Reinvention and Purpose-Led Leadership Through the Healing Power of Horses with Lynn Thomas, Episode 392

Today’s guest, Lynn Thomas, knows that journey intimately. As the co-founder and longtime CEO of Eagala, she spent over two decades shaping one of the most recognized global organizations integrating horses into mental health services. But in 2020, she faced an unexpected and painful split with the organization’s board—a moment that could have ended the story. Instead, it became the beginning of a new one. Lynn went on to found not one, but two mission-driven organizations: Arenas for Change (ARCH) and Horses for Mental Health (HMH). In just three years, HMH has raised over $1 million and reached millions of people, while ARCH is changing how facilitators support clients with values-based, emotionally safe practices rooted in story. In This Episode: Lynn Thomas shares how a chance encounter with horses changed her life—and how building a global nonprofit led to heartbreak, reinvention, and a powerful new beginning. Discover how burnout nearly ended her journey—until an unexpected spark from her former team reignited her purpose and inspired a powerful new beginning. Learn how redefining success, honoring self-worth, and protecting personal energy can reshape your business into a mission-driven model rooted in authenticity and aligned values. Get inspired by the story behind a groundbreaking mental health initiative that raised $422,000+ for 80 equine-assisted therapy programs—uniting communities and amplifying healing nationwide. Explore the profound connection between horses and humans, where emotional safety, embodied healing, and intuitive breakthroughs help women entrepreneurs find clarity, courage, and peace. Unlock how conscious leadership, community-powered growth, and experiential learning are rewriting the rules of success for purpose-driven women ready to begin again—with heart, strategy, and soul. Lynn Thomas is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who received her Master’s of Social Work from the University of Utah in 1995. She developed her first equine-integrated program as Executive Director of Aspen Ranch. In 1999, she co-founded Eagala, leading it for 21 years into a global leader in equine-assisted psychotherapy. Lynn is now CEO and co-founder of Arenas for Change (ARCH), a values-based learning community advancing emotional safety and client transformation. In 2021, she co-founded Horses for Mental Health (HMH) to expand global awareness and impact in mental health through horses, amplifying healing, purpose, and connection around the world. “Horses are some of the best story editors we've ever seen.” ~Lynn Thomas To learn more about Lynn, visit her websites, Arenas For Change and Horses for Mental Health. You can also connect with her on Facebook and LinkedIn. Lynn Thomas's Show Notes