Podcast: Project Candor: Ordinary People. Unexpected Stories
Episode: When the Stakes Are Real with Silvia Rizzo | Ship’s Log #55
Host: Jeanne Andersen
Episode date: 29 October 2026
Duration: 50 minutes
About This Conversation
What do a Grand Prix dressage horse, a Ducati motorcycle, a life-changing business offer, and an extraordinary evening in Qatar have in common?
More than you might imagine.
In this episode of Project Candor, I joined Jeanne Andersen for a conversation that took us far beyond the usual questions about leadership and high performance.
We talked about the experiences, decisions, and unexpected opportunities that have shaped my life, from international dressage competitions to business, motorcycles, fashion, and the very different personalities of the five horses I work with every day.
And we explored something that has always mattered to me: the difference between doing something well and creating something truly memorable.
Five Horses. Five Personalities. Five Different Challenges.
One of my favourite parts of this conversation was introducing Jeanne to the five horses at Hof Marabunta.
Each has a completely different personality.
There is Ducati, my Grand Prix partner, whose extraordinary energy must be combined with precision.
There is the more reserved stallion who keeps so much inside until he enters the competition arena.
There are the younger horses, each with their own talents, challenges, and ambitions.
And there is a mare whose transformation over the past year has been particularly meaningful to me.
She arrived with very little confidence in people. Today, the connection we have developed allows her to approach situations that once frightened her.
Working with horses teaches you something that no qualification or professional title can guarantee.
They respond to who you are, how you communicate, and what you do consistently.
And that is a lesson that extends far beyond sport.
Two Ducatis. One Passion for Performance.
Of course, Jeanne couldn’t resist asking about Ducati.
Not only my Grand Prix horse, but also the Italian motorcycle brand with which I have had the pleasure of collaborating.
We talked about a recent four-day motorcycle experience across the Netherlands, including the unpredictable Dutch weather, the filming, and the special moment of bringing my horse Ducati together with a Ducati motorcycle.
For me, riding a motorcycle and riding a horse share something important.
They demand presence.
Not the kind of concentration you have to force, but the natural focus that comes when you are completely engaged in what you are doing.
The Second Step Is the One That Matters
During our conversation, we also explored why I believe the second step can be much harder than the first.
Starting something new often comes with excitement, curiosity, and enthusiasm.
Continuing when the first difficulties appear is another matter.
This is where the internal structure we develop through experience, mistakes, and personal values becomes essential.
We discussed why pressure reveals rather than creates character, how emotional reactions can turn one mistake into two, and why credibility depends so much on what happens after something goes wrong.
We also talked about a risk that I believe is frequently underestimated.
Sometimes the biggest risk is giving up just before the result arrives.
Developing a horse to Grand Prix level has taught me that meaningful achievements require time.
And the absence of an immediate result does not necessarily mean that we are following the wrong path.
The Stories Behind the Stories
Then the conversation took a completely different direction.
Jeanne invited me to play Two Truths and a Lie.
Three stories. Two true. One invented.
One involved a young horse, an extraordinary financial offer, and my decision to believe in his potential rather than accept immediate certainty.
Another took us to Qatar, where a specially designed mirror helmet created with KEP Italia led to an unexpected invitation after a competition.
And the third?
Well, that one is worth discovering by listening to the episode.
Along the way, we also talked about an exclusive Italian jewellery presentation, beautiful fashion, private events, and experiences that sometimes feel almost like scenes from a film.
These are all very different worlds.
But I have never believed that we must limit ourselves to just one.
My Thoughts
What I particularly enjoyed about this conversation was Jeanne’s curiosity.
She wasn’t interested only in achievements or professional titles.
She wanted to know what happens behind them.
Why I made certain decisions. Why I refused certain opportunities. What my horses have taught me. Why I love motorcycles. And what makes me continue looking for new challenges.
There was room for serious reflection, unexpected stories, laughter, and even a little suspense.
And perhaps that is what makes this episode particularly personal.
I don’t believe that a life has to follow one single direction to have meaning.
Sport, business, fashion, motorcycles, and coaching may appear to be completely different activities.
For me, they are different ways of expressing the same approach to life.
Curiosity. Commitment. Individuality. The willingness to explore something new.
And the determination to make the experience worthwhile.
Because doing something well is important. But creating something memorable is what makes the difference.
When the Stakes Are Real with Silvia Rizzo | Ship’s Log #55
Project Candor: Ordinary People. Unexpected Stories
Hosted by Jeanne Andersen.
A 50-minute conversation filled with personal stories, unexpected experiences, leadership insights, and a few surprises.
Listen on Project Candor / Buzzsprout.
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