#myjrny Josephine Blix

She started off as a young promising rider but fell off and hurt her leg so bad that the doctors said she would never walk again. 10 years (and a move to Italy later), she’s once again back in the saddle. We met up with Josephine Blix, founder of ”Midnatt” and a true horse enthusiast. This is what we learned. 

Josephine, your courage inspires us. How does it feel to once again be back in the saddle? 

After the accident, I guess the hills of Tuscany and the pasta of the Florentine piazzas served me well as real-life pain killers for my mourning soul. But. Only for so long - there’s no place in this wondrous world that I’ve missed as I missed being in the saddle. It might sound pretentious but being back with those warm spiritual creatures is like coming back to myself. 

What was it that made you return after all these years and despite your accident? 

The opportunity (read the kindest/coolest most confident black warmblood) came to find me and everything felt natural all of the sudden. The first time I got to ride her it was like all my body memories and tensions just flew out the window. I’m forever thankful to this horse and her owner for filling a gap I never thought could be repaired.

You run your own brand ”Midnatt”. What have horses taught you about running a business - is there a correlation? 

Yes, that’s right. I did get my first pony when I was 8 and I started to compete almost right away. In terms of keeping focus, planning my time, deal with criticism and failure as well as success, mastering competition nerves (when I was a teenager I had a lot of sports psychology/mental training to get by) and simply not get distracted the horses and my riding was probably invaluable for the young version of me. And I can see how that kept playing a part also while growing up, making career decisions and somehow ending up as an entrepreneur.

But with that said the horses in my life probably prepared me even more for becoming a parent; be gentle and loving, but consistent and distinct. Get out of bed early as a bird even if you’ve been to a nice party the night before. Give me exactly as much commitment when the sky is blue as when the rain pours. Teach me things and let me teach you back. Do all this and the love between us is unconditional. Forever.

Wow, such an inspiring, warm soul. Thanks for sharing your journey with us Josephine!