Farrier, ultra-runner, and Derby training guide Stevie Delahunt joins Rupert Isaacson for a surprising, funny, and soulful conversation that gallops through Patagonia, Mongolia, Oregon, and the inner landscapes of fear, boredom, and awe. They unpack the difference between trauma and triumph, how endurance sports can help rewire the brain, and what it means to truly listen to animals, land, and spirit. Whether you’re derby-curious, nature-hungry, or wondering how to make a more meaningful life with your horses, this one’s a ride.
🔍 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- Type 2 Fun, Trauma, and Triumph (Starts at [00:02:00])
- Stevie explains the now-legendary classification of fun and how it relates to challenge, fear, and resilience.
- How Endurance Racing Became a Spiritual Path (Starts at [00:06:00])
- From half-marathons to the Mongol Derby, Stevie shares how testing her body helped her discover her spirit.
- The Mongol Derby and the Ego Question (Starts at [00:24:00])
- Rupert and Stevie unpack why winning might not be the point, and what spiritual seekers are really after.
- Why Boredom Might Be the Enemy of Mental Health (Starts at [00:35:00])
- A deep dive into boredom, awe, loneliness, and the human need for challenge and connection.
- Psilocybin and the Herd: Inter-Species Conversations (Starts at [01:06:00])
- Stevie describes what happens when she microdoses with horses present and what they've taught her.
- Spiritual Mentors, Trees, and Land Consciousness (Starts at [01:40:00])
- From reindeer in Mongolia to juniper groves in Oregon, Stevie discusses what it means to hear land and trees speak.
- Nomadism and the Restoration of Wonder (Starts at [01:55:00])
- Why mobility may be the cure for modern malaise, and how Stevie is redesigning her life and business accordingly.
🎤 Memorable Moments from the Episode:
- Rupert and Stevie explore how trauma and triumph often share a border zone of spiritual insight ([00:05:00])
- What Stevie learned about love from a mare named Sparta under the influence of psilocybin ([01:08:00])
- A snowstorm in Patagonia turns life-threatening, and fire becomes salvation ([01:33:00])
- Rupert and Stevie debate whether the spiritual path should involve competition at all ([00:26:00])
- The surprising intelligence and opinion of a horse named Sonic who wants to roam free ([01:11:00])
- Why we may need risk and awe as much as we need oxygen ([01:13:00])
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🌎 See All of Rupert’s Programs and Shows:
Website: https://rupertisaacson.com
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