Our story

Heartwell grew from my lifelong love of horses and my own healing journey. I’m Chantal Russell, and my connection with horses began in childhood—they were my joy and my greatest teachers. I could spend hours at the barn, breathing in the scent of hay and horses, feeling the world slow around me.Their strength and grace captivated me, but it was their quiet presence and the sense of home I felt beside them that never left me.

As I got older, the demands of adulthood pulled me away from horses. City life, travel, building a business, and raising a family filled my days, and in the process, I became caught up in the hustle of modern life. I pushed forward, often ignoring the wisdom of my body and heart, driven by productivity and external expectations. In those years apart from horses, I lost touch with the deep, intuitive connection I had once felt—with them and with myself.

It wasn’t until I faced a pivotal moment years later—undergoing chemotherapy for cancer—that horses returned to my life in a profound way. During my health struggles, I discovered that these magnificent beings could provide insights to the healing and connection I was longing for. Their intuitive nature and gentle presence not only offered me comfort and strength, but also helped me remember who I truly was. I realized that my body had been speaking to me through my illness, and it was time to listen to its wisdom and guidance. It was during this transformative time that I attended my first equine-led healing session and experienced firsthand their incredible power to help us heal.

Since that time, I embarked on a journey of healing and self-discovery, learning what it truly means to be healthy. I discovered the importance of processing trauma and the profound impact of creating a resilient nervous system.

This exploration led me to reconnect with my soul, the essence of who I am and why I’m here. Through this journey, I’ve come to discover that true health is learning how to take care of and love every part of yourself, and embodying who you alone are here to be.

I am deeply committed to sharing this wisdom with others, guiding them to discover their own paths to wellness and reclaim their authentic selves.

At Heartwell, I am thrilled to combine my passions for wellness, nature, and the healing power of horses. I believe that these incredible beings are here to help raise our consciousness, awaken the sacred feminine, activate our emotional wisdom, and embody values of connection, reciprocity, and care; for ourselves, each other, and the earth. True healing happens in the heart, a deep well within us where all the love resides.

I invite you to join me at Heartwell, where you can experience a deeper sense of wholeness through equine-guided and nature based practices. Together, we’ll explore the transformative power of horses as they guide us back to our hearts, helping us uncover the wisdom and vibrancy that lies within.