What horses, strength and emotional awareness can teach us about living fully

WHAT IF
the key to feeling better is not always doing more - but becoming more aware of what is happening inside your body and mind?

In this conversation, I speak with Nicki Pakkala, physiotherapist, equestrian, former British Olympic modern pentathlete, Team USA age-group triathlete, and Integrated BodyTalk practitioner.

Drawing from decades of her experience with elite athletes, horses, physical therapy, energy work, and helping people who have struggled for years, Nicki explains why lasting change often begins with a willingness to become a little uncomfortable.

- That may mean lifting weights when you would rather avoid them.
- Sitting with an emotion instead of trying to suppress it.
- Questioning the thoughts that keep creating conflict.
- Or finally deciding that you are done living with patterns that no longer serve you.

Nicki also demonstrates a simple technique to help decrease stress and calm the body, and shares why more training is not always better—even for high-performance athletes.

Together, we explore:

- What working with horses can teach us about awareness and presence
- Why strength training becomes increasingly important as we age
- How trying to resist anger, sadness, grief, or fear can create even more suffering
- Why emotional triggers lose their power when we learn to stop, notice, and allow them to move
- The difference between responding from the heart and remaining trapped in drama or conflict 

- How supporting the body can help people remain active, independent, and in their own homes longer
- Why taking care of your body is like maintaining a vehicle - the better you care for it, the more life you can explore

Nicki works with people who have often suffered for many years and have finally reached the point where they are ready to be done with it. They are willing to do the work, become present to what they feel, and gently peel away everything that has covered up who they truly are.

As Nicki says:
“We all have these amazing gifts, but we keep putting all that stuff on top of them until we can’t see them. I help people peel it off so they can see who they are.”

Life brings waves of anger, sadness, grief, joy, laughter, and peace. The pain often comes from trying to stop those waves. We cannot stop the ocean—but we can learn how to flow with it.

And Nicki’s final message is beautifully simple:

Live your extraordinary. Go into your heart. It is already there - and it is yours to share.

WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/GY3lNED-388

Connect with Nicki here:

EMAIL: nicki@englishoakhealing.com

WEBSITE: https://www.englishoakhealing.com/
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/nicki.pakkala
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/nickipakkala/

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And if this made you think differently about your health… message me “HEALTH” on WhatsApp
+1-203-58-6213 and I’m happy to point you in the right direction (or share how to explore this further). Reach me at: Podcast@third-chances.com
If it resonated with you… please share this episode with someone who needs to hear it.

#longevity #holistichealth #optimalwellness #cellularhealth #healthspan

Disclaimer:
This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your health routine. Individual results vary. The technologies mentioned here are not intended to treat, cure, heal, prevent, or diagnose any disease or medical condition.

 

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