Episode 256: The Healing Power of Horses with Equus Coach Sue Willoughby
If you've been feeling this pressure as you're aging 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. That's what today's guest, Sue Willoughby, does as she works with Equus Coaching.
She brings actual horses into the coaching process, because horses have this incredible, profound ability to help human beings heal. And 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 their obstacles and change the trajectory of their lives through the power of Equus Coaching.
Equus Coaching emphasizes the profound impact of non-verbal communication and self-awareness as clients engage with horses, gaining insights into their leadership, communication style, and personal growth. Sue took great comfort in working with horses during some of the darkest, most difficult periods of her life, and she now finds fulfillment in being the kind of mentor she wished she had in the past.
Path to coaching with horses
Sue says horses have always played a key role in her life. She had opportunities to do equine therapy as a volunteer in camps, and one thing led to another.
“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 that they are able to 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 I can’t afford it. I’m too old. No one’s going to buy anything from me.
“There's so many things that we've told ourselves over the years, you know, we're not good enough. We're not smart enough, we're not rich enough, we're not pretty enough … we're not whatever it is. We have, you know, ingrained in ourselves all these stories that are on a loop. So the biggest thing is to break that loop,” says Sue.
Sue says whether it’s a financial situation, or maybe leaving a toxic relationship, a lot of coaching people through it is helping people to question themselves in a way 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?
Magic of horses
Sue says magical really is a great word to describe horses. As prey animals, horses are alert and awake at all times, even when they are 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.
Making big changes midlife
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. So, for anyone who might have felt stuck in a situation, there are options and opportunities. In Sue’s case, she’s able to collaborate and offer retreats with any horse – not just her own, and she clarifies there is no horse riding while doing the coaching, so no experience is necessary.
Mentioned in this episode
- The Go Giver Series
- Free 30-day workbook/blueprint on how to embrace discomfort and step out of your comfort zone.
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