Lisa Murrell
Master Coach

Lisa Murrell is the master coach at Equine Alchemy and Effective Leadership Coaching. She began consulting in Paris and has spent the last 15 years working globally to help clients achieve transformational results in the areas of organization development and executive and team coaching.

Lisa, author of Inspiring Real Change; Using Systemic Experiential Learning to Develop Systems, Organizations, Teams and Individuals and How To Get the Best Results From Every Meeting in the least amount of time…It’s All About Leadership developed a multi-level systemic approach to coaching and consulting and combines that with experiential learning to help her clients identify and address issues that impact performance, and yes in some cases, change their lives!

Murrell’s transformational programs include both virtual and in-person Master’s quality, International Coach Federation (ICF) accredited coaching certification programs; propelling coaching into its next evolution through course work and experiential learning resulting in the ultimate mind/body connection.

Lisa studied Psychology at NYU and Organization Development and Human Resources at Columbia University. She is a Professional Certified Coach, from the International Coach Federation and an Advanced Instructor for the Epona ApproachTM to Equine Facilitated Experiential Learning. Her coaching stance is, “What part are you playing in creating and maintaining your current reality?” Her Brand Promise…”To link authentic self discovery with paths to action.”

Susan M. Castañeda, M.S., NBCT
Certified Equine Alchemy Coach

Susan is the Founder of Equine Alchemy Southwest, a collaborative team of dedicated women who believe that humanity’s purpose, passion and deepest wisdom reside in the heart; and when touched, take precedence over the mind. Equine Alchemy Southwest is committed to working with horse wisdom for the greater good by offering experiential learning that explores Personal Leadership and Transformation Through the Way of the Horse. Programs offered by Equine Alchemy Southwest create contexts where learners are brought back into wholeness; where mind, body, soul and spirit act in accord with one another.

Susan developed the company in partnership with Equine Alchemy/MetaSystem Consulting Group of New York, and completed her Equine Assisted Coach training and apprenticeship with Lisa Murrell, PCC.  Equine Assisted Coaching is an integral training and experience paradigm based upon ICF Competencies, Multi-level Systemic Coaching and the Epona Approach.

Holding a Master’s degree in Special Education/Psychology, Susan taught Gifted and Special Needs children and youth for most of her 32 years in Education.  She has met the rigorous standards of the National Board for Professional Teaching, and is currently a Nationally Board Certified Educator.  Susan brings to her work an understanding of teaching and learning, and supports our clients in the “work” of transformation. Susan assists clients in understanding what they have learned; interpreting and integrating that information in a non-judgmental, compassionate manner into their “heart’s desire” for authentic, sustainable change.

As a former district level Administrator, Susan brings leadership training and experience to Equine Alchemy Southwest’s Personal Leadership Series and the Teacher Leadership Academy from the University of New Mexico and the University of Virginia; Darden-Curry Educational Leadership Cohort. Susan’s vision of “Leadership through Relationship” is at the heart of her commitment to bring together the perfect blend of candid, creative and courageous individuals together for powerful, provocative, and prosperous experiences.

Living with Multiple Sclerosis led Susan to Dr. Alberto Villoldo, a classically trained medical anthropologist and founder of The Four Winds Society.  Susan is currently studying with Dr. Villoldo for certification in Energy Medicine, a revolutionary program based on the traditional healing methods of the ancient Inkas.  Susan brings these healing methods to the Equine Alchemy Southwest’s Horse Medicine Personal Healing Series. Based upon her personal experience with Multiple Sclerosis, Susan offers an exploration of how the relationship between mind, body, soul and spirit plays an integral part in transformation.

Always a teacher… and lover of horses, Susan brings to her work the concept of intersubjectivity as experienced through the horse/human relationship.

“Intersubjectivity, the sharing of subjective states by two or more sentient beings, allows us to integrate the deep insights revealed to us in an equine partnership.  Such an integration offers us a perspective of embodied knowingness and deep connection with our personal power.”

Coach Simon

A 17 yr old, 17h Thorough Bred, Simon is the Master Coach at Equine Alchemy!

He is retired from a very successful career in Eventing—the equine triathlon.  His special gifts are helping people to feel safe and taken care of.

Coach Simon is a very sensitive ‘authenticity barometer’.

Coach Tibor

The youngster of the herd, Tibor is a 16’2” Dutch Warmblood who came over from Holland!  (He likes travel!)  He is my jumping and dressage partner and is 11.

His specialty; boundaries.  If you want to know about yours, he is the coach for you!

His favorite past times; food and play!  He is a very social member of our herd and exemplifies curiosity!

Coach Spanky

Our pony coach—not to be confused with a small horse or mini—Coach Spanky is one of our most expressive coaches.  His gift, the clearest mirror you can get of your authentic self.  He has been known to just lay down flat and not move for those of us who think we can just keep on going in spite of our exhaustion.

Before retiring at an early age of 8, he was a talented jumper.  His challenge and reason for retirement; he doesn’t know he is a pony and prefers adults to children.