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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: 2020
Dec 28, 2020

Robyn took her last drink on June 30, 2020. With 63 days away from alcohol (at the time of this recording), this is her story of living alcohol free (AF).

 

Recovery Elevator RESTORE January 2021 Course. We will be offering this starting 1/1/2021. We’re meeting 13 times in January via Zoom to give you the tools and accountability needed for an alcohol-free January
 and hopefully more!

We’ll be focusing more on creating a life where alcohol is no longer needed. We’ve found that when we have healthy altruistic relationships with fellow human beings, the need for alcohol or any external substance drastically reduces. For more information and to sign up, use this link.

 

Odette’s weekly installment of: Finding Your Better You

 

The last Monday of the year! “What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals” – Zig Ziglar

This journey isn’t about arriving, it’s about becoming. How much we are willing to put in is what we should celebrate. Your hard work and new habits are what is to be celebrated. No one can take that away from you. What have you noticed about your journey this year? Who did you become this year?

 

 

[6:35] Odette introduces Robyn.

 

Robyn is from Columbia, South Carolina. She lives with her partner and he has two kids they see often. She likes jigsaw puzzles, reading, journaling and meditating. Pre-covid she liked vacations to the mountains.

 

 

[9:33] Can you give listeners some background on your story?

 

Robyn said she started drinking around her senior year of high school. She was shy. When she moved to NC it was a fresh start and to fit in, she drank. It helped her open up and have fun. After some life trials and moving to Columbia she made friends with bartenders and it was still fun drinking. During a relationship with another alcoholic, she noticed her drinking really ramped up. There were lots of times she talked herself out of being an alcoholic. In 2011 Robyn got a DUI. She did quit for a little, but it didn’t stick. After her mother passed away was when Robyn actually noticed it was a problem. She dealt with so much during that time. Robyn’s getting to her last drink came in ebbs and flows over years. There was a definite mental decline that she noticed.

 

 

[26:10] How was your emotional state during these times of drinking and then returning to drinking?

 

Robyn said she stopped beating herself up. It took a while for that overall to stop, but the more she met people and gained community it’s been easier for her to be easier on herself. She’s learned there’s no point in beating yourself up, it won’t help.

 

 

[31:06] What do you do when you get a craving?

 

Robyn said she reaches out. Her partner helps her with the rational side of her thinking. If he’s not available, she will reach out to CafĂ© RE or her little DTB group.

 

 

[32:43] How has this decision affected other relationships?

 

Robyn said her boss is also in recovery and he’s a big supporter of her recovery. Her best friend still drinks but is supportive of her choice.

 

 

[35:21] Have you been able to identify any triggers?

 

Robyn said some of her triggers are good things. If she’s having a good day, yard work, outside activities. Her triggers aren’t emotional anymore.

 

 

[38:06] Do you have a daily routine?

 

Robyn said journaling. She’s journaled most of her life and she’s really focused on it during her sobriety. Robyn even noticed that if she takes a break, within a week she’s had a drink. Even when she doesn’t have anything “great” to say, she writes anyway. She tries to include gratitude and she’s begun meditating.

 

 

 [47:18] Rapid Fire Round 

 

  1. If you could talk to day 1 Robyn, what would you say?

Keep trying, you’re making the right decision, keep going. It will eventually be good.

 

  1. What are you excited about right now?

Do some sober travel and meet some Cafe RE members.

 

  1. What are some of your favorite resources on this journey?

Cafe RE, journaling, quit lit and other podcasts, all of them.

 

  1. What is your favorite NA beverage?

All the sparkling water, if it’s sparkling and it’s water, I want it!

 

  1. What parting piece of guidance would you give to listeners thinking about ditching the booze?

Give it a try you will never know how good it can feel until you give it a chance. And be easy on yourself.

 

 

You may have to say adios to booze if... 

 

you wanted to stock up for quarantine and it only lasts you 4 days.

 

Odette’s weekly challenge:

 

Take a few moments to reflect on today’s intro on becoming. Who are you trying to become?

Thank you to each listener!

 

Upcoming events, retreats and courses:

  • Recovery Elevator RESTORE January 2021 Course. We will be offering this starting 1/1/2021. We’re meeting 13 times in January via Zoom to give you the tools and accountability needed for an alcohol-free January
 and hopefully more!
  • You can find more information about our events 

 

Affiliate Link for Endourage:

For 10% off your first CBD order with Endourage visit this link and use the promo code elevator at checkout. 

 

Affiliate Link for Amazon:

Shop via Amazon using this link.

 

The book, Alcohol is SH!T, is out. Pick up your paperback copy on Amazon here! You can get the Audible version here!  

 

Resources: 

Connect with Cafe RE - Use the promo code OPPORTUNITY to waive the set-up fee.

Recovery Elevator YouTube - Subscribe here!

Sobriety Tracker iTunes 

Sobriety Tracker Android 

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

 

“Recovery Elevator – Embrace the journey of becoming and Happy New Year- I love you guys”

Dec 21, 2020

Sarah took her last drink on April 22, 2019. With over a year away from alcohol (at the time of this recording), this is her story of living alcohol free (AF).

 

Recovery Elevator RESTORE January 2021 Course. We will be offering this starting 1/1/2021. We’re meeting 13 times in January via Zoom to give you the tools and accountability needed for an alcohol-free January
 and hopefully more!

We’ll be focusing more on creating a life where alcohol is no longer needed. We’ve found that when we have healthy altruistic relationships with fellow human beings, the need for alcohol or any external substance drastically reduces. For more information and to sign up, use this link.

 

Odette’s weekly installment of: Finding Your Better You

 

Odette recently received the book Homebody by Rupi Kaur. As Odette looks at her own sobriety as a return to self, this book is very fitting for where she is in her own journey right now. Here’s your permission slip this week: take care of yourself. This time of year can be overwhelming for many. When we are overwhelmed, we may also open the door to fear. Using our tools, we can make life manageable and hold space for everything we are feeling.

 

list of things to heal your mood:

  • cry it out. walk it. write it. scream it. dance it out of your body.
  • If after all that
    you are still
    spiraling out of control
    ask yourself if sinking into the mud is worth it
  • the answer is no
  • the answer is breathe
  • sip tea and feel your nervous system settle
  • you are the hero of your life
  • this feeling doesn’t have power over you
  • the universe has prepared you to handle this
  • no matter how dark it get
    the light is always on its way
  • you are the light
  • walk yourself back to where the love lives

 

 

[6:42] Odette introduces Sarah.

 

Sarah lives in Wisconsin with her husband and her son and their dog. She is 30 years old and works in marketing. For fun she likes running, reading and crafting. She loves live music as well.

 

 

[8:52] Can you give listeners some background on your story?

 

Sarah said she had her first drink around 14 or 15 years old. Form there she drank almost every weekend and became a party girl. The lifestyle continued into college. She transferred her sophomore year and focused on her health. When she turned 21 it ramped up again. Being in WI the drinking culture is strong. After college she kept partying on the weekend, but the culture of drinking kept her in it. At the age of 26 Sarah had a moment that changed it, she woke up feeling shame. In 2017 she told herself she was only going to drink on special occasions, she made it 60 days without alcohol. At a friends 30th birthday was when she drank again, and it was like old times, up until 4 am drinking. She also found out she was pregnant at the end of March 2017. While pregnant she missed drinking and was ready to get back to it. She found herself turning to alcohol as a reward. Sarah began to see that she wasn’t someone who could just have one, she always went overboard.

 

 

[21:30] Has it been cool finding different ways to unwind at the end of the day?

 

Sarah said she turned her beer fridge into a NA fridge. Her and her husband make mocktails. She turns to something that’s relaxing rather than alcohol to unwind.

 

 

[22:59] Talk to me about when you started this journey and being in a relationship?

 

Sarah said her partner was really supportive. He never said anything about her drinking, but it caused problems when she was drinking. She was worried about their relationship however because they met through partying. He however is someone who supports her no matter what.

 

[27:31] Did you start using social media as a way to find other sober people?

 

Sarah said when she was on her moderation journey, she found some accounts that were about being sober. When she got serious, she went back and found them and was amazed at how large the community had grown. Sarah found 1000 Hours Dry and enlisted a friend to do it with her. Sarah helped grow her community through Instagram. She’s co-started New Fashioned Sobriety with some friends she met through Instagram and they plan meet ups (virtual right now!).

 

 

[33:39] How was it going to the in person retreat in Bozeman?

 

Sarah said she was very nervous about going, but also about what her family would think. During the retreat she met and connected with so many people she wouldn’t have otherwise and really emersed herself in the event. Sarah said she came home with new tools and tons of new friends.

 

 

[37:52] Do you still get cravings?

 

Sarah said it’s mostly when she romanticizes her drinking, but for the most part no.

 

 

[41:28] Tell me what your most beloved tools in your toolbelt.

 

Podcasts are #1, this Naked Mind and the community on instgram.

 

 

[42:31] What’s your go to response when someone offers you a drink?

 

No thanks, it makes me feel like shit was her go to in the beginning. Now she normally brings her own so it’s not a conversation!

 

 

 [43:33] Rapid Fire Round 

 

  1. If you could talk to day 1 Sarah, what would you say?

 

You life is going to change so much in so many positive ways, you will still be you, you just will have a fuller life.

 

  1. What is your favorite ice cream flavor?

 

Blue Moon

 

  1. What book are you reading?

 

The Sober Lush

 

  1. What parting piece of guidance can you give people thinking about ditching the booze?

 

Stop thinking about all the thinking you will lose, but instead focus on the possibilities.

 

 

You may have to say adios to booze if... 

 

you black out on Easter Sunday before American Idol premiers at 7pm.

 

Odette’s parting words:

 

Love yourself hard this week. We don’t have to drink to escape our feelings. If you need any extra help, please ask for help. You can email Odette.

Together is always better.

 

Upcoming events, retreats and courses:

  • Recovery Elevator RESTORE January 2021 Course. We will be offering this starting 1/1/2021. We’re meeting 13 times in January via Zoom to give you the tools and accountability needed for an alcohol-free January
 and hopefully more!
  • You can find more information about our events 

 

Affiliate Link for Endourage:

For 10% off your first CBD order with Endourage visit this link and use the promo code elevator at checkout. 

 

Affiliate Link for Amazon:

Shop via Amazon using this link.

 

The book, Alcohol is SH!T, is out. Pick up your paperback copy on Amazon here! You can get the Audible version here!  

 

Resources: 

Connect with Cafe RE - Use the promo code OPPORTUNITY to waive the set-up fee.

Recovery Elevator YouTube - Subscribe here!

Sobriety Tracker iTunes 

Sobriety Tracker Android 

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

 

“Recovery Elevator – Feliz Navidad- I love you guys”

Dec 14, 2020

Kyle took his last drink on May 31 2020. With 82 days away from alcohol (at the time of this recording), this is his story of living alcohol free (AF).

 

Recovery Elevator RESTORE January 2021 Course. We will be offering this starting 1/1/2021. We’re meeting 13 times in January via Zoom to give you the tools and accountability needed for an alcohol-free January
 and hopefully more! 

We’ll be focusing more on creating a life where alcohol is no longer needed. We’ve found that when we have healthy altruistic relationships with fellow human beings, the need for alcohol or any external substance drastically reduces. For more information and to sign up, use this link.

 

Odette’s weekly installment of: Finding Your Better You

 

Sometimes we get stuck. When Odette gets stuck, she repeats this simple phrase to herself. “Please help me see things differently.” Being shown the same scenario through a different lens helps to shift the perspective. Different questions help to see things in a new way and get unstuck. If you’re feeling stuck are you asking yourself the wrong questions?

 

 

[7:44] Odette introduces Kyle.

 

Kyle is 33 years old and from Michigan. He is married and has three young daughters. He works in the automotive industry as a program manager. For fun he’s been planning the future with his wife, he also likes gaming and running.

 

 

[10:49] Can you give listeners some background on your story?

 

Kyle said the first time he got drunk was when he was 14, but he didn’t notice a change in his drinking until he was in his 20s. He was taking on a lot at the time and failing a lot at things. He looked to beer to take the edge off which turned into drinking to black out every night. He tried quitting many times and this stretch is the longest he’s gone in 10 years.

 

 

[13:37] When did you notice you were using alcohol to cope?

 

Kyle said he realized this subconsciously early on but was trying to quit on willpower alone. He figured out the price for alcohol and the euphoria it brought was higher than he was willing to pay. Alcohol stopped being enjoyable at the end because he was just chasing something.

 

 

[17:25] What happened when you returned from Japan and you realized you couldn’t shake it?

 

Kyle said rock bottom wasn’t one individual thing. He realized he was letting his wife and kids down often. He would wake up ashamed. During a conversation with his wife, she mentioned a friend who worked with people with addiction issues. Kyle was given some reference material. He found other like-minded people and that’s really what helped him.

 

 

[21:23] Tell me about your attempts to stop drinking.

 

Kyle said he feels like he’s been in a fog for the last 10 years. He had a lot of vision and no energy. Every time he woke up and swore off alcohol, but 3 pm that day he was ready to drink. There was a lot of mental back and forth he experienced. He sees now that was only will power without understanding the science behind it.

 

 

[23:23] What was your mental headspace when you were trying to quit?

 

Kyle said he lacked a lot of self love, so he was frustrated with himself all the time. He had a good façade and came off as confident, but he wasn’t the person he wanted to be internally. 

 

 

[24:15] How has this time been different for you?

 

Kyle said he is seeking help. Also, his family is a big influence about getting sober. He knows he will be there for them.

 

 

[25:16] What do you do when you get a craving?

 

Kyle said he sits with it and he thinks about the morning after, his future and what the drink can lead to.

 

 

[27:30] How has staying away from alcohol affected your anxiety & depression?

 

Kyle said it’s still there, but it’s not as severe. He now knows that drinking wont erase them and he deals with them.

 

 

[29:44] What does a day in the life of Kyle look like?

 

Kyle said it’s mainly juggling his career and his family.

 

 

[29:44] What does a day in the life of Kyle look like?

 

Jason said he makes amends a lot. He gives himself permission to be imperfect and to circle back. He practices and allows room for mistakes to happen. Being compassionate with himself. He also applies the ABCs

 

 

[30:10] Do you have any rituals in place to help you deal with cravings?

 

Kyle said he likes to keep his hands busy. He does see he’s more focused on the things he loves.

 

 

[37:16] Have you noticed a difference in your relationship with your wife?

 

Kyle said his wife really let him do what he needed and didn’t get in the way of him discovering his own path to sobriety. He has thanked her for letting him discover sobriety in his own way. 

 

 

[41:20] Do you have any specific routines during the day / morning routine?

 

Kyle said he used to but now not really. He does try to find time to exercise because it’s a stress release. If he has extra time, read a book. 

 

 

[43:43] Have you noticed your sleep has improved?

 

Kyle said living away from alcohol has improved his sleep. He used to drink to knock himself out. He’s noticed it’s much better now.

 

 

 

 

 [44:43] Rapid Fire Round 

 

  1. If you could talk to day 1 Kyle, what would you say?

 

Show yourself a little self love and try to understand the science behind why you drink.

 

  1. What is your favorite NA beverage?

 

Coffee, he’s trying to find a good energy drink.

 

  1. What parting piece of guidance can you give people thinking about ditching the booze?

 

If you haven’t tried it and you’re thinking about it, just try it. Try to understand it.

 

 

 

You may have to say adios to booze if... 

 

you mention this question to your wife because you’re struggling to come up with an answer and she gives you a list of ten.

 

Odette’s parting words:

 

Thank you. After many day 1s, she’s celebrating 2 years sober this week. 

 

Upcoming events, retreats and courses:

  • Recovery Elevator RESTORE January 2021 Course. We will be offering this starting 1/1/2021. We’re meeting 13 times in January via Zoom to give you the tools and accountability needed for an alcohol-free January
 and hopefully more! 
  • You can find more information about our events here.

 

Affiliate Link for Endourage:

For 10% off your first CBD order with Endourage visit this link and use the promo code elevator at checkout. 

 

Affiliate Link for Amazon:

Shop via Amazon using this link.

 

The book, Alcohol is SH!T, is out. Pick up your paperback copy on Amazon here! You can get the Audible version here!  

 

Resources: 

Connect with Cafe RE - Use the promo code OPPORTUNITY to waive the set-up fee.

Recovery Elevator YouTube - Subscribe here!

Sobriety Tracker iTunes 

Sobriety Tracker Android 

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

 

“Recovery Elevator – Everything that you need is already inside of you- I love you guys”

Dec 7, 2020

Dr. Jason Powers took his last drink in June 2003. With many days away from all substances, this is his story of living substance free.

 

Recovery Elevator RESTORE January 2021 Course. We will be offering this starting 1/1/2021. We’re meeting 13 times in January via Zoom to give you the tools and accountability needed for an alcohol-free January
 and hopefully more! 

We’ll be focusing more on creating a life where alcohol is no longer needed. We’ve found that when we have healthy altruistic relationships with fellow human beings, the need for alcohol or any external substance drastically reduces. For more information and to sign up, use this link.

 

Odette’s weekly installment of: Finding Your Better You

 

What do we do when we are waiting for an outcome or a result? Traditionally: we bolt, we remove ourselves from the moment. In sobriety we have to feel all our feelings. Feeling them is the proof that we are staying true to ourselves. And that in itself is bad ass. Keeping in mind we have to feel the feelings, but also process them, not allow ourselves to get stuck in them. On days like today, when most people feel depleted, we have to find ways to fill up our gas tank.

 

 

[7:03] Odette introduces Dr. Jason.

 

Jason is 50 years old and lives in Houston, Texas. He is a physician that focuses on addiction medicine as well as an author, an interventionist, the founder of Positive Recovery. He is married and has 3 children: 18, 15 & 11. For fun he exercises and plays the drums, 

 

 

[10:07] Can you give listeners some background on your story?

 

Jason said his first drug was sugar. It was the summer before 9th grade when he first tried marijuana. While he would quit from time to time, he consumed it a lot. He drank in high school and college. Jason quit everything during medical school. He said he went out of control after his residency because no eyes were on him anymore. He had access to cough syrup with hydrocodone which had its own set of repercussions. He had an intervention and went to rehab. In rehab he had a moment of surrender to addiction.

 

 

[16:30] What is your definition of Positive Recovery?

 

Jason said while he did get sober through a 12-step program. However he woke up later to exploring beyond the 12-steps and a broader array of recovery methods. The science of happiness (Positive Psychology) was something that he learned about and jumped in. He began to apply these methods to addictive disorders. Helping to improve outcomes is Dr. Jason’s end goal.

 

 

[25:13] Personally, did you have to deal with any relapses after your time in treatment / early recovery?

 

Jason said he felt like he had a lot of reasons for shame surrounding his addiction. In his profession it’s often looked at as a character flaw. He was very distraught and afraid when he finally surrendered to the addiction. He didn’t have a relapse, but realizes he is an anomaly. In the beginning there was the desire to relapse, but he pushed through the feelings that came with it.

 

 

[29:56] Tell me about CBT.

 

Jason said that Dr. Aaron Beck created CBT. Dr. Beck decided he needed to develop a tool to change the thinking and behavior and there is a different result. The ABC’s are: A- Activating Event, B- Belief/Thought, C- Consequence. Making the change and having people argue with themselves (A & B) to change the consequence.

ACR- Active Constructive Responding- Dr. Jason wants us all to google this and inform ourselves and apply this to our lives!

 

 

[38:28] Tell me how your life has changed.

 

Jason said a part of him woke up or was reborn after addiction. He’s still himself, but just different. He’s living a full complete lifestyle away from substances. He’s honest, my generous, more empathetic.

 

 

[40:38] How do you navigate difficult situations personally?

 

Jason said he makes amends a lot. He gives himself permission to be imperfect and to circle back. He practices and allows room for mistakes to happen. Being compassionate with himself. He also applies the ABCs.

 

 

 [42:46] Rapid Fire Round 

 

  1. What is your favorite NA beverage?

 

Diet orange soda.

 

  1. What would you say to your younger self?

 

Go find Amy Powers and marry her and get into recovery quickly!

 

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

 

Other people, other people, other people

 

  1. What book are you reading right now?

 

Ken Follett, A Dangerous Fortune

 

  1. What parting piece of guidance can you give people thinking about ditching the booze?

 

What are you waiting for? Try it out.

 

 

You may have to say adios to booze if... 

 

it’s causing more negative consequences to your life then it’s adding benefits.

 

Odette’s weekly challenge:

 

Think about the intro, how do you spend your waiting periods? Do you know you can come back to yourself by simply breathing and being mindful? Peace begins with you.

 

Upcoming events, retreats and courses:

  • Recovery Elevator RESTORE January 2021 Course. We will be offering this starting 1/1/2021. We’re meeting 13 times in January via Zoom to give you the tools and accountability needed for an alcohol-free January
 and hopefully more! 
  • You can find more information about our events here.

 

Affiliate Link for Endourage:

For 10% off your first CBD order with Endourage visit this link and use the promo code elevator at checkout. 

 

Affiliate Link for Amazon:

Shop via Amazon using this link.

 

The book, Alcohol is SH!T, is out. Pick up your paperback copy on Amazon here! You can get the Audible version here!  

 

Resources: 

Connect with Cafe RE - Use the promo code OPPORTUNITY to waive the set-up fee.

Recovery Elevator YouTube - Subscribe here!

Sobriety Tracker iTunes 

Sobriety Tracker Android 

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

 

“Recovery Elevator – You are your own paradise”

Nov 30, 2020

Jamie took her last drink April 16, 2019. With 485 days away from alcohol, (at the time of recording) this is her story of living alcohol free (AF).

 

Odette’s weekly installment of: Finding Your Better You

 

She is currently re-reading The Compound Effect. The general idea is that baby steps add up into large rewards. Change is hard. Gaining momentum on a decision is hard. This applies to our alcohol-free journey: turning down drinks, one at a time. Once we reframe the idea of this being a sacrifice and think of it as an opportunity instead, the trajectory changes. We must think of all the things we can add into our lives without alcohol. Odette makes a list of the things she has room for in her life now. Why don’t you make one too?

 

[7:00] Odette introduces Jamie

 

Jamie is 35 years old and lives on Long Island, NY. Her immediate family lives close and she lives with her 2 black cats. Jamie is a social worker. For fun she likes to run, go kayaking, reading, cooking and hanging out with friends. Being in nature is the best, it’s where she finds her higher power.

 

[9:57] Can you give listeners some background on your drinking?

 

Jamie said she started drinking at the end of high school. In college her drinking seemed normal. She found there were hills and valleys with her drinking. When Jamie lost her mother at the age of 22 she remembers she was in a club in Greece and she identifies the synergy with that happening. The last 3-4 years her drinking escalated. She was blacking out and making poor choices. Looking back she can see the pattern of co-dependency.

 

 

[12:57] Did you notice after your mother passed that you used alcohol to deal with your grief?

 

Jamie said at first, she was so busy taking care of her father and making sure he was ok that alcohol was a secondary thought. But once she had some time away and time with her own feelings, she could see she was using alcohol the same as her mother, to numb down any emotions.

 

 

[18:05] Tell me about the first couple weeks of your journey?

 

Jamie said this was really the first time she honestly tried to get stop drinking. She had been living on the river of denial before this. Growing up her family didn’t express feelings, they drank or got angry. So, the first few weeks were new. She started a 12-step program and therapy. Jamie only knew 2 sober people at the time and she spoke to them a lot.

 

[23:49] What did you do initially when you had a craving?

 

Jamie said she didn’t really have a craving for the drink, but it was an emotional craving instead. She used a new found self-awareness to explore the feelings. She would pause and ask herself some questions about why she was feeling that way.

 

 

 

[28:18] After making the decision to not drinking, did you talk to your friends and family about it?

 

Jamie said she told people very quickly. She said the safe sentence “I’m not drinking right now”. After about a month, she started to see how this could be a lifestyle for her. 5-6 months in she began to share very openly on social media.

 

 

[30:48] What’s been the hardest part of this journey for you?

 

Jamie said feeling her feelings and not fighting them. Allowing the feelings to just be there. 

 

 

[34:27] What’s your morning routine?

 

Wakes up at 6am, feeds cats, reads and then moves her body. For the last 81 days (at the time of recording) Jamie has been running every morning. New Fashioned Sobriety and their Zero Proof Run Club hosted and a streaker challenge that she completed. Initially it was 41 days, which she completed. And now her pledge to herself is to move her body daily. She also makes sure to meditate daily.

 

 

[37:01] Did you used to have a witching hour?

 

Jamie said right after work, 5-7pm when before she would be at happy hour and now she fills the time with new routines. A fun mocktail, some tea, go for a walk, walk with a friend. 

 

 [40:13] Rapid Fire Round 

 

  1. What are you excited about right now?

 

Have her first sober healthy relationship.

 

  1. What books are you reading right now?

 

Good Morning, Destroyer of Men's Souls: A Memoir of Women, Addiction, and Love

 

  1. What is a lightbulb moment you’ve had in this journey?

 

I can do almost anything sober that I did drunk.

 

  1. If you could talk to day 1 Jamie, what would you say?

 

Jamie you are a warrior, you are a force you have no idea what this is going to bring you. You can be a light for other people.

 

  1. What is your favorite ice cream flavor?

 

Anything with chocolate or peanut butter in it and even together!

 

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

 

Café RE, Podcasts- Recovery Elevator, Recovery Happy Hour, Seltzer Squad, yoga, walking, running, kayaking and This Naked Mind and Sober Curious.

 

  1. What parting piece of guidance can you give people thinking about ditching the booze?

 

You are a brave, gentle soul and I applaud you. I wish you so much fun on your journey. It’s about taking that pain and making it fun. Tell somebody.

 

 

You may have to say adios to booze... 

 

You drank so much while living in your parents basement and you couldn’t make it upstairs to the bathroom, so you throw up in the washing machine. 

 

Odette’s weekly challenge:

 

Think about your AF journey. How much have you been trying to hold onto things you think this journey will take from you? Is that realistic? Make a shift, start thinking about what you want to set out of this. About what you want to add to your life? Open your eyes, beauty is all around us. Choose you, stay sober, you’re also subscribing to abundance. 

 

Upcoming events, retreats and courses:

  • You can find more information about our events here.  

 

Affiliate Link for Endourage:

For 10% off your first CBD order with Endourage visit this link and use the promo code elevator at checkout. 

 

Affiliate Link for Amazon:

Shop via Amazon using this link.

 

The book, Alcohol is SH!T, is out. Pick up your paperback copy on Amazon here! You can get the Audible version here!  

 

Resources: 

Connect with Cafe RE - Use the promo code OPPORTUNITY to waive the set-up fee.

Recovery Elevator YouTube - Subscribe here!

Sobriety Tracker iTunes 

Sobriety Tracker Android 

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

 

“Recovery Elevator – The birds are singing and when we are sober, we can actually hear them – I love you guys.”

Nov 23, 2020

Alex took her last drink April 25, 2020. With exactly 109 days away from alcohol, (at the time of recording) this is her story of living alcohol free (AF).

 

Odette’s weekly installment of: Finding Your Better You

 

The end of the year is the time when Odette sees a lot of “fuck-its”. Putting your goals on hold and coasting to the end of the year, to start fresh in the new year. 2020 particularly has been hard as so much was put on hold; we can now choose to make this year mean nothing or everything. Keep going, keep putting your good energy into the year. The rest of this year is a marathon, not a sprint to 2021. Hold onto your sobriety, visualize your path, see the people along the way cheering you on, see the finish line. You can do this.

 

[7:30] Odette introduces Alex

 

Alex is 28 years old. She is originally from Indianapolis, IN and just moved to Denver, CO. She loves hiking, mountain biking, being outside. She lives with a roommate and her dog. She’s the “designated ice cream friend” among her group of friends.

 

[10:50] Can you give listeners some background on your drinking?

 

Alex said she was never someone who drank daily, but she found herself often in drinking situations and she wasn’t able to moderate. She moved from Chicago back to Indianapolis and the drinking didn’t change like she hoped it would. Alex began to make rules around her drinking to try to moderate. Morning after morning of not remembering nights she began to explore and consider a life without alcohol. She wanted to remember everything.

 

 

[14:04] What drew you to start listening to Recovery Elevator?

 

Alex said when she was questioning her drinking, she felt she couldn’t tell anyone in her circle of friends but knew there had to be something out there in the podcast world. There was one in particular that spoke to her, she saw herself in the interviewee. Alex began to get angry at the alcohol.

 

 

[17:42] What tools work for you?

 

Alex said she walks every day, minimum 2 hours. That’s been therapeutic for her. It allows her to slow down and focus on the little things in life. When she feels a craving, she goes for a walk.

 

[19:08] Do people around you know you’re sober?

 

Alex said everybody knows now. It started as a whisper to some people and now it’s something that is just known. When 1000 Hours Dry was looking for a host, she signed right up, giving her an extra layer of accountability. 

 

 

[23:27] What’s your worst memory from drinking?

 

Alex said she woke up one morning, not remembering at all how she got home from the night before. She decided to take herself out to brunch, where she drank and rode herself home on her bike. She had an accident, breaking her wrist and giving herself a concussion. 

 

 

[27:00] What’s your go to response when someone offers you a drink?

 

Alex said she says “no thank you, I have my own drink!”

 

 

[28:55] Have you gotten to the bottom of why you chose to drink?

 

Alex said she was lonely and seeking validation. She felt she would be more likable if she drank.

 

 

[33:28] Do you ever feel a disconnect in your age decade and when you got sober?

 

Alex said she was nervous about this choice and how it would affect her social life. Reframing the idea of not drinking is what helped her get through it. She wanted to remember the things that hadn’t happened yet.

 

 

[33:28] Do you ever feel a disconnect in your age decade and when you got sober?

 

Alex said she was nervous about this choice and how it would affect her social life. Reframing the idea of not drinking is what helped her get through it.

 

 

[36:41] What’s been the hardest part of the last few months?

 

Letting go of expectations and having different expectations. Having to go with the flow.

 

 

[39:16] Do you have a daily routine?

 

Alex said she making coffee is therapeutic to her. She focuses on the enjoyment she will get from the process and the end result. She journals while drinking the coffee. Her walking is also part of what keeps her sane. Alex has some playlists that bring her peace.

 

 

 

 [43:42] Rapid Fire Round 

 

  1. If you could talk to day 1 Dusty, what would you say?

 

You deserve a life without alcohol.

 

  1. What are you excited about right now?

 

Getting yoga certification, meeting new people.

 

  1. What’s your favorite ice cream flavor?

 

Graham Central Station or TJ Cookie Butter

 

  1. What is a lightbulb moment you’ve had in this journey?

 

You don’t need a drink. You just need to be and sit through the feeling.

 

  1. What parting piece of guidance can you give listeners?

 

I promise this decision is fun.

 

 

You may have to say adios to booze... 

 

You’re only guaranteed to go to a wedding if there’s an open bar.

 

Odette’s weekly challenge:

 

Commit to finishing the race. Commit to your sobriety. 

Flip the question. Instead of “What’s the worst that can happen?” ask “What’s the best that can happen?”

 

Upcoming events, retreats and courses:

  • You can find more information about our events here.  

 

GrĂŒvi discount code:

For 15% off your order with GrĂŒvi visit their website and use the promo code recovery elevator at checkout

 

Affiliate Link for Endourage:

For 10% off your first CBD order with Endourage visit this link and use the promo code elevator at checkout. 

 

Affiliate Link for Amazon:

Shop via Amazon using this link.

 

The book, Alcohol is SH!T, is out. Pick up your paperback copy on Amazon here! You can get the Audible version here!  

 

Resources: 

Connect with Cafe RE - Use the promo code OPPORTUNITY to waive the set-up fee.

Recovery Elevator YouTube - Subscribe here!

Sobriety Tracker iTunes 

Sobriety Tracker Android 

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

 

“Recovery Elevator – I believe in you, Happy Thanksgiving”

Nov 16, 2020

Dusty took his last drink September 21, 2015. With exactly 5 years away from alcohol, (at the time of recording) this is his story of living alcohol free (AF).

 

Odette’s weekly installment of: Finding Your Better You
..by Paul Churchill

 

How to get your 300 Power Stance:

 

Grab a stick and stand in front of a mirror, put on some good music, bend the knees and ankles. Get low and grip the stick (or rake or broom). Become one with the stick. Look yourself in the eyes (in the mirror) and say, “I’m here, right now, what do you got?”, repeat, louder. Repeat and get lower. Find your stance. Focus on your connection to the earth. Pull up a painful moment from the past and change the script. Bring up the unfinish emotion and feel it. Remind yourself you are safe.

 

[16:00] Paul introduces Dusty.

 

Dusty is from Bozeman, MT. He’s a finance director for a local non-profit and just got engaged yesterday! For fun he likes to play rec sports. He goes hunting, camping, hiking and fishing in the beautiful weather he has in Bozeman.

 

[20:50] Can you give listeners some background on your drinking?

 

Dusty said the day before his last drink was spent watching sports and he blacked out around 9:30pm. The next day his friend was leaving for an around-the-world trip and he went to her leaving drinks. The bartender that night came up to him and explained that if they were working that night Dusty would have been kicked out for his behavior the night before. Another friend of his, he had kicked in the backside and when he saw her, he saw fear in her eyes when she looked at him. He paid his tab and left the bar. Never touched alcohol again. His losing control was a big motivator for him to stay sober.

 

 

[25:34] When did you find community?

 

Dusty said he’s been very lucky to have known Paul Churchill for a while before he quit. Paul was the first person he told he quit drinking and knew that community would be there for him. At the time Recovery Elevator was just getting started and Dusty participated. He was surprised how easy it was for him to share his story.

 

 

[30:11] How have the years changed for you?

 

Dusty said the 1st year was exactly that, just getting through the 1st year without a drink. In year 2 the real healing began. In 2019 was when he realized alcohol was the symptom, not the problem. He grew up with a verbally abusive father and being scared as a child, his option was to freeze and stay quiet. Coming into year 5 he’s begun therapy to understand the deep stuff that is why he reached for alcohol.

 

[37:17] What was on your heart yesterday?

 

Dusty said yesterday reflecting on the timeline of his life and his drinking was a lot for him. There was anger and sadness about the pain he experienced growing up. He was dwelling a little on the negative and he was able to purge it and get it out.

 

 

[43:51] How has the relationship with yourself changed over the last 5 years?

 

Dusty said he loves himself a lot more and continues to work on that. He has more confidence. Loving himself better lets him love the world better as well. Dusty now gives himself grace and is no longer his own worst critic. His physical appearance and health overall has changed drastically for the better.

 

 

[46:27] When the shame and guilt from your initial motivator decreased, what filled its place as a new motivator?

 

Dusty said his pink cloud lasted for years. He could see how much better his life was from walking away from alcohol. Nothing in his life got worse, everything got better. So, the idea of taking one drink he knew would make his life worse again.

 

 

[48:55] Do you still get cravings?

 

Dusty said no, not anymore. Very few moments have made him want to have a drink.

 

 

[49:38] What do you do now when life throws you a curveball?

 

Dusty said exercise works for him. He goes for a run and gets in the zone. He will also try to sit with the emotions and see where it’s coming from. He’s lucky to have close friends and family and he can talk to them.

 

 

[54:05] Rapid Fire Round 

 

  1. If you could talk to day 1 Dusty, what would you say?

 

Dusty, sit with the shame for a while, but don’t dwell on it forever. Use it for fuel. Enjoy the ride, all the ups and downs.

 

  1. What has recovery made possible for you?

 

He is more of a leader now.

 

  1. What’s your favorite ice cream flavor?

 

Ben & Jerry’s AmeriCone Dream or Cherry Garcia

 

  1. What book are you reading right now?

 

He’s reading a book about crows and ravens.

 

 

You may have to say adios to booze... 

 

If you are a recurring guest on the Recovery Elevator podcast!

 

Paul’s recap:

 

2020- what happened?! As per the Mayan Calendar: there is a gigantic evolutionary leap that the race needs to go through. It’s a leap through consciousness, not a physical leap.

 

Those with addiction are forced to go within and address our own inner discomfort. Because we didn’t have a choice. Realizing our inner world is more real than the outer world.

 

Upcoming events, retreats and courses:

  • You can find more information about our events here.  

 

Affiliate Link for Endourage:

For 10% off your first CBD order with Endourage visit this link and use the promo code elevator at checkout. 

 

Affiliate Link for Amazon:

Shop via Amazon using this link.

 

The book, Alcohol is SH!T, is out. Pick up your paperback copy on Amazon here! You can get the Audible version here!  

 

Resources: 

Connect with Cafe RE - Use the promo code OPPORTUNITY to waive the set-up fee.

Recovery Elevator YouTube - Subscribe here!

Sobriety Tracker iTunes 

Sobriety Tracker Android 

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

 

“Recovery Elevator – We took the elevator down, we gotta take the stairs back up, Rule #22, we have to lighten up, we can do this– Go big, because eventually we all go home”

Nov 9, 2020

Desi took her last drink July 21, 2018. With just over 2 years away from alcohol, (at the time of recording) this is her story of living alcohol free (AF).

 

If you haven't checked out the RE merchandise...what are you waiting for?? 
You can see what we have available here!

 

Odette’s weekly installment of: Finding your Better You
..

 

Hard days happen for everyone and don’t believe that highlight reel you see on Instagram! Odette calls these “dip days”. It’s ok to not thrive every single day, it’s ok to let feelings pass, it’s ok to be honest and you are not alone. 2020 is here to remind us we are stronger than we think and also what grief feels like.

 

 

 

Odette wants to share her tools for what helps her during these dip days.

 

  1. Eat
  2. Drink lots of water
  3. Meditate
  4. Laugh
  5. Remind yourself daily that you are not your productivity levels.
  6. Take your medications (if you are on any!)

 

 

 

[7:34] Odette introduces Desi.

 

Desi is 30 years old and lives in Michigan. She is finished up her Master’s in social work at University of Michigan (go blue!). In her spare time, she coaches high school lacrosse which is a huge passion of hers.

 

 

[12:38] Can you give listeners some background on your drinking?

 

Desi said her journey started at the age of 7 with an eating disorder after being sexually abused. At the age of 14 a cousin passed away and that was a big turning point for her. Her family didn’t talk about emotions. And around this time, she started drinking as well. Her first drink wasn’t normal, and it flipped a switch: she wanted more. In college she made friends with a group of people who “didn’t make wise decisions” so neither did she. Life was very hard for Desi during this. In college she met another woman, Vera, who became her sister and she credits Vera with saving her life. In 2009 she began to have chest pains, which was always diagnosed as “anxiety”, but Desi knew it wasn’t. In 2012 her sister Lauren got her into a treatment center for her eating disorder. In her second time in ED rehab she tried to get sober. However, Desi considered herself a dry drunk. November 2014 she began drinking again.

 

 

[34:04] When you came out of treatment were you frustrated that you also had to remove alcohol?

 

Desi said she didn’t even think she had a problem with alcohol at first. She knew her eating disorder was killing her and that was her focus. She held onto all the other toxic things so she could cope. Desi was scared if she didn’t have other things to help her get through life.

 

 

[39:41] Tell me about the first couple months of your sobriety.

 

Desi said she worked a program with AA. She had severe withdrawal symptoms, but she was able to talk about it in AA. There was nothing left to hide, and Desi was very honest in her shares. She reflected back on what made her want to quit drinking in the first place. Staying connected and finding community was what helped.

 

[44:09] Did your anxiety get better?

 

Desi said yes. While she’s a naturally anxious person, her anxiety has leveled. She was able to get off medication. Where her anxiety used to sit is no longer there. She experiences anxiety just like other people do, because that’s life.

 

 

[46:28] Tell me about sharing openly.

 

Desi said she needed to be able to share, she looks at it as a duty. Her sharing helps other people. She tells her story for those close to her that passed away and weren’t able to tell theirs.

 

[50:50] Rapid Fire Round 

 

  1. If you could talk to day 1 Desi, what would you say?

 

Hold, have hope, let people help you, and listen to others.

 

  1. What are you excited about right now?

 

An internship at UofM.

 

  1. What’s your go to response when someone offers you a drink?

 

No, I’m good.

 

  1. What parting piece of guidance can you give listeners that are thinking about ditching the booze?

 

If you can think of best case scenario for your life, just know that without alcohol it’s 100% possible.

 

You may have to say adios to booze... 

 

If you sneak out, get drunk, come back home, fall down the stairs, break your leg running to the bathroom to throw up.

 

Odette’s challenge this week:

 

Reach you, Odette is here for you.

 

Upcoming events, retreats and courses:

  • You can find more information about our events here.  

 

Affiliate Link for Endourage:

For 10% off your first CBD order with Endourage visit this link and use the promo code elevator at checkout. 

 

Affiliate Link for Amazon:

Shop via Amazon using this link.

 

The book, Alcohol is SH!T, is out. Pick up your paperback copy on Amazon here! You can get the Audible version here!  

 

Resources: 

Connect with Cafe RE - Use the promo code OPPORTUNITY to waive the set-up fee.

Recovery Elevator YouTube - Subscribe here!

Sobriety Tracker iTunes 

Sobriety Tracker Android 

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

 

“Recovery Elevator – We took the stairs down, we gotta take the elevator back up, we can do this– I love you guys”

Nov 2, 2020

Karla took her last drink December 31, 2018. With 583 away from alcohol, (at the time of recording) this is her story of living alcohol free (AF).

 

Ditching the Booze - The What, the Why and the How. The new course will start November 11th, 2020. It’s FREE for CafĂ© RE members. Not a CafĂ© Re member? Sign up here and use the code OPPORTUNITY for waive the set-up fee.

 

Odette’s weekly installment of: Finding your Better You
..

 

Melanie Beattie says “What would happen if we let go of our camouflage of adaptation? What would happen if we owned our power to be ourselves?

Would people still like us? Would they go away? Would they become angry?

 

There comes a time when we become willing and ready to take that risk. To continue growing, and living with ourselves, we realize we must liberate ourselves”

 

It’s very vulnerable to show up as our authentic selves. The more we pursue a life away from alcohol the more we walk to liberate ourselves. The humble confidence that shows up allows us to show up authentically. Remember, there’s only one you.

 

 

[7:10] Odette introduces Karla.

 

Karla is 33, grew up in the suburbs of Los Angeles and has lived in San Francisco for the past 7 years. She is an executive assistant for a tech company in the Bay area. She lives with her partner (fiancĂ©!) and her puppy. For fun she’s been working on some passion projects, SoberIRL is one of those!

 

[10:29] Can you give listeners some background on your drinking?

 

Karla said she started drinking when she was 19. She was studying abroad and hadn’t yet made friends. Drinking was an easy way to make friends. She mimicked their style of drinking. Karla called herself a “weekend warrior” in her style of drinking. It didn’t occur to her until after she stopped drinking that her drinking was beyond what someone for her stature should. By the time she was 21 she knew she had a problem. Between brown outs and black outs she was piecing together the nights out with her friends.

 

The juxtaposition between Karla the party girl and Karla the high achiever was a push and pull she felt deeply, but she didn’t know how to stop drinking.

 

[18:07] Where you stuck in this cycle for a long time?

 

Karla said she began seeing an alcohol counselor around the age of 25. The recommendation was to stop drinking, which she wasn’t ready for because it was also her social life. In July 2018 she was able to get 45 days. Using that time, she sought out other methods of getting sober. Until her birthday and then she drank again. Finally, on New Year’s Eve she was so hung over from the night before she couldn’t go with her partner to a party, and that was it for her.

 

[23:29] Tell me about the beginning of your sobriety.

 

Karla said she still felt those first 45 days, she was being punished because she couldn’t drink. This time around she didn’t tell anyone she was restarting, and she wanted to try to be kind to herself this time. She gave herself the grace to accept that this is difficult. She taught herself that not every thought that came into her mind was true.

 

[28:51] How did you find your community?

 

Karla said at first it was all on Instagram. She followed Holly on Instagram and drew a lot of strength from her because she saw similarities in Holly’s story. Also Bridge Club through Tempest was the first time she sat with others who wanted to live this life the same way. Karla knew she needed to find sober friends. With 8 months sober she attended the Recovery Elevator Bozeman retreat in 2019 and she felt herself really start to open up and found the ability to have fun and live life sober.

 

[34:21] Tell me how you feel now being an advocate for other people looking to get sober?

 

Karla said she never thought she would be in this position. She wanted to share being an openly sober Latina as she couldn’t find any others. She wants people to see that they can have fun and be a normal human at the same time. (Karla_is_Sober)

 

[37:22] Tell me about how you share so you can be the person you needed when trying to get sober.

 

Karla said she always felt because she was so high functioning, she couldn’t have a problem with alcohol. She told herself everything she was doing was normal. Karla wants to shed the shame and let people know that if alcohol isn’t serving you anymore, you can stop. Success doesn’t mean happiness. Karla wants people to know that people can turn their lives around and life can be so much more fulfilling. 

 

[43:45] Do you get cravings?

 

Karla said not really at this point. It’s not a physical craving, it’s an emotional craving and it’s fleeting.

 

[45:41] Rapid Fire Round 

 

  1. What is your go to response when you go to a party and someone offers you a drink?

 

No thanks!

 

  1. What’s your favorite NA beverage?

 

LaCroix Pamplemousse

 

  1. What’s a lightbulb moment you’ve had in the journey?

 

PASS

 

  1. What is your favorite ice cream flavour?

 

Mint chocolate chip

 

  1. What would you say to Karla on day 1?

 

I love you and I’m so proud of you

 

  1. What parting piece of guidance can you give listeners that are thinking about ditching the booze?

 

You know where alcohol leads you, get first-hand experience of a life away from it.

 

You may have to say adios to booze... 

 

If the DoorDash driver knocks on your door for your wine delivery, but you don’t remember ordering it.

 

Odette’s challenge this week:

 

You are good enough. Step onto the dance floor, we are waiting you!

 

Upcoming events, retreats and courses:

  • Ditching the Booze - The What, the Why and the How. The new course will start 11/10/20. It’s FREE for CafĂ© RE members. Not a CafĂ© Re member? Sign up here and use the code OPPORTUNITY for waive the set-up fee.
  • You can find more information about our events here.  

 

Affiliate Link for Endourage:

For 10% off your first CBD order with Endourage visit this link and use the promo code elevator at checkout. 

 

Affiliate Link for Amazon:

Shop via Amazon using this link.

 

The book, Alcohol is SH!T, is out. Pick up your paperback copy on Amazon here! You can get the Audible version here!  

 

Resources: 

Connect with Cafe RE - Use the promo code OPPORTUNITY to waive the set-up fee.

Recovery Elevator YouTube - Subscribe here!

Sobriety Tracker iTunes 

Sobriety Tracker Android 

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

 

“Recovery Elevator – Own your power to be yourself today, Own your power to be yourself today – I love you guys”

Oct 26, 2020

Megan took her last drink April 20, 2020. With 108 days away from alcohol, (at the time of recording) this is her story of living alcohol free (AF).

 

Ditching the Booze - The What, the Why and the How. The new course will start November 11th, 2020. It’s FREE for CafĂ© RE members. Not a CafĂ© Re member? Sign up here and use the code OPPORTUNITY for waive the set-up fee.

 

Odette’s weekly installment of: Finding the Better You
..

 

Armchair Expert: Day 7

 

Odette discusses Dax Shepard and the recent restarting of his sobriety clock. She appreciates how he is always seeking a life build in honesty and finding moment of gratefulness. What connects all of us is a feeling. What connects us all is finding our way through this book of recovery. Different chapters and experiences but all rooted in the same goal. We are not alone. Keep protecting your energy.

 

 

[10:26] Odette introduces Megan.

 

Megan lives in Montreal, Canada and is 33 years old. She lives with her partner Tim. She is a cook at a vegan restaurant. For fun she paints and draws and loves animal portraits.

 

[17:29] Can you give listeners some background on your drinking?

 

Megan said she drank a few times drinking growing up. Her parents both drank in the home and it was very normal. She got drunk for the first time when she was 17 or 18. It allowed her to breakout of her shell and be social. Moving to Montreal it became even more “normal”. It is very much a part of the culture. It changed from being out and drinking, to drinking at home, to drinking at home alone. She began combining anxiety medication with alcohol and would black out. Megan questioned her drinking in her mid 20s due to so many different events. In March of 2020 she had all the alcohol that was meant for her wedding and in 30 days’ time drank all it. It was meant to be for 80 people.

 

[28:43] What happened in April of this year that made you stop drinking?

 

Megan said it was because she ran out of alcohol. She paused and realized she had drank about $800 worth of alcohol. Megan found herself filled with shame and she realized that the way she drank it would never be enough until she was dead.

 

[34:08] Tell me about the first few weeks after you stopped.

 

Megan said it’s a little hard to remember the time right after she quit. She remembers being exuberant in finding others and creating connections. Her sleep was a little off but she was also riding the pink cloud. As time went on, she wanted to get off anti-depressants. Now she’s starting to find an equilibrium. She can finally think properly.

 

[39:33] Tell me more about your new job and being sober.

 

Megan said she mentioned in the cover letter and again in the job interview that she is in recovery. She positioned it as an asset! They are really respectful of her being sober from alcohol.

 

[44:25] Tell me about your relationship with your partner now.

 

Megan said her partner already started out as a wicked person. He was concerned for her but also understood that the desire to stop drinking had to come from her. He’s really proud of her and expresses that to her.

 

 [46:36] Rapid Fire Round 

 

  1. If you could talk to day 1 Megan what would you say?

 

You are going to flourish!

 

  1. What is a lightbulb moment you’ve had in this journey?

 

That I am capable, and I am worth a lot. Stop telling myself bullshit.

 

  1. What’s your favorite AF beverage?

 

Coffee! Coffee with oat milk, iced coffee, black coffee.

 

  1. What parting piece of guidance can you give listeners that are thinking about ditching the booze?

 

Just take it day by day but remember to believe in yourself. You are capable and strong and you will keep amazing yourself.

 

You may have to say adios to booze... 

 

If you drank all your wedding booze in one month that was intended for 80 people.

 

Odette’s challenge this week:

 

Everyone is fighting their own battle and try not to judge anyone else. We need kindness and love, more than ever.

 

Affiliate Link for Endourage:

For 10% off your first CBD order with Endourage visit this link and use the promo code elevator at checkout. 

 

Affiliate Link for Amazon:

Shop via Amazon using this link.

 

Upcoming events, retreats and courses:

  • Ditching the Booze - The What, the Why and the How. The new course will start 11/10/20. It’s FREE for CafĂ© RE members. Not a CafĂ© Re member? Sign up here and use the code OPPORTUNITY for waive the set-up fee.
  • You can find more information about our events 

 

The book, Alcohol is SH!T, is out. Pick up your paperback copy on Amazon here! You can get the Audible version here!  

 

Resources: 

Connect with Cafe RE - Use the promo code OPPORTUNITY to waive the set-up fee.

Recovery Elevator YouTube - Subscribe here!

Sobriety Tracker iTunes 

Sobriety Tracker Android 

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

 

“Recovery Elevator – “Stay humble and stay smiling – I love you guys”

Oct 19, 2020

DeeDee took her last drink May 5, 2020. With 91 days away from alcohol, (at the time of recording) this is her story of living alcohol free (AF).

 

This weekend is Recovery Elevator’s first ever REgionals! Join us for our online zoom conference this October 23-24th. This event is FREE for CafĂ© RE Members only. Not a member yet?! Sign up here and use the promo code OPPORTUNITY to waive the set-up fee.

 

Odette’s weekly installment of: Finding the Better You
..

 

After watching the Social Dilemma on Netflix Odette has some thoughts about social media and its place in our lives. She wants us to continue to protect our energy and set boundaries.

 

  1. Talk about it.
  2. Uninstall apps, unfollow people, unsubscribe from emails.
  3. Turn off notifications.
  4. Look for chrome extensions that removed clickbait.
  5. Fact check yourself.
  6. Delay giving devices to children.
  7. Try to have devices out of your bedroom.

 

[11:37] Odette introduces DeeDee.

 

DeeDee lives in Santa Barbara, California and is 29 years old. She lives with her finance and their 2 dogs. For work, DeeDee is the Director of Development for a non-profit. For fun she’s trying to figure that out still, but recently she’s begun crafting again and making candles.

 

[15:50] Can you give listeners some background on your drinking?

 

DeeDee grew up being aware of alcohol because alcoholism runs in her family. Her father got sober 14 years ago. She didn’t drink a lot in high school. When she turned 21, she drank to fit in, but even then, didn’t really like alcohol. In the beginning of 2013, she noticed that she drew a correlation between being loved and being intoxicated. Her partner at the time only expressed love when he was drunk. In 2017 DeeDee realized she was drinking alone. In 2018/2019 she dabbled in sobriety for short periods of time. She got engaged in late 2019 and they used that excuse for more drinking to “celebrate”.

 

[22:11] Did you ever connect the dots of alcohol being a problem in your family and your own drinking?

 

DeeDee said she was in denial for a lot of it. She didn’t know a lot of women who had problems with alcohol, so she rationalized that it was only the men in her family who had a problem.

 

[23:38] Did you and your finance decide together to quit drinking?

 

DeeDee said they came to the conclusion of quitting drinking on their own, but also at the same time. During early sobriety they both experienced different things and she has learned how to set different expectations based on their own individual experiences.

 

[26:28] Tell me about the last 90 days.

 

DeeDee said in the beginning she was very focused on how to live a sober life and what that was going to look like for her. She was seeing changes in her thought patterns. DeeDee focused on finding out why she is the way she is. After a month or so, she began to try and find balance in her life and her recovery.

 

[31:17] How did the conversation go with your father when you told him you weren’t drinking?

 

DeeDee said it happened on May 5th 2020. He’s been incredibly supportive. The conversation was very matter of fact and easy for her. Both her parents were there, and they met her with understanding.

 

[32:52] What do you do when you get a craving?

 

DeeDee said she has more emotional cravings then physical cravings. Seeing people with a glass of wine on a patio on a Friday afternoon makes her want that feeling, not the wine. That connection and relaxation is what she’s looking for. Now she plays the tape forward, knowing that it will not ever just be one glass of wine. Instead now she chooses a different action, be it a walk or a podcast or ice cream.

 

[36:47] What’s your favorite AF drink now?

 

DeeDee said sparkling water and also making a fun mocktails.

 

[38:54] What you been able to identify any emotional triggers?

 

DeeDee said she’s learned that she has emotional triggers when she’s feeling had a difficult day or moment. She wants to sit on the couch and feel like the alcohol is helping her unwind. Leaning her emotions are temporary has been huge.

 

[41:46] Have you gotten any pushback from people?

 

DeeDee said she started posting on an Instagram account she had that was mostly filled with followers she didn’t know in real life. It was easier for her to open up and share, giving her confidence to move onto people in her real life. It was liberating when she decided to post on her “real” account where she was followed by people in her real life. She received awesome feedback and responses.

 

[45:57] Rapid Fire Round 

 

  1. If you could talk to day 1 DeeDee what would you say?

 

In this moment, exactly where you are, you are enough.

 

  1. What is a lightbulb moment you’ve had in this journey?

 

The opposite of addiction is connection and how true this statement is.

 

  1. What are you excited about right now?

 

Getting married and starting a life together and doing it without booze.

 

  1. What is your favorite ice cream flavour?

 

Chocolate chip cookie dough

 

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

 

Recovery Elevator podcast, Recovery Happy Hour podcast, AA meetings, therapy.

 

You may have to say adios to booze... 

 

If the first time you’ve ever been honest with a doctor about the amount your drinking AFTER you decided to stop.

 

Odette’s challenge this week:

 

Take inventory of the relationship you have with your smart phone. Be honest. Make a small list of boundaries you can put in place. Baby steps add up and came impact change.

 

Affiliate Link for Endourage:

For 10% off your first CBD order with Endourage visit this link and use the promo code elevator at checkout. 

 

Affiliate Link for Amazon:

Shop via Amazon using this link.

 

Upcoming events, retreats and courses:

  • Recovery Elevator’s first ever REgionals! Join us for our online zoom conference this October 23-24th. This event is FREE for CafĂ© RE Members only. Not a member yet?! Sign up here and use the promo code OPPORTUNITY to waive the set-up fee.
  • Ditching the Booze - The What, the Why and the How. The new course will start 11/10/20. It’s FREE for CafĂ© RE members. Not a CafĂ© Re member? Sign up here and use the code OPPORTUNITY for waive the set-up fee.
  • You can find more information about our events here.  

 

The book, Alcohol is SH!T, is out. Pick up your paperback copy on Amazon here! You can get the Audible version here!  

 

Resources: 

Connect with Cafe RE - Use the promo code OPPORTUNITY to waive the set-up fee.

Recovery Elevator YouTube - Subscribe here!

Sobriety Tracker iTunes 

Sobriety Tracker Android 

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

 

“Recovery Elevator – “Turn those f’ing notifications off, life’s too short to be looking down at your phone all the time – I love you guys”

Oct 12, 2020

Brandon took his last drink October 28, 2018. With 645 days away from alcohol, (at the time of recording) this is his story of living alcohol free (AF).

 

Odette’s weekly installment of: Finding the Better You
..

Now more than ever we need to stay rooted in kindness and live with the belief that people are just doing the best they can. In sobriety Odette has found she can give more grace to others because she is giving herself more grace and compassion.

Looking at perfectionism, it doesn’t actually yield perfect results. It instead creates feelings of guilt, shame, stress, addiction, loneliness and isolation. Unsubscribe from perfectionism and just be yourself. Take care of yourself and everything else will take care of itself. And that’s the real gift.

 

 

[7:08] Odette introduces Brandon.

 

Brandon lives in Orlando, Florida with his wife and son. He’s a social media manager. For fun he likes to go on adventures with his son, he plays music and enjoys being creative.

 

[10:42] Can you give listeners some background on your drinking?

 

Brandon said he started drinking at the age of 21, he wasn’t interested in drinking while growing up. He was focused on sports and playing in bands. His first couple years of drinking he didn’t suffer the usual repercussions. At about 3 years in he began to experience hangovers. College drinking helped him deal with his anxiety. Brandon noticed the years after college he was using alcohol as a crutch. He found himself turning to alcohol for to handle anything that life threw at him. He was trying to show a front of perfectionism while internally struggling so much.

 

[19:24] Did your wife every approach you about your drinking?

 

Brandon said his wife would question sometimes the beer(s) he would have with dinner. He could tell she knew something was wrong. His rock bottom was a Halloween party in 2018 where he drank too much and they had a fight. She was 7 months pregnant and expressed concern about having to do the next stage of life alone. That was enough for him.

 

[29:11] Talk to me more about the time right after you stopped drinking.

 

Brandon said he was prepared for it to be hell but didn’t consider all the other things that go into it. He was open with his wife and friends. He turned to fitness to keep his mind moving. He took things hour by hour and focused just on the moment he was in. Brandon discovered a confidence in himself he didn’t know was there.

 

[35:18] Do you still get cravings?

 

Brandon said no, but there are times where it sounds good to take the edge off with alcohol.

 

[36:27] What’s in your toolbox?

 

Brandon said his wife is his biggest support. The /r/stopdrinking Reddit page. The idea of sharing with others gives him motivation.

 

[39:32] Do you ever get push back from people?

 

Brandon said yes, he does. He feels because he dealt with it silently for so many years, people had a hard time understanding the level of drinking he had come to achieve.

 

[44:57] Rapid Fire Round 

 

  1. If you could talk to younger Brandon what would you say?

 

Listen to your parents, don’t try it.

 

  1. What is your go to NA beverage?

 

Sparkling water.

 

  1. What parting piece of guidance can you give listeners who are thinking about ditching the booze?

 

Listen to your gut. What’s in your mind is the truth. There’s no better time than now.

 

You may have to say adios to booze... 

 

If you’re in a meeting at 2pm and you’re thinking about what you’re going to drink tonight.

 

Odette’s challenge this week:

 

Try to see yourself differently this week. Be more compassionate when you make a mistake. Give people in your life the benefit of the doubt. Be nice to strangers.

 

Affiliate Link for Endourage:

For 10% off your first CBD order with Endourage visit this link and use the promo code elevator at checkout. 

 

Affiliate Link for Amazon:

Shop via Amazon using this link.

 

Upcoming events, retreats and courses:

  • Recovery Elevator’s first ever REgionals! Join us for our online zoom conference this October 23-24th. This event is FREE for CafĂ© RE Members only. Not a member yet?! Sign up here and use the promo code OPPORTUNITY to waive the set-up fee.
  • Ditching the Booze - The What, the Why and the How. The new course will start 11/10/20. It’s FREE for CafĂ© RE members. Not a CafĂ© Re member? Sign up here and use the code OPPORTUNITY for waive the set-up fee.
  • You can find more information about our events here.  

 

The book, Alcohol is SH!T, is out. Pick up your paperback copy on Amazon here! You can get the Audible version here!  

 

Resources: 

Connect with Cafe RE - Use the promo code OPPORTUNITY to waive the set-up fee.

Recovery Elevator YouTube - Subscribe here!

Sobriety Tracker iTunes 

Sobriety Tracker Android 

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

 

“Recovery Elevator – “Believing we are all doing the best we can, can make the world a better place – I love you guys”

Oct 5, 2020

Erin took her last drink May 31, 2019. With 488 days away from alcohol, (at the time of recording) this is her story of living alcohol free (AF).

 

Odette’s weekly installment of: Finding the Better You
..

 

Most long-term decisions have to be rooted in a place of love and not of fear. This applies to recovery and leads to the question, “What has recovery made possible for you?” This question helps to build the bridge from fear to love. Hearing stories of hope from others send out waves of survival. As you share your story, you don’t know who’s listening and how that might change the trajectory of their life. Odette chooses to live in the solution and show others, specifically her family, what’s possible.

 

[6:23] Odette introduces Erin.

 

Erin and her family split time between New Hampshire and Sedona, AZ. She is married with 2 children, ages 1 & 3, she is a stay at home mom. For fun she does yoga, plays with her children, exercises and is getting to know her body.

 

[9:35] Can you give listeners some background on your drinking?

 

Erin said she first took a drink when she was 14. While that drink wasn’t a problem, she began to experiment. The family setting was one where there was drinking and so it was part of what she knew growing up. Her parents separated when she was 17 and she rebelled from there. At 18, she went to the University of New Hampshire, which is a large party school. Drinking was part of the culture and it was just what everyone was doing. Erin can look back now and see how toxic it was, especially for her.

 

 

[12:03] Can you expand on your college years?

 

Her sophomore year, she tried sobriety. She took some time off college and did a “major health cleanse”. However, when she returned, the habits also returned. She convinced herself she could moderate.

 

[13:14] Did you transition after college into a lifestyle that allowed you to maintain a frequency of binge drinking?

 

Erin said she has lived all over the place and those geographic moves are part of her story with alcohol. With periods of binge drinking and sadness coupled with periods of living with a healthy focus. Looking back, she can see she was running from her feelings and not being able to be with herself.

 

[15:33] What was your style of drinking and did anyone ever approach you about it while you were drinking?

 

Erin said she did surround herself with heavy drinkers so she could ignore the reality, there were also consequences to her drinking. She married her first husband in 2010 and they were divorced in 2012. He would speak to her about her drinking. When they separated, she took herself to her first AA meeting. However, a relapse of Lyme disease and the toll the separation was taking on her, she continued to drink daily.

Erin moved with her mother to Sedona, AZ and jumped into the AA community. She would wake up, go to a meeting, go to work at a health center and then come home and get drunk. This was when she saw that alcohol was turning her into 2 completely separate people.

 

[21:00] Tell me about your pregnancy and the last few years.

 

Erin said she got pregnant in 2016 and was able to stay sober through her pregnancy. She felt the highs and lows of pregnancy very severely and not having alcohol to help her numb was part of that. When her daughter was around 3 or 4 months, she convinced herself again she could moderate. She got pregnant with her son and again stayed sober throughout, but the pattern started again in the 4th trimester. In May 2019, she woke up violently ill and that was it.

 

[27:08] Tell me what you do now when you have one of these tough emotions.

 

Erin said she is getting to know herself again as a highly sensitive person (HSP). She taps into a lot of the digital community and is exploring the psychologic makeup of being an empath. She’s learning to lean in and explore the power of breath.

 

[29:40] Did you go back to AA?

 

Erin said she hasn’t gone back to AA yet (busy raising the future!) but has found there are so many options out there for her online.

 

[32:02] How has the response been from people?

 

Erin said overall the response has been supportive. Those closest to her knew she had a problem. Her husband has also stopped drinking in support of her.

 

[37:21] Has your creativity started to spark?

 

Erin said absolutely. She’s now made the choice to “join the human race” and to love herself. She makes talking about recovery part of her everyday life and puts herself out there without shame.

 

 

[40:28] Rapid Fire Round 

 

  1. If you could talk to younger Erin what would you say?

 

You’re enough and take care of yourself.

 

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

 

I’m ok in this moment and there is a purpose for why I am here.

 

  1. What’s your favorite ice cream flavor?

 

Chocolate ice cream

 

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

 

Podcasts, yoga and meditation, the miracle morning idea and enjoying not being hung over. Getting outside with her kids.

 

  1. What parting piece of guidance can you give listeners who are thinking about ditching the booze?

 

Just do it. Just try it. Give yourself enough time to give it a shot.

 

You may have to say adios to booze... 

 

If you don’t recognize yourself anymore.

 

Odette’s challenge this week:

 

Give yourself a few minutes to look back on your journey. Ask yourself “What was recovery made possible?” Write it down, read it often. You are worthy of everything.

 

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

Hours: Available 24 hours. Languages: English, Spanish. 

1-800-273-8255

 

Affiliate Link for Endourage:

For 10% off your first CBD order with Endourage visit this link and use the promo code elevator at checkout. 

 

Affiliate Link for Amazon:

Shop via Amazon using this link.

 

Upcoming events, retreats and courses:

  • Recovery Elevator’s first ever REgionals! Join us for our online zoom conference this October 23-24th. This event is FREE for CafĂ© RE Members only. Not a member yet?! Sign up here and use the promo code OPPORTUNITY to waive the set-up fee.
  • Ditching the Booze - The What, the Why and the How. The new course will start 11/10/20. It’s FREE for CafĂ© RE members. Not a CafĂ© Re member? Sign up here and use the code OPPORTUNITY for waive the set-up fee.
  • You can find more information about our events here.  

 

The book, Alcohol is SH!T, is out. Pick up your paperback copy on Amazon here! You can get the Audible version here!  

 

Resources: 

Connect with Cafe RE - Use the promo code OPPORTUNITY to waive the set-up fee.

Recovery Elevator YouTube - Subscribe here!

Sobriety Tracker iTunes 

Sobriety Tracker Android 

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

 

“Recovery Elevator – “This journey isn’t always easy, but it’s worth it and I promise you it’s possible, I’m here for you all – I love you guys”

Sep 28, 2020

Rob took his last drink June 5, 2019. With over one year away from alcohol (at the time of recording) this is his story of living alcohol free (AF).

 

Odette’s weekly installment of: Finding the Better You
..

 

When we say no to alcohol, we are saying yes to a better life. Once the alcohol is left behind some people pick back up old hobbies, others go off to do things they thought they would never do. Give yourself some grace when you quit, and you are trying to figure out what you like to do now. Go for it, the possibilities are endless.

 

Is how we are choosing to spend our time after quitting drinking bringing us peace? It becomes our responsibility to protect our peace and also seek peace.

 

[6:22] Odette introduces Rob.

 

Rob is 55 and lives in Littleton, CO. He has been married to his wife for 30 years, they have 2 grown boys. Rob likes adventure sports, specifically motorbike adventuring. He also enjoys hiking, being outdoors. He very much loves what Colorado has to offer.

 

[9:34] Can you give listeners some background on your drinking?

 

Rob said he moved from rural Indiana in 1978 to Denver, CO and that’s when alcohol became a big part of his life. Stemming from his desire to fit into a new school as a kid, he began drinking. He also took a job at a warehouse where the older employees found it funny to corrupt the 15 year old preachers kid. His parents found out and they put a stop to it. He began leading a dual life, the adrenaline seeker mountain climber motorcycle rider vs going to church 5 times a week.

 

On November 11, 2012 his close friend Ted passes away from cancer. Rob didn’t know how to handle those feelings and after this he began drinking at home. By the end he was blacking out 3-5 nights a week.

 

[17:02] Did you ever think to yourself “I might have a drinking problem?”

 

Rob said he didn’t even have that thought. The mentality around the group he was in was “work hard, play hard”.

 

[17:32] After Ted passed, were you conscious of the fact that you were using alcohol to hide the pain?

 

Rob said that never occurred to him until he was in recovery.

 

[19:12] Tell me about after your wife left?

 

Rob said he gained enough clarity that night to realize the choice was alcohol or his marriage. He chose to fight for his marriage and that night was his last drink.

 

That next morning on his drive to work, rather than listening to his usual drive music, he listened to a podcast about recovery. That night he found an AA meeting as well.

 

[25:15] Tell me about the resentment you had and when you felt the shift.

 

Rob said it was a progression for him. He didn’t really find a home until he found CafĂ© RE in September 2019. He felt the connections become real.

 

[28:26] Tell me about those first few months after you quit.

 

Rob said at 4 months he had done a lot of the brain work. He was trying to connect to his emotions and doing real work on himself. Then in October 2019, a driver ran a red light and collided with the side of his car going 55 MPH. He suffered a traumatic brain injury. While physically ok, he had to/has to work hard to get back to himself and heal himself, again.

 

[35:00] Do you still get cravings and how do you handle them?

 

Rob said he does still get cravings. And when he does, he goes into his sobriety toolbox. The first thing he does is wait 20 minutes and then he has to figure out why the craving happened. If that doesn’t work he page 84’s his sponsor. This means: working the steps in your everyday life.

 

[39:16] Do you ever get push back from people when you tell them you don’t drink?

 

Rob said no one gives him push back.

 

 [40:33] Rapid Fire Round 

 

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

 

That first night at AA, I’m ok and I’m not alone.

 

  1. If you could talk to day 1 Rob, what would you say?

 

10 deep breaths and give yourself a big hug.

 

  1. What are you excited about right now?

 

Butt Burner Gold which is 1500 miles in 24 hours on a motorcycle.

 

  1. What parting piece of guidance can you give listeners who are thinking about ditching the booze?

 

Stick around. Do the work. It’s worth it. One day you will wake up and see that it’s all worth it, you have this nice little life now.

 

You may have to say adios to booze... 

 

If you got kicked out of public school for drinking and your parents put you into a parochial school and you show up to bible study drunk.

 

Odette’s challenge this week:

 

Close your eyes for a few minutes and think about the things that bring you peace. Drop them down and keep them close. Get in the habit of looking for this peaceful feeling.

 

 

Affiliate Link for Endourage:

For 10% off your first CBD order with Endourage visit this link and use the promo code elevator at checkout. 

 

Affiliate Link for Amazon:

Shop via Amazon using this link.

 

Upcoming events, retreats and courses:

  • Recovery Elevator’s first ever REgionals! Join us for our online zoom conference this October 23-24th. This event is for CafĂ© RE Members only. Not a member yet?! Sign up here and use the promo code OPPORTUNITY to waive the set-up fee.
  • Ditching the Booze - The What, the Why and the How. The new course will start 11/3/20. It’s free for CafĂ© RE members. Not a CafĂ© Re member? Sign up here and use the code OPPORTUNITY for waive the set-up fee.
  • You can find more information about our events 

 

The book, Alcohol is SH!T, is out. Pick up your paperback copy on Amazon here! You can get the Audible version here!  

 

Resources: 

Connect with Cafe RE - Use the promo code OPPORTUNITY to waive the set-up fee.

Recovery Elevator YouTube - Subscribe here!

Sobriety Tracker iTunes 

Sobriety Tracker Android 

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

 

“Recovery Elevator – “Protect your peace – I love you guys”

Sep 21, 2020

Will took his last drink April 10, 2018. With just over 2 years away from alcohol (at the time of recording) this is his story of living alcohol free (AF).

 

Odette’s weekly installment of: Finding the Better You
..

 

Navigating through tough times. Removing alcohol allows you to actually do something about a problem, however sometimes without alcohol in front of it, a problem can present more clearly. It’s hard to do the hard thing and easy to pretend our problems aren’t really there. We have a choice to accept the problem (the storm) as it presents itself and its aftereffects as part of a life without alcohol.

 

[7:01] Odette introduces Will.

 

Will is 43 and lives in Queens, NY. He’s an IT consultant and married with a dog. For fun he loves to be outdoors, surfing, live music, cooking, biking, running and traveling.

 

[9:34] Can you give listeners some background on your drinking?

 

Will said he was 12 when he has his first drink on vacation, but he considers his real entrance to alcohol was around the age of 15. It dissolved the anxiety he felt in social situations. In college he went full force into drinking and it quickly became a daily habit. He sought out others who drank like he did.

 

 

[12:57] Were you a high performer in school?

 

Will said alcohol did impact his school work. He had no direction for what he wanted to do the rest of his life. He found himself drinking in exchange for doing things he loved.

 

[14:22] What happened after college?

 

Will said followed a band he loved around the country and fully fell into the drinking and partying culture.

 

[16:18] Did you ever question your drinking?

 

Will said no, because he had surrounded himself with a culture of drinking and partying. So, he was around it and it was normalized within his circle.

 

[18:23] Walk me through your next life chapter?

 

Will said he moved to Washington state with his now wife and went back to school. There was less drinking, and he was able to focus on his schoolwork and life. He found some balance mixed in with the pockets of crazy times.

 

Once he finished school he moved back to New York and began work, but also was staying out late drinking. He noticed the change in his physical alcohol dependance at this moment.

 

[22:34] Did you introduce moderation rules?

 

Will said he attempted moderation at home and it simply evaporated over time.

 

[23:21] Did you start having conversations with your wife about this?

 

Will said him and his wife were both “in it” at the time. (She is also now in recovery.) There was enabling happening and it was difficult to navigate.

 

[24:05] Did you have a rock bottom?

 

Will said he sought out a doctor to prescribe him something to help him get through the physical dependency. However, looking back, that was just another layer onto addiction. This went on for years with a chaotic life and drinking. He sought treatment after two friends expressed concern in 2016.

He did a 28-day inpatient program. While he wasn’t ready fully for recovery, but at the same time wanted to change his life. He made it through but relapsed within 60 days.

 

[29:14] Walk me through 2016 – 2018.

 

Will said he was trying in those two years, but it seemed impossible. While he was in and out of the AA rooms, he wasn’t doing the work that he was told was needed.

 

April 10, 2018, he entered a detox again after 3 days of a mental psychosis.

 

[33:13] What changed this time?

 

Will said there was enough pain in his life, he realized he needed to make a change.

 

[34:30] Do you still get cravings?

 

Will said not really, he gets fleeting thoughts.

 

[34:40] What your biggest way of coping with uncomfortable feelings?

 

Will said you get comfortable with being uncomfortable. Once he started to take his sobriety seriously, he accepted the program he was being told to work. He can now make sense of his feelings without alcohol numbing them down. There’s purpose in the struggles we go through.

 

[37:45] Have you healed the nerve damage in your feet at all?

 

Will said the rest of his body has healed which helps the pain overall. That makes the nerve pain manageable as a whole. He looks at the pain as a high power telling him to move. So that’s actually the gift that came from all this.

 

[40:12] When you left treatment, what was your plan?

 

Will said he jumped into AA. He was open to anything recovery related.

 

[43:55] What’s your favorite NA drink?

 

Will said he’s a club soda guy. Nothing fancy.

 

[44:27] Have you ever gotten push back from people?

 

Will said no one has given him pushback on his desire to lead a life without alcohol. But also, that’s a little telling to the condition he was in, everyone could see he needed help.

 

 [45:47] Rapid Fire Round 

 

  1. If you could talk to day 1 Will, what would you say?

 

You’re 100% worth it and you are a lot stronger than you could ever imagine.

 

  1. What are you excited about right now?

 

Grateful to have the tools that he has and to see where this takes us and the ability to give back.

 

  1. What’s your favorite flavor of ice cream?

 

Salted caramel anything.

 

  1. What are your favorite resources outside of AA?

 

Café RE, podcasts, self-help books, an in-person community

 

  1. What parting piece of guidance can you give listeners who are thinking about ditching the booze?

 

Life on the other side is beautiful. There’s a life to be had out there.

 

You may have to say adios to booze... 

 

If you’re curing your hangovers with more alcohol, that’s something that’s hard to come back from.

 

Odette’s challenge this week:

 

Take some time to access the challenges you are dealing with right now. Make a list of things you think you’ve been doing to navigate the situation. Don’t judge yourself, just write them down, edit as you see fit. If there are things on that list you don’t like, make a plan to change it.

 

 

Affiliate Link for Endourage:

For 10% off your first CBD order with Endourage visit this link and use the promo code elevator at checkout. 

 

Affiliate Link for Amazon:

Shop via Amazon using this link.

 

Upcoming events, retreats and courses:

  • Recovery Elevator’s first ever REgionals! Join us for our online zoom conference this October 23-24th. This event is for CafĂ© RE Members only. Not a member yet?! Sign up here and use the promo code OPPORTUNITY to waive the set-up fee.
  • Ditching the Booze - The What, the Why and the How. The new course will start 11/3/20. It’s free for CafĂ© RE members. Not a CafĂ© Re member? Sign up here and use the code OPPORTUNITY for waive the set-up fee.
  • You can find more information about our events 

 

The book, Alcohol is SH!T, is out. Pick up your paperback copy on Amazon here! You can get the Audible version here!  

 

Resources: 

Connect with Cafe RE - Use the promo code OPPORTUNITY to waive the set-up fee.

Recovery Elevator YouTube - Subscribe here!

Sobriety Tracker iTunes 

Sobriety Tracker Android 

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

 

“Recovery Elevator – “I believe in you, grab your life vest and let’s do this – I love you guys”

Sep 14, 2020

Kevin took his last drink April 11, 2020. With just over 3 months away from alcohol (at the time of recording) this is his story of living alcohol free (AF).

 

Odette’s weekly installment of: Finding the Better You
..

 

Receiving feedback and how to do better. After a negative comment / feedback from a listener, Odette took the comments and the feedback and is seeing this as an opportunity to do better. It seems these days that “do better” is being used more and explored. This was the universe reminding her that she is worthy, the listener is worthy, and everyone is worthy. She has gratitude and love for the listener because they allowed to her see something from a different perspective. If you have feedback, please send an email to Odette.

 

[7:23] Odette introduces Kevin.

 

Kevin is 59 and originally from Philadelphia, he has lives in Florida for the past 20 years. He’s a printer and works for the schoolboard. He’s married and loves cooking, traveling and doing charcoal portraits.

 

[9:13] Can you give listeners some background on your drinking?

 

Kevin said that when he was 7, he became the drink maker at his grandparents’ card games. He would have some whiskey and ginger ale himself. In 4th grade he was bullied, so he would go home at lunch to eat but also to do a few shots of liquor so he could deal with that. In high school he fell in with a crowd that drank and also sold drugs. He continued in that pattern until he met his now wife at the age of 33. He quit the drugs, but his drinking continued to escalate. In 2017 he spent 3 days in a psych ward, leaving there he sent to AA and a counselor, but it never really took, and he relapsed.

 

[12:26] Did anybody notice that all this was happening when you were so young?

 

Kevin said that he was a latch key kid, so his use of alcohol wasn’t noticed. And when he was in high school, he was always out of the house and with friends, so again, it wasn’t noticed. However, he says that while in high school he knew he had a bad alcohol problem on his hands.

 

[14:22] Did you ever reach out to somebody in those early days or was alcohol normalized in your family?

 

Kevin said his grandfather owned a bar and his parents had an active social life and he was a bartender at different points, so alcohol was always a part of his life.

 

[15:03] How did alcohol cause conflict in your marriage(s)?

 

Kevin said in his first marriage they were both very immature and it wasn’t ever going to last. With his second wife, he emulated her and wanted her to be proud of him. It never worked out however and he felt he was always disappointing her.

 

[16:40] What happened that made you want to reach out and get help?

 

Kevin said there were a lot of moments. Between injuries, unhealthy arguments and car accidents there were lots of red flags. He always thought he had it under control. He doesn’t have an off switch.

 

[18:55] What happened in April of this year?

 

Kevin said this time he wanted to get sober and committed to AA, he didn’t have another second chance in him. He was tired of playing the alcohol game, wondering where he would get more and having alcohol control his life.

 

[20:49] What do you do when you get a craving?

 

Kevin said he changes his environment right away. He gets out of where he is and tries to get a new headspace. In about 30 minutes time the craving is gone. He doesn’t call them alcohol cravings, but more the idea of alcohol gets in his brain.

 

Kevin uses the Merriam Webster app and it gives him a “word of the day”. He takes that word and tries to apply it to his sobriety throughout the day. This gives him a fresh perspective to sobriety over and over.

 

[23:00] Tell me about your family dynamics?

 

Kevin said for 24 years he was a tornado leaving a path of devastation through his marriage. They are trying to figure things out and he wants his wife to be happy and have a good life.

 

[26:02] What is your favorite thing about the AA program?

 

Kevin said the communication and connection with other people in recovery.

 

[28:20] Are there any other resources that have been helping you in this journey?

 

Kevin said he always has something going on to fill his time. Between podcasts and reading or going to meetings.

 

[28:58] What’s your favorite NA drink?

 

Iced coffee, with coffee ice cubes.

 

[29:36] Did you notice a change in your sugar intake?

 

Kevin said he never had a sweet tooth until he stopped drinking. But now he adds honey to his oats! He’s trying to scale back his sugar intake.

 

[30:52] What’s your go-to response when someone offers you a drink?

 

Kevin said he tells people “I’m an alcohol and I’m living it sober”. He has no reservations about telling people.

 

[31:30] Do you notice any pushback from people who you tell?

 

Kevin said the friends he has in Florida are accepting and have been nothing but positive.

 

[33:07] What are you excited about right now?

 

Kevin is excited about the future. He wants to get involved with helping other people in recovery.

 

[34:47] Has your sleep improved?

 

Kevin said he wasn’t a great sleeper throughout most of his life, so while that pattern remains, he’s no longer sluggish and his body doesn’t hurt. He feels rested.

 

[31:30] Do you have to do virtual meetings during the pandemic?

 

Kevin said his room has been open throughout the pandemic and he is a little unsure if he would have had success doing virtual meetings. He needs the in-person/human connections.

 

[39:28] Have you been able to identify triggers?

 

Kevin said he drank for so long that he’s unsure if he actually has triggers. He drank simply because it was part of his life.

 

 

 [41:13] Rapid Fire Round 

 

  1. What is a lightbulb moment you’ve had during this journey?

 

Realizing he could go through the day without alcohol.

 

  1. What would you say to your younger self?

 

Love and value yourself. You matter. You have something to offer.

 

  1. What’s your favorite flavor of ice cream?

 

Coffee with chocolate covered espresso beans on top.

 

  1. What parting piece of guidance can you give listeners who are thinking about ditching the booze?

 

It’s important to stay focused and keep your sobriety in front of you. Stay focused on your interests and keep your mind active. Stress is a killer.

 

You may have to say adios to booze... 

 

If you come back to your table from an open bar with 4 drinks and 2 shots in your hand and ask if anyone wants anything themselves.

 

Odette’s challenge this week:

 

Try to build a practice around your negative self-talk. Swap out the negative with a kinder message for yourself. Give yourself the love you need.

 

 

Affiliate Link for Endourage:

For 10% off your first CBD order with Endourage visit this link and use the promo code elevator at checkout. 

 

Affiliate Link for Amazon:

Shop via Amazon using this link.

 

Upcoming events, retreats and courses:

  • Recovery Elevator’s first ever REgionals! Join us for our online zoom conference this October 23-24th. This event is for CafĂ© RE Members only. Not a member yet?! Sign up here and use the promo code OPPORTUNITY to waive the set-up fee.
  • Ditching the Booze - The What, the Why and the How. The new course will start 11/3/20. It’s free for CafĂ© RE members. Not a CafĂ© Re member? Sign up here and use the code OPPORTUNITY for waive the set-up fee.
  • You can find more information about our events 

 

The book, Alcohol is SH!T, is out. Pick up your paperback copy on Amazon here! You can get the Audible version here!  

 

Resources: 

Connect with Cafe RE - Use the promo code OPPORTUNITY to waive the set-up fee.

Recovery Elevator YouTube - Subscribe here!

Sobriety Tracker iTunes 

Sobriety Tracker Android 

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

 

“Recovery Elevator – “Be the light and shine bright, you have the power to make a difference – I love you guys”

Sep 7, 2020

Taylor took his last drink June 7, 2019. With just over 13 months away from alcohol (at the time of recording) this is his story of living alcohol free (AF).

 

Odette’s weekly installment of: Finding the Better You
..

 

WAIT WAIT! It’s Paul’s 6 year Sober-versary! So instead we bring you Paul’s 6 big insights since his handing off the podcast to Odette.

  • People are struggling right now due to Covid, but let’s not label this as a problem. Let’s go within and have some spiritual growth.
  • Turn off the news.
  • The ego always sets its own trap.
  • Pets are the reason the human race hasn’t imploded yet.
  • He has gained empathy.
  • It’s never too late to accomplish a goal.

Bonus insight:

  • Paul’s parents are RAD!

 

[19:08] Paul introduces Taylor.

 

Taylor is 30 years old and lives in Thornton, Colorado with his two dogs, Harley and Rooster. While he’s lived in many places over the years, he grew up in Sacramento, California and now is in Colorado. He loves walking his dogs, record and write music, rock climbing, mountain biking, photography, hiking, skiing, snowboarding, wakeboarding, video editing and D&D. He likes to try all the hobbies now.

 

[23:54] Can you give listeners some background on your drinking?

 

Taylor said he started exploring alcohol around age 14. He wanted to see what alcohol was all about. He didn’t really touch alcohol again until he was about 16, mostly in High School he smoked weed. However, alcohol did allow him to fit in. His father and stepmother caught him smoking weed in college and made the decision to send him to live with his mother. This started his “victims’ story” because he wasn’t allowed to smoke weed anymore, so he was “forced to drink alcohol”. He saw his career grow however by quitting smoking weed, but there was alcohol ever present.

 

At 26 he found himself trying to moderate alcohol. Just before he deployed to Afghanistan, he thought to stop drinking a few days before, and he found himself in withdrawals. After not drinking while overseas, he ordered a drink on the plane home. Being home he was again trying to moderate.

 

[33:53] Tell me about going back to drinking after returning from Afghanistan?

 

Taylor said that he understood that he had seen the “other side of life” and you can never really go back. Alcohol just isn’t the same and he knew he was doomed. After his girlfriend left, was his rock bottom moment.

 

[42:19] Walk me through those first 30 days?

 

Taylor said he fully dove into recovery: “I sober like I drank”. When his father left, he kept going to therapy and AA. His pink cloud lasted 3 months and the energies to stay sober were stronger than his desire to drink. He found a lot of humility and got a sponsor and started working the steps.

 

[47:09] Can you share with listeners the difference between your 29th and your 30th birthdays?

 

Taylor said on his 29th birthday was in his first 30 days of sobriety. He sat at home and he didn’t have anything to do or anyone to hang out with. He called a newfound AA friend and he came over and they watched TV together. His 30th birthday he had 20 people show up to his birthday, from all parts of his life. He was humbled in that moment of the work that he had done to be the authentic Taylor.

 

[50:44] Do you still get cravings?

 

Taylor said yes. His alter drinking ego is named Gregory and he’s no longer the enemy of Taylor. Gregory still tries to get him to drinking, but he can have the conversation with Gregory about why they aren’t going to drink. Taylor treats Gregory like a sick child, with care and compassion. Cravings are now fleeting thoughts.

 

 [57:47] Rapid Fire Round 

 

  1. What is your favorite ice cream flavor?

 

Peanut butter and banana with candied bacon milkshake

 

  1. What would you say to your younger self?

 

Slow down, be gentle, be kind.

 

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

 

People, AA, The Calm App, Nature, Café RE, a picture of a dog.

Books:

Wherever You Go, There You Are by Jon Kabat-Zinn

The Tao of Pooh & The Te of Piglet by Benjamin Hoff

 

  1. What parting piece of guidance can you give listeners who are thinking about ditching the booze?

 

To be kind to yourself today and do the next kind thing.

 

You may have to say adios to booze... 

 

If you have driven to another state to buy more alcohol because the stores in your state are closed.

 

Odette’s final thoughts this week:

 

Congratulations Paul. You are loved, supported and you are worth it.

 

 

Affiliate Link for Endourage:

For 10% off your first CBD order with Endourage visit this link and use the promo code elevator at checkout. 

 

Affiliate Link for Amazon:

Shop via Amazon using this link.

 

Upcoming events, retreats and courses:

  • Recovery Elevator’s first ever REgionals! Join us for our online zoom conference this October 23-24th. This event is for CafĂ© RE Members only. Not a member yet?! Sign up here and use the promo code OPPORTUNITY to waive the set-up fee.
  • Ditching the Booze - The What, the Why and the How. The new course will start 11/3/20. It’s free for CafĂ© RE members. Not a CafĂ© Re member? Sign up here and use the code OPPORTUNITY for waive the set-up fee.
  • You can find more information about our events 

 

The book, Alcohol is SH!T, is out. Pick up your paperback copy on Amazon here! You can get the Audible version here!  

 

Resources: 

Connect with Cafe RE - Use the promo code OPPORTUNITY to waive the set-up fee.

Recovery Elevator YouTube - Subscribe here!

Sobriety Tracker iTunes 

Sobriety Tracker Android 

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

 

“Recovery Elevator – “We took the elevator down, we have to take the stairs back up, we can do this – I love you guys”

Aug 31, 2020

Early took their last drink November 16, 2019. With almost 8 months (at the time of recording) this is their story of living alcohol free (AF).

 

Odette’s weekly installment of: Finding the Better You.

Co-occurring disorders or dual diagnosis describes a person who has more than one medical issue either with two diseases simultaneously or one disease successively after the other. These may be mental or physical.

Odette reminds us that we are not alone.

 

[5:23] Odette introduces Early.

 

Early is 32 years old and living off the grid on the Ozark Plateau. They have 3 dogs who are their very best friends. For work they go back and forth between migrant farm work and restaurant service industry. For fun they like to learn about the area surrounding them, the plants and animals. Also chopping wood and the other living in the woods chores.

Living off the grid means that Early is not connected to the electrical power grid & any city water or sewage. They have solar power and collect rain water or spring water. They have a composting outhouse. Early says they are connected to the earth in a way that feels more ethical to them.

 

[8:33] Can you give listeners some background on your drinking?

 

Early said that their whole life has been characterized by very intense addiction. The first drink they had was a stolen Miller High Life at the age of 10. The first blackout came at 14, drinking in the mornings and vomiting in their sleep came at 16. They were drawn to alcohol due to being socially awkward and having few friends. Being a deviant led them into a world of acceptance. As an adult, along with therapy and their diagnosis as being on the spectrum, these factors make sense now.

By 18 Early was drinking daily and that’s the first time they wanted to stop drinking. Willpower didn’t work and AA wasn’t the avenue they wanted to take. Between the ages of 18 and 31 they tried many times to quit.

 

[11:44] When did you receive your diagnosis?

 

Early said at 29 there was an incident in which they sexually assaulted their best friend. It never would have happened if they had not been under the influence of alcohol. After that they checked themself into a mental hospital for help. There they were diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Early’s therapist post that also diagnosed them with Autisms Spectrum disorder and PTSD from childhood sexual abuse.

 

[13:43] What went through your mind after all these diagnoses?

 

Early said leaving the mental hospital they were detoxed from alcohol and also on new anti-psychotic medicine for brand new diagnoses. They weren’t given any tools on how to handle not drinking and their only coping ability from the past 20 years, so to cope, they drank.

 

[16:20] What happened after you left the hospital?

 

Early said that they knew they needed to remove alcohol but had no tools. They would white knuckle it for a few days and then drink. Over time they began to find different tools that worked for them. They incorporated yoga, drinking more water, changing their diet, getting regular sleep (basic needs as Early says!). However, the feeling of shame and the belief that they are a bad person remained. Early began drinking in secret and isolating themselves in-between moments of white knuckling sobriety.

 

[20:12] You seem to have such grit. Where did this come from and how did you find the determination to keep trying?

 

Early said their last night of drinking was an average night of drinking. The change began a year ago when their father passed away suddenly. They saw life from outside their own for the first time. That winter they declared that they would do anything to get sober. They kept trying and using all the tools they had learned over the years of trying to quit. They stopped feeling sorry for themselves and that helped to cut the shame. Early learned they were worthy of love and happiness. They describe themselves as a hard headed stubborn determined person and that might be the grit that is seen.

 

[27:51] How is it balancing and navigating symptoms from these disorders?

 

Early said that preventative maintenance for everything has dulled down many of the symptoms day to day. Every day they make sure they are getting proper nutrition, getting enough sleep, drinking enough water and feeding their soul. Taking care of the body and mind at a baselevel is paramount.

 

[29:58] Tell me about the people surrounding you?

 

Early said they understands they hurt a lot of people and people who left did so for a reason. And now the longer they are sober and people see them out doing the work, people are slowly returning into their life.

 

[34:06] Can you tell me about your routine?

 

Early said that they have a morning routine. Every day they try to wake up at the same time, drink water, walk their dogs, eat, take herbs, do meditation, work on a project that makes them proud (currently building their own house). In the evenings, eat dinner, listen to a podcast, do some meditation and go to sleep at the same time.

 

[35:37] Tell me more about building your own house.

 

Early said when they first moved to this property there was a dilapidated shack there and they lived there for about 4 years. Upon getting sober, they demolished the house and started to build their own with their neighbors.

 

 

 [35:57] Rapid Fire Round 

 

  1. What would you say to your younger self?

 

Stick with it, you’re worth it and things will change for the better.

 

  1. What is a lightbulb moment you’ve had in this journey?

 

Neuroplasticity

 

  1. What is your favorite ice cream flavor?

 

Chocolate chip cookie dough

 

  1. What are some words of wisdom you can share with listeners that want help ditching the booze and help with their mental health?

 

Don’t compare yourself to others story. You’re worth getting ahold of your drinking and your mental health. Do the work.

 

You may have to say adios to booze... 

 

if you have woken up covered in blue vomit
. Twice.

 

Odette’s final thoughts this week:

“Life will give you whatever experience is most helpful for the evolution of your consciousness. How do you know this is the experience you need? Because this is the experience you are having at the moment.” – Eckhart Tolle

 

 

Affiliate Link for Endourage:

For 10% off your first CBD order with Endourage visit this link and use the promo code elevator at checkout. 

 

Affiliate Link for Amazon:

Shop via Amazon using this link. 

 

Upcoming events, retreats and courses:

  • Recovery Elevator’s first ever REgionals! Join us for our online zoom conference this October 23-24th. This event is for CafĂ© RE Members only. Not a member yet?! Sign up here and use the promo code OPPORTUNITY to waive the set-up fee.
  • Ditching the Booze - The What, the Why and the How. The new course will start 11/3/20. It’s free for CafĂ© RE members. Not a CafĂ© Re member? Sign up here and use the code OPPORTUNITY for waive the set-up fee.
  • You can find more information about our events 

 

The book, Alcohol is SH!T, is out. Pick up your paperback copy on Amazon here! You can get the Audible version here!  

 

Resources: 

Connect with Cafe RE - Use the promo code OPPORTUNITY to waive the set-up fee.

Recovery Elevator YouTube - Subscribe here!

Sobriety Tracker iTunes 

Sobriety Tracker Android 

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

 

“Recovery Elevator – “Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance.”-Eckhart Tolle- I love you guys”

Aug 24, 2020

Anika is the founder of GrĂŒvi and a member of the sober curious community. This is her story of being an entrepreneur and helping to provide NA beverages to those who want them.

 

Odette’s weekly installment of: Finding the Better You.

You are in charge of setting and honoring your own boundaries. Everyone has different triggers, for example if NA beers and beverages are triggering to you, then you don’t have to explore that avenue. You know how to best protect your journey. Stay open and stay curious and protect your energy.

 

[4:53] Odette introduces Anika.

 

Anika is sober curious so she’s not very strict on keeping track of dates. But her last drink was right around the beginning of Covid. She is 24 years old and lives in Canada. She enjoys being outdoors, yoga, hiking and traveling.

 

[6:56] Walk me through your sober curious journey.

 

Anika said her sober curious nature came out during her last year at University. She was a social drinker, but in her last year she found herself saying “I don’t want to have to go out with friends tonight, because then I will have to drink and then I will be hung over.” She experienced all the benefits of a life away from alcohol: better sleep, having more clarity and being more productive.

 

[9:38] Did something spark your thought process to become aware of a life away from alcohol at such a young age?

 

Anika said at first, she was like everyone else with regards to drinking and felt it was a stage in life. But when she created the GrĂŒvi brand was when she really started to see how life can continue on without alcohol and with an alternate beverage. She was able to have a social life without having to have the social lubricant.

 

[11:15] How did GrĂŒvi start?

 

GrĂŒvi launched a year ago in Denver and it’s a family business. They have been a health focused family, led by their father. Finding that the NA category was lacking in options pushed them to create GrĂŒvi.

 

[12:34] Where did the name come from?

 

Anika said GrĂŒvi is taking the word “groovy” and making it fun and new. You can be fun and silly and youthful even without alcohol.

 

[14:59] Tell me about the specifics of GrĂŒvi?

 

Currently, there are 4 craft beers and 1 prosecco. The beers are brewed through a process of arrested fermentation, which stops the brewing before any alcohol is introduced. However, because this does go through a fermentation process, there are trace amounts of alcohol (similar to kombuca). The prosecco is 0.0% ABV.

They are expanding too! Anika says that hopefully they will be offering a bubbly Rose by the end of summer 2020.

 

[20:58] Are most people open to the dialogue (about this NA movement)?

 

Anika said that after living in Denver for over a year after University and returning to Canada and the friend group there, she was a little nervous. Through this she has realized that her friends support her no matter what. And she told them she is happy with her decision to not be drinking so they should be too.

 

[23:10] What’s it like working with your family?

 

Anika said so far, it’s been great! They are living together again as a family and it’s been smooth. She’s enjoying the opportunity to grow closer to her family through this.

 

[33:30] What are you excited about right now?

 

Anika said every day is new and exciting. GrĂŒvi is at that step where they are expanding and growing. This includes new states and being able to be local and accessible to more people. They are expanding their ambassador program and Anika is spearheading this. She loves getting to talk to the community and grow the movement together.

 

[36:50] Rapid Fire Round

 

  1. Other than GrĂŒvi, what’s your favorite NA beverage?

 

Being her own bartender and making mocktails or a matcha latte.

 

  1. What is a memorable moment you’ve had while not drinking?

 

Going out dancing with her friends and enjoying the music.

 

  1. What are some of your favorite resources?

 

Books:

The Sober Curious & This Naked Mind

Instagram accounts:

@Ditchedthedrink

@soberbabes

 

  1. What parting piece of guidance can you give to listeners who are thinking about ditching the booze?

 

Take the first jump, the first decision is always the hardest. You have nothing to lose.

 

Odette’s challenge this week:

Give a new tool a try. Maybe you go to an AA meeting for the first time, maybe you join CafĂ© Re, maybe you ask a friend to be your accountability partner, maybe you try a new Kombucha flavor or you try a new meditation. If we don’t try new things we will never know if it will help us in this journey.

Email Odette here and tell her what you tried.

 

GrĂŒvi discount detail:

For 15% off your order with GrĂŒvi visit their website and use the promo code recovery elevator at checkout. 

 

Affiliate Link for Endourage:

For 10% off your first CBD order with Endourage visit this link and use the promo code elevator at checkout. 

 

Upcoming events, retreats and courses:

  • Recovery Elevator’s first ever REgionals! Join us for our online zoom conference this October 23-24th. This event is for CafĂ© RE Members only. Not a member yet?! Sign up here and use the promo code OPPORTUNITY to waive the set-up fee.
  • Ditching the Booze - The What, the Why and the How. The new course will start 11/3/20. It’s free for CafĂ© RE members. Not a CafĂ© Re member? Sign up here and use the code OPPORTUNITY for waive the set-up fee.
  • You can find more information about our events

 

The book, Alcohol is SH!T, is out. Pick up your paperback copy on Amazon here! You can get the Audible version here!

 

Resources:

Connect with Cafe RE - Use the promo code OPPORTUNITY to waive the set-up fee.

Recovery Elevator YouTube - Subscribe here!

Sobriety Tracker iTunes 

Sobriety Tracker Android 

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

 

“Recovery Elevator – Let’s be respectful of others, lets focus on similarities and not differences, let’s make space for those who are different than us instead of automatically canceling them out- I love each and every one of you guys”

Aug 17, 2020

Alan took his last drink December 23, 2019. With almost 6 months (at the time of recording) this is his story of living alcohol free (AF).

 

Announcing Recovery Elevator’s first ever REgionals! Join us for our online zoom conference this October 23-24th. This event is for CafĂ© RE Members only. Not a member yet?! Sign up here and use the promo code OPPORTUNITY to waive the set-up fee.

 

Odette’s weekly installment of: Finding the Better You.

The New York Times article “Should We Be Drinking Less?” is from July 10th, 2020. It’s the stark contrast to articles which tout having 1-2 glasses of wine has healthy benefits or how rose will help you through motherhood. The idea that moderate drinking is acceptable actually keeps people drinking because it’s seen as ok in the eyes of society.

 

There is a shift that is happening and people are questioning the narrative of what’s acceptable when drinking.

 

[7:47] Odette introduces Alan.

 

Alan lives outside Atlanta and is 49 years old. His last drink was the day before Christmas Eve 2019. He drank everything and was blackout drunk that night. His 15 year old daughter had been at a friend’s house and came home to find her father passed out in a chair with a spilled glass of wine. The next morning knowing his daughter had seen that changed the course of his life. He didn’t want to live that way any longer.

 

Alan’s daughter mentioned above is actually one of triplets. He has three 15 year old children and has been married to his wife for almost 18 years. He’s in software sales and is trying to figure out what he likes to do for fun now that he’s sober. He enjoys health and fitness and has a Peloton.

 

[18:37] Walk me through your drinking career.

 

Alan said that he began drinking in high school and it started out normal, transitioned into college and that drinking atmosphere. College for him was one big party. He continued the pace of college drinking afterwards. He worked for a year in Aspen and drank 7 days a week. He returned to Atlanta, while his drinking slowed, he was always concerned about where the next drink was coming from and this is when his drinking became abnormal. Alan believes he was covering up fear with his drinking. Fear of fitting in, fear of getting a good job, fear of making enough money, fear of meeting the right girl, fear of getting a big title. The fear was gone when he drank.

 

[27:15] Tell me about joining Café RE and how was that first month?

 

Alan said CafĂ© RE was the springboard to connection. He didn’t realize the connection was so powerful with other people looking to live the same life. After feeling like he had been driving in foggy conditions for 10 years, the fog cleared and he was able to see finally.

 

[33:36] What works for you when you have a craving?

 

Alan said he has learned a ton of tools in CafĂ© RE. The biggest one is from Paul’s book, Alcohol is SH!T, which says to “play the tape forward”. While he can romanticize the drink on his porch, Alan can also now see where that one drink will lead. He’s seen the movie, he knows the ending and it’s not good!

 

[36:11] How has your family dynamic changed?

 

Alan said about 3 months in his wife looked at him and told him he was like a new person. He is present now. While he’s always been a father who was physically there, he always existed in the fog. He told his daughter that he was getting help for his drinking and that’s a huge accountability step for him, one he can never go back on.

 

[41:00] What have you discovered about yourself?

 

Alan said he’s learned he can juggle a lot of things in life. He has the ability to handle what life throws at him.

 

[42:51] If you could talk to day 1 Alan, what would you say?

 

Connect with likeminded individuals as soon as possible. Do not attempt to do this alone.

 

[43:20] Had you tried to stop drinking previously?

 

Alan said he probably tried about 4 times seriously. But never had connection, resources, understanding or community. He always went at it alone and would call himself a Dry Drunk.

 

[44:52] Rapid Fire Round 

 

  1. What do you bring to a BYO party?

 

Bubly, 1 can of Monster Energy drink

 

  1.  What is a drinking myth you’ve seen debunked?

 

Myth: You can’t have fun without drinking.

Truth: You can have SO much fun without drinking (and the next day!)

 

  1. Do you celebrate milestones?

 

Yes, but the journey is never ending.

 

  1. What are some words of wisdom you can share with listeners?

 

If you are thinking about this path, I promise you life is better without the booze. The fog will lift!

 

You may have to say adios to alcohol... 

 

if you’re at the airport bar and the gate is right across from you, but you intentionally miss your flight so you can keep drinking.

 

Odette’s challenge this week:

Share the NY Times article with someone you know. Plant the seed of living a life away from alcohol.

 

Affiliate Link for Endourage:

For 10% off your first CBD order with Endourage visit this link and use the promo code elevator at checkout. 

 

Upcoming events, retreats and courses:

  • Ditching the Booze - The What, the Why and the How. The new course will start 11/3/20. It’s free for CafĂ© RE members. Not a CafĂ© Re member? Sign up here and use the code OPPORTUNITY for waive the set-up fee.
  • You can find more information about our events here.  

 

The book, Alcohol is SH!T, is out. Pick up your paperback copy on Amazon here! You can get the Audible version here!  

 

Resources: 

Connect with Cafe RE - Use the promo code OPPORTUNITY to waive the set-up fee.

Recovery Elevator YouTube - Subscribe here!

Sobriety Tracker iTunes 

Sobriety Tracker Android 

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

“Recovery Elevator – How about we just stick to La Croix, sound good?- I love you guys”

Aug 10, 2020

Jim took his last drink April 7, 2020. With just over 70 days (at the time of recording) this is his story of living alcohol free (AF).

 

Today Odette opens talking about finding the better you and her own take away from Holly Whitaker’s Quit Like A Woman. She focuses on what Holly says about when a craving strikes. Learn to relax into the craving rather than distract.

 

RASINS

Recognize

Allow

Set aside the story

Investigate what is happening in your body

Name the sensations

Surf

 

Let’s set the scene: You have finished your 100th zoom call of the day and you are ready to relax for the night. You want to pour a glass of wine. Here is how to implement RASINS.

Admit the craving, allow the craving to build, set aside the negative thoughts telling you that you suck. Maybe try a meditation practice. Focus on how your body is feeling. Is your heart racing, are your palms sweating? Ride the wave of emotion, this is manageable.

 

 

[7:12] Odette introduces Jim.

 

Jim is 71 years old and he lives on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. He is about to retire fully from his career in public education. He’s been married for 47 years and has 3 children and 4 grandkids. He enjoys hiking, reading, swimming and volunteering at church and in schools. He has recently picked up golf too!

 

[11:33] Can you give listeners a history on your drinking?

 

Jim said he began drinking in high school and also drank in college. He joined a fraternity and soon after stopped going to call and flunked out. His father told him he was not welcome at home, so Jim joined the Merchant Marines after that. He said that although drinking was prohibited on the boats, that was far from the reality. After a winter in the Merchant Marines he was drafted into the Vietnam War, however his college agreed to re-admit him. Once back in college he was right back where he started. He did meet his “beautiful bride” while in school and she got him going back to class and he did graduate. His chosen career was something that he felt was more important that his drinking. So, he didn’t drink before work, but after work, all bets were off. Once he began to approach retirement, he had more time on his hands and the habits of college drinking returned.

 

[15:14] Do you remember your emotional state when your father told you that you weren’t allowed back home?

 

Jim said at the time he was very resentful and thought his father was not loving and caring. He felt his father was putting his own reputation and career over Jim’s circumstances. Looking back on it, Jim can say he knows that his father made a great decision.

 

[22:15] Did you notice your relationships changing/eroding?

 

Jim said his own ability to be a pleasant person when he was drinking was almost non-existent. He had a lot of irritability over very little things.

 

[25:38] Do you still have cravings?

 

Jim said he still has cravings. He uses HALT (hungry, angry, lonely, tired) when a craving strikes. He then reflects on the thought and feeling and reminds himself this will happen and to “not let it shake your tree” because this will pass.

 

[27:29] How did you find Recovery Elevator/ resources for this journey?

 

Jim said was listening to NPR shows and thought that there must be something recovery specific out there. He found Recovery Elevator from a google search and made it a part of his every day.

 

[28:50] Did you notice you had to change certain aspects of your entire routine?

 

Jim said that he wakes up every morning and looks at a stack of notecards he has created. He reminds himself every day his reasons why he’s stopped drinking. He focuses on reading and reddit subs and meditation.

 

[33:46] Do you find nighttime to be a more challenging time of the day?

 

Jim said he doesn’t struggle at night. He also had notecards on his bedside table. He tries to end every day thinking about what he’s grateful for and on a positive note.

 

[34:44] Have you notice changes in your sleep patterns?

 

Jim said yes. His dreams are clear and amazing. He sleeps more soundly.

 

[37:23] What have you learned about yourself that has really surprised you?

 

Jim said he used to have a lot of self-doubt if he could do this. He’s learned we can all do this.

 

[39:00] What are you excited about right now?

 

Jim said he feels like a new person in life and so the possibilities are opening up. He’s no longer shackled by alcohol. His schedule is open.

 

 

 

 [40:54] Rapid Fire Round 

 

  1. What is your favorite NA beverage?

 

Flavored water.

 

  1. What is a drinking myth you’ve seen debunked?

 

If you’re old there’s no sense in trying to stop drinking. (not true!)

 

  1. What would you say to Day 1 Jim?

 

Jim as you walk through day 1, walk through that door, it’s going to be awesome. You will not regret one second of this.

 

  1. What are some words of wisdom you can share with listeners?

 

I could have done this sooner, just let it go. There’s a family out there ready to help you. You can do this.

 

You may have to say adios to alcohol... 

 

Adios, good riddance and see you later alligator!

 

Odette’s challenge this week:

Write down the meaning of RASINS and put it into practice this week.

 

Affiliate Link for Endourage:

For 10% off your first CBD order with Endourage visit this link and use the promo code elevator at checkout. 

 

Upcoming events, retreats and courses:

  • Ditching the Booze - The What, the Why and the How. The new course will start 11/3/20. It’s free for CafĂ© RE members. Not a CafĂ© Re member? Sign up here and use the code OPPORTUNITY for waive the set-up fee.
  • You can find more information about our events 

 

The book, Alcohol is SH!T, is out. Pick up your paperback copy on Amazon here! You can get the Audible version here!  

 

Resources: 

Connect with Cafe RE - Use the promo code OPPORTUNITY to waive the set-up fee.

Recovery Elevator YouTube - Subscribe here!

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- I love you guys”

Aug 3, 2020

John took his last drink on August 31, 2019. With about 10 months (at the time of recording) this is his story of living alcohol-free (AF).

 

Today Odette opens quoting from Pema Chödrön’s “When Things Fall Apart”.

 

“Impermanence is the goodness of reality. Just as the four seasons are in continual flux, winter changing from spring to summer to autumn; just as day becomes night, light becoming dark becoming light again-- in the same way, everything is constantly evolving.”

 

Everything that ends is also the beginning of something else. What happens when we see this chaos as harmony and change right now is the new normal. It takes time to get comfortable with change and this stage of life is a season. Let’s sit with it and see where we can go.

 

[6:53] Odette introduces John.

 

John is 38 years old and originally from Fayetteville, North Carolina. John is also married to Odette and they have 2 children together. They live in San Diego, CA. For fun John likes to surf, bike, run, or play golf
 he just likes being active.

 

[11:19] Can you give listeners a history on your drinking?

 

John said growing up drinking was part of the culture of where he lived. He started drinking in high school on weekends and continued in college. His drinking changed when it became a post-work habit. He said he modeled his drinking after his parents: put your head down, do you work, have a drink after work. From the age of 25 - 38 he was drinking as a reward at the end of a day. However, he noticed that he was using alcohol to numb out other things in his life.

 

[14:00] Was there a moment when you noticed that alcohol was no longer working?

 

John said in his 30s was when he began to question if he had a problem with drinking. As his family grew, he saw a line in the sand. On one side of the line was keeping drinking and on the other side was his marriage and family.

Odette and John discuss their marriage and how each of their paths to recovery has followed along both together and separately at different times. They discuss the work they have done on themselves and as a couple.

 

[25:26] From an inside look what are some of the biggest differences?

 

John said a lot of his initial quitting drinking was about trying to prove a point, prove to himself and others that he didn’t have a problem with alcohol. Within a month it changed and began to leave alcohol behind for himself. He noticed improvements in almost all aspects of his life.

 

[28:51] Can you tell us about how fatherhood has been different?

 

John said when he was drinking, he would show up to parenthood not ready to parent. He was physically there but not there mentally or emotionally. He is now trying to make amends to his children now by being as present as he can be. Every connecting moment with his children is a cherished moment.

 

[32:13] Tell us about a day in your life right now, what tools are you using?

 

John said he’s a little bit of a lone wolf. He relies a lot on Odette as an emotional outlet. He does not struggle with cravings during the day, but at night when he’s “done for the day” is when he has to dig a little deeper. He focuses on spending time with his family. John drinking a lot of soda water and kombucha and NA beer.

 

[34:55] What’s your favorite NA beer brand?

 

He has an order coming from Athletic Brewing and is looking forward to trying it.

Gruvi IPA

Two Roots, Straight Dank IPA- it’s a very hop-forward IPA.

 

[36:06] How has it been reintroducing yourself into social situations?

 

John said that the first few months were hard. There was a lot of pretending. Once he had the mind shift and was leaving alcohol behind for himself, it was a lot easier. There is a confidence that came with his decision.

 

[39:16] Have you received any pushback?

 

John said that his true friends are supportive. There’s the occasional random person who isn’t in the know that questions him, but not from a negative place.

 

[41:53] What possibilities in life are you excited about?

 

John said he’s just really excited to keep on this path and see where it takes him. He’s looking forward to his kids starting school, the next steps in his career, the fun trips they have planned as a family and with his wife. There’s a positive future ahead.

 

 

 [43:59] Rapid Fire Round 

 

  1. What is a memorable moment you’ve had so far?

 

Surf trip sober over Christmas 2019.

 

  1. What are some of your favorite resources?

 

Armchair Expert podcast (Dax Shepard)

 

  1. What would you say to Day 1, John?

 

It’s going to be a lot easier than you think it is. Trust the decision. Strap in and lean in. Trust your wife.

 

  1. What parting piece of guidance can you give to others?

 

Just do it, hop in. Do it for 3 months and see what happens.

 

You may need to ditch the booze if... 

 

You go on a camping trip with your wife and the last thing you remember is having a great time at dinner and then you wake up in a tent alone, with none of your family there.

 

Odette’s challenge this week:

What are you trying to hold on to right now? What do you think would happen if that changed? Are you not allowing yourself to enjoy it now that you have it out of fear that it will be gone? Everything that you have in your life right now is a gift if you choose to see it that way. So just think about that prompt.

 

Affiliate Link for Endourage:

For 10% off your first CBD order with Endourage visit this link and use the promo code elevator at checkout. 

 

Upcoming events, retreats and courses:

  • Ditching the Booze - The What, the Why and the How. REGISTRATION IS OPEN! The new course will start on 8/4/2020. It’s free for CafĂ© RE members. Not a CafĂ© Re member? Sign up here and use the code OPPORTUNITY to waive the set-up fee.
  • There will be the DTB course starting 11/3/20.
  • You can find more information about our events 

 

The book, Alcohol is SH!T, is out. Pick up your paperback copy on Amazon here! You can get the Audible version here!  

 

Resources: 

Connect with Cafe RE - Use the promo code OPPORTUNITY to waive the set-up fee.

Recovery Elevator YouTube - Subscribe here!

Sobriety Tracker iTunes 

Sobriety Tracker Android 

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

 

“Recovery Elevator – Every single thing that you are looking for is already inside of you- I love you guys”

Jul 27, 2020

Andrew took his last drink June 02, 2020. With 9 days (at the time of recording) this is his story of living alcohol free (AF).

 

Finding the better you with Odette. Today’s topic: Setting boundaries.

According to https://positivepsychology.com/ Healthy boundaries are those set to make sure that you are mentally and emotionally stable. You can also think about it as our boundaries might be ridged, loose or completely non-existent. The lack of boundaries may indicate that we do not have a strong identity or that we are intermeshed with someone else or something else: insert alcohol. Odette lobbies for protecting your energy, which is a version of creating boundaries. Set and honor your boundaries. When you set new boundaries and start living them it might feel uncomfortable, and that’s normal. It gets easier and better when you stand up for yourself and share your boundaries with others. Check in with yourself often.

 

[8:25] Odette introduces Andrew.

 

Andrew is 37 years old and lives in Brisbane Australia. When Andrew and Odette first began talking about scheduling this interview, Andrew had more than 35 days AF. He did some field research and is now back with 9 days AF.

He drives trucks for a living, is married and has 3 boys under the age of 7. For fun he likes to ride his trail bike.

 

[14:19] Can you give listeners a history on your drinking?

 

Andrew’s first drink was at age 13. Instantly he fell in love with alcohol. He liked the person he became when he drank. When he was 15 he worked in construction with older guys and that gave him access to alcohol. As an adult the drinking increased and increased, but he never thought it was a problem until his late 20s. Andrew has known over the past 10 years that he didn’t drink normally. He drank more than people and alcohol became an identity. His first son was born when he was 30 and he tried to grow up. Andrew noticed he couldn’t stop drinking.

Andrew said his relationship changed from having fun as a couple to serious and his wife mentioning that it needs to be different. They couldn’t go to the shops without his kids mentioning “oh we need to go to the bottle shop for dad”.

 

[21:34] Did you hit a bottom or what made you decide to pursue an AF life?

 

Andrew said all the relationships in his life began to fail. He never blamed the alcohol but blamed the other person. A few years ago having a surgery that required him to stop drinking 2 weeks prior and his wife laughed at that suggestion. He wasn’t able to stop and drank up to surgery and that’s when he realized it was a problem.

 

[22:40] Did you seek help when you decided to try and stop drinking?

 

Andrew said he simply decided he wasn’t going to drink. He did reach out to a doctor who prescribed some pills that didn’t have any effect. His drinking continued on and off over the next few years. He often found himself googling if he was an alcoholic or not. This led right into the current COVID pandemic. Andrew decided he wanted to find a better life for himself, his wife and his kids.

 

[24:00] Did you attempt moderating before quitting?

 

Yes, Andrew said he tried to moderate his drinking. Being a truck driver for a living, he always had to have 0.0% alcohol to drive. He tried to promise himself he would only drink on weekends, but instead worked out how many drinks he could have in the afternoons and still have 0.0% alcohol level for work the next morning.

 

[26:06] Can you expand on the 6 week dry camp associated with your work?

 

Andrew explained that it wasn’t a company sponsored event. It was the work he was doing at the time and they lived on campus for a period of time. The campus he was on, was dry. He made it the 6 weeks, and on his way home he stopped for alcohol. He picked up exactly where he left off even through he was feeling proud for making it the 6 weeks.

 

[28:06] How had fatherhood changed?

 

Andrew said he’s more present now and is noticing how much his wife had been picking up in the area of childcare. He worries about different things now and he cares more about what is right and wrong.

 

[28:06] Tell us about a day in your life right now, what tools are you using?

 

Andrew said he’s still learning, this is a new journey for him. The traditional help isn’t available right now, everything is only online. He has discovered podcasts and listens as much as he can. He hopes to join an in person AA group.

 

[34:23] Have you received any negative feedback around your decision?

 

Andrew hasn’t received one negative comment from the people he’s told. Everyone is supportive, from family to friends to work colleagues.

 

[37:46] What possibilities are you excited for?

 

Andrew said in the long term he wants to have better and different relationships with his family. He’s looking to purchase a home with the money he’s saving from not drinking.

 

[38:54] If you could talk to Day 1 Andrew, what would you tell him?

 

You will encounter slip ups, but don’t beat yourself up. It‘s ok to not be perfect. Every day you don’t drink is perfect. There are no wasted days.

 

 

 [39:40] Rapid Fire Round 

 

  1. What is a lightbulb moment you’ve had in this journey?

 

How different the world is sober. These a lot of good in small things. 

 

  1. What is a memorable moment you’ve had so far?

 

Knowing that I have enough strength to actually do this.

 

  1. What is your favorite AF beverage?

 

Slurpees.

 

  1. What parting piece of guidance can you give to others?

 

Just jump in and try. Build the muscle, keep working at it.

 

You may need to ditch the booze if... 

 

You drink drive on the way home, but you actually ride a motorbike.

 

Odette’s challenge this week:

Set a new boundaries and try it out!

 

Affiliate Link for Endourage:

For 10% off your first CBD order with Endourage visit this link and use the promo code elevator at checkout. 

 

Upcoming events, retreats and courses:

  • Ditching the Booze - The What, the Why and the How. REGISTRATION IS OPEN! The new course will start 8/4/2020. It’s free for CafĂ© RE members. Not a CafĂ© Re member? Sign up here and use the code OPPORTUNITY for waive the set-up fee.
  • There will be about DTB course starting 11/3/20.
  • You can find more information about our events 

 

The book, Alcohol is SH!T, is out. Pick up your paperback copy on Amazon here! You can get the Audible version here!  

 

Resources: 

Connect with Cafe RE- Use the promo code OPPORTUNITY to waive the set-up fee.

Sobriety Tracker iTunes 

Sobriety Tracker Android 

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

 

“Recovery Elevator – When you say no to somebody else, you say yes to yourself. Remember to stay weird and protect your energy- I’ll see you next Monday.- I love you guys”

Jul 20, 2020

Heidi took her last drink on May 20, 2020. With 19 days (at the time of recording) this is her story of living alcohol-free (AF).

 

Odette opens today welcoming normal drinkers. It has come to her attention that there are some listeners that are tuning in for educational purposes as a loved one has a problem with alcohol. Question for you normal drinkers: would you be interested in a Café RE group focused on you? Email Odette if you're interested.

 

One of the most important books in Odette’s life is The Language of Letting Go by Melody Beattie. It was referred to her when her father first went into rehab. Each day is a new passage to read and often she is overcome with the meaning and finds herself wanting to share the meditation for the day with others. While she’s not going to read from this book today, Odette is sharing with you all
.

 

Storytime with Odette!

What Do You Do With a Problem? By Kobi Yamada

 

[8:13] Odette introduces Heidi.

 

Heidi is 28 years old and originally from San Diego, but she’s lived all over. Right now she’s in Orange County, CA with her new husband. She works in career services with a focus on health and behavioral sciences. She’s an adjunct teacher and a CrossFit coach and group fitness leader. Heidi loves the outdoors and seeing live music, plays, and time with family and friends.

 

[14:05] Can you give listeners a background on your drinking?

 

Heidi’s first time really drinking was around the age of 16 / her junior year of high school. At the same time, she was a good student and took her studying and athletics very seriously. She only drank on weekends. In college she continued to be a good student and athlete while drinking, so she never felt that what she was doing should be questioned. At the end of her college career, she mentioned to a coach that she felt she might have a drinking problem. This coach dismissed her concerns because she “doing fine.”

 

[19:20]  When you expressed concerns to your coach and he was dismissive, did you doubt him a little?

Heidi said internally she knew that her drinking was a problem, but at the same time, he gave her a free pass to keep drinking.

 

[17:16] Walk us through the last year or so of your drinking and what led up to your sober date?

 

Heidi grew up with obsessive-compulsive tendencies, specifically manifesting in self-harm. When alcohol became an option, it quieted the self-harm aspect. Once Heidi moved back to the West Coast and started working full time, she fell into a routine of grabbing some alcohol on the way home from work. A few glasses of wine became a bottle of wine became a few bottles of wine, then turned to liquor. She started a new job and it turned out to be miserable, so drinking in the evenings was what got her through the days. She and her husband were true drinking partners, so they fed off each other as well.

Last summer she noticed relationships with family members and her husband began to crumble and then she began to take a serious look at her drinking.

One of the changes she made was signing up for the Recovery Elevator Ditch the Booze course. The accountability provided was what she needed.

 

[33:49] Tell us about your experience with the Ditching The Booze course and the extra level of accountability.

 

Heidi craves connection and doesn’t find it overwhelming. Some people in her group check-in daily, some every few days, but the common denominator is everyone has the same struggle. So, everyone already understands. At a moment’s notice, she can give support and get support from the community.

 

[38:17] How has your family dynamic changed in these last 20 days?

 

Heidi said that due to the current pandemic there have been fewer social pressures to go out. At home, with her husband, there has been greater levels of connection. She did have a fear that all they had was drinking and that was why they were together. They began to open up and have new and genuine conversations about themselves. She’s having more moments of pure enjoyment with her husband.

 

[43:43] What possibilities have you excited right now?

 

Heidi said the increase in liveliness is exciting. She feels like a school kid again and full of hope. Being able to wake up early and coach at her gym without being still drunk or hungover. Being present with her husband and family member. Heidi is also seeing a new resurgence in her artistic side.

 

 

 

 [42:20] Rapid Fire Round 

 

  1. If you could talk to Day 1 Heidi, what would you tell her?

 

You can do things that you don’t think are possible right now but stick with it. You can sit with the uncomfortable feelings of a craving.

 

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

 

Café RE, This Naked Mind by Annie Grace, Alcohol is SH!T by Paul Churchill

 

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

 

You already know what that life is like, so why not just try.

 

You may need to ditch the booze if... 

 

You pride yourself on your Christmas shopping by doing it all in one night with a few bottles of wine and then figure out what you bought when it arrives on your doorstep.

 

Odette’s challenge this week:

Take time this week to notice what you’ve been putting under the category of problems in your mind. Think about those problems and try to reframe. Can you see some opportunities coming out of them? Let yourself feel hopeful about the possibility that problems bring with them. They are there you just have to look at things differently. Remember that you are not alone and that together is always better.

 

Upcoming events, retreats, and courses:

  • Ditching the Booze - The What, the Why, and the How. We will be offering this again, starting 8/4/2020 and 11/3/20. It’s free for CafĂ© RE members. Not a CafĂ© Re member? Sign up here and use the code OPPORTUNITY to waive the set-up fee.
  • You can find more information about our events 

 

The book, Alcohol is SH!T, is out. Pick up your paperback copy on Amazon here! You can get the Audible version here!  

 

Resources: 

Connect with Cafe RE- Use the promo code OPPORTUNITY to waive the set-up fee.

Sobriety Tracker iTunes 

Sobriety Tracker Android 

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

 

“Recovery Elevator – This isn’t a no to alcohol, but a yes to a better life – I love you guys.” 

Jul 13, 2020

Michael took his last drink on May 13, 2019. With just over a year sober (at the time of recording) this is his story of living alcohol-free (AF).

 

Odette opens today asking the question: Is this working? There are obvious moments where it is easy to recognize that life without alcohol is working. When people say you look refreshed, you wake up not hungover and you start sleeping well. But what about the not so obvious moments? The moments that are hard, the moments you miss drinking? Yes, those are the moment when growth and change and abundance are there and about to bloom. Trust, be patient, and stay the course.

 

[7:23] Odette introduces Michael.

 

Michael lives in Springfield, Missouri, and works in construction. He is married with 2 children. For fun, he works, plays video games and spends as much time as possible with his family.

 

[8:24] Can you give listeners a background on your drinking?

 

Michael said he started drinking around the age of 14. He said it was something he was good at and within a year he was drinking a pint or more of liquor a day. He soon began drinking before school and after. In 2002 he joined the Marine Corps, which was his goal. In the military, he often couldn’t drink for stretches of time, so it became binge drinking episodes. But at the end of his 4 years in the Marine Corps, he realized he had a problem with drinking and asked for help. He was enrolled in a daily program through the military to learn about drinking.

After getting out of the military he worked construction, but then in 2008 re-enlisted in the Army. The 6 years he was in the Army, the drinking continued at a bottle a day, every day. He considered himself a very high bottom drinker because he was so high functioning within life.

 

[15:19] What was it that led you down the path to try going AF?

Michael said that he tried to stop multiple times over the years. He began to realize he wasn’t living his life to his best potential. He always tried to be the person setting the example for others, yet his inability to stop drinking was weighing on him. He needed to show that he could stop drinking for good. The idea that he couldn’t quit was his bottom.

 

[17:16] Walk us through what went through your mind on your day 1.

 

Michael said he woke up and said to himself “I need to quit, again.” He searched for podcasts that day and found Recovery Elevator. Podcasts allowed him to saturate his entire day with recovery. He downloaded the Sober Grid app and started reading that and the resources offered.

 

[21:13] How has your life without alcohol been different than what you originally thought?

 

Michael said he had a lot of fear about what he would do and who he would be not drinking. Once he quit, he was no longer avoiding emotions and in a fog. He was freed to just live his life. Michael has learned it’s ok to be sad or angry and that he will make it through.

 

[25:24] How has your family dynamic changed since you have been on this path?

 

Michael said that he’s happy and no longer hiding from his family. He’s a present and active member of his family and at a higher plateau of being a husband and a father. He’s always working on trying to be a better husband and father while at the same time learning to be a husband and a father for the first time since this is the first time through sober eyes.

 

[27:44] Walk us through a day in your life right now.

 

Michael said he wakes up, goes to work, and hangs out with his family. He prides himself on being an open person; he’s open about his sobriety, his PTSD, and his anxiety. He tries to lead by example and with being so open, he allows space for others to be open about their own struggles.

 

[30:22] What is your social life like now?

 

Michael said from the beginning he was honest about his not drinking with friends and co-workers. They were respectful and always offered not to drink around him, but he was always ok about around other people drinking. He said that he understood this was his choice and his alone. There were a few times he did walk away in the beginning, but now he’s comfortable around alcohol.

 

[31:55] What have you learned in this AF journey?

 

Michael said that he is really motivated and setting goals and accomplishing them. This past year has really reinforced this. He’s also rediscovering who he is as a person, not just an alcoholic.

One particular goal of Michael’s is to run a marathon.

 

[36:25] What possibilities are keeping you hopeful?

 

Michael said rediscovering daily life. He focuses on the little things in life and is finding joy in those things. He’s excited about mowing the lawn now!

 

[37:35] Do you still get cravings?

 

Michael said he doesn’t get cravings so much as he gets the idea of drinking still. Cravings are for the most part a non-thought.

 

[38:31] If you could talk to Day 1 Michael, what would you tell him?

 

Keep trying. Even if you don’t succeed today you can try again tomorrow.

 

 

 [38:59] Rapid Fire Round 

 

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

 

Being with my family after my father in law passed and really connecting with them.

 

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

 

That I am able to stop drinking.

 

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

 

Any recovery podcast, any app that helps you track your sobriety and music.

 

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

 

Just keep trying, we will figure this out. You will never succeed if you don’t keep trying.

 

You may need to ditch the booze if... 

 

You’ve ever considered putting on a resume that you are a daily drinker but have never been late to work.

 

 

Upcoming events, retreats, and courses:

  • Ditching the Booze - The What, the Why, and the How. We will be offering this again, starting 8/4/2020 and 11/3/20. It’s free for CafĂ© RE members. Not a CafĂ© Re member? Sign up here and use the code OPPORTUNITY to waive the set-up fee.
  • You can find more information about our events 

 

The book, Alcohol is SH!T, is out. Pick up your paperback copy on Amazon here! You can get the Audible version here!  

 

Resources: 

Connect with Cafe RE- Use the promo code OPPORTUNITY to waive the set-up fee.

Sobriety Tracker iTunes 

Sobriety Tracker Android 

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

 

“Recovery Elevator – keep going, trust the process and try not to throw up when the road gets bumpy, we can do this - I love you guys,” 

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