In this empowering episode of The Mounting Block, Marissa and Oriel welcome a very special guest: leadership, confidence and mindset coach Fiona Spence. With a background that spans corporate burnout, martial arts, deep mindset work and years of helping people transform their lives, Fiona brings a powerful mix of wisdom, humour and no-nonsense clarity.

Together, the trio unpack why so many of us — especially women in our 40s and 50s — feel stuck, lose confidence or procrastinate even when we know exactly what we want. Fiona explains how our “hindbrain” is wired for survival (not success), why familiar patterns feel safe even when they keep us small, and how procrastination is often your brain’s misguided attempt to ‘protect’ you from change.

Using fascinating stories, simple analogies (including washing-up mindfulness!), and deeply practical strategies, Fiona shows how mindset blocks form, how to recognise them, and the small actions that trigger huge shifts. She also dives into how deeper coaching works — from conversational hypnosis to uncovering root causes hidden in our unconscious minds.

This episode is equal parts insight, laughter, vulnerability and lightbulb moments. Whether you're rebuilding confidence, exploring new dreams, navigating midlife changes, or simply wanting to understand your mind better, this conversation is full of “aha” moments and gentle but powerful truth bombs.

A beautifully human reminder that growth starts with recognising the issue, owning it, and taking the smallest next step — and that sometimes, we all need a little bit of Fiona in our lives.

This week on The Mounting Block, it’s been A LOT. Oriel rides solo in her lesson (and misses Marissa terribly), we fall head-first into the absolute minefield that is horse float shopping (kitchens? tack boxes? air-con for the horses?!), and Oriel shares the story of copping a full-face head-butt from Hickatee and ending up at the doctor before the school Christmas concert.

Then we’re joined by the incredible Gemma Manning – entrepreneur, author of About This Girl, single mum and all-round powerhouse. Gemma takes us from growing up on a fish farm in Cairns, to being pushed out of corporate life after having a baby, to building an international business across Australia and Asia entirely off her own back. We talk about misogyny that still shows up in boardrooms, raising strong daughters, being perimenopausal and exhausted but still showing up, and why women in their 40s and 50s are more powerful and needed more than ever.

If you’ve ever felt unseen at work, wondered how to keep going when everything feels “too hard”, or you’re juggling horses, kids, ageing parents and a changing body, this one will hit you right in the heart.

Episode 4 is a big warm hug for every tired parent crawling toward the end of the year. Marissa and Oriel debrief on their latest riding lessons — complete with yelling coaches, triumphant canter circles, and Queensland heat exhaustion — before diving into the chaos of December. From school concerts to Christmas pressure, dropping balls left and right, Santa politics, Elf-on-the-Shelf panic and that never-ending Tetris game we call life… this one reminds you you’re not alone. Pour a wine, saddle up, and vent with us.

Oriel and Marissa are back — and this week, it’s all about bravery in every form. From Oriel conquering her first official dressage test (complete with white jods, trembling hands and a bravery award) to Marissa’s first trail ride in decades, the pair share laughter, nerves and small victories in the saddle.

Then they’re joined by the incredible Professor Matt Sanders, founder of the Triple P Positive Parenting Program, for a powerful conversation on raising resilient kids. Matt dives into the rise in childhood anxiety, how parents can model calm and optimism, and why learning emotional literacy is just as important as learning to ride without falling off.

It’s an episode for every parent — and every rider — learning to stay steady when life feels wobbly!

https://www.triplep-parenting.net.au/qld-en/parenting-courses/fear-less-triple-p-online/#parents-register-now

Oriel and Marissa tick off a huge milestone: their first unsupervised ride together. In a fenceless grass arena (gulp), they work on serpentines, self-carriage and a few baby canters—plus a quick refresher on arena manners after Laney threatens a cheeky bum-bite. They also unpack a horsemanship clinic with Will from Equine on the Move—think pallets-as-seesaws, pool noodles, bridges and those giant mining tyres that Oriel actually rode over (fear: faced). Next on the agenda? A float-driving clinic (aka “towing water”).
In the second half, they introduce a heartfelt pre-recorded chat with business mentor Claire Riley on navigating separation: getting practical support (parenting coach, lawyer, money person), talking to kids without over-promising, Centrelink realities, legal guardrails, and breaking up kindly. It’s an episode about confidence, under saddle and in life.

After a short break, Oriel and Marissa are back behind the mic — and back in the saddle — for Season Two of The Mounting Block! This catch-up episode is packed with updates from “Horseland,” including the exciting arrival of Hickatee, Marissa’s new quarter horse on lease, and the blossoming paddock friendship (and surprising pecking order!) between Hickatee and Laney.

The duo also opens up about the rollercoaster of horse ownership, from vet checks and heart murmurs to the joy of early-morning feeds and the juggle of family life, work, and riding. With fresh goals, new routines, and a promise to make time for the things that bring them joy, this episode sets the tone for a season all about growth, connection, and not rushing the ride.

In this episode of The Mounting Block, Oriel and Marissa sit down with Pam Hird — a nutritionist, naturopath, and personal trainer — to unpack the realities of burnout, sleep struggles, and the changes our bodies face as we move through our 40s and 50s.

Pam brings her holistic perspective to the conversation, breaking down how stress impacts our energy, why sleep disturbances become more common, and what’s really going on as we step into the perimenopause era. With practical advice and warm encouragement, she shares tools for balancing hormones, supporting our bodies naturally, and finding sustainable ways to rebuild energy.

This chat is equal parts informative and reassuring, reminding us that while our bodies are shifting, we can thrive with the right support, lifestyle changes, and mindset. If you’ve ever wondered whether the fatigue, restless nights, or sudden shifts you’re experiencing are “just you” — this episode will remind you that you’re not alone, and that there are steps you can take to feel better in this stage of life.

In Episode 17 of The Mounting Block, Oriel and Marissa share the twists and turns of their latest riding lesson. With Laney out of action and Marissa feeling under the weather, the pair mixed up their horses and found themselves navigating all the quirks and challenges that come with riding something new. They also take a moment to reflect on their nearly 12 months back in the saddle, prompted by listener feedback, and open up about where their fears still lie, how they measure progress, and why celebrating small wins is just as important as staying upright.

It’s an honest, light-hearted look at growth, grit, and the joy of sticking with it, even when the ride doesn’t go to plan!