Meet the Instructors: The Experts Behind The Freedom Way® Training

Equine Assisted Coaching is powerful work. It asks us to hold space for transformation, to listen beyond words, to partner with horses in a way that is ethical, intuitive, and deeply grounded. Because of that, the quality of the training matters.

At The Freedom Way®, we believe learning this work should be more than simply receiving information. It should be an experience—one that challenges you, stretches you, supports your growth, and helps you build the confidence to step into this field with integrity. That kind of experience starts with the people leading the way.

Behind The Freedom Way® training are two passionate, experienced instructors: Diana Gogan and Janice Story. Together, they bring heart, wisdom, lived experience, and a deep respect for both horses and humans. Their combined backgrounds create a training environment that is not only educational, but truly transformational.

More Than Teachers—Experienced Guides

What makes a great instructor in Equine Assisted Coaching? It is not just knowledge of horses. It is not just coaching skill. It is not just professional experience. It is the ability to weave all of those together while staying present to the unique needs of each student.

That is exactly what Diana and Janice bring to The Freedom Way®.

They are not simply teaching concepts from a manual. They are guiding students through a living, breathing process of discovery. Through their leadership, students learn how to facilitate meaningful experiences, build trust with horses, understand the nuances of emotional awareness, and develop the grounded presence required to work effectively with others.

Their teaching is rooted in experience, compassion, and a true understanding of what this work asks of a coach.

Diana Gogan: Vision, Depth, and a Passion for Transformation

Diana Gogan brings a powerful combination of leadership, intuition, and vision to The Freedom Way®. Her work reflects a deep belief in the transformational potential of the horse-human connection and a commitment to helping others step into their own calling.

Diana has a gift for seeing the bigger picture while also honoring the deeply personal journey each student brings. She understands that equine-assisted coaching is not about performing a technique. It is about learning how to be with people and horses in a way that invites truth, awareness, and change.

Her approach helps students move beyond surface-level learning and into deeper embodiment. She brings both strength and warmth to the training process, creating space for growth, self-reflection, and confidence-building. Students are not only learning from her knowledge, but from the way she models presence, trust, and respect in the arena.

Janice Story: Heart, Insight, and the Power of Authentic Connection

Janice Story brings a rich depth of personal insight, compassion, and experiential wisdom to The Freedom Way® training. Her work is grounded in authenticity and in the understanding that healing and growth often happen in the moments we least expect—especially in the presence of horses.

Janice has a unique ability to help people feel seen, safe, and supported as they learn. She knows that becoming an equine-assisted coach is not only about gaining tools, but also about developing self-awareness, confidence, and the ability to trust both yourself and the process.

Her connection to horses and her commitment to transformation shine through in the way she teaches. She helps students understand that this work is not about having all the answers. It is about learning how to listen, observe, and partner with horses in a way that allows profound insight to emerge.

Janice brings both grounded guidance and heartfelt encouragement, helping students step more fully into their own voice and purpose.

A Training Experience Shaped by Complementary Strengths

One of the greatest strengths of The Freedom Way® is the dynamic Diana and Janice create together. Their gifts complement one another in a way that enriches the student experience.

Where one may offer strategic insight, the other may offer intuitive reflection. Where one may challenge a student to grow, the other may gently help them feel safe enough to do it. Together, they create a learning environment that is balanced, supportive, and deeply impactful.

This matters because Equine Assisted Coaching is layered work. It involves understanding horse behavior, human emotion, nervous system responses, coaching ethics, boundaries, presence, and facilitation skills. No single perspective can fully capture the richness of this field. Having two experienced instructors with distinct yet aligned strengths gives students a broader, more grounded foundation.

Learning From Those Who Walk the Walk

In an expanding field like Equine Assisted Coaching, students need more than inspiration. They need mentors who have done the work, lived the work, and continue to evolve within the work.

Diana and Janice are deeply committed to maintaining the integrity of the field and preparing students in a meaningful way. Their training is not rushed, surface-level, or disconnected from real-life practice. It is experiential, relational, and designed to help students leave with both practical understanding and deeper personal growth.

Students benefit from learning not only what to do in the arena, but how to be in the arena. That distinction is everything.

Because ultimately, horses respond to who we are—not just what we know.

The Importance of Learning in a Safe, Supportive Environment

For many students, joining a certification program is about more than career development. It is about answering a calling. It is about stepping toward something that feels aligned, meaningful, and deeply personal.

That can feel exciting—but also vulnerable.

Diana and Janice understand that. They know students often come into this work with passion, curiosity, and sometimes uncertainty. Their role is not to intimidate or overwhelm. It is to create a supportive environment where students can learn, ask questions, practice, make mistakes, deepen their awareness, and grow into the work with confidence.

That kind of environment does not happen by accident. It is created intentionally by instructors who care deeply about both the material and the people learning it.

Why the Instructors Matter

When people choose a training program, they often look at the curriculum, the schedule, the certification, and the format. Those things do matter. But the people leading the training matter just as much—if not more.

Instructors shape the tone, depth, and integrity of the experience. They influence how students understand the work, how safe they feel to grow, and how prepared they will be to carry what they have learned into the world.

At The Freedom Way®, Diana Gogan and Janice Story are at the heart of that experience. Their passion, partnership, and commitment to excellence help make this training not just educational, but transformational.

A Foundation for the Work Ahead

The work of Equine Assisted Coaching requires humility, skill, compassion, and a willingness to keep learning. It asks us to show up honestly, partner respectfully with horses, and trust the wisdom that unfolds in relationship.

Diana and Janice help students build that foundation.

They are not just instructors standing at the front of a classroom. They are mentors, guides, and stewards of this work. Through their leadership, students are invited into a deeper understanding of what it means to become an equine-assisted coach—and what it means to do so with integrity.

Ready to Learn From the Experts Behind The Freedom Way®?

If you have been feeling called toward Equine Assisted Coaching and want to learn from experienced, heart-centered instructors who truly embody the work they teach, The Freedom Way® offers a training experience designed to support both your personal and professional growth.

With Diana Gogan and Janice Story leading the way, you will be stepping into more than a certification. You will be stepping into a transformative journey shaped by wisdom, authenticity, and the powerful partnership between horses and humans.

Ready to learn more? Explore The Freedom Way® training and discover what becomes possible when you are guided by instructors who truly live the work they teach.

https://www.freedomwayequinecoaching.com