Meet Erika Lehmann | Equine Gestaltist, Mustang Wisdom

We had the good fortune of connecting with Erika Lehmann and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Erika, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
For nearly 30 years, I pushed myself at a relentless pace. As a consultant—and later the founder of a boutique consulting firm—I was deeply committed to excellence and making a meaningful impact on my clients. That same drive extended to my personal life. I showed up for my kids’ games and performances, prioritized enriching experiences for them, and made time to cook thoughtful, nourishing meals at home.

But there was one area where my commitment fell short: supporting myself.

Even when I managed to take a rare day, week, or even several weeks off, I never truly disconnected. I still answered emails. I still carried work in the back of my mind. I lived by the unspoken motto: I’ll rest when I’m dead. I was physically present, but mentally stuck in task mode—especially around family and friends.

In 2021, my body called my bluff. I fainted with no known medical cause and suffered a traumatic brain injury. The impact was profound—suddenly, I had double vision and almost no short-term memory. I left doors open during snowstorms. I got lost in the grocery store. I had to hand my business over to someone else for nine months while I focused on recovering.

At first, even listening to a podcast was too much for my brain. So I sat in stillness. I had time to think. Time to reflect on how I’d gotten here. That quiet began a journey that changed everything.

I enrolled in the InnerMBA program to explore how to bring deeper values into my professional life. That led me to the Touched by a Horse Equine Gestalt Coaching program, which catalyzed a major shift in my inner and outer world.

As I healed, I started to see just how normalized burnout had become for me. Running on cortisol and adrenaline had been my default. I began to discover what it truly felt like to be rested—not just physically, but emotionally and mentally.

One of the most surprising lessons came during my training with Touched by a Horse. I began to experiment with how I responded to my inner critic. For years, when that harsh voice appeared, I’d use it as fuel to push even harder. But this time, I tried something different. When the negative self-talk started, I paused and said to myself, “Maybe it’s time to take a break.” To my surprise, the more I responded with rest instead of resistance, the quieter that voice became. I realized it wasn’t trying to sabotage me—it was trying, in its own way, to protect me from overwork, even if it had been doing so in a harsh and unsustainable way.

Now, I recognize the signs of adrenaline-driven work in my body. I still feel the pull to overdo, but I also know how to pause. I still love crossing things off my to-do list—but I also love spending the day by a lake, with a friend, or with family, without guilt or mental clutter.

Today, my approach to work and life centers on joy rather than just results. The journey is ongoing, but I’ve learned this: true rest and being fully present aren’t rewards to be earned—they’re essential ingredients for meaningful relationships and a life well-lived.

What should our readers know about your business?
My business is rooted in something deeply personal: a journey from burnout to balance, from achievement at all costs to meaningful connection—with myself and with others. I’m an Equine Gestalt Coach. I partner with horses to help clients access deep healing, self-awareness, and transformation. This work is somatic, intuitive, and often life-changing. What sets it apart from traditional coaching or talk therapy is the presence of the horse—an honest, nonjudgmental partner who responds to our energy in real time and helps reveal what’s truly going on beneath the surface. Combined with somatic practices, this work helps people reconnect with their true selves, uncover hidden patterns, and move forward with clarity and purpose.

My relationship with horses began about ten years ago, in what could best be described as a midlife crisis—or maybe a midlife awakening. My daughter was taking riding lessons, and after a 40-year hiatus from riding, I got back in the saddle myself. Then, on something of a whim, I bought a horse. I’d never owned one, never trained one—and naturally, I chose a wild mustang with only 90 days of training.

I didn’t realize then that I would need to continue her training, which launched me into an entirely new world of horsemanship, patience, and presence. My husband wasn’t thrilled at first—mainly concerned about the cost—but about six weeks in, he turned to me and said, “This is the best decision you’ve ever made.” When I asked why, he replied, “You are so grounded.” My older daughter noticed it, too. When she returned home after a long trip abroad, her first comment was, “You’ve changed.” And the women I sang with in a vocal group even requested that I go visit my horse before every performance—because they could feel the difference in my energy.

Spending time with my horse made me more resilient. On days I was with her, I became a responsive—not reactive—parent. But at first, I made the mistake of using that new resilience as fuel for more overachievement, rather than as a doorway to deeper peace. I had a vague vision of creating an executive “mental detox” retreat but didn’t know how to bring it to life. I didn’t know programs like Equine Gestalt Coaching even existed, so I set the idea aside as a pipe dream.

Years later, after suffering a traumatic brain injury in 2021, my horse once again became a vital part of my healing. I would ride her bareback while my husband led us—helping to retrain my eyes and nervous system and restore my vision. Around that same time, people from different corners of my life—an executive coach I met through the InnerMBA, my personal therapist (a trained Gestaltist)—all suggested I look into Equine Gestalt Coaching. This time, I was ready.

Before this chapter, my professional life centered on consulting. After earning a PhD in Epidemiology, I began my career in public health, then transitioned into evaluation, strategic planning, and group facilitation. Eventually, I built a boutique consulting firm focused on community change and excellence. I loved the work—but I was always pushing. Always chasing the next goal. When the brain injury forced me to step back, it gave me a rare opportunity to ask deeper questions:
What really matters?
What is success if I’m not present for it?

Letting go of that high-achieving identity was not easy. It required unlearning decades of conditioning and facing a fear I had carried with me since childhood—the fear of returning to poverty. Much of my relentless drive came from that fear. But once I recognized it, I began to shift: from fear-based decisions to love-based ones.

What I gained was priceless: a grounded sense of self, a partnership with my body’s wisdom, and a calling that feels bigger than a job. I now help others find their own path back to wholeness, presence, and joy.

With Mustang Wisdom, I’ve come full circle. One of my favorite offerings is an Executive Detox Weekend—a retreat experience on our 65-acre ranch in the mountains facing Pikes Peak. We host guests in a beautiful private Airbnb, where they can truly unplug—sometimes locking away their phones in a box for the weekend—and immerse themselves in nature, stillness, and reconnection. I offer anywhere from 4 to 20 hours of individualized coaching centered on work-life balance, values-based leadership, and emotional integration. Guests also have free rein (literally) of the forested land, with quiet nooks and scenic overlooks ideal for reflection.

Another offering that’s close to my heart is the Couples Connection Weekend. Designed for partners who want to deepen their understanding of and connection to each other, this immersive experience includes a two-night stay in our Airbnb and 14 hours of guided connection coaching. It’s not therapy—it’s a powerful, supported space for couples to slow down, listen deeply, and rediscover the emotional safety and curiosity that brought them together in the first place. The horses join us in this process, providing gentle, intuitive feedback that can’t be replicated in a traditional setting.

What I’m most proud of is that my business isn’t just a profession—it’s the embodiment of my healing. When I work with clients, I feel complete peace, regardless of the challenges they bring. That peace comes from knowing I am exactly where I’m meant to be. This isn’t just a career. It’s a mission.

I want the world to know that healing doesn’t have to happen in a clinic. It can happen in a pasture, with the wind in your hair, the scent of pine in the air, and a horse by your side.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend came to visit for a week, I’d plan a mix of soul-nourishing nature, delicious local food, and small-town charm—plus some unforgettable moments with the horses, of course. Naturally, they’d stay at my cozy Airbnb on our 65-acre ranch property, nestled in the mountains with stunning views of Pikes Peak: airbnb.com/h/starryridge.

We’d start with a walk on our private trails—quiet, forested paths that open to panoramic views. Then I’d give them a one-of-a-kind experience with my horses, tapping into their grounding, calming presence (and maybe a little coaching magic if they’re up for it).

We’d spend an afternoon at Paradise Cove, swimming beneath the waterfall and sunning on the rocks, and come home to grill burgers or carnitas on the deck using local meats from Colby Stone or Jen Yakel—with a backdrop of heart-stopping mountain views.

We’d wander through Cripple Creek, meet the famous donkeys, and grab lunch at Gold Camp Café or The District before catching a show at the historic Butte Theater. One evening, we’d head to Boards & Barrels for wine and charcuterie, and another to Red Diamond Gastropub for a fun, flavorful night out.

Hiking is a must—Pancake Rocks is a favorite. It’s a climb, but the views are worth every step. Afterward, we’d unwind with a glass fusion workshop with Anna Carillo, making something beautiful and meaningful to take home.

If they brought kids along, we’d definitely do lunch at Wild Horses Café, where the food is excellent and the playground gives grownups a chance to relax. We might hop on an excursion train in Cripple Creek or Cañon City, or visit the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo—a delight for all ages.

We’d make time for a peaceful walk at the Florissant Fossil Beds and a tour of the Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center—both deeply grounding and awe-inspiring places.

We’d round out the trip with slow mornings over coffee or tea at Margaret’s Munchies, lunch at Café Leo in Woodland Park, and evenings spent stargazing or sitting by the firepit.

By the end of the week, my hope would be that they feel reconnected—to nature, to themselves, and to a sense of joy they may have forgotten they needed.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Throughout this journey, I’ve been fortunate to have the support of some truly remarkable people. My husband, John Smith (yes, really), has always been my steady cheerleader. He stood by me as I transitioned into becoming an Equine Gestalt Coach—even when he wasn’t quite sure what that entailed. My dear friend Katharine Kripke, who’s been in my life for over 40 years, has offered quiet but powerful wisdom over the decades—little nuggets that nudged me to stretch my dreams just a bit further. Chris Shirley never stopped inviting me to do fun, life-giving things, even when I was too busy to say yes. I’m so grateful she stuck around for when I was finally ready to accept. Melisa Pearce, the visionary founder of Touched by a Horse, developed a method that not only changes lives but also helped me discover a new path grounded in deep peace and purpose. And I’m endlessly thankful for the fellow practitioners who’ve walked this road with me—Katrina Dorow, Jodi Erickson, Aspen Westin—each offering ongoing support and companionship in their own beautiful way.

I believe these acknowledgements matter deeply, because we often don’t realize how much a few kind words, an extended hand, or a steady presence can shift the trajectory of someone else’s life. These people did that for me.

Website: https://mustangwisdom.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mustangwisdom/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553951260380

Image Credits
Michelle Varley (the pro photos, not all photos)