---
title: "Taking the Lead: Understand it, Experience it, Own it…"
description: Carola van Berckel found her confidence through her special relationship with horses. Now she helps others to do the same. We spoke to Carola about her influences, and her life’s mission.
author: Darie Nani (Editor-in-Chief)
date: 2019-07-24T11:07:14.000Z
updated: 2026-02-25T15:40:37.731Z
canonical: https://www.sovereignmagazine.com/article/taking-the-lead-understand-it-experience-it-own-it-8230
image: https://cdn.nanimediahouse.com/thibault-carron-sGj7PE3z-h8-unsplash.jpg
categories: Lifestyle
content_type: Profile
region: Global
publication: Sovereign Magazine
---

## How Carola van Berckel Developed a Life-Changing Connection with Horses

Carola van Berckel has lived and worked in five different countries around the world:

“Travelling is in my blood, I love to travel, to discover different cultures and a variety of people. Since childhood, I longed for adventure, escaping the harsh reality of everyday life. I was a dreamer, a sensitive child, and I did not comprehend the world around me and often felt misunderstood. Around the animals, I felt safe and trusted and developed a bond that went beyond most friendships.”

That’s how she ended up in the world of horses, and because of her special ability to connect to them on a much deeper level, she can effortlessly communicate with these noble, sensitive animals.

Carola is a Horse Behaviour Expert and
Equine Therapist and her work with horses has opened the door into the world
for her. The dedication she has to horses is based upon building relationships of
deep trust and mutual understanding.

It is through the horses that Carola discovered
her ability to overcome limiting beliefs, how to deal with them and how this
reflects on daily life and business, as she explained to us.

The horses taught me to clearly set my boundaries without getting upset, to be firm and loving at the same time, to communicate with leadership without pushing the other person into a frame that doesn’t fit them. To be able to recognise body language on a much deeper level and to deal with my own emotions in a healthy way.

[https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FJointhehorse%2Fposts%2F1630822503713359&width=500](https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FJointhehorse%2Fposts%2F1630822503713359&width=500)

#### **What can you tell us about your work?**

Join the Horse offers transformational and
authentic leadership development programs, which unlock people’s potential and
help them to achieve greater performance.

The biggest obstacles in our lives lie within
ourselves; We all have to deal with our own limiting beliefs, non-helpful
behaviours, fears, inadequate actions, and procrastination. All these things
prevent us from getting what we really want in our life and business.

Coaching people together with my horses is
the most effective experiential learning methodology currently available. The
horses confront people in a safe, loving and respectful way. They form a
metaphor for real life situations because they mirror our body language,
emotions and intentions. Coaching with horses is the highway to fast results,
in a down-to-earth way!

Coaching with horses is very impactful
because it not only provides deep and profound insight, it also creates a
reference experience which is anchored deep within the body and mind.

The great thing is that it produces
unimaginable breakthroughs and instant change. This experience grows internal
alignment and effectiveness resulting in tangible and measurable outcomes.

At Join the Horse we deliver significant,
authentic, and lasting results.

#### **Who are the people that could benefit?**

I let executives and business managers
experience what stepping up and taking the lead really means, I enhance the
performance of teams by improving their mutual communication, building trust
and becoming more customer focused, I help women overcome their insecurities
and lack of identity, and I empower people so they can overcome their greatest
obstacles.

#### **What inspired you to create your business?**

I am a typical late bloomer. From an early
age I was very shy, insecure and felt like an outsider, I did not understand
the world around me. It took a while before I found my passions, talents and
gifts. I always thought that there was something wrong with me, until the
horses came into my life. They have helped me to become fully aware of myself
and get insights into my own behaviour.

The horses are my companions, they were my
bridge to a world I didn’t comprehend.

They transformed me into the person I am
today and together with them I want to touch people’s lives, helping them to
overcome their challenges.

#### **What led you to decide to start your business?**

The corporate life really challenged me to
give the best of myself. Wherever I worked I got noticed because of my ability
to lift the atmosphere of the company with my positivity, enthusiasm and
skills.

Working very hard and developing myself
fast, I became aware that the majority of companies were still led in a
traditional way, where people are afraid of change.

These insights inspired me to start Join the Horse, where I have the opportunity to touch, move and empower more people towards self-confidence and getting the best out of themselves.

#### **What’s the biggest challenge you have faced so far?**

Being afraid of being seen and heard has
stopped me for a big part of my life. I had to take a leap of faith and step up
in order to share my gift with the world; helping people overcome their
challenges.

#### **How does it work?**

Horses reflect and react on people who are
in their environment. This can be confrontational, but is always honest. They
don’t have a hidden agenda. Horses provide instant feedback. That is why it can
be very effective; when you change, you immediately see different behaviour of
the horse.

During this process I am the coach,
facilitator, bridge, and leader who takes people by the hand and leads them step
by step while they are consciously breaking through their own boundaries.

#### **Where do you turn for inspiration and why?**

The Bible is my daily source of
inspiration. It provides me with input; it challenges me, it comforts me, it
builds me up and it guides me. To me it is the living word of Christ, who
reflects perfect and pure love.

#### **Who is one person you admire most and why?**

Kevin E. France, the CEO of Momentum Consulting Group, the largest privately owned consulting company in the USA. He is globally recognised as a Business Growth Strategist, International Speaker, Author and Executive mentor. I met him two years ago and had the privilege of being trained, coached and mentored by him. What I admire most in Kevin is his integrity, modesty, kindness, and humility.

He is very knowledgeable, and I am proud to
say that we have a deep connection that is built on respect and friendship.

#### **What does success mean to you?**

Success to me is when you can touch other
people’s lives. To me it is a way of living where I can help others to improve
their lives and to create an impact with who I am, and with the life lessons I
have learned myself.

#### **What is the best piece of advice you can give someone starting their own business?**

Just be yourself, it seems simple and, it
is!

We all have God-given talents and gifts.
They will lead to your authentic way of being. They are the gateway to your
calling. So just try to find the right coaches for you, who connect with you on
a true level, and help you find your authentic self.

Always stay in you core. It’s there where life will flow and unfold itself.

#### **About Carola van Berckel**

Carola is considered to be an expert in the
fields of Equestrian Language, Authentic Behaviour and Coaching. She has travelled
all over the world, training and inspiring people in developing a better
understanding anda deeper connection while bonding with the horses.

She has set up a mental healthcare
institute which provides critical support in the healing process for young
women as they recover and overcome life’s challenges. The horses have a
reflecting and important role in the healing process.

As a life strategist she coaches and trains
people in Authentic Leadership, Performance, Intentional Living and
Empowerment. She provides unique down-to-earth experiences, where people really
connect with their inner wisdom and power.

Carola has extensive experience in helping
companies getting their front-office processes into place, by leading, coaching
and activating people in the field of customer-oriented behaviour and
performance.

Drawing on 30 years of corporate experience
in working for multinationals, the pharmaceutical industry and governmental
organizations, she oversees the impact of performance improvement.

As a born-again Christian she wants to
inspire and empower women to break their chains and step into their greatness.