In this powerful episode, we meet Aisling Byrne — an international showjumper, successful businesswoman, and an extraordinary example of resilience in the face of life-altering adversity. After a devastating horse riding accident left her with multiple broken bones, internal injuries, and the prognosis that she would never walk again, Aisling refused to accept defeat.
Over the course of a gruelling three-year recovery, she not only walked again — she returned to the international showjumping circuit, proving that mindset, grit, and determination can overcome even the most impossible odds.
In our conversation, Aisling shares her journey from a small-town Irish girl discovering horses for the first time to the elite competitive showjumping stage, and the mindset strategies that carried her through her darkest moments. We also dive into her life as a business owner, how she balances her entrepreneurial ventures with her sporting goals, and her advice for women navigating setbacks of any kind.
Whether you’re facing a personal challenge, working toward a big goal, or simply in need of some serious inspiration, this episode will remind you of what’s possible when you choose to keep moving forward — no matter the obstacle.
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Show notes
- Who is Aisling
- Born and raised in Ireland
- Being passionate about showjumping
- Running a funding company and a travel company
- Growing up in Ireland
- Having 1 brother and supportive parents
- Not growing up around horses
- Going to the local equestrian centre
- Riding the neighbours ponies
- Getting her own pony at 11
- Transitioning from riding ponies to horses
- Enjoying the partnership with the horse
- How showjumping works
- Competition time and doing a course walk
- What does it take to make a great show jumper
- Needing determination and tenacity
- The ability to work hard and learning from different people
- Building a partnership with a horse
- Figuring out what makes your horse tick
- Making your horses as happy as possible
- Having a near death experience
- Breaking multiple bones and damaging internal organs
- Being in a Portuguese hospital and people not realising the severity of the injury
- Bleeding internally
- Being able to detach herself from the situation
- Calmness during emergency situations
- Being very practical and level headed
- The recovery journey - 3 years
- Taking a long time to get off crutches
- Staying positive (even if you have to fake it)
- How mindset can speed up your physical recovery
- Practical tips to manage levels of positivity so not to go to a dark place
- Walking for the first time
- Going to a specialist sports physio
- Being told she would never be able to ride a horse again
- First time getting back on a pony after the accident in 2018
- Being lifted onto the pony with a forklift truck
- Getting back into showjumping and competing again
- Not sweating the small stuff
- Not looking for perfection and how everything goes a little bit smoother
- How the travel company works
- Lending money to law firms
- Advice for women who want to get into the world of showjumping
- Wanting to get back to world ranking jumping
- No age limit on showjumping
- How to connect on social media
- Words of advice for women who are dealing with a setback
- Staying positive for others
- Not having to do things - but getting to do things
Social Media
Instagram: @aislingbyrne1
TikTok: @asheyb1