“Oh Mary, where to even start? When Mary is in her element, everything about her is pure magic. Truly – she glitters and glows and exudes so much love. She is a brilliant artist and musician – rhythm simply seeps out of her entire being. She is such a talented teacher. Her role is probably the most unique in this organization, and she is an integral part of some of my most favorite trainings and offerings. She is also a gifted healer, and I trust the deeply intuitive work she does with all of my heart, and soul, and mind. The crossing of our paths was a divine introduction, for sure.”
-Bettina Shultz-Jobe, NL Co-Founder and CEO
Each month, we shine a light on one of our team members who continually inspires us and enriches our community. This month, we’re thrilled to celebrate Mary Oliver, our Rhythm and Art Education Coordinator.
Mary’s journey into the heart of Natural Lifemanship is an inspiring story of creativity, resilience, and passion for healing through the arts. From her background in teaching and art to her transformative work with rhythm and sound, Mary brings warmth, wisdom, and an infectious passion that uplifts everyone around her.
A Creative Journey Rooted in Family and Nature
Mary’s roots run deep in the rolling hills of Kentucky, where she grew up on a family farm established in 1889. Surrounded by the natural beauty of the land and grounded by her close-knit family, Mary developed a lifelong connection to nature that continues to inspire her work.
After spending 34 years teaching visual and performing arts in public schools, she decided it was time for a new chapter. Austin, Texas, where her daughter was already working in the gaming industry, became her new home.
Not long before her move to Austin, Mary took a workshop on group drumming—a practice she had enjoyed while teaching music to her young students. The experience rekindled her love for rhythm, and she quickly realized she wanted to deepen her knowledge. By becoming certified through Remo’s HealthRHYTHMS program and training with other experts like Christine Stevens and Arthur Hull, Mary unlocked new avenues for using rhythm and sound as tools for wellness.
She has since expanded her expertise, studying sound healing and energy work, all of which laid the groundwork for the invaluable skills she would later bring to NL.
A Chance Encounter and a New Path
Mary’s introduction to Natural Lifemanship happened during her HealthRHYTHMS training, as training she did while moving to Austin. There she crossed paths with another participant who shared a passion for rhythm and equine assisted therapy. Their conversation turned serendipitous when Mary mentioned she was moving to Austin and looking for ways to incorporate drumming into therapeutic work with horses. As fate would have it, this participant was already connected with Bettina, NL’s CEO and Co-founder, and quickly arranged an introduction.
In the spring of 2017, Bettina invited Mary to join a Fundamentals training to experience the NL approach firsthand. “My mind was blown,” Mary recalls, reflecting on her first encounter with the NL principles. “I wish I had known all I learned that weekend before I became a mom and before I became a teacher. It would have made me much better at both.”
That weekend marked a turning point, and Mary officially joined the NL team, where she channels her talents and insights into a role that’s perfect for her.
Mary’s teaching isn’t confined to conventional classrooms or schedules. At NL’s new school, Old Mill Creek Schoolhouse, her classroom is the barn (+ 73 beautiful acres, ponds, and a winding creek!), where kids explore rhythm, art, and mindfulness amid the natural sights and sounds of ranch life.
She lights up when she describes the flexibility and freedom the program offers. “At my [old] school, the kids only got 20 minutes of free play in an eight-hour day,” she shares. “Here, they can be outside, take breaks, and learn through play. Watching them thrive with nature, movement, and rhythm all around them has been incredible.”
Overcoming Challenges with a Grateful Heart
Despite her passion for teaching and creating, Mary faces the unique challenge of juggling many roles. Alongside her work at NL, she teaches visual art and drumming to diverse groups through Art Spark Texas, where she connects with elders, veterans, teens, and adults with disabilities. She also handcrafts instruments like drums, rattles, and rain sticks, and provides individual sessions for sound healing and Reiki.
At the core of everything Mary does is a desire to bring calm, connection, and healing to those she encounters. Her work with NL has played an essential role in her own growth and healing journey, and she considers her contributions to NL as part of a larger purpose. “NL has been such an integral part of my own growth and healing,” she reflects. “I am so grateful to be part of this amazing team.”
“Seeing the difference I make in people’s lives is worth every minute,” she says. Her schedule may be full, but Mary’s heart is even fuller—driven by the joy and peace she witnesses in others through her work.
Looking Forward: Growth, Community, and the Power of NL
As NL grows and its community expands and becomes even more deeply connected, Mary eagerly looks ahead to the new possibilities unfolding at the ranch. She marvels at the beauty of the space, which has become an ever-more welcoming haven for healing and connection.
The upcoming Rooted 2025 conference is another source of excitement. Mary has had the joy of participating in every conference since 2017 and she says, “It’s unlike any other conference. There’s so much to learn, so much to experience. If you haven’t been to an NL conference, you really need to come.”
When asked what she would say to someone unfamiliar with Natural Lifemanship, Mary is quick to emphasize how universally relevant it is. “NL isn’t just for people who work with horses—it’s for everyone,” she explains. “We’ve all experienced trauma of one kind or another. Our minds and nervous systems develop ways to keep us safe, but these can also prevent us from forming healthy relationships. NL teaches us how to rewire our brains, retrain our nervous systems, and foster meaningful connections. It’s a game changer.”
A Lasting Impact
Mary brings her whole heart to each endeavor. Her passion for rhythm, healing, and authentic connection is felt by everyone in the NL community, making her an invaluable member of our team. Thank you, Mary, for all you bring to NL. You are a true inspiration, and we’re grateful to walk this path with you.
If you’re interested in learning more about Natural Lifemanship and the amazing work our team is doing, we invite you to join our community.
Each month, we celebrate a remarkable member of our community. This time, our spotlight shines on Donna Wilson, a dedicated and inspiring professional whose journey through the Natural Lifemanship Certification Process has been transformative not only for her career but for her personal growth as well.
Donna’s journey reflects the transformative power of Natural Lifemanship. Through her work with her horses, her clients, and her community, she demonstrates what it means to live these principles—building authentic relationships, fostering trust, and creating spaces for healing and growth.
Donna’s Path to Natural Lifemanship Certification
Donna Wilson lives in Strasburg, Virginia, on a serene property she shares with her husband, her mother’s spirited Chihuahua, two barn cats, and three horses. Her journey with NL began in 2016 when a serendipitous recommendation led her to explore NL’s trauma-informed approach.
Donna recalls her initial experience with the NL Fundamentals training in 2019, where her confidence was unexpectedly tested. She shares a pivotal moment when she confronts her own trauma response—a freeze in the middle of training. Instead of retreating, she found the courage to stay and reflect. This experience taught her to lean into vulnerability and grow from it.
“That moment taught me about the power of being present and accepting where I am,” Donna shares. “It was one of the most impactful experiences of my life, and I carry it into every session with my clients.”
What Certification Means to Donna
For Donna, the decision to pursue dual NL Certification (NLC-P, EP) was both a professional necessity and a personal goal. As the founder of Heart Horse Healing, LLC, she integrates trauma-conscious yoga, nature connections, and equine-assisted therapy into her work. The NL Certification added depth to her practice and provided her with essential tools for growth and connection.
“The certification process wasn’t just a box to check for me. The whole package of consultations, the group consultations, the recordings, the intensive, just all of that, just every piece of it, I would say is life-changing if you let it be, if you want it to be,” Donna explains.
The mentorship she received during her consultations was a standout feature. One consultation with Bettina remains vivid in her memory: “Her willingness to simply be with me in that moment—no rush, no pressure—was incredibly healing. It’s something I strive to replicate in my work every day.”
The Impact of NL Certification on Donna’s Work and Life
Donna’s commitment to the NL principles—particularly the emphasis on being present and attuned—has transformed her practice. She emphasizes the importance of meeting clients where they are and allowing sessions to unfold naturally rather than adhering rigidly to a treatment plan.
This shift has also influenced her personal life. Family and friends often comment on how she has become calmer, more assertive, and deeply grounded. Donna attributes much of this transformation to the skills and insights gained through NL certification.
Advice for Aspiring NL Certified Practitioners
For those considering the NL Certification journey, Donna has one key piece of advice: Just start.
She also highlights the importance of mentorship and consultation: “Every consultation offered new insights and solidified my confidence. It’s such a rich experience.”
Ready to Begin Your Certification Journey?
Donna’s journey is one of many success stories that highlight the impact of the Natural Lifemanship Certification process. Explore a trauma-informed approach, build meaningful connections, and discover the unique power of Natural Lifemanship.
Get started today and take the first step toward a more impactful career.
Each month, we take a moment to recognize one of our members who’s made an impact in our beloved community.
For this month’s Member Spotlight, we’re focusing on Beth Burgmeyer, a Fundamentals graduate who is also a licensed mental health therapist and equine professional. Beth recently completed Dual NL Certification as a practitioner and equine professional (NLC-P,EP), and is well on her way to becoming Advanced Certified!
Learn more about Beth’s journey, including her life-changing experiences with Natural Lifemanship and how it has helped her learn more about herself and live a rewarding life doing what she is passionate about.
Journeying with Horses and Healing
Beth has been a horse person her whole life, tracing back to her teenage years and early 20s. She started her work with horses as a trainer, but got out of that world because she didn’t like the horse show world and the methods they used.
Embarking on a new journey, Beth ended up going to college and grad school to become a therapist. After about a decade of working as a therapist, she experienced burnout, and this was when she decided to have a career shift.
Beth had been away from horses for eight years when she found a barn near her home and discovered an equestrian program. It was there that she learned how Natural Lifemanship works and realized that this was the piece about working with horses that she’d been missing in her life.
Fundamentals Experience
About a year after learning about NL, Beth signed up for Fundamentals. Initially, she wanted to go the equine professional track as she had no interest in reactivating her therapy license. But as she was taking Fundamentals, she resonated with how NL approaches trauma, therapy, and working with horses. “It all just felt really right to me,” Beth said.
She then decided to reactivate her therapy license and become an equine professional and mental health therapist. Now, she is doing what she is passionate about and having the career she has always dreamed of.
“I never thought I’d love doing mental health therapy as much as I love doing it now,” she said. “I love that the way we do therapy is principle-based, and not technique-focused.”
After taking the Fundamentals, Beth learned that when she let go of the tasks she wanted to do in therapy and simply lived out the NL principles, things beautifully unfolded in the therapy session far beyond what she ever could have imagined.
Beth’s Insights about NL
We asked Beth a few questions about her insights on Natural Lifemanship and what she loves about her membership.
What has changed since you completed the Fundamentals training?
“NL has been life-changing for me personally. I’ve seen clients with complex trauma who have tried many kinds of therapy without results. This approach is transformative for both people and for horses.”
“Even for people who don’t want to go on and get certified, the membership gives people so much. All of the classes available online for free with your membership are just invaluable. It’s amazing all the videos and classes that you can take part in. I use some of them to get my CE credits.
In the videos, you can find anything you’re interested in – breathwork, different modalities of therapy, ice breakers if you’re working with groups, connection games, and so many other topics.There’s a really broad range of training available.”
What would you say to someone who is starting out with NL Membership?
“I would tell them you’re starting on a journey that will be life-changing for you and the people around you, including friends and family. Whatever career you’re in, whether it’s horses, therapy, or something else entirely – NL will enrich your work and you will get to a much deeper level of working with people and animals. And you can’t help but learn a lot about yourself in this process. “
You are so right, Beth!
We’re so grateful to have Beth as a member of the NL community. Her story is a testament to the profound power of trying familiar things in a new way. We are so glad she found NL when she did and proud to be part of her journey.
Each month, we take a moment to recognize one of our members who’s made an impact in our beloved community.
For this month’s Member Spotlight, we’re connecting with Christina Strayer, a lifelong advocate for nature therapy, NL dual certification student, and Natural Lifemanship Member.
Read on to learn more about Christina’s journey connecting with nature, animals, and horses to support her work as a trauma informed therapy professional.
A History of Connecting Through Nature and Animals
From a young age, Christina knew that cultivating a relationship with the natural world around her was important. When she was bullied as a child, she sought solace in nature and with animals, even wild ones. She shares that she even used to leave out M&M’s or other food for a local bobcat in the area where she grew up.
Christina’s journey with horses began in third grade when a local teenager came by to ask her parents if she could ride her black stallion. While she was nervous at first, she got on the back of the stallion, and all of the fear and pain she carried from the adversity she faced at such a young age completely disappeared. Christina continued to build a bond with that horse, learning how to show up as herself and overcome her own obstacles and blocks in order to build a true relationship—a process that she walks through with her clients to this day.
As she grew older, Christina was drawn to counseling and began working with families and children with behavioral challenges. Before animal assisted therapy was widely recognized, Christina had the idea to bring her Boston Terrier, Piggy, to a local boys residential facility for her first ever group session. When the boys walked into the room—big, tough, and resistant to the idea of meeting with a therapist—they melted at the sight of Piggy. As they passed Piggy around and reciprocal love was exchanged between the boys and the dog, they opened up and shared their vulnerable stories in what Christina described as a, ”heartwarming, just amazing, spiritual experience.”
Thus began Christina’s journey into animal assisted therapy, and her road to Natural Lifemanship.
Christina’s Insights About Natural Lifemanship
We asked Christina some questions about her experience with Natural Lifemanship, and this is what she had to share.
What do you think it is about this approach – what you’ve already been doing with dogs and people, and now with horses too – that is so remarkable?
It’s the interconnectedness. It’s the fact that even though animals are nonverbal, it doesn’t mean there is not a connection and that we share this Earth with them.
It’s that reciprocity of being in relationship that acts as a corrective attachment experience for clients. And it’s very humbling that I don’t have to be the expert in the situation, you know? I just have to show up and listen to the animals.
There have been so many times, with horses especially, they are so intuitive that they will read the person’s energy and already know what to do. I just have to step back to watch and guide the client through what they are experiencing.
What has the Natural Lifemanship certification process brought to your practice and your work with clients?
It’s deepened the understanding of all that I’ve been taught and experienced. They can only teach us so much in school. It’s more about getting out in the world and learning how to be in relationship with ourselves.
Since I began with horses, I’ve had a few amazing spiritual experiences myself. I’ve gone through exercises and worked with my own coach with horses before I ever worked with clients, so that I would understand both sides. The certification process has deepened my own secure attachment, my bond with my own animals, and my work with my clients, too.
The NL Intensive is coming up soon. In your experience, why is that particular training a good choice for people to take part in?
The NL Intensive is a lot like when I go into sessions with an animal and a client. You really have to show up and be ready and open minded. Because things are going to happen, as they do with everybody. Even though we’re therapists and coaches, the animals still read our energy and interact with us accordingly. Things can come up somatically.
It’s also the staff’s enthusiasm. I think they are wonderful teachers and leaders. You can feel everything from their presence to the people they’ve selected in their organization and you can see their connection with their own horses and animals as well. I’ve always had a great experience with them. Without these programs, people are missing out on deepening their relationships with themselves and their clients and animals.
If you were to give advice to a fellow therapist who had never worked with Natural Lifemanship before, what would you tell them in order for them to get the most out of their experience?
I would say that we spend so much money and time on certifications we may not use, or that we’re just taking to hurry up and get our CE hours. But Natural Lifemanship is an investment. It piques your curiosity. Just because you go to an intensive or a practicum and work with that one animal, that’s not it. You can go to another one and have a totally different experience. It’s an organization that has a lot to offer. I, personally, invest in being an annual member, and plan to always go to as many trainings as I can with them.
Anything else you think is important to share about your experience with Natural Lifemanship?
The last thing I’d like to mention is their trauma informed approach. I work mainly with clients with PTSD and the principles that NL teaches and the experiences you have are just so profound and can deepen anyone’s practice. And it doesn’t only have to be for people working with animals, it is great for working with humans too. I love their trauma informed approach.
We’re so grateful to have Christina as an annual member of Natural Lifemanship, and for all of the work she does through equine therapy, animal therapy, and nature therapy as a whole.
If you’re interested in joining our membership community and taking advantage of all of the opportunities Christina shared about, we would love to welcome you. Learn more at naturallifemanship.com/memberships.
“The artful balance that Kate brings to everything she does is truly something to behold. Whether she is teaching, facilitating, writing, “friending,” or mothering, she is the embodiment of how one can simultaneously listen with and speak from the head, heart, body, and soul. This honed talent is such a gift to our community.”
-Bettina Shultz-Jobe, NL Co-Founder and CEO
Each month, we take a moment to recognize one of our members who’s made an impact in our beloved community.
For this month’s Team Member Spotlight, we’re diving into the story of Kate Naylor, our Director of Trainer Development and Community Engagement, whose journey from teacher to therapist and equine professional has been filled with intuition, exploration, and a deep respect for the Natural Lifemanship approach.
The Winding Path to Natural Lifemanship
Kate started her professional career in education. She earned her undergraduate degree in Bilingual Early Education from Texas A&M University, and began working as a teacher in dual language programs in Texas.
After a few years of teaching in different locations, she realized it just wasn’t for her. “I was just so exhausted [..] all I would do was work and sleep. The kids coming to me were not prepared to learn, and the teaching environment was just so rigid. It felt like a lose-lose every day.” Her desire to continue supporting children and families led her to Austin where she earned her Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at St. Edwards University.
During her time as a traditional therapist, Kate worked mostly with children and adolescents, but also some adults. She saw a theme emerge with her clients – so many of her clients felt lonely and disconnected – as though they didn’t understand their place in life. Digging deeper into her own history, and understanding people as a part of an interconnected system; she realized that what many of her clients were missing was a real connection with nature and the world to which they inherently belonged.
Exploring more about the impact of building a connection with nature and the outdoors led Kate down another road—one that pointed straight toward Natural Lifemanship. She had grown up around horses, and felt a natural pull toward equine assisted therapy – and she sought an approach that had a sound theoretical foundation. When the time felt right, she put the Fundamentals Training on her credit card, visited Spirit Reins for the training, and never looked back.
The Winding Path Within Natural Lifemanship
From the minute she stepped foot in the training, Kate knew that she had a home with Natural Lifemanship. She quickly got involved, asked questions, and pushed the organization forward, driving an hour both ways to work as an intern during her early years of involvement.
Since then, she has grown into an essential NL team member— training trainers, traveling the country to teach Natural Lifemanship and the various modalities within it, and helping to keep Natural Lifemanship growing and evolving.
Kate’s Thoughts About Natural Lifemanship
We had a chat with Kate about her thoughts on Natural Lifemanship and the ways it’s impacted the field of therapy. Here’s what she had to say.
As a therapist who found equine assisted services, what would you like people to know about Natural Lifemanship?
“Typically equine assisted services is the last stop for people. When they’ve exhausted everything else they’re like, ‘Okay, I’ll try this fringe thing because nothing else is working.’ I wish people in the industry could see that the blending of good experiential therapy, fostering a connection with nature, and experiencing an active and evolving relationship with another being, like a horse, is so holistic and powerful that it is not fringe at all. It’s the future of mental health.
Professionals all over are trying to develop integrated approaches to psychotherapy, but until we in the mental health field understand that humans are a part of the natural world and an interconnected web of life, they cannot build a truly integrated model of therapy. I think that we have to remember our context in the natural world before we can feel whole, really. Natural Lifemanship isn’t just an approach to therapy, it is a way of being a healing presence in the world, to bring healing in your own life and in the lives of others.”
If you were to give advice to someone who has never heard of Natural Lifemanship, where would you start?
“I would say that all of the evidence [from emerging research] about what is required for human healing is moving us toward a more comprehensive mind-body-system perspective. And I don’t know any other model that is as comprehensive as Natural Lifemanship – when it comes to the mind, the body, and the context in which we live, NL is the complete package.
When reflecting on her journey with Natural lifemanship, Kate shared, “This career I’ve built only exists because I found Natural Lifemanship – I get to play with ideas, offer creative therapy, talk with curious minds, be in nature and around horses, write, connect, learn – and do it all surrounded by people who hold the same values…it’s the dream, really.”
We’re so grateful that Kate found herself in a Fundamentals Training all those years ago, and all she has given to the organization since. The butterfly effect she has on Natural Lifemanship is felt by every member of our team and our NL community.
If you are interested in joining our membership community, we would love to welcome you! Learn more at naturallifemanship.com/memberships.
“Tanner’s skillset is vast. He is detail oriented, an amazing videographer and photographer, and impressive “out of the box” thinker. He is constantly striving to help NL improve on the technology front. AND he’s wildly intuitive, relational, able to navigate conflict with kindness and honesty, and pushes all of us to continue to grow and evolve personally and professionally. His integrity as it relates to practicing what we preach in NL is absolutely awe-inspiring.”
Bettina Shultz-Jobe, NL Co-Founder and CEO
Each month, we take a moment to recognize one of our members or team members who’s made an impact in our beloved community.
For this month’s Team Member Spotlight, we’re excited to highlight Tanner Jobe, our Director of Equine Professional (EP) Development & Director of Media, who has spent much of his life immersed in the Natural Lifemanship model.
Learn more about Tanner’s journey, including how he started learning the NL principles and became one of our team’s core staff members.
A lifetime of loving and working with horses
Growing up in a family of ranchers, Tanner was around horses most of his life. In his early years, he learned to train horses with his dad, Tim Jobe, and to do what he calls “Texas cowboy ranch stuff.” 🙂
After college, Tanner moved to Austin after leaving a job in the film industry. At that time, Tim and Bettina were working at Spirit Reins and this was where he first encountered Natural Lifemanship. He started working with the principles of NL while photographing and filming NL trainings.
Tanner started doing some training with Tim and Bettina around 2012, but it wasn’t until 2015 that he began working for Natural Lifemanship full time.
“Working with horses and seeing students make progress in Natural Lifemanship are some of the most rewarding parts of my work,” Tanner said. “It’s a constant learning and improvement process. I’m still making the shift – in some ways, we all are.”
Thoughts About Natural Lifemanship
We asked Tanner a few questions about his experience with Natural Lifemanship. Here’s what he had to say.
What do you wish everyone in our industry knew about Natural Lifemanship?
“I wish people understood that everything we do is an exploration process. We are constantly learning and growing and it’s a messy process. The ability to be intentional about the relationships we are having with everything around us is where our true power lies. Our specialization in the horse/human relationship is just the tip of the iceberg. There’s so much more potential here.”
What are you looking forward to in the future as a member of the Natural Lifemanship team?
“Having a place at NL Headquarters and a herd of horses means I can do more in-depth work. Not just with the horses, but with the people and the environment, too. I look forward to having more in-person opportunities to work with people. That’s really fun.”
If you were going to give advice to anyone who hasn’t heard of NL to tell them why NL is so useful and meaningful, what would you tell them?
“One of the most useful pieces of NL is that it opens a door for us to be really intentional about our way of being in the world and how we interact with every single thing, in every moment. It starts us down a path where we can create this wave, this kind of chain reaction in the world – and that has a lot of meaning to me.”
We’re so grateful to have Tanner as a member of the NL leadership team. Thank you, Tanner, for all you do!
If you are interested in joining our membership community, we would love to welcome you. Learn more at naturallifemanship.com/memberships.
In her role as NL’s Rhythm and Art Education Coordinator, Mary has been instrumental in expanding the Rhythmic Riding training and the Personal Immersion Training. She also helped Bettina develop the Connection Kits. 
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