From Olympic Dream to Derby Miracle & The Mindset Behind It with Esteban Benitez Valle - #215
This episode isn’t just a story, it’s a masterclass in mindset, belief, resilience, and refusing to give up on a dream even when everything around you says don’t bother.
In this conversation, Esteban Benítez Valle takes us behind the scenes of qualifying for the Olympics, navigating heartbreak, dealing with insane pressure, and then - somehow - stepping into the legendary Hamburg Derby and doing what nobody expected him to do.
But the REAL power of this episode? It shows that elite-level mindset is not magic. It’s a skill. A skill ANY rider can learn.
Inside, Esteban shares:
- How he stayed certain about the Olympics even when everything went wrong
- Why he hired a sports psychologist before he needed one
- How he dealt with a season full of injuries, pressure, and travel
- The exact mindset shift that kept him focused instead of overwhelmed
- His process for shutting down negative thoughts instantly
- How he used visualization to ride a 160cm course before he ever rode it
- Why belief must come before evidence
- How he built a relationship with a horse he barely knew, days before the Derby
- Why treating the moment as a “gift” removes fear
- The mental routine that kept him calm, grounded, and razor-focused
- How he created a “tunnel” of focus in front of a stadium full of spectators
- And the one thing every rider should stop apologizing for when competing
This episode isn’t about talent or luck. It’s about mindset, belief, consistency, and the courage to think bigger than your circumstances. If you’re a rider who:
✔ overthinks every mistake
✔ doubts yourself more than you admit
✔ feels like you’re not progressing fast enough
✔ wonders if you’re ever “good enough”
✔ freezes under pressure
✔ dreams big but feels small
…this episode will show you what’s possible when you back yourself; fully, unapologetically, and consistently. And more importantly: It will show you how your mind becomes your biggest advantage when you train it like athletes in every other sport do.
Resources Mentioned:
🧠 Receive our weekly mindset & performance hacks: https://www.mindeq.eu/weeklyhacks
🧠 Be a part of the Mindeq Community: https://www.mindeq.eu/offers/djg9H2Bf
Follow Jocelin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jocelinlillienau
Follow Lorna on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lornahogarth_coaching/
Esteban's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ebenitezeventing/
