I’m excited to share a conversation with the incredible Susan Bishop, the very person who held me accountable on my journey to mastering a pull-up in my 60s. Our talk isn’t just about fitness; it’s about resilience, mindset, and how to approach hard things one step at a time.
I first connected with Susan on Instagram and was impressed with her dedication to helping women, especially those over 50, build upper body strength and overcome the fear of trying new things. Thanks to her support and guidance, I went from doubting I could even hang from a bar to completing my first full pull-up, followed by a wide-grip pull-up, and feeling like Wonder Woman.
Susan’s journey to becoming a coach
Susan’s journey is just as inspiring. She didn’t start out as a yoga teacher and handstand coach. In fact, she has a background in mechanical engineering, having worked in plastic part design at Xerox before transitioning to high-tech sales and marketing. But movement was always part of her life, from windsurfing to hiking, tennis, and skiing. Eventually, yoga entered her world, though it wasn’t a smooth start.
“I went to my first yoga class in my early 20s in Seattle,” Susan shared. “It was a two-hour Iyengar class, and I hated it. The teacher kept adjusting me, and I just wanted to move. At the end, there was a 20-minute Savasana, and I thought I was going to explode out of my skin.”
But she gave it another chance, and yoga became her sanctuary. “It became my touchstone,” she said. “Especially during tough times, yoga helped me find my center again.”
Movement is instrumental to mental health
Susan’s passion for movement is deeply tied to mental health. “I always tell my students it’s not just about physical strength. It’s about learning how to approach hard things. It’s about patience, accountability, and building from the ground up.”
This philosophy resonates with me deeply, especially during moments of doubt or grief.
Why handstads matter beyond the aesthetic
For Susan, handstands are more than a party trick. They are a metaphor for life’s challenges. “It’s about facing fear, practicing your exit strategy, and learning how to stay safe while pushing your limits,” she explained.
During the pandemic, Susan pivoted to teaching online workshops, empowering hundreds of students worldwide to build strength and confidence one step at a time.
Managing injuries and setbacks
We both know that an active life sometimes comes with bumps and bruises, from rotator cuff tears to broken tailbones and herniated discs. Yet we agreed: movement is non-negotiable. “When I tore my shoulder rock climbing, I didn’t stop,” Susan said. “I moved around the injury, did what I could, and came back stronger.”
Fitting fitness into daily life
One of the highlights of our chat was how Susan’s approach to training fits into her life, and how that’s possible for everyone. “It might sound like I train all day,” she laughed. “But it’s about weaving movement into my life. I walk my dog twice a day, weight train a few times a week, and practice handstands for 20 minutes a day. It adds up, but it’s doable.”
Her message is that consistency beats intensity. Movement can fit into any schedule.
Nutrition and self-care
Nutrition and self-care are essential parts of Susan’s lifestyle. She is diligent about getting enough protein, taking key supplements like collagen, creatine, and vitamin D, especially important in the Pacific Northwest. Like me, she’s a big fan of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for managing menopause symptoms and maintaining strength. “It’s all part of taking care of yourself,” she said. “You have to make yourself a priority.”
My own pull-up journey
I shared with Susan how my own pull-up journey began with a conversation with Ginny Maccoll, the oldest female competitor to complete a Ninja Warrior course, who didn’t get her first pull-up until she was 63. I was 60 at the time of our conversation, and didn’t think it was possible for me, until later on, Susan told me which doorway bar to buy and offered to hold me accountable for my dead hangs. That accountability changed everything.
I never expected that one day I’d be doing three pull-ups (four at the time of this writing) and working on different grips and extending my arms more confidently.
The joy of doing something just for you
Susan summed it up perfectly: “Pull-ups and handstands are things we do 100 percent for ourselves. They’re about finding joy and a sense of accomplishment. There’s no judge, no medal: just you and your own progress.”
She reminded me, and all of us, that fitness is not just about looking a certain way or hitting a number; it’s about doing something you thought was impossible.
Gratitude and finding Susan Bishop online
We ended our conversation on a note of gratitude. “I want women to know they can reach out to me anytime,” Susan said. “I’m everyone’s biggest cheerleader.” I can certainly vouch for that. Susan cheers me and countless other women on daily.
If you’d like to learn more about Susan Bishop’s work, you can find her on Instagram at @SusanBishopYoga and online at susanbishopyoga.com. She offers private sessions, group classes, and endless encouragement to anyone ready to embrace the challenge of doing hard things.
Watch or listen to our full conversation on the YouTube podcast Your Best Age.
