Feels Like Intrinsic Motivation with Kathy Sierra

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Find out more about Kathy here:
https://www.intrinzen.horse/
https://www.pantherflow.com/
https://www.instagram.com/pantherflows
https://www.instagram.com/intrinzen/

Kathy Sierra is a self confessed controversial figure to the horse world, and for that reason and many others, I absolutely adore her.

In my opinion, Kathy Sierra is at least 50 years ahead of her time.

Kathy comes to horses from a unique multi-disciplinary background; she majored in exercise physiology at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and worked in the fitness industry for 10 years. She graduated in computer programming from UCLA and then enjoyed a long career in silicone valley in tech, being a pioneer in digital technologies in the 1990’s. She has published books on computer programming and specialises in game design… where she became an international expert in the neuroendocrine physiology of PLAY and how to use it according to science to improve intrinsic motivation.

She has a deep interest in cognitive science driven from her own diagnosis of epilepsy.

After a long career in tech Kathy left that career after she fell victim to serious online harrassment that included doxing, death threats, doctored images of her face next to a noose posted on blogs and forums, and her threats were reported in the news. After infamous and self professed internet trolls admitted their responsibility for the harassment to the New York Times, Kathy saw this as a sign to step back from her career in computer programming and technology. The harassment was driven from of course, her pioneering and fearless approach to promoting the absolute best and most cutting edge information available to us… no matter whose feathers it may ruffle.

Kathy comes from a horsey family, her sister being a very dedicated dressage rider, and Kathy herself being a lifelong fan of the Icelandic breed.

She took her understanding of cognitive science, play science, pain science and the mammalian neuroendocrine system and began a grassroots movement on instagram called at the time INTRINZEN she she presented scientifically cutting edge principals of the above and how it relates to horses.

using those principals her students then make unique implementations and adapatations to their horses. Her work has the potential to completely throw out an outdated biomechanics model of horse training and usher in a new, more fun, more free, lesss fearful future of physical training and development of horses.

For this reason, she is often the persona non grata to many horse traiers and biomechanics experts because her wide and deep knowledge base cuts their work out at core as being based on bad science.

Kathy is a friend. Someone who has always supported me, often at ties when nobody else did. She is not someone whom I agree with on everything, but I don’t need universal consensus to love, respect and learn from my colleagues.

It is my pleasure to present this conversation with Kathy on the podcast. I have old conversations between us already up on Youtube, but this is a fresh one! Enjoy!

For more information check out www.emotionalhorsemanship.com!

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