When life breaks you open, what do you do next?
In this emotional and empowering episode of Midlife Strategies for Badass Women, Sue sits down with author, adventurer, and travel coach Becky Livingston, who turned unimaginable grief into a 26-month global journey of healing and rediscovery.
After the loss of her 23-year-old daughter, Becky honored her daughter’s final wish to keep traveling the world—carrying her ashes to nine countries and leaving a piece of her spirit in each place. That pilgrimage became the fou...
When life breaks you open, what do you do next?
In this emotional and empowering episode of Midlife Strategies for Badass Women, Sue sits down with author, adventurer, and travel coach Becky Livingston, who turned unimaginable grief into a 26-month global journey of healing and rediscovery.
After the loss of her 23-year-old daughter, Becky honored her daughter’s final wish to keep traveling the world—carrying her ashes to nine countries and leaving a piece of her spirit in each place. That pilgrimage became the foundation of her award-winning memoir, The Suitcase and the Jar, and her life’s work: helping women rediscover themselves through slow, intentional travel.
✨ In this episode:
- How travel became a tool for healing after loss
- Why solo travel in midlife is the ultimate act of courage
- How slowing down can help you reconnect with yourself
- The secret to meaningful travel: start with why, not where
- What it really means to live fully after heartbreak
Whether you’re navigating loss, longing for freedom, or just ready to step out of your comfort zone, this conversation is a soul-stirring reminder that it’s never too late to begin again.
🌍 Learn more at http://www.beckylivingston.com
📚 Read The Suitcase and the Jar: Travels with a Daughter’s Ashes - https://a.co/d/7q5iLbX
📱 Follow Becky on Socials
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beckylivingston23/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/vitaltraveljourneysforwomen
🌟 Special Offer (10% discount on a 1-hour consult) Journey Clarity Consult Link: https://buy.stripe.com/14k6qW4m13Zd7VCcMM Use Code: BADASS10
Chapters
[00:00:00] Opening: silence, loneliness and mourning
[00:01:03] Episode Presentation and Theme
[00:02:53] Welcome Becky to the show
[00:03:23] Loss of Rachel and the Book
[00:07:27] Diary and blog during the trip
[00:09:01] Photos and index cards as a guide
[00:10:12] How the Journey Unfolded
[00:12:59] India and the Taj Mahal
[00:14:17] Finding Hardness and Minimalism
[00:16:23] Grief: Silence and Solitude Needed
[00:19:00] India without calm; Tasmania arrives
[00:21:26] Slow Travel Philosophy
[00:23:28] Favorite stay: Tasmania
[00:26:10] Ad break: podcast miniseries
[00:27:43] Book to travel coaching
[00:31:33] How you work with women
[00:35:46] Solo vs. group and meet people
[00:39:23] Local guides and eating alone
[00:42:18] Social Conditioning and Perception
[00:43:19] Security and Hosting Choices
[00:46:09] Immersion vs. hotel; example Vietnam
[00:49:02] It's about them, not us
[00:51:36] Self-awareness and boxing analogy
[00:53:02] Slow Travel, Housesitting and Care
[00:56:10] Intention First: The "Why"
[00:57:24] Holiday Culture: USA vs Europe
[00:58:23] How to contact Becky
[00:59:54] Call to action and partial closure
[01:01:01] Rachel's final message
[01:02:18] Farewell to the episode
FOLLOW and CONNECT
Website - https://www.willoughbycoaching.com/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/willoughbycoaching/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sue_willoughby/
Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/suewilloughby/
Thanks to my amazing Producer and Editor Jess Grace Garcia (they/them) of Springwood Productions. https://www.springwoodproductions.com/
If you want to start your own podcast feel free to reach out to us. Jess and I would love to help you on your journey to sharing your story and passion.
#LifeWorthBeing #Transformation #LifeCoach #Women #Empowerment #PersonalGrowth #InnerStrength #PurposefulLiving #MidlifeTransformation #Mindfulness #Mindset #SelfDiscovery #WomenEmpowerment #midlifestrategies
🔥 Welcome to Midlife Strategies for Badass Women
🔥 I’m Sue Willoughby—Badass Midlife Strategist, life coach, and your partner in breaking rules, rewriting the script, and thriving unapologetically after 40. This channel is for women who are DONE playing small. If you’re ready to ditch the “shoulds,” reclaim your power, and live a bold, joyful, purpose-driven life—you’re in the right place.
Each week, you’ll get real talk, raw stories, and badass strategies to help you:
✨ Smash through self-doubt and limitations
✨ Reclaim your confidence and clarity
✨ Build resilience and embrace reinvention
✨ Create a midlife that feels authentic, aligned, and f*cking powerful
This isn’t just a podcast—it’s a movement. A community of women who are tired of waiting and ready to step into their next-level life, unapologetically.
👉 Hit subscribe so you never miss an episode. Let’s rise, rebel, and reinvent midlife—together.
