This is a deeply personal story, but if I’m not willing to be vulnerable with you, how can I expect my clients to open up to me? I want to start by saying that any habit or lifestyle choice I discuss comes from a place of understanding, not judgment, shame, or guilt. I share this experience in the hope that it resonates with someone who needs to hear it.
While my story revolves around alcohol, the insights I’ve gained apply to any habit you might want to change. If you’re here, there’s likely something in your life that feels misaligned, something you wish to reassess. I encourage you to stay with me – you may find the perspective you need to start making a change.
Where It All Began
As a child, alcohol was a normal, ever-present part of life. My parents brewed their own beer, experimented with homemade elderberry wine, and made sure drinks flowed generously at every gathering. I have vivid memories of my father topping up glasses without hesitation, ensuring the atmosphere remained lively and abundant. It was just what people did.
One particular childhood memory stands out: we went on a camping holiday, bringing along a beer-making kit and brewing it in a makeshift toilet tent. (Don’t worry – there was no toilet in there!) The message I internalised from these experiences was clear: drinking was a normal, everyday part of life.
Even as a child, though, I had an inkling that my parents’ habits weren’t entirely healthy. At 12 years old, I told my father that he wouldn’t live to see retirement if he didn’t make some changes. His lifestyle was a storm of unhealthy choices – smoking, irregular eating habits, inconsistent exercise, and relentless stress. Unfortunately, my prediction was heartbreakingly accurate. My father passed away at just 56 years old from a heart attack.
His passing is one of the reasons I’m so passionate about helping others create a healthier, more vibrant life. His story left me with a burning desire to live differently – to prioritise health, presence, and self-care.
A Habit I Never Questioned—Until I Did
For years, drinking remained a fixture in my life. I never paused to question it. It was simply what I had always known. I even prided myself on being the fitness professional who enjoyed a drink, the “fun” PT who didn’t take things too seriously. Looking back, this identity feels so misaligned with who I am today.
But something shifted. I began noticing more people talking about sobriety – about how their lives had transformed when they stopped drinking. Their stories intrigued me. I started listening, researching, and growing more curious about what it would feel like to challenge my own narrative around alcohol.
My turning point came when my husband James and I went away for his 50th birthday. The milestone hit me hard – my dad had died at 56. The thought of being so close to that age myself, of repeating old patterns, was a gut-wrenching wake-up call. Life is short, and our bodies and minds deserve care, not punishment. That weekend, I made a decision: I needed to reassess my relationship with alcohol.
Taking the First Step
Shortly after that trip, I signed up for a 30-day alcohol-free challenge. It wasn’t just about abstaining from alcohol – it was about education. I learned about the physiological, emotional, and mental impacts of drinking. I discovered how alcohol affects sleep, energy levels, productivity, stress and our ability to be fully present.
Those 30 days changed everything for me. I couldn’t unlearn what I now knew. It was no longer just a vague understanding that alcohol wasn’t great for me – it became a deeply ingrained knowledge of exactly why it wasn’t serving me.
That challenge also helped me clarify why I wanted to make this change. On Day 1, I wrote down my reasons:
- To change the narrative I pass down to my children – to show them a way of socialising and enjoying life that doesn’t revolve around drinking
- To improve my short-term health: reduce bloating, headaches, and sluggishness
- To protect my long-term heart and liver health
- To release the feeling of needing to drink
- To increase my chances of living long enough to see my grandchildren grow up (even if my kids currently claim they don’t want any!)
- To sleep better and wake up with energy
- To be more fully present in my life
- To create more time for what truly matters
- To be authentically me without alcohol as a crutch for confidence or relaxation
Two and a Half Years Later…
I haven’t gone back to my old habits. Have there been moments of temptation? Absolutely. But when I feel myself slipping, I return to my list. I remind myself why I made this choice in the first place.
I’ve also developed tools to help me stay on track:
- Playing it forward – I think about how I want to feel tomorrow morning before making a decision in the moment
- Reflecting on the benefits – I remind myself of the positive changes I’ve experienced as I’ve changed my relationship I have with alcohol
- Pausing before pouring – If I still genuinely want a drink 20 minutes after the initial craving, I allow myself to make that choice mindfully (no longer purely out of habit)
What I’ve Learned
Since changing my drinking habits, I’ve noticed profound shifts:
- My sleep is deeper, and I no longer wake up with anxiety
- I’m more present and engaged in my life
- I have more energy, motivation, and mental clarity
- I’ve rediscovered passions (and found new ones) – I’m learning Spanish and playing the violin again after 30 years
- My confidence is real inner confidence – I no longer rely on alcohol to give me a feeling of confidence
- I take bigger leaps in life and business – I trust myself more
- My health issues have disappeared
- I feel genuinely calmer and happier without alcohol
- My life aligns more closely with my values and vision
- And I have more time for the things that bring joy into my life
Final Thoughts
This journey hasn’t been about deprivation – it’s been about liberation. I still enjoy the occasional drink, but now it’s a conscious choice, not an automatic habit. I drink because I want to, not because it’s expected or because it’s a certain day of the week.
If you’re feeling stuck in a habit that no longer serves you, know that change is possible. It may be uncomfortable at first, but with the right support and a strong “why,” you can rewrite your story.
If this resonates with you and you need guidance in making your own changes, please get in touch (my contact details are at the bottom of this blog). Change is always easier – and more sustainable – with the right support. You don’t have to do it alone.
If this blog has resonated with you, you might also what to read these ones:
- The ONE question you need to ask yourself to start creating the life you truly desire
- Rewrite Your Narrative: The Power of Choosing a New Story
- Your Health Matters More Than Your Business (Yes, Really!)
And if you prefer to listen to this in audio form, you can find my podcast on this exact topic on Spotify here and on Apple Podcasts here.