The Healing Power of Horses with Equus Coach Sue Willoughby

If you've been feeling this pressure as you age to stay the same, if you've been feeling stuck, like "this is it," today's episode will help you start to see beyond what you think is possible in a way that could change how you spend your life on a daily basis. I know that sounds grandiose. But what if we could take that step by step and actually cause it to happen? Today's guest, Sue Willoughby, does that as she works with Equus Coaching. She brings horses into the coaching process because horses have a profound ability to help people heal. They do that because they know the truth, they sense it, they feel it, and they know when a human being is not actually saying what's happening on the inside. Sue Willoughby is the founder of Willoughby Coaching, where women over 40 confront obstacles and change their lives' trajectories through Equus Coaching. "I've always been in sort of a leadership role and a mentor role," says Sue. "That background combined with the horses just really resonated with me. Horses are so intuitive. They've helped me so much in my life. I want to bring that to other people." Finding the window or door outside of a person's comfort zone so they can step out of a place of fear—be it fear of success or failure or even just knowing where to begin—can be broken down into small steps. If you have a dream or desire that feels too big, the usual objections might sound like you can't afford it. I'm too old. No one's going to buy anything from me. Sue says whether it's a financial situation or maybe leaving a toxic relationship, a lot of coaching involves asking people to question themselves so that they can understand what's really going on behind the story. Where did that story you're telling yourself come from, and is it the truth? The magic of horses can help people she coaches be more vulnerable. As prey animals, horses are always alert and awake, even when calmly grazing in a field. They have amazing intuition and survival skills. "So being in their presence really brings people out of their head and back into their bodies," says Sue. "I can see the emotion. Can you sit with that and tell me where it's coming from? Where did it originate? And horses, you know, they feel they're very comforting, and they will mirror what they're getting from you." Horses respond to the truth within, not the truth coming out of your mouth. Horses can sense when you're not being congruent. "So it really puts people in a big place of vulnerability to be with a horse," says Sue, who also offers retreats. Sue believes midlife is one of the best times to make big changes. Whether you've had some longevity in your career or raised a family, it's that natural point in our lives where, after taking care of others for so long, the question becomes, what do you want for the next 10 years of your life? There are so many resources available now to women. Options and opportunities exist for anyone who might have felt stuck in a situation. In Sue's case, she's able to collaborate and offer retreats with any horse—not just her own. She clarified that no horse is riding while she is coaching, so no experience is necessary. Mentioned in this episode: The Go-Giver Series: https://amzn.to/4elOx8k Free 30-day workbook/blueprint on how to embrace discomfort and step out of your comfort zone: https://willoughby-coaching.myflodesk.com/podcastgift Connect with Sue Willoughby: https://www.willoughbycoaching.com/ Other GoG episodes you might want to check out: Ready to Reinvent Yourself? https://sarahwalton.com/reinvent-yourself/ The 5 Stages of Healing https://sarahwalton.com/stages-of-healing/ You can check out our podcast interviews on YouTube, too! http://bit.ly/YouTubeSWalton Thank you so much for listening. I'm so honored that you're here and would be so grateful if you could leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts by clicking here, scrolling to the bottom, and clicking “Write a review.” Then we’ll get to inspire even more people! (If you’re not sure how to leave a review, you can watch this quick tutorial.) #EquineTherapy #HorseTherapy #EquusCoach #HealingWithHorses #AskExpert #BusinessCoach #IntuitiveCoach #WomenInBusiness