Today we’d like to introduce you to Sue Bidstrup.
Hi Sue, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
All blessings in my life have started with a Great Big YES! One example is when we moved to Austin. We moved to Austin eight years ago after a lifetime in Chicago. We took a huge leap of faith and we are so glad we did! My husband and I moved with our three kids and at the time, they were 16, 14 and 11. It was not easy but we knew it was the right thing. Moving is a transformative experience. It’s life-changing from the moment you decide to do it. It requires an optimism to say ‘YES” to a new thing and it teaches you to trust God.
I remember praying before we moved and feeling a lightness about Austin. We had never been here before but when I imagined it, there was a feeling of light (sun) and lightness (lack of burden). Maybe it’s because I used to be a yoga instructor but I’m all about tuning into your body and how it feels when you imagine saying “YES” to a new thing.
My company is called Great Big YES. I’m a life coach for women who are ready to start something new. Maybe they are ready to launch a business or finally write that book they have dreamed of writing. Maybe they want to run for office or start a family or move to a new city. Maybe they are an artist and want to take the leap and share their work with the world. There are so many options! So many dreams! Each one of us is uniquely designed to have a positive impact in the world. My passion is helping women move past any limiting thoughts so they can say “YES” to creating a life they are excited about!
Some women don’t know what they want to do. I help them lean into the way God made them by asking questions and getting them to think about their gifts, talents, interests, their sense of humor, their experiences, their challenges, the way they relate to people. It’s a discovery process and it’s exciting! It doesn’t always lead to launching something. Maybe you want to learn to rest or take control of your health or dive more deeply into your spirituality or invest more deeply in your relationships. It’s about saying “YES” to your life, your purpose, your legacy. It’s about living a life of meaning, living with intention.
I decided to become a certified life coach in 2019 because I wanted more. I didn’t want to strive and hustle for a paycheck doing something I’m not passionate about. I was ready to root down into my original design and my foundation of faith and embrace who I am and what I’m here for! I realized I love encouraging people, inspiring people and helping them get unstuck so they can take action! I am most fulfilled when I can help others see and embrace their potential. I want this to be my legacy. I believe when we say “YES”, it starts a ripple effect. We show others what is possible. We embody freedom and joy! We inspire others to take action. We draw others into the larger story of the collective “YES” where we are all living with passion and purpose!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
There is no smooth road. The struggles are what strengthen us and build resilience. It’s in the times we feel weak that we learn to lean on God and for me, that’s where the power lies. When I was newly married and living in Chicago, I was held up at gunpoint. I experienced PTSD and it was awful. I was terrified. But from that horrific experience, I was led to a doctor who taught me about breathing and yoga. I started practicing yoga and found freedom and healing. I eventually became an instructor and 25 years after my incident, I was trained to teach trauma-informed yoga and I was able to share that healing practice with survivors of sex trafficking. It was a full-circle moment. That God would find a way to use my awful experience to give me insight, awareness, and faith that would allow me to step out and help others just blows me away. That experience started me on the path of my life’s work of helping women move forward.
As a mom, I’ve had several challenges, as we all do. As a family, we have dealt with learning disabilities, ADHD, anxiety, dyslexia, sensory issues. At the time, this all feels extremely overwhelming but you make it through. I needed to learn to ask for help and I had to seek out people who could walk alongside us and figure out how to best help our kids. These challenges helped us see things differently, to appreciate the way our kids are designed, to see their unique gifts, to encourage them even if they don’t fit someone else’s expectations, to love them and pour into them in a way that is unique to each child and what they need. It made me more compassionate and understanding and helped me get out of the “hurry” mode. We had to take our time, be intentional. That was a gift. I was also able to connect with other parents who were in the same boat. All part of teaching me about walking together on this journey. And now, one of my priorities in my coaching practice is to help people feel they are not alone. We need each other.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I call myself a “YES Coach” because I help women say “YES” to creating a life of meaning and purpose!
What sets me apart from others is my faith in God. I believe that we are all worthy, we don’t have to hustle for our worthiness. We are all purposed, our life matters and we are here for a reason. We are all gifted, God gave us unique gifts so we can serve the world. We start from this foundation. We have hope. We move forward with courage and joyful anticipation because of our faith.
I host a podcast where I’ve interviewed several women who have said “YES” to living a greater calling in their life. It’s so inspiring to hear their stories!
I offer one on one coaching. I offer in person and online coaching so I’m open to people outside of Texas as well.
I also offer online courses and group coaching. Check website for current offerings.
I’m most proud of the community of women who I’ve worked with who have discovered they are capable of so much more then they ever knew. The women who are SHOWING UP 100% FOR THEIR LIVES!!!
What do you like and dislike about the city?
I love the music! My husband and I love to go hear live music! We have season tickets to the ACL tapings and it is my most favorite thing we do here! And you can’t beat the weather!
Contact Info:
- Email: greatbigyes1@gmail.com
- Website: greatbigyes.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greatbigyes/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SueBidstrupGreatbigyes
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.
com/show/ 1263E7xF7XdmkZXTkkmFTS?si= Qo4A1pffSmaz_HEh–dMDQ - Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.
apple.com/us/podcast/great- big-yes/id1150494810
Image Credits
Jenna Lester Photography (took the personal photo and 5 of the other photos but not all of them).
