You know, sometimes you meet people who just knock you out with the sheer force of their passion. Lucie Ptasznik is one of those people. Here’s someone who dreamed big as a kid, couldn’t let it go, and somehow built an entire life around that dream without any guarantees. There were no golden handshakes or rich relatives funding her—just a deep love for horses and an iron will that wouldn’t quit.
This isn’t just about horses, though. Lucie’s story is about chasing what matters, eating dirt along the way, and then getting back up with even more grit. And her journey is loaded with lessons anyone chasing a passion can pick up on, especially if you’re at a point where the dream feels tough to hold onto. Let’s dive into two big things her story taught me.
Set Your Sights High and Let Passion Fuel You
Lucie’s story starts with pure passion. As a kid, she’d lie in bed and pray for just one chance to ride a horse. Her family couldn’t afford it, so she figured, if she couldn’t have the real thing, maybe a vivid dream would do the trick. And she didn’t let it go—ever. The day she turned 16, she got her driver’s license and posted an ad offering to ride horses for free.
Now, most people would hesitate—too risky, too wild, too something. But Lucie? She saw every “no” as one step closer to “yes.” And it worked. “I rode all kinds of horses,” she told me. “Bucked off, thrown, you name it. But each fall taught me something, even if it was just how to get back up.” For her, that was the magic. She wasn’t worried about failing; she knew each stumble was fuel for the next ride.
Key Takeaways from Our Discussion:
- Every Rejection’s a Step Forward: Lucie’s drive was fierce, so much so that every “no” felt more like practice than failure. She was willing to ride any horse, no matter how wild, just for a shot.
- Let Your Passion Teach You: She learned by doing, not by some formal guide or course. “The horses taught me everything,” she said. That hands-on learning became her advantage.
- Dreams with Roots Grow Best: When you’re passionate, you’re invested. Lucie didn’t just “work with horses”; she fought tooth and nail to build a life around them. And that’s what separates a hobby from a life pursuit.
Entrepreneurship Isn’t Just Business—It’s a Mindset Shift
Lucie started her career with just one thing on her mind: horses. She was training, selling, and living her passion, but something shifted once she realized she could actually grow this into a full business. One of the biggest changes? Learning to work “on” her business rather than just “in” it. It’s the difference between owning a job and owning a business.
In 2020, when most businesses were shutting down, Lucie’s trail-riding venture took off. “Everybody wanted to be outdoors, and riding a horse was perfect for social distancing,” she laughed. That’s where the power of working “on” the business came in. She didn’t just ride the wave; she scaled up, hired a team, and figured out how to manage people—all new ground for her. She admitted it wasn’t always easy, but by putting the right people in place, she could finally let go of the “do-it-all-myself” mentality. Her business grew, and so did she.
What I Learned from Her Experience:
- Know When to Step Back: At first, Lucie thought no one could do the job better than her. But hiring the right team showed her the magic of delegation—“Turns out, they were doing things even better than I could have alone.”
- Pivot When Opportunity Knocks: 2020 hit, and everyone was scrambling. But Lucie doubled down, turning a global shift into a growth period by leaning into her niche.
- Leadership Means Letting Go: To grow, she had to let go of control. It wasn’t just a practical step; it was a personal one. And her business is thriving for it.
Reflections from the Interview
Lucie’s path didn’t just give me “business tips”; it left me rethinking what it means to go after a dream. It was about being willing to get thrown, fail, get back up, and keep chasing what mattered. If anything, her story’s a reminder that you can start small, just by saying “yes” to what you love, even if you have no idea where it’ll lead.
Here’s What I’m Taking Away:
- One Decision Can Flip Your Whole Life: “We’re only ever one decision away from a completely different life.” And that one choice—to keep going, to start fresh—could be all you need.
- Control What’s Inside, Not Outside: 2020 was a curveball for most, but Lucie didn’t let it dictate her plans. She chose to lean into what she could do rather than stress over what she couldn’t.
- Think Big, Act Small: Lucie’s every step was incremental but intentional. She let each failure, each “almost,” build her strength.
- Stay Intentional About What You Let In: Lucie talks about how she’s careful with the content she consumes. Positive influences are everywhere if you look, and they can keep you grounded, even when the dream feels out of reach.
- Confidence Comes from Doing the Hard Stuff: Lucie didn’t just “become” resilient; she got there by facing challenges, failing often, and keeping at it.
Final Thoughts
There’s something incredible about Lucie’s story that goes beyond horses or business. It’s about creating a life that’s deeply your own. She didn’t wait for the stars to align—she made her own luck by doing the work, staying clear on her purpose, and daring to go after what she wanted. That’s not about business savvy or financial success; it’s about heart, persistence, and the guts to make a dream come true.
If you’re sitting on a passion or itching to break free from the norm, take a page from Lucie’s book. It’s not going to be easy, but if you’re chasing something you love, every scrape, every “no,” every risk, it all builds up to something worth fighting for.
CONNECT WITH LUCIE PTASZNIK:
Website: https://highvibetrailrides.com/
Socials: https://linktr.ee/lucielynn