workplace culture and acquisitionsSelf-awareness, growth and reinventionBuilding a life and business aligned with your values

This week on The Mounting Block, Marissa and Oriel share all the highs, nerves and hilarious moments from their first local hacking show experience — from soggy rugs and rain-soaked mornings to reserve champion ribbons and proud pony mum moments. The girls chat about stepping outside their comfort zones, the unexpected thrill of the show ring, and why hacking might just become their new obsession.Meanwhile, Marissa continues her chaotic “horse dating” journey, uncovering one very suspicious shirtless seller and reflecting on the emotional rollercoaster of trying to find the right horse.Then the ladies welcome special guest Kim Costa from Georgia, USA, a former equestrian turned real estate expert, author and podcast host. Kim shares her deeply personal story of surviving a devastating riding accident, rebuilding her life, and discovering how our homes should reflect who we truly are. Together, they dive into identity, midlife reinvention, horses as lifestyle anchors, and why creating a home that aligns with your soul might just change everything.It’s heartfelt, funny, reflective and packed with relatable conversations about horses, homes, family, and finding yourself again in midlife

This episode of The Mounting Block is a powerful mix of real-life horse struggles, personal breakthroughs, and an incredibly inspiring conversation with global powerhouse Amy Kunrojpanya.The girls kick things off with the highs and lows of horse shopping—navigating confidence, capability, and knowing when a horse just isn’t the right fit (even when she’s beautiful). There’s also a huge personal win in the arena, conquering fear and finally cantering calmly over poles, proof that progress isn’t always flashy, but it’s deeply meaningful.Then the episode shifts gears into a deeply moving and eye-opening conversation with Amy. From growing up in rural Queensland to leading communications for global giants like Google, Uber and Netflix, Amy shares her extraordinary career journey, but it’s her personal story that hits hardest.She opens up about living with stage 4 endometriosis, taking nearly 30 years to diagnose, and the systemic gaps in women’s health that still exist today. The conversation dives into the “gender pain gap,” the lack of research and funding for women’s health, and what needs to change, from funding female founders to normalising conversations about our bodies.It’s a raw, honest, and empowering episode about resilience, redefining success, backing yourself, and pushing for a better future for us, and for the next generation.

In this special in-person episode of The Mounting Block, we’re joined by the man behind the magic — Will Shaw from Equine on the Move. The calm voice in our chaotic horse journeys, Will shares the real secrets behind horsemanship, confidence, and why sometimes… it’s not actually the horse that needs fixing.We dive into everything from float-loading disasters and gate dramas to the psychology of horses (and riders). Will breaks down the concept of a horse’s “two brains,” how to shift them from panic to calm, and why timing — not force — is everything.But this episode goes deeper than riding techniques. We talk about fear, rebuilding confidence as adult riders, and the mental load we bring into the saddle. Will explains why so many riders struggle — not from lack of skill, but from a missing foundation in true horsemanship.You’ll also hear Will’s incredible backstory — from cattle stations in Western Queensland to playing rugby overseas and even rubbing shoulders with royalty — before building a business that’s now helping riders across Brisbane feel safer, calmer, and more connected to their horses.This episode is equal parts practical advice, mindset shift, and reassurance that you’re not alone in your horse journey.Because as Will reminds us..Stop trying to fix the horse. Start working on yourself.