About Nina Lewis

Embracing Resilience and Connection

My life has been like a tapestry woven from diverse threads of experience—coaching, enduring hardships, raising a family as a single parent, living in a rural area and working across various industries with differing corporate structures. Through these experiences, I have come to understand and cherish the profound importance of resilience and authentic connection, both with oneself and with others. A pivotal element in this journey has been my connection to horses, which has profoundly shaped my philosophy. 

The Role of Hardship in Personal Growth

Life's hardships have been my greatest teachers. As a single parent, I navigated the complexities of balancing work, family, and personal growth. Each challenge was a lesson in resilience, teaching me the value of perseverance, adaptability, and inner strength. These experiences have underscored the importance of facing adversity head-on and finding growth opportunities within every struggle. Coaching and Connection

As a coach, I have witnessed the transformative power of genuine connection. Effective coaching is not just about imparting knowledge and skills, but about fostering a deep connection with clients, understanding their unique journeys, and guiding them towards self-discovery and growth. This connection is the foundation upon which trust and progress are built.  Diverse Work Environments.  Learning from Every Experience

Working in different industries with varied corporate structures has enriched my understanding of human dynamics and organizational behavior. Each environment has its own culture, challenges, and learning opportunities. These experiences have taught me the importance of flexibility, continuous learning, and the ability to navigate and adapt to different systems and people.  

Horses: The Ultimate Teachers of Self Connection

Horses have been central to my philosophy. These majestic creatures embody a pure, unfiltered connection to their environment and to those who interact with them. Through working with horses, I have learned about the importance of being present, authentic, and empathetic. Horses respond to genuine intention and emotion, teaching us to connect deeply with our true selves and others.

In essence, my philosophy is a blend of resilience, connection, and authenticity. Life's challenges, coaching experiences, diverse work environments, and the profound lessons from horses have collectively shaped my understanding of what it means to lead a fulfilled and connected life.

Understanding the Uniqueness with Horses

 Horses possess a remarkable ability to mirror human emotions and behaviours, making them exceptional partners in the journey of self-discovery and personal growth. Their sensitivity to non-verbal cues and their inherent need for genuine connection create a unique space for individuals to explore their inner selves. My approach leverages this unique bond to facilitate deep self-connection and personal development. 

Creating a Safe & Supportive Environment

 The foundation of my approach is to create a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental environment. This setting allows individuals to engage with horses in a manner that encourages openness and vulnerability. By providing a space where people can feel comfortable expressing themselves, the process of self-connection can begin authentically.

Observing and Reflecting on Behaviour

When working with horses, individuals are encouraged to observe and reflect on both their own behaviours and the responses of the horses. Horses respond authentically to human emotions and actions, providing immediate, honest feedback. This interaction helps individuals gain insights into their own emotional states, communication styles, and behavioural patterns. The non-verbal communication with horses often reveals truths that words alone cannot express.

Building Trust and Authentic Relationships

Trust is a cornerstone of any relationship, and this is especially true in interactions with horses. Building trust with a horse requires patience, consistency, and authenticity. As individuals work on establishing this trust, they simultaneously learn about their own capacity for trust, patience, and genuine connection. The process of building a relationship with a horse mirrors the process of building authentic relationships with others and oneself. 

Developing Emotional Awareness 

Horses can sense and react to human emotions, providing a unique opportunity for individuals to develop greater emotional awareness and regulation. By observing a horse's reactions to their emotional states, individuals can learn to identify and manage their emotions more effectively. This practice of emotional regulation is essential for personal growth and self-connection.

Encouraging Mindfulness and Presence

Working with horses necessitates a high level of mindfulness and presence. Horses live in the moment and require those interacting with them to do the same. This focus on the present moment helps individuals to quiet their minds, reduce stress, and become more attuned to their own thoughts and feelings. Mindfulness practices developed through interactions with horses can be carried over into daily life, enhancing overall well-being. 

Facilitating Personal Growth and Insights

Each interaction with a horse is a learning opportunity. Through guided exercises and reflective practices, individuals can gain personal insights and identify areas for growth. Whether it's overcoming fear, building confidence, or improving communication skills, the lessons learned from horses are profound and applicable to various aspects of life.

Individuals with their Horses working through Fears and Limiting Beliefs

• Initial Consultation: Understand the individual's fears and goals.
• Building Trust: Start with groundwork exercises to foster safety and connection.
• Incremental Exposure: Gradually introduce challenging situations with support.
• Reflection: Encourage self-reflection to gain insights from the horse's behavior.
• Empowerment: Design activities that build confidence and resilience.
• Ongoing Support: Provide continuous support and strategies for independent practice.

Individuals seeking Personal Growth and Self-Awareness through the Horse-Human Connection

• Goal Setting: Identify personal growth and self-awareness objectives.
• Mindfulness: Use mindful practices to enhance presence and emotional awareness.
• Communication Skills: Highlight non-verbal communication through horse interactions.
• Emotional Exploration: Facilitate safe emotional expression and processing with horses.
• Reflective Practices: Encourage journaling and debriefing sessions.
• Personal Growth Activities: Challenge clients with new tasks to foster growth.
• Integration: Support the application of insights into daily life.

Corporate Clients Enhancing Leadership and Team Dynamics

• Needs Assessment: Identify corporate goals for leadership and cultural enhancement.
• Customized Program Design: Develop tailored activities for leadership and teamwork with horses
• Team Building: Use collaborative exercises to improve communication and trust.
• Leadership Development: Focus on trust-building, decision-making, and empathy with horses.
• Corporate Culture: Address inclusivity and mutual respect through working with horses.
• Reflection and Application: Facilitate discussions to apply lessons to the workplace.
• Ongoing Development: Offer follow-up workshops for continued growth.

This approach leverages the unique bond with horses to foster profound personal and professional development across different client needs.