If you've been craving a more soulful connection to your body, your intuition, and the way you lead your life—this episode is a breath of fresh air. It's not just about horses. It's about coming home to you.
I'm so delighted to bring you today's deeply moving conversation with transformational coach and equine guide, Sue Willoughby, founder of Willoughby Coaching and host of the Midlife Strategies for Badass Women podcast.
This episode explores something I've been fascinated by for years: the intuitive, spiritual, and healing power of horses—and how they reflect back to us the truth of who we are. My closest friends are horse women. I love the whole intuitive aspect of horses and how they teach us the importance of being grounded, authentic, and transparent.
From my early mentor Kendall Summerhawk's teachings in her book Brilliance Unbridled, to Sue's equine-assisted coaching practice, I've witnessed again and again how horses become sacred mirrors of our inner lives.
They teach us about leadership, presence, boundaries, and the wisdom of being in a "herd"—a community where everyone matters and connection is everything.
Sue brings her lived wisdom, humor, resilience, and story to this episode in a way that's both grounding and inspiring. She shares candidly about her path:
· Growing up in hardship and learning to self-soothe through her bond with horses
· Coming out gay as a young woman and navigating her identity through decades of growth and reinvention
· Saying yes to risk, creativity, and change—leaving behind a 6-figure job to follow her calling
· How skydiving became the metaphor (and literal leap!) into her next career
And at the heart of her message is this powerful truth: Horses are intuitive, present, and emotionally honest. When we partner with them, they help us become the same.
You'll also learn:
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What equine-assisted coaching actually looks like in practice
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Why Sue believes working with horses is not just healing—but life-changing for many women in midlife
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How horses sense and reflect back our incongruence, helping us re-align with our intuition
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The power of somatic awareness in decision-making
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Her involvement in the documentary film Rescued Hearts and what it revealed to her about communal healing
Sue's work guides women from feeling burned out and boxed in to becoming resilient, radiant, and unshakable.
Sue's secondary focus and passion is real estate and podcasting. She teaches real estate investors and realtors how to build a podcast platform for their brand. She's offering you a robust free workbook and download to begin that journey for yourself. Links below.
Tune in now on Spotify, Apple, Amazon Music, YouTube or iHeart Radio.
Let this be your invitation to reinvent your success metrics through presence, community, and intuitive trust.
Resources + Links:
FB: willoughbycoaching
Instagram: sue_willoughby
LinkedIn: suewilloughby
-Sue's newsletter, tips: https://willoughbycoaching.com
-Download Sue's free gift in our Portal of Joy: Podcasting for Real Estate Pros" Series + Companion Workbook. Access in the Portal of Joy https://marladiann.com/podcast/portal
Exclusive access to all 21 episodes of Podcasting for Real Estate Pros: Attract Clients, Build Trust, and Stand Out in a Crowded Market—along with the official Companion Workbook to guide your journey. The lessons apply to any entrepreneur ready to add podcasting to their marketing arsenal.
Loved this episode? Unlock all the tools, downloads, and featured guest resources at the Portal of Joy: https://marladiann.com/podcast/portal
Book your Soul-Led Next Chapter call with Marla: https://tinyurl.com/soul-led-call
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