From HORSEBACK in INDIA to Consulting in BELGIUM: SARAH’s Equestrian Path

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What’s it really like growing up as an expat kid—and how does that shape your future?

In this powerful episode, host Sabiya Pathan Withoeck sits down with Sarah Oliviers, a Belgian veterinary student, international show jumper, and tech founder, to share her incredible journey—from discovering horse riding in Pune, India, to launching a veterinary admin app called VACS.

 In Part 1, we cover:

• Sarah’s early days riding and competing in India—and how community shaped her passion.
• The cultural shift from collective sports in Asia to individual competition in Europe.
• Her academic transition back to Dutch-language university life in Belgium.
• How growing up between India, France, and Belgium built adaptability and depth.
• Lessons learned from training with Olympic-level riders—and what not to copy.
• Why the bond with her horses is non-negotiable.
• The story behind VACS: a startup born from frustrating vet bills and a gap in the market.

This is our first episode featuring an expat kid as the guest, not the subject—and Sarah’s story proves just how grounded, entrepreneurial, and insightful the next generation can be.

Key takeaway: Cross-cultural experiences don’t scatter identity—they sharpen it.

Don’t miss Part 2, where we go deeper into her entrepreneurial journey, startup development, and the future of vet tech in Europe.

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🎧 Available now on:
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Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1755695962
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