9-23-19 Answers for the Family Interview with Kathy Burns
Host: Allen Cardoza

An incredible story of a woman’s cross-country journey to escape an abusive past. Think Wild, but on a horse.

When Kathy decides to leave her abusive marriage, she is 59 years old. She feels completely stuck with her husband hiding his assets from the court, angry children, and impossible rental prices. There is something, though, that makes her feel at least halfway sane: riding horses. So, with a truck and horse trailer paid for with money borrowed from her dad, Kathy decides to hit the road. She plans to ride in every state in the US mainland and names her journey SHLEP: Soul-searching, Home-seeking, Liberating Equestrian, Party.

On her 13-month (mostly solo) healing adventure, she confronts physical hurdles and emotional demons. She experiences the death of both her parents, re-bonding with her sister, and making peace with her three children. She meets like-minded women with similar stories who help her, and in turn, are inspired by her. Perhaps most importantly, Kathy renews her relationship with God and strengthens her faith.

Told in straightforward, personable writing awash with outdoorsy adventure, SHLEP is about a woman remaking herself and her whole life, and gaining a deeper confidence than she has ever known.

ABOUT KATHY BURNS

Kathy majored in painting at Philadelphia College of Art. She entered the printing industry as a paste-up artist, making her way to sales in New York City. In 2004 she bought her first horse, Dreamy, and riding became her passion. In 2012, at the age of 59, Kathy left an abusive marriage and set off on healing journey which she calls SHLEP (Soul-searching, Home-seeking, Liberating Equestrian, Praise) – camping, riding, and blogging in 43 states. The mother of three children in their 20s, Kathy lives in Tehachapi, CA with her beloved horses, dog and cats.