Sonya McAleer is a showjumper and equestrian coach from Northern Ireland. Through her own experience and struggles with mental health, she identified a need for a support system within the equestrian community, after speaking with clients and friends and following her passion of helping others, a charity was built called the Irish Equestrian Mental Health Project. The project offers a range of services such as counselling, webinars and in person workshops to help people find the tools they need to have good mental health and well being. The project also works to signpost people to the correct places to get the help they need in times of struggle.
This conversation is so incredibly paramount for our industry and it's important to recognise and appreciate Sonya's passion, determination, honesty & resilience from her struggles that led her to setting up Ireland's only equestrian mental health hub. We touch on subjects from her experience with depression, anxiety, suicide, her 12 year riding break and how she came back from that. Overcoming the feeling of not feeling good enough, burnout, validation on social media, coaching and so much more.

Find Sonya and IEMHP here;
Irish Equestrian Mental Health Project:
⁠Home | Irish Equestrian Mental Health Project (iemhp.co.uk)

Instagram: https://instagram.com/irishequestrianmhp?igshid=MmU2YjMzNjRlOQ==

Facebook:
Irish Equestrian Mental Health Project | Facebook