103: Finding Your Purpose: How Lisa Gatti Turned A Lifelong Passion with Horses Into A Life of Healing

<p><strong>The thing you’ve always loved is actually pointing you toward your purpose?</strong></p><p>For Lisa Gatti, that passion was horses.</p><p>In this inspiring episode of <strong>Secrets of Powerful Women</strong>, Jill Conway sits down with <strong>Lisa Gatti, Founder and CEO of Pal-O-Mine Equestrian</strong>, a nonprofit therapeutic equine center that has spent more than 30 years helping children and adults heal, grow, learn and rediscover their confidence.</p><p>Lisa&#39;s journey began with a childhood love of horses and teaching. But it was a book her father sent her in college that changed the trajectory of her life. After reading a story about equine therapy, Lisa called her father at two o&#39;clock in the morning and told him she knew what she wanted to do with the rest of her life.<br>Today, Pal-O-Mine uses horses and a nature-based approach to work with people with disabilities, survivors of trauma and abuse, veterans, first responders, people facing mental health challenges, and individuals with Alzheimer&#39;s and dementia and their caregivers.</p><p>But this conversation is about much more than horses.</p><p>Lisa shares what three decades of working with these extraordinary animals has taught her about <strong>human behavior, emotional healing, leadership, intuition, resilience and personal growth</strong>.</p><p>You&#39;ll hear why horses can sometimes sense what we&#39;re feeling before we recognize it ourselves, and why their ability to respond to human emotions can create extraordinary moments of connection and healing.</p><p>Lisa shares an unforgettable story about a 10-year-old boy on the autism spectrum who became overwhelmed and raised his fist toward a horse named Cajun. Instead of backing away, Cajun stepped toward him and licked his face. The entire situation changed.</p><p><strong>In this episode, you&#39;ll discover:</strong></p><p>• How horses can help people process trauma and build trust<br>• The connection between animals, mental health and emotional well-being<br>• Why being present can change the way we experience our lives<br>• How to stop reacting to assumptions and start observing what is actually happening<br>• Why adaptability is essential when life doesn&#39;t go according to plan<br>• How to trust yourself when it&#39;s time to pivot<br>• Why staying true to your core values matters more than chasing money or opportunity<br>• Lisa&#39;s refreshing definition of leadership<br>• How finding your purpose can tran