Today we’d like to introduce you to Megan Vanderslice.
Hi Megan, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My story and my challenges could be wrapped into one! I was born blind in one eye with a congenital cataract. The doctors said that there was nothing they could do and I have been overcoming obstacles ever since. I begged to ride horses, and I couldn’t convince my parents to let me until I wrote a letter to a young rider’s magazine asking for advice on how to talk my parents into letting me ride. Pretty soon after, their mailbox was full of letters from people all over the country helping me convince them to let me ride. Off we went to riding lessons and I’ve never looked back.
Growing up with half my sight was difficult, but I had the greatest role model I could have ever asked for in my older brother, Bryan. As a baby, he was diagnosed with several congenital heart defects. He fought for his life each and every day. We were closer than most siblings because we walked through life-fighting for his life together. Bryan was the epitome of making the best out of anything. His diagnosis was always dire, but he never let it affect how he lived his life. He taught me how to see the best in everything and everyone. We both loved horses and they were our refuge when life got tough. When I decided to start my own business, he was one of my biggest supporters. I am who I am today because of the confidence and work ethic that Bryan and my parents instilled in me. I recently lost my brother and it has left a devastating hole in my life. He was my other half and best friend. I’m working to find my new normal without him and honor him with how I live my life.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My biggest obstacle in my life is having health problems with a highly demanding and physical career. I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s (an autoimmune thyroid disorder) a few years ago. I’ve never been very healthy but never could find out why. After being misdiagnosed for years, I finally got answers. I’ve got a lot stacked against me, but I do not know how to quit. I just dig deeper when I need to!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
MVP Performance Horses is based out of Aubrey, Texas and we specialize in AQHA and APHA all-around horses. I started riding horses as a kid in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and haven’t stopped since!
I think what sets me apart is that I consider the whole horse in my training. Some horses come to me with a past history and it’s my job to take what they know and build off of it. Sometimes there’s some tearing down to do before rebuilding but that’s what makes my job so enjoyable. I get to form a partnership with these amazing animals and help them reach their highest potential.
Another thing that sets my apart from others is that I enjoy taking inexperienced or young kids and getting to shape them into the riders (and people) that they will become. I take a lot of pride in getting to build the next generation of riders and teaching them what I know. There is nothing more gratifying than to see someone succeed knowing that you helped them along the way!
I am so proud of the mentality of my MVP barn. All of my kids and riders are a team and cheer each other on. There is no room for selfishness or negativity in life, and I want my barn to reflect that to everyone, inside or outside of it.
Contact Info:
- Email: Mvphorses@gmail.com
- Instagram: Mvpperformancehorses
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/MvpPerformanceHorses/
Image Credits
Gohorseshow.com
Larry Williams photography
Rachel Griffen photography
