The P-I-G: Episode 29
From Shedding to Strength: Cindy Hartzell on Trust, Trauma & the Fire Horse
Some connections feel destined.
When we first connected with Cindy Hartzell, it felt as though our paths had been running parallel for years—through horses, healing, resilience, and a shared passion for freedom—before finally crossing at exactly the right moment.
Cindy is the founder of Heart Soul Confidence-Based Horsemanship®, a bestselling author, wild horse advocate, and co-host of The Holistic Horsemanship and Husbandry Podcast. But long before she was guiding women toward deeper confidence and leadership through partnership with horses, she experienced a life-changing accident with her beloved palomino, RC.
That accident forced her to confront fear in a way she never had before.
It stripped away certainty.
It challenged identity.
It demanded a different kind of strength.
What followed was not just recovery—it was transformation.
In this deeply moving episode, we explore how trauma reshapes us, how trust is rebuilt one intentional step at a time, and how horses often mirror the exact work we need to do within ourselves. We also dive into Cindy’s passionate advocacy for wild horses and the sacred responsibility of protecting their freedom.
As we symbolically shed the skin of the Snake and step boldly into the Year of the Fire Horse, this conversation invites us to ask:
What are we ready to release?
What strength is waiting to emerge?
And are we willing to take the reins of our own lives?
This episode is about confidence.
It’s about leadership.
It’s about alignment.
And it’s about choosing courage over fear—again and again.
NEW RESOURCE: Roots & Ripples
Roots & Ripples is a guided reflection designed to help you explore the roots that shaped you and the ripples you create through how you live and love. Grounded in Purpose, Intention, Gratitude, Connection, and Legacy, this thoughtfully crafted resource invites deeper awareness, intentional living, and a greater connection to the legacy you’re creating every day.
FREE RESOURCE: The P-I-G Gratitude Reset
The P-I-G Gratitude Reset is a beautifully simple reflection guide designed to help you pause, breathe, and reconnect with what matters most. Through intentional prompts grounded in Purpose, Intention, Gratitude, Connection, and Legacy, this free resource offers a gentle way to shift your awareness and bring more meaning into everyday life.
THE P-I-G RELATIONSHIP RESET
Explore the full program: The P-I-G Relationship Reset
Listen to Episode #20 (DISC) and Episode #21 (Driving Forces) to learn more!
Learn more about Marcus Straub and LIG Coaching & Consulting.
💗 From Our Hearts to Yours…
The P-I-G is a heartfelt, purpose-driven podcast exploring life, love, loss, and legacy through real conversations and meaningful stories. Together, we unpack the moments that shape us—the stories we carry, the messiness of being human, and what it means to leave something meaningful behind.
Each episode invites us to honor what matters most, remember that grief isn’t linear, navigate life’s hardest moments with PURPOSE, INTENTION, and GRATITUDE, and to be reminded that legacy isn’t just what we leave… it’s how we live—right now.
“Hearing the stories of others helps us create a more meaningful connection to our own—because legacy isn’t just what we leave behind, it’s how we live right now.”
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The P-I-G Podcast is 100% self-funded and ad-free. Each episode is a true labor of love and we couldn’t do this work without the support of our listening audience. If you have feedback, a story to tell, or expertise to share, we’d love to hear from you.
