Unlock Peak Performance – Exclusive Interview With Susan L Williams
- Brainz Magazine
- Dec 5, 2023
- 6 min read
Dr. Susan L Williams, also known as Dr. Sue, is a pioneering clinical hypnotherapist with a unique expertise spanning athletes, sports teams, executives, and entrepreneurs. In her thriving practice, now in its fourth year, Dr. Sue employs innovative hypnotherapy techniques to help athletes overcome barriers such as negative mindsets, limiting beliefs, and the psychological impact of injuries and setbacks. She also empowers executives and entrepreneurs to overcome self-doubt and ingrained limitations, guiding them towards achieving a 'millionaire mindset'. Her approach shows that hypnosis caters to different audiences and the core methods are complementary and equally transformative.
Susan L Williams, Clinical Hypnotherapist
Introduce yourself! Please tell us about you and your life, so we can get to know you better.
Hello! I'm Sue Williams, and I wear quite a few hats that make my life both exciting and fulfilling. Professionally, I'm a Doctor of Quantum Counselling and Clinical Hypnotherapist, fields that fuel my passion for helping others achieve their best selves. But that's just one part of my story.
At home, I'm a doting grandmother to four incredible grandchildren who brighten every day with their laughter and curiosity. They've taught me as much about life as I hope to teach them.
My love for competition and the great outdoors comes alive in my equestrian pursuits. I'm not just a horse lover; I'm an active competitive rider, sharing a deep bond with my four majestic horses. Each ride is a journey, bringing challenges and triumphs that keep me grounded and connected to nature.
My life is a tapestry of guiding others through hypnotherapy, cherishing family moments, and embracing the thrill of horse riding. These diverse aspects of my life blend together, creating a unique and fulfilling journey that I'm excited to share with you.
Can you provide some background on how Sport Hypnotherapy was founded and what motivated you to start this business?
Throughout my journey as a competitive horse rider, I discovered the power of self-hypnosis. It was a game-changer for me, helping to break through limiting beliefs and bolster my health. At equestrian events, I couldn't help but notice many talented women riders who were held back by fear and anxiety. Despite their skills, negative comments and self-doubt were their biggest hurdles. This struck a chord with me, and I was inspired to train as a hypnotherapist. I knew firsthand how transformative hypnotherapy could be in shifting a negative mindset. Initially focusing on riders like myself, I soon realized the benefits could extend to all athletes and sporting teams. That's how Sport Hypnotherapy came to life, offering a helping hand to sportspeople across a wide range of sports. Could you elaborate on the specific services and programs offered by Sport Hypnotherapy? How do these services cater to individuals involved in sports or those seeking performance enhancement?
At my Sport Hypnotherapy practice, I've embraced technology so I am able to reach my clients wherever they are. My hypnotherapy sessions are conducted via Zoom, each lasting about two hours. These sessions are deeply personalized, aimed at uncovering and addressing the root causes of our clients' challenges. I've seen remarkable success in helping athletes overcome setbacks, injuries, and motivational lows. Through my sessions, athletes can reignite their passion, return to peak performance, and recover both their physical health and sporting ambitions.
For equestrians, I offer something special—a comprehensive mentoring program. It's not just about mental sharpness through hypnotherapy; I also provide sport-specific exercise and nutritional guidance. This program is flexible, available both on Zoom and in person, and is fully tailored to each individual's needs. Spanning three months, it offers sustained support, helping equestrians achieve their goals and stay at the top of their game Are there any notable success stories or testimonials from clients who have benefited from Sport Hypnotherapy's services? How do you measure and celebrate the success of your clients?
My clients' journeys and transformations are the heart of what I do at Sport Hypnotherapy. Their stories are a testament to the power of this approach. For instance, one of our equestrian clients overcame long-standing competition anxiety, finding new confidence and joy in riding. Their gratitude for the personalized guidance in addressing deep-seated issues is a common thread in the feedback we receive.
Another client, initially skeptical about hypnosis, discovered its healing potential. Their journey with us led to significant improvements in various areas of their life, a change they describe as both profound and impactful.
The versatility of our hypnotherapy is further highlighted by clients from different sports. A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner shared how their session helped overcome barriers in training, competing, and coaching. This breakthrough in removing negative thoughts and limiting beliefs underscores the effectiveness of our approach.
I also have clients who sought help for psychological patterns, like unhealthy eating habits. One client reflected on how our sessions unveiled subconscious reasons behind their habits, leading to conscious and healthier eating choices—a transformation they describe as life-changing.
At Sport Hypnotherapy, I celebrate these stories as milestones in my clients' personal and sporting lives. Their successes are my successes, and each testimony fuels my commitment to helping more people achieve their full potential. How do you see the integration of hypnotherapy with sports performance, and what inspired you to focus on this unique niche?
Hypnotherapy and sports performance are a natural fit. The mental aspect of sports is often as crucial as the physical. Hypnotherapy taps into this by helping athletes overcome mental barriers, enhance focus, and boost confidence. My inspiration to specialize in this niche came from my own experiences as a competitive horse rider. I witnessed many athletes struggle not just physically but mentally. Realizing the transformative impact of hypnotherapy in my life, I saw an opportunity to help others in the sports arena to achieve their peak performance and overcome their mental hurdles. In today's digital age, how does Sport Hypnotherapy leverage technology to make your services more accessible, especially for clients who may not be geographically close to your physical location?
In the digital age, Sport Hypnotherapy harnesses the power of technology to bridge geographical gaps, offering my services via Zoom. This approach not only makes our hypnotherapy sessions accessible to clients worldwide but also maintains, if not enhances, their effectiveness compared to in-person sessions. The comfort and familiarity of one's own environment can often facilitate a deeper level of engagement and openness during hypnotherapy. By leveraging Zoom, I ensure that distance is no longer a barrier to accessing specialized support for enhancing sports performance and mental wellbeing. What are the future plans for Sport Hypnotherapy? Are there any upcoming developments, new services, or expansions in the pipeline?
Sport Hypnotherapy is poised for exciting growth. My immediate focus is on expanding my online presence, making my specialized services more accessible to a global audience. By enhancing my digital footprint, I aim to connect with more athletes and sports enthusiasts who can benefit from remote hypnotherapy. Additionally, I’m exploring the development of new programs and services tailored to diverse sporting disciplines. These future offerings will integrate the latest in hypnotherapy techniques and sports science, ensuring my clients receive cutting-edge support. The goal is not just to grow my practice, but to continually evolve and innovate in ways that empower my clients in their sporting and personal endeavours.
Tell us about your greatest career achievement so far.
My greatest career achievement lies in building Sport Hypnotherapy from the ground up into a specialized practice with a unique focus, particularly for equestrians. The journey from inception to where it stands today, as a leader in this niche, is something I take immense pride in. There's a special fulfillment in knowing that there are few hypnotherapists offering what I do, especially with such a targeted approach for horse riders. The pinnacle of this achievement, however, is reflected in the successes of my clients. Witnessing them overcome personal hurdles and excel in their sporting careers, achieving things they once thought impossible, is profoundly rewarding. It's a testament to the power of tailored hypnotherapy and the resilience of the human spirit If you could change one thing about your industry, what would it be and why?
If I could change one aspect of the hypnotherapy industry, it would be the widespread misconceptions surrounding it. There's a significant need for greater public education about the true nature and benefits of clinical hypnotherapy, distinguishing it clearly from stage hypnosis. Clinical hypnotherapy is a scientifically-backed, therapeutic tool that can profoundly assist in overcoming negativity, managing physical ailments, and enhancing overall well-being. Dispelling skepticism and misinformation would not only elevate the industry but also enable more people to access and benefit from this powerful modality for personal and athletic growth. Tell us about a pivotal moment in your life that brought you to where you are today.
A pivotal moment in my life that steered me towards where I am today was my introduction to hypnosis about a decade ago. Initially, I explored self-hypnosis as a personal tool, and it had a profound impact. It not only aided in my weight loss journey and improved my sleep quality, but it also significantly enhanced my horse riding performance. Experiencing these transformative effects firsthand ignited a passion in me. It led me to delve deeper into the field, eventually guiding me to become a clinical hypnotherapist. This journey, sparked by my own positive outcomes, fuelled my desire to help others achieve similar breakthroughs in their lives and sports careers.
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