Dr. Helen Sharp, equine journalist, academic, and co-founder of Groundwork EAS, joins Rupert Isaacson for a powerful and deeply personal episode. Groundwork is an equine-assisted charity on the Irish border, serving veterans, trauma survivors, and neurodivergent individuals.

Helen shares her remarkable journey from a wild childhood in the Hebrides to battling heroin addiction, and how she ultimately found healing and purpose through horses. Drawing from her background in journalism, equine bodywork, art, and social justice, Helen has created a program that helps others heal the psychological and generational wounds still echoing from Northern Ireland's Troubles.

This episode is a raw, honest, and hopeful exploration of equine-assisted services in one of the most complex socio-political landscapes in Europe.

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What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
???? Groundwork EAS: Origins and Mission (Starts at 03:00)
How Groundwork began in collaboration with Brooke House.
Why trauma rates in Northern Ireland are among the UK’s highest.
How horses offer a nonclinical pathway to healing.

???? Horses & Veterans: Restoring Calm and Connection (Starts at 06:44)
The structure of their 10-week equine-assisted program.
How groundwork, massage, and grooming support emotional regulation.
Why hypervigilant individuals respond so well to horses.

???? Personal Story: A Veteran Learns to Breathe Again (Starts at 13:00)
A former RUC officer opens up about his rage.
The ripple effect of calming his body—on the horse and at home.

???? Domestic Violence & Silent Recovery (Starts at 19:35)
A woman recovering from a stroke finds grounding through grooming.
The unspoken power of touch in trauma recovery.

???? A Childhood in the Hebrides (Starts at 23:03)
Growing up isolated and pony-less on a remote Scottish island.
How the landscape and solitude shaped Helen’s emotional intelligence.

???? Heroin, Death, and Redemption (Starts at 35:00)
Helen's near-death experience and the moment that changed everything.
Why clarity, not shame, defines her recovery.
The grounding parallels between ritual, addiction, and horsemanship.

???? Journalism, Art & Advocacy (Starts at 01:00:00)
From performance art to equestrian media.
Why writing and storytelling are central to her mission.

???? Reflecting Trauma through the Herd (Starts at 01:16:00)
How observing a herd reflects family dynamics.
The power of working with colts, broodmares, and youngstock.

???? Toward the Future: Equine Services for All (Starts at 01:29:00)
Integrating equine-assisted work into the healthcare system.

What Ireland can learn from Norway and the Seen Through Horses campaign: https://horsesformentalhealth.org/seen-through-horses/

Memorable Moments from the Episode:

???? "The hands can heal what the mind can’t." (10:17)
???? How a horse helped prevent domestic violence (18:00)
???? A stroke survivor gains physical and emotional stability (21:00)
???? The overdose moment: "You have a great brain" (38:00)
???? On frivolity: "It’s a form of joy" (1:03:14)
???? Watching colts shift a mother’s perspective on her son (1:26:00)

Related Videos:
???? Ep 12: Warwick Schiller – Attuned Horsemanship & The Journey On Podcast - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGLv4OwAmkw
???? How a Doctor Changed the Game for Neurodiverse Kids and Saved Her Son: Dr. Megan McGavern | EP 25 - https://youtu.be/pCcJJlpMTaM
???? Ep 8: Lynn Thomas - Arenas of Change & Horses for Mental Health - https://youtu.be/hotxCqBROZM 
????Ep 9: Linda Kohanov - Epona Quest - https://youtu.be/pWqKJ05gRoA  

Connect with Dr. Helen Sharp:
???? Groundwork EAS: https://groundworkeas.org
???? Journalism at The Irish Field: https://www.theirishfield.ie

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