🎙 Inside the Mind: Melissa Galloway – Olympic Records, Mental Resilience & Rediscovering Joy Melissa Galloway holds the highest dressage score ever recorded by a New Zealander at the Olympics — but behind that incredible achievement is a story of persistence, doubt, growth, and grit. In this episode of On the Edge, Melissa shares what it really took to get there. We talk about the mental toll of elite sport, the identity struggles behind perfectionism, and how stepping back helped her reconnect with why she rides at all. She opens up about the moments she nearly gave up — and how choosing to keep going led to her greatest breakthrough. Melissa isn’t just a world-class athlete — she’s a genuinely lovely human who gives back to the sport with grace and generosity. Whether you’re an equestrian, an athlete, or simply someone chasing a big dream, this conversation is full of real insight and powerful reminders that even when it feels like the end… it might just be the beginning of something better. ⏱ Episode Chapters 00:00 – Teaser: “It wasn’t until I took the pressure off…”00:09 – Intro: What this episode is really about01:00 – Growing up in Southland: the spark that started it all04:20 – Melissa’s rise: from regional arenas to Olympic records07:15 – The mental cost of the intensity overseas10:00 – Feeling lost and nearly giving up13:40 – Letting go: what changed when the pressure eased17:05 – Redefining success and rediscovering the joy19:30 – Supporting younger riders and giving back to the sport21:10 – Jump Off Round: the rapid-fire rider questions22:00 – Final thoughts & reflections22:50 – Outro: like, follow, and share the ride 🎧 Loved this episode?Tap follow, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs to hear Melissa’s story. 📲 Follow us on Instagram @onthe_edgepod