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Recovery Elevator 🌴

It isn't a NO to alcohol, but a YES to a better life! Best selling author Paul Churchill, along with Kristopher Oyen interview people who have stepped away from alcohol in their own lives. Each week this podcast does a deep dive into an exploration of what a booze free life might look like from various perspectives and opinions.  If you are sick and tired of alcohol making you sick and tired, we invite you to listen to Recovery Elevator. Check out what an alcohol free life can look like as others share their own stories of sobriety. If you are sober curious, newly sober, supporting a loved one or living your best life already in recovery, then you are in the right place. This podcast addresses what to do if you’re addicted to alcohol, or if you think you’re an alcoholic. Other topics include, does moderate drinking work, does addiction serve a purpose, what happens to the brain when we quit drinking, should you track sobriety time, is A.A. right for you, spirituality, and more. Similar to other recovery podcasts like This Naked Mind, the Shair Podcast, and the Recovered Podcast, Paul and Kris discuss a topic and then interview someone who has ditched the booze.
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Now displaying: September, 2019
Sep 30, 2019

Dan took his last drink on July 28, 2018.  This is his story.

Update on the Alcohol is Sh!t book!  The book is out!  Pick up your paperback copy on Amazon here!  You can get the Audible version here!

On today’s episode Paul talks about how we need to read his book, and others like it, with pride.  We have to shred the shame and ditch the stigma. 

He shares a letter he received from someone that attended the Recovery Elevator Retreat in Bozeman recently, and as she was reading Alcohol is Sh!t on the plane the lady sitting next to her asked about the book.  And she was able to share.  Turned out the lady was on her way to help her daughter who had relapsed and needed to hear everything she had to say. 

SHOW NOTES

 

[10:10] Paul introduces Dan. 

 

Dan is a father of 3, has a daughter in college and the youngest is 14.  He works as a retail executive.  He lives in New York and enjoys cycling. 

 

[12:45] Give us a background on your drinking.

 

Dan says he started drinking in high school and drank all through college.  He says that drinking is a big part of the business world and he fell right into that.  He didn’t realize he had an issue, but his wife did.  He said he was drinking 5-6 drinks a night. 

 

[15:35] Talk to us about how you asked yourself, “how can I quit?”.    

 

Dan says he called a hypnotist to get some help, but after his initial call to her he never followed up.  About a month later, on July 29, 2018, he was in a bad bicycle accident.   His doctors took great care of him and he hasn’t had a drink since. 

 

[18:10] What happened after the accident?

 

He had a bad brain injury so was told that he should not drink, if he did, he could have a seizure or a stroke.  After 10 days Dan came home from the hospital only to find out that his wife had removed all the alcohol from the house.  Dan says that was like being asleep and thrown into an ice-cold pool.  His brother told him he needed to go to AA so he walked into one only to feel like he didn’t belong.  He left that meeting angry and determined to show everyone wrong. 

 

[24:05] How are you feeling now?

 

Dan says it’s a little bit of ‘he’s going to show them (his friends and family)’ and it’s a little bit of he likes the way he feels and he looks. 

 

[26:47] You were told by your doctor not to drink for a year, because of the chance for a stroke…did you ever have the thought when that year was up to pick up a drink?

 

Dan says no, in fact he went to the conference he was supposed to be at the year before and never thought about it. 

 

[28:17] At your yearly physical you asked your doctor if you could now have a glass of wine, and he asked you, “why would you?”, can you answer that question?

 

Dan says because of the social aspect, he admits to missing it. 

 

[39:20] Dan talk to us about that connected feeling. 

 

Dan is feeling connected to life and not the alcohol.  He is feeling more connected to his family. 

 

[40:25] What’s on your bucket list for an alcohol-free life?

 

Going to a sporting event AF and seeing what that’s like and racing again. 

 

[43:00] Rapid Fire Round

 

  1. What’s a lightbulb moment you’ve had on this journey?

 

When I was at my physical and I asked my doctor if I could have a glass of wine and he leaned across the table and asked, “why the F would you?”.

 

  1. What’s a memorable moment a life without alcohol has given you?

 

A better connection with my children and my wife. 

 

  1. What is your favorite poison free drink?

 

Diet Coke, I drink too much of it.  I also like a nice latte. 

 

  1. What are some of your favorite resources in recovery?  

 

My favorite resources would be my family, cycling, I have a lot of resources at work too. 

 

  1. And what parting piece of guidance can you give to listeners?

 

It’s not all about work, life is a balance, and the more pressure you’re under you need a release and a hobby.    

 

  1. You might have a drinking problem if...

 

You’re a business person that the alcohol is incorporated into the fabric of your life. 

 

Upcoming retreats:

Asia Adventure – January 20-31, 2020

You can find more information about this event here

 

Resources mentioned in this episode:

 

ZipRecruiter

This episode is brought to you in support by ZipRecruiter. Right now, my listeners can try ZipRecruiter for free. Visit Ziprecruiter.com/elevator

 

 

 

 

Connect with Cafe RE- Use the promo code OPPORTUNITY for your first month free

Sobriety Tracker iTunes

Sobriety Tracker Android

Sober Selfies! - Send your Sober Selfie and your Success Story to info@recoveryelevator.com

 

“Recovery Elevator – It all starts from the inside out.”

Sep 23, 2019

Rose took her last drink on March 12, 2019.  This is her story.

Update on the Alcohol is Sh!t book!  The book is out!  Pick up your copy on Amazon here

On today’s episode Paul talks about Recovery Elevator Bozeman Retreat that took place this past August.  One of the speakers at the retreat was a spiritual teacher that Paul has worked with, Elaine Huang, you can find out more about her here.  

And a BIG thank you to the sponsors of the retreat. 

Nutzo, an organic 7-nut seed butter, that provided a jar of said butter to everyone that attended!

Rise Brewing Co., provided Nitro Cold Brewed Coffee!

Fire Brew, an apple cider-based health tonic, provided shots for everyone!

And tajĂ­n, a seasoning blend of lime, chili peppers and sea salt, provided a bottle of zing for all!

The cool thing is that these sponsors wanted to be a part of this event.  Thank you to Odette who worked hard in setting it all up! 

SHOW NOTES

 

[22:20] Paul introduces Rose. 

 

Rose is 37 years old.  She is from New Zealand but is currently living in France.  Rose is a physiotherapist by trade, but her degree is not recognized yet in France so she is teaching English.  She is a newlywed and they have a 3-year-old son.  For fun Rose likes to cook, sing, be outdoors, and go to gigs.   

 

[25:20] Give us a background on your drinking.

 

Rose started drinking as a teenager.  She says she grew up in a loving family but that everyone was a boozer, that it was normal.    At 18 she went off to university but dropped out after 2 years because it was getting in the way of her drinking.  She moved cities in search of new drinking friends and for the next 5 years was in an abusive relationship.  Rose says she spent a good chunk of her 20’s getting out of, and recovering from, that relationship. 

 

Rose then spent time on a friend’s large sailing boat and sailed to Fiji, continuing her drinking.  She then went home and started studying to become a physiotherapist.  Rose says she slowed her drinking down while she was studying. 

 

[28:25] What happens next? 

 

Rose got her degree, got a great job in a hospital where she wanted to work.  In 2016 she had her son.  She says after the birth of her son she fell into the ‘mommy drinking’ culture.  Rose also started to feel like an imposter.  Promoting health at work but doing the very opposite personally. 

    

[32:20] Was there anything in particular that led you to ditch the booze?

 

Rose says a big part of it was moving to France in 2017.  She found France’s drinking culture to be the polar opposite of New Zealand’s which made her feel out of place.  Even though she knew she needed to stop her drinking ramped up at the beginning of this year after the death of a close friend.  

 

[35:15] What happened on March 12th? 

 

Rose says she had started to drink during the daytime, when she wasn’t on pick-up duty with her son.  She also started smoking cigarettes.  She started feeling guilty about not being present as a parent.  She reached out to an American friend she had met on that sailing ship that was posting about being sober.  This friend led her to CafĂŠ RE. 

 

[38:50] How did you do it?

 

Rose says she told her husband, creating some accountability.  Her husband was very supportive.  The removed all the alcohol from the house and Rose declined engagements for a while.  She joined CafĂŠ RE and jumped in and starting participating and getting involved. 

 

[48:50] How have things changed in an alcohol-free life?

 

Rose says she’s a better mother, she’s present.  She has an increase in self-love and self-worth. 

 

[55:05] Rapid Fire Round

 

 

  1. What is your favorite alcohol-free drink?

 

Pineapple and lime sparkling water. 

 

  1. What are some of your favorite resources in recovery?  

 

I loved The Joy of Being Sober book.    I also really love Josh Korda’s Dharmapunx podcast.   There is a New Zealand woman named Lotta Dann and she has a book, and blog, by the same name called, Mrs. D is Going Without. 

 

  1. What’s on your bucket list now that alcohol isn’t part of your life?

 

A lot more travel, I love to travel.  To be able to help someone else get sober. 

 

  1. And what parting piece of guidance can you give to listeners?

 

Connect, connect with people.  Look for the similarities and not the differences. 

 

  1. You might have a drinking problem if...

 

You’re drinking wine out of a coffee mug just so the neighbors won’t know because it’s 11 AM on a Monday. 

 

 

Upcoming retreats:

Asia Adventure – January 20-31, 2020

You can find more information about this event here

 

Resources mentioned in this episode:

 

 

Connect with Cafe RE- Use the promo code OPPORTUNITY for your first month free

Sobriety Tracker iTunes

Sobriety Tracker Android

Sober Selfies! - Send your Sober Selfie and your Success Story to info@recoveryelevator.com

 

“Recovery Elevator – You took the elevator down, you have to take the stairs back up.”

Sep 16, 2019

Dan took his last drink 370 days ago.  This is his story.

Update on the Alcohol is Sh!t book!  The book is out!  Pick up your copy on Amazon here

On today’s episode Paul talks about how this journey into a new life without alcohol can be fun.  In fact, he says, it must be fun.  If you’re not having fun right now that is ok, you are not doing anything wrong.  Recovering your true self, a life filled with inner joy and abundance, can only be done with love.  You can’t fight darkness with darkness. 

Here are some strategies to invite love into your life…stop comparing yourself to others, get off social media, tell yourself ‘I love you’, listen to your body, put on headphones and dance. 

SHOW NOTES

 

[9:30] Paul introduces Dan. 

 

Dan celebrated 1 year of sobriety on July 28, 2019.  He is 37 years old and lives in Cottage Grove, MN.  He is a teacher and teaches middle school math.  He has 5-year-old twins, a boy and a girl, and a 10-year-old daughter.  Dan is married and they just celebrated 13 years.  For fun Dan likes to exercise and hike. 

 

[16:20] Give us a background on your drinking.

 

Dan had his first drink in high school and bartended through college.  He says his drinking just carried over into what he calls ‘his adult life’ and it just stuck with him.  He wasn’t a binge drinker; it was more of cracking a couple beers open every night after work. 

 

Dan started to become depressed, getting anxious if he couldn’t drink his beers each night.  He says he had some suicidal thoughts. 

 

[20:45] What did that depression feel like?

 

Dan got to the point where he was finding no joy in anything, including alcohol, his job or his family.  He confided in a friend about his depression and that was the start of his journey into sobriety.  When he confided in his wife, he felt that he was surrendering and ready to get help.     

    

[24:00] When did you tell your wife and what happened after that?

 

Dan says he made the commitment to stop drinking last summer and told his wife after about a week in.  Dan says his wife overheard him listening to the Recovery Elevator podcast and that was the beginning of their conversation about his drinking and depression. 

 

[26:35] Talk to us about the 1st week, the 1st month. 

 

Dan made a doctor’s appointment a couple weeks in to talk about his depression and was prescribed anti-depressants/antianxiety medication.  He was worried about how he would feel once taking the medication but says it has really helped him.  Dan listened to the RE podcasts daily and would reach out to his wife when he was struggling at all.  He also told his oldest daughter that he was quitting drinking alcohol. 

 

[35:30] With a year away from the alcohol how has the depression been?

 

Dan says it has gotten better.  He is going to sit down with his doctor and discuss if he should come off the meds, he says he was scared to go on them in the beginning and is now a little worried about coming off them. 

 

[37:25] What’s on your bucket list now with a year of sobriety?

 

Next summer he’s going to finish up the Superior Hiking Trail and possibly do a ½ marathon. 

 

[38:44] You haven’t mentioned AA or 12-step, did you not go to AA during this last year?

 

Dan says he never put it out of his mind or took it off the table, and that he even looked up when and where meetings were; but that he never went to a meeting. 

 

[40:40] Rapid Fire Round

 

  1. What’s a lightbulb moment you’ve found on this journey?

 

My lightbulb moment was that I needed to fail a few times before I was actually able to be successful with it. 

 

  1. What is a gift that sobriety has given you?

 

The biggest gift is time. 

 

  1. What is your favorite alcohol-free drink?

 

Well my beer fridge has now became a sparkling water fridge. 

 

  1. What are some of your favorite resources in recovery?  

 

I definitely have to say Recovery Elevator, plus my friends and my family. 

 

  1. And what parting piece of guidance can you give to listeners?

 

It would have to be that there is so much freedom once you have given up alcohol. 

 

  1. You might have a drinking problem if...

 

You have a fight with your girlfriend, decide to move out, and realize that you have only packed a camera and a swimsuit. 

 

Upcoming retreats:

Asia Adventure – January 20-31, 2020

You can find more information about this event here

 

Resources mentioned in this episode:

 

 

Connect with Cafe RE- Use the promo code OPPORTUNITY for your first month free

Sobriety Tracker iTunes

Sobriety Tracker Android

Sober Selfies! - Send your Sober Selfie and your Success Story to info@recoveryelevator.com

 

“Recovery Elevator – It all starts from the inside out.”

Sep 9, 2019

Brandi took her last drink on July 17, 2019.  This is her story.

Update on the Alcohol is Sh!t book!  The book was released 2 days ago!  Pick up your copy on Amazon here

On today’s episode Paul talks about one of his pet peeves…the word “ONLY”.   For example, when someone says they have ‘only’ been sober for 3 days, 10 days, 2 weeks, etc.… We need to change this way of thinking, any amount of time away from alcohol is a major win. 

The word ‘only’ equals limited, represents a lack of, and we want to be careful with this idea and energetic vibrations that encompass the word. 

SHOW NOTES

 

[9:30] Paul introduces Brandi. 

 

Brandi is from Franklin, TN.  She is 48 years old and works in healthcare.  She has a 12-year-old daughter and for fun Brandi likes to make her own greeting cards, write poetry, and ride horses. 

 

[14:50] Give us a background on your drinking.

 

Brandi says she drank some in high school and college, but that she didn’t really enjoy it.  She says it wasn’t until she was 33-34 years old that she started to see alcohol as a problem.  

 

In 2012 she started to notice how alcohol was impacting her life, her physical wellbeing, her job, and the people around her.  2 years ago, she was drinking about 2 bottles of wine a night, every day. 

 

[23:00] Where do you think your self-loathing came from?

 

Brandi says it came from a lot of things; missed moments with her daughter; lost time; missed conversations. 

    

[33:30] Tell us how the last 2 weeks have been?

 

Brandi says they have been good.  She felt a little of the pink cloud.  She’s been trying to do things differently, like getting up earlier.  She started a morning routine that includes her affirmation books. 

 

[39:00] What’s your plan moving forward?

 

Brandi says she is going to be better at reaching out to people.  She plans on getting back to some meetings that she has gone to in the past.  Getting back to her morning routine.  She wants to slowly get back to the things she enjoys doing for fun.  Brandi says a big one for her is stepping outside her comfort zone. 

 

[40:40] Rapid Fire Round

 

  1. What’s a lightbulb moment you’ve found on this journey?

 

How many times have I thrown wine glasses away.

 

  1. What is a memorable moment that sobriety has given you?

 

Sitting with my daughter, watching Disney movies, just being goofy and she put on Elton John and we just started dancing. 

 

  1. What is your favorite alcohol-free drink?

 

Unfortunately, it’s Diet Dr. Pepper, but lemonade takes a close 2nd. 

 

  1. What are some of your favorite resources in recovery?  

 

My friends that know me, my affirmation books.

 

  1. What’s on your bucket list in an alcohol-free life?

 

I used to travel; I want to go find a really cool place to take my daughter.  I want to do the things I used to do with her and start making memories.  Also, to get back into making my cards again and moving forward with dreams I had at making that part of my lifestyle. 

 

  1. And what parting piece of guidance can you give to listeners?

 

Even if it’s hard to step out, to reach out, it doesn’t have to be huge, just that one little thing that will change your path. 

 

  1. You might have a drinking problem if...

 

Before you buy that next bottle of wine you have to figure out where you are in your rounds through your wine stores so you don’t hit one too soon. 

 

Upcoming retreats:

Asia Adventure – January 20-31, 2020

You can find more information about this event here

 

Resources mentioned in this episode:

 

Honey

This episode is brought to you by the smart shopping assistant Honey. Get Honey for free at www.joinhoney.com/elevator . Honey, the smart shopping assistant that saves you time and money when you're shopping online

 

 

Connect with Cafe RE- Use the promo code OPPORTUNITY for your first month free

Sobriety Tracker iTunes

Sobriety Tracker Android

Sober Selfies! - Send your Sober Selfie and your Success Story to info@recoveryelevator.com

 

“Recovery Elevator – Alcohol is shit…and we both know it.”

Sep 2, 2019

Aisha took her last drink on July 28, 2017.  This is her story.

Update on the Alcohol is Sh!t book!  The book comes out in 5 days!  This is also Paul’s 5-year alcohol free date!  Pick up your copy on Amazon September 7, 2019! 

On today’s episode Paul talks about celebrities that have ditched the booze and why this group of the population is affected by addiction way more than the average population. 

SHOW NOTES

 

[9:30] Paul introduces Aisha. 

 

Aisha is 42 years old and lives in Atlanta, GA.  She is a lawyer, married and has a 10-year-old.  Aisha enjoys reading recovery/addiction memoirs along with fiction.      

 

[14:50] Give us a background on your drinking.

 

Aisha says that a big part of why she drank was that she was trying to fit in.  Both of Aisha’s parents were alcoholics.  She is African-American and Hispanic and was raised in rural America where she didn’t see a lot of people that looked like her. 

 

Aisha didn’t really start drinking until she started law school and she started drinking alcoholically after she started practicing law.  There were a few months when she had the FBI watching her house because of a threat she had received, during those months she was so scared that she was drinking every day.  Because of her experience with alcoholics in her family she knew where her drinking was going, and she knew she needed to quit.    

 

[22:34] Did you have a rock bottom moment? 

 

Aisha says her bottom was when she “missed the toilet”, literally.  She knew she needed help then, but didn’t stop drinking at that time.  She did however go to an AA meeting. 

    

[26:15] Tell us more about your AA experience.

 

Aisha says when she went to AA, she was legitimately looking for help.  After listening to the speaker share, she felt like she could not relate.  She didn’t let that stop her from going back, but after some condescending comments at another AA meeting she went back to drinking. 

 

[28:15] What do you think finally pushed you over the edge to start logging in the time?

 

Aisha didn’t let the bad experiences she had had at AA stop her from trying other meetings.  She went to a lot of meetings and finally found one that she felt loved and welcomed at. 

 

[40:55] How has the wanting to fit in changed since getting sober? 

 

Aisha says she is much more purposeful.  She is much more focused on the whys of doing things.  She is also much more open to feed back from others. 

  

[46:30] In the last 2 years have you had a difficult moment where you thought you were going to drink and how’d you get through it? 

 

Aisha says she has not, and she know she is very fortunate.  She says that the smell of alcohol disgusts her now.  She has, however, had moments of fomo and has wished she could drink with friends at times. 

 

[51:20] Rapid Fire Round

 

  1. What is a memorable moment that a life without alcohol has given you?

 

Going on vacation with her family and her daughter and waking up early with her and remembering everything. 

 

  1. What is your favorite alcohol-free drink?

 

Mango Bubly

 

  1. What are some of your favorite resources in recovery?  

The stories in the back of the AA Big Book; A Girl Walks Out of a Bar; and people…I really enjoy the CafĂŠ RE Facebook group.  

 

  1. What’s on your bucket list in an alcohol-free life?

 

I have a lot of changes that I am in the process of making in my life personally, I don’t want to put them out on the podcast.  But I think that in the next year there are some things in my life that are going to look very different. 

 

  1. And what parting piece of guidance can you give to listeners?

 

This is truly life and death, but it is also one day, one moment, one second at a time.  

 

  1. You might have a drinking problem if...

 

You’re dropping a deuce, and you think you’re on the toilet, and when you get up, you’re not even close to the toilet. 

 

 

Upcoming retreats:

Asia Adventure – January 20-31, 2020

You can find more information about this event here

 

Resources mentioned in this episode:

 

ZipRecruiter

This episode is brought to you in support by ZipRecruiter. Right now, my listeners can try ZipRecruiter for free. Visit Ziprecruiter.com/elevator

 

 

Connect with Cafe RE- Use the promo code OPPORTUNITY for your first month free

Sobriety Tracker iTunes

Sobriety Tracker Android

Sober Selfies! - Send your Sober Selfie and your Success Story to info@recoveryelevator.com

 

“Recovery Elevator – Alcohol is shit…and we both know it.”

1