The Life You're Not Letting Yourself Try
You've been nudging yourself toward something. A new direction. A creative project. A pivot you keep talking yourself out of.
Sue Willoughby has been there — and she stopped talking herself out of it a long time ago.
In this episode of The emPOWERed Half Hour, Becca sits down with Sue Willoughby, a no-BS life coach and certified Equus Coach® who helps women over 40 stop white-knuckling life and start actually living it. Sue grew up with an alcoholic parent, came out at 17, spent years winging it through reinvention after reinvention — roller derby referee, real estate agent, corporate trainer for an aerospace company she grew to hate, skydiver — and eventually found her way back to the one thing that always grounded her: horses.
This conversation goes deep on what it actually takes to follow a path that doesn't make immediate sense. Why surrendering to what shows up is a practice, not a personality type. What it means to put on your beginner glasses and stop waiting until you feel ready. And why asking "What's the best that could happen?" is one of the most underused tools you have.
Sue also shares how she went from Equus coaching to launching a podcast — and why she's now helping others use their voices to build authority, deepen connection, and step into creative expression that actually fills them up.
In this episode:
Why horses cut through the stories we tell ourselves faster than most therapists can
What "following the breadcrumbs" looks like when you have no clear destination
The difference between trying something on and committing to it forever
How podcasting became an unexpected doorway — and what it opened
The Michael Singer reframe that shifted how Sue approaches fear
What's waiting on the other side of the question you're not asking yourself
Quotes from this episode:
"It's okay to put on your beginner glasses and be a beginner." – Sue Willoughby
"Ask yourself, what's the best that could happen from this moment or challenge, and how can I move toward that?" – Sue Willoughby
"If you're open to it, the universe will lead you where you need to be." – Sue Willoughby
"I think we, by nature, go to worst case." – Becca Powers
"When you follow the breadcrumbs, opportunities open that you didn't even know existed." – Becca Powers
About Sue Willoughby
Sue Willoughby is a no-BS life coach, certified Equus Coach®, and founder of Willoughby Coaching. She helps women over 40 break free from burnout and start living life on their terms — with a little guidance from horses. Sue coaches from her home near Seattle with her horse Moose, two mini Dachshunds, and a VW Bus named Arlo.
Connect with Sue:
Website: WilloughbyCoaching.com
Instagram: @SueWilloughby
Free podcast mini-series: Podcasting for Real Estate Pros (Apple and all major platforms)
Book a 30-min Discovery Call: https://calendly.com/willoughbycoaching/coaching-consult
Connect with Becca:
Website: https://www.beccapowers.com
Instagram: @beccapowers1313
LinkedIn: Becca Powers
Facebook: Becca Powers
Join the community:
The Dragonfly Effect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1C4z83krsn/
Get the book:
A Return to Radiance: https://www.beccapowers.com/a-return-to-radiance
Book Becca to speak: https://www.beccapowers.com/keynotes
Free resource:
The High Performer's Path eBook: https://www.beccapowers.com/
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Becca Powers: Welcome to another episode of The EmPOWERed Half Hour. I'm so excited to bring you today's guest. In our pre-talk, we discovered a lot of things in common, and I think she's going to be a blast to interview. I think you’ll get a lot of value from her. Let me go ahead and introduce Sue Willoughby. She is a midlife strategist. Sue, welcome to the show.
Sue Willoughby: Hey, Becca. Thank you so much for having me. I’m very excited to be here.
Becca Powers: Yeah, I'm excited too. In our pre-talk, we touched on something that really intrigued me. You mentioned your recent work in EQUUS coaching and how you’ve pivoted to helping real estate agents and midlife professionals start podcasts. I was like, oh, let’s talk about that. You also said something that resonated with me: everyone has a story. And I know that to be true. Listeners, you have a story in you. You don’t have to start a podcast, but I think this conversation might give you a new perspective on your experiences. Sue, could you share the backstory of your transition from EQUUS coaching to podcasting?
Awakening Self-Awareness Through Horses and Story
Sue Willoughby: The backstory is longer than that. I came to EQUUS coaching from growing up with an alcoholic parent and finding a place to be, which was with horses. Over the years, it evolved, and I didn’t realize at the time how much support I was getting from these amazing animals. If you’re open to it, the universe will lead you where you need to be. That led me to EQUUS coaching. I do one-on-one coaching using horses as a feedback loop. They are part of the conversation and help clients connect with what’s really going on inside them.
Becca Powers: There’s so much in that. One of the themes we often discuss on this podcast is regulation. Horses are helping to regulate your clients in a natural, animal-to-person way. Could you share more about that?
Sue Willoughby: Absolutely. Horses are prey animals, which people often don’t realize because they’re so big and majestic. Every cell in their body processes information to assess safety. They are also herd animals, constantly communicating with their herd and assessing their environment. Their senses are highly heightened. Horses have huge hearts, and they connect with humans on a very heart-centered level.
When it comes to regulation, they sense our breath, heart rate, and energy. They see through our facades. If a horse feels safe with a person, it assesses whether you’re a good leader, need to take control, or should stay away. They quickly peel back the layers of what we bury and bring people into their bodies. Being with a horse is a very somatic experience. Everything we’ve experienced in life is stored in our bodies, and horses give us alerts when something is off, prompting awareness rather than reaction.
Horses are also excellent teachers of leadership. In their herds, the calmest, most centered entity, often a mare, guides the group. They look to humans the same way, showing us how to embody calm and centered presence.
Becca Powers: That’s incredible. How does this translate into helping people with podcasting? Do clients gain a deeper sense of themselves and their story through this work?
Sue Willoughby: Absolutely. It’s all about relationships—how you show up with yourself and others. Horses don’t lie or judge. They don’t care about your appearance, your car, or what you’re wearing. Being with them allows clients to bring their true, authentic selves forward. This work exposes patterns, reactions, and feelings, helping people understand themselves better and be present.
Becca Powers: That’s amazing. I could spend hours on this, but let’s pivot to what you’re doing now. When people awaken to a sense of self and their relationships, they realize they’re more powerful than they thought. How does that bridge to your current work? What happens when someone embraces their story and sees the impact they can have?
Sue Willoughby: It’s about owning your story and building curiosity around it. Many women in midlife feel stuck—they’ve raised children or reached a career peak and wonder, what now? These questions spark awareness and curiosity to explore other options. People also often discount their past experiences, but those experiences are valuable. Owning your story opens the door to new possibilities.
Following Curiosity: Breadcrumbs, Midlife, and Discovery
Becca Powers: I love that. Tell me more.
Sue Willoughby: I’ve had a variety of experiences. I grew up kind of on my own, winging it and trying different things. I was always curious. I was a roller derby referee, I learned to fly a plane, I jumped out of a plane, and I drove in demolition derbies—just all these things.
Becca Powers: That’s cool.
Sue Willoughby: Yeah. I’ve never been afraid to try something new because I grew up in a household where comfort was discomfort. That was my comfort zone—I never knew what I was going to get. So why not try new things?
A lot of women, especially in midlife, lose that explorative part of themselves. They put it away, like digging through an old suitcase, wondering where that curiosity went. By doing all these things, I’m able to help women rediscover that curiosity and understand there’s so much out there.
Becca Powers: No, I actually brought it up for a reason because it really speaks to what midlife people are experiencing. I’m still career-focused, balancing corporate America and my own business. What opened me to these conversations was curiosity. I started writing again—not to sell a book or get coaching clients—but because I had a story I wanted to share. I love writing, and I called it My Beautiful Unfolding. That led me to a podcast and other creative projects.
Sue Willoughby: Exactly.
Becca Powers: That curiosity piece is so important. I don’t think we got off track at all.
Sue Willoughby: Okay.
Becca Powers: I love it.
Sue Willoughby: Back to your original question about how I got from here to there—it wasn’t a direct path. I was introduced to horses early on, which led me down one path. I moved cross-country, went back to school, got my AA degree, studied web and video production, and then entered corporate training. I had a six-figure career, which I never thought I would have, but I hated it. I was in a large corporation making airplanes in flight training—it sounded exciting, but it drained me.
Becca Powers: That’s true for a lot of people.
Sue Willoughby: Yeah. I went skydiving with some real estate friends and decided to walk away from that job. I went into real estate and just followed the breadcrumbs. I’ve had so many beautiful experiences along the way.
Becca Powers: Following the breadcrumbs is inspiring. Sometimes it’s scary, but it’s more fulfilling than living in someone else’s box of expectations.
Sue Willoughby: Exactly. I spent over a decade in real estate, got certified in EQUUS coaching, ran retreats, and always wanted to start a podcast. With my video and audio production background, plus my love for connecting with people, I eventually launched my podcast. I call it Midlife Strategies for Badass Women, which aligns with how I go through life. I love meeting people from all over the world, connecting with them, and hearing their stories.
Becca Powers: I believe that too. When it hits even one person, the impact is huge. You might get a DM saying, “I needed this,” or months later, “I listened and made a major change.” It’s powerful.
Sue Willoughby: Yeah, it really gets you right here.
Becca Powers: Exactly. There’s also a bigger piece here about discovery and curiosity. When you follow the breadcrumbs, opportunities open that you didn’t even know existed. It’s incredible to witness life through wonder instead of fear. That’s what I hear you saying.
Sue Willoughby: Yeah.
Podcasting, Curiosity, and Following the Breadcrumbs
Becca Powers: In between your words.
Sue Willoughby: Yeah, absolutely. There’s always going to be fear, but it’s self-imposed. I just finished a book by Michael Singer, The Surrender Experiment. It’s his story about how, when things are presented to you, your mind and ego immediately take over and say, “I don’t like that” or “I don’t want to do that,” rather than surrendering and seeing what happens. It’s a good practice—you don’t have to do anything big, but just try it.
Becca Powers: I love that.
Sue Willoughby: The podcasting thing led me to realize I wanted to bring it to more people. Starting a podcast is easy, but intimidating. With over a decade of real estate experience, I decided to start with real estate professionals. Traditional marketing—cold calling, door knocking—mostly doesn’t work anymore. Creating a podcast gives you authority, builds trust, and puts you in front of audiences that matter. You don’t have to be a Joe Rogan—you just connect with the people who want to connect with you.
I created a course called Podcasting for Real Estate Pros, a 21-episode free podcast with a workbook and integration guide so people can implement what they learn. If they need more help, I’m available. I’m also certified in podcast growth coaching, because I never stop learning.
Becca Powers: I have like a gazillion certifications too.
Sue Willoughby: Exactly. Follow the breadcrumbs—it leads somewhere. It’s not just for real estate agents; it’s about successfully starting and building a podcast.
Becca Powers: Let’s say someone is inspired to start a podcast. What’s on the other side for the host—beyond revenue?
Sue Willoughby: The biggest thing is that it gives you a platform to share your story. Solo podcasts can educate a specific niche. Interviews open your world and expand opportunities. It allows you to express yourself creatively and can even turn into a business. It’s a beautiful way to explore, connect, and create.
Becca Powers: I love that. During our pre-talk, I mentioned the show’s tagline: regulated, radiant, revived. You’ve hit all three—regulation and co-regulation with horses, following breadcrumbs as a way to tap into radiance, and the benefits of being a podcast host, which brings that revived feeling of expressing yourself.
Sue Willoughby: Happy to check those boxes.
Becca Powers: Normally I ask about passion, but the questions flowed naturally. Let’s end with this: what’s an empowering message for the listeners?
Sue Willoughby: First, build awareness. Then cultivate curiosity about what comes into your awareness. If something pulls your interest, put on your beginner glasses—it’s okay to be a beginner. People fear looking stupid or failing, but ask yourself: what’s the best that could happen? You don’t have to do it forever—you can try it on, like a new outfit. If it doesn’t fit, move on and see what’s next. Always be curious, always aware.
Becca Powers: That’s a great mic drop: what’s the best thing that could happen? Often we go to worst-case scenarios, but pausing to ask that can change everything.
Sue Willoughby: Exactly.
Becca Powers: Sue, 30 minutes flew by. How can listeners stay in touch?
Sue Willoughby: My website is WilloughbyCoaching.com, Instagram @SueWilloughby, and my free mini-series podcast, Podcasting for Real Estate Pros, is on Apple and other podcast platforms.
Becca Powers: Awesome. Thank you for being here—it was a pleasure to meet you and hear your stories.
Sue Willoughby: My pleasure. Thank you.
