Being Your Own Worst Critic - #231
Are you riding to learn, or riding to judge yourself?
In this episode, we dive into one of the most common (and limiting) mental habits riders face: being your own worst critic.
If you’ve ever walked away from a round replaying everything you did wrong, questioning your ability, or feeling like you’re not good enough, this conversation will shift your perspective.
We break down how self-criticism keeps you stuck, why your brain naturally defaults to negativity, and how to turn unhelpful thoughts into constructive feedback that actually improves your riding.
You’ll learn how to move from judgment to curiosity, from emotion to data, and from pressure to progress, so you can start riding with more confidence, clarity, and feel.
What You’ll Learn:
- Why saying “I am…” shapes your identity as a rider
- The difference between criticism vs. constructive feedback
- How to stop replaying mistakes and start extracting useful data
- The 3 hidden mindsets behind every ride: Riding to learn - Riding to judge - Riding for results
- How to recognize when you’re stuck in a negative mental loop
- The concept of “red brain vs. blue brain” (threat vs. solution mode)
- Why narrowing your focus makes performance worse, and what to do instead
- How to shift from seeing distances → feeling your horse
- Practical steps to regain control after a frustrating round
💬 Memorable Quotes:
- “A belief is just a thought you’ve repeated enough times.”
- “You’re not improving, you’re just reinforcing the same story.”
- “Criticism keeps you stuck. Data moves you forward.”
- “Out of judgment and into curiosity, that’s where growth happens.”
Resources Mentioned:
✉️ Register for our Weekly Mindset & Performance Hacks: https://www.mindeq.eu/weeklyhacks
📲Subscribe to Our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@EquestrianPerformanceMindset
Follow Jocelin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jocelinlillienau
Follow Lorna on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lornahogarth_coaching/
