Midlife AF Podcast

I'm delighted to be interviewing Hayley about her transformative experience changing her relationship with alcohol through my 5 Days to Freedom Virtual Retreat. Hayley shares how she struggled to control her drinking despite being successful in other areas of life. She discusses finding community and accountability through daily online meetings, and how this helped her build confidence. We also di...

On this episode of Midlife AF, I talk with Filipa Bellette about her book "Ending Body Burnout" and our experiences with burnout, people-pleasing, and alcohol use. We discuss the connection between underlying beliefs, trauma, and dysfunctional behaviors, as well as ways to address both physical and mental imbalances for lasting change. Episode Highlights : How busyness, perfectionism, and people-p...

Amy Guerrero joins me to discuss her personal journey overcoming addiction through somatic experiencing and internal family systems therapy. We explore the importance of integrating personal growth into our professional lives and cultivating trust within ourselves. Amy shares how she now helps individuals develop their unique gifts to bring to the world through her Lead with Love program. Epi...

Emma Walkinshaw shares her personal transformation from struggling with lack of body acceptance to becoming a transformational life coach focused on intuitive eating and body positivity. She discusses overcoming internalised fatphobia and the importance of challenging societal beauty standards. Emma also provides insights from her upcoming Body Love Revolution summit aimed at normalising all bodie...

In this episode, I chat with Rebecca Jade, a doctor of Chinese medicine and acupuncture as well as a meditation and yoga teacher. We discuss the benefits of yin yoga and how it can be used as a form of medicine to address physical and mental health issues. We also touch on the importance of having practices like yoga and meditation to support an alcohol-free life. Episode Highlights : Yin yoga is...

I'm opening up about what it means to be coachable and open to change. I talk about my own training and methodology as both a coach and counsellor, and the importance of looking deeply at underlying reasons for behaviours rather than surface fixes. Key takeaways include understanding your relationship with discomfort, learning to nurture yourself through distress, and choosing self-care over peopl...

This week I'm talking about fear around making commitments and change, the difference between viewing life through an abundance or scarcity lens, and how to stay motivated as we return to routines and work. Episode Highlights Fear of change often comes from our inner child who learned we couldn't rely on others for comfort An abundance mindset sees our potential, while scarcity sees what we're mis...

In this episode, I'm opening up about my personal experiences with bullying, burnout, and mental health challenges. I'm also discussing the importance of community in overcoming adversity and finding joy. Key themes of this deeply personal episode include trauma, neurodiversity, midlife transitions, and creating a ""village"" of support. Episode Highlights Trauma is stored in the body, and breathw...

In this episode, I'm sharing my unexpected journey to being Midlife AF after deciding to do a Dry January experiment. I share how listening to the This Naked Mind podcast led me to question my beliefs around alcohol and ultimately stop drinking. I also open up about the transformative effects on my life, from my health to my career path. Episode Hi...

This week I'm sharing tools and strategies for managing the pressures of Christmas while either drinking intentionally or staying alcohol-free. I'll cover making a plan, conserving energy, having excuses prepared, and choosing non-alcoholic drink options.  I'm also diving into the challenges around social expectations and pressure to drink. Episode Highlights: Make a plan for y...

I'm joined by autism advocate Viv Dawes who shares her expertise on autistic burnout. She discusses the signs and symptoms of burnout, and provides a 10-point "burnout prescription" for recovery and prevention. Topics we chat about include acknowledging exhaustion, reducing demands, embracing neurodivergent identity, the importance of rest, sensory needs, and more. Episode Highlights:   Autis...

In this episode, I'm talking about reframing your relationship with alcohol from one of fear and resistance to making choices in the present moment. I'll explore why we drink to escape uncomfortable feelings give you strategies for managing stress and self-care during the busy holiday season without relying on alcohol. Episode Highlights:   Drinking is often a way to escape uncomfortable feel...

Viv Dawes is an autism advocate and author who specialises in autistic burnout. In this conversation, she discusses her experience helping parents of autistic children experiencing severe burnout and shares insights into the causes and effects of burnout. She also addresses the lack of understanding from professionals and how the education system can better support neurodivergent students. Episode...

In this episode, I'm discussing personality types and attachment theory. I share how our personality types can be influenced by our upbringing and environment, and how certain personality types can make embracing an alcohol-free life more difficult. I'm also giving you some tips for managing the upcoming holiday season without relying on alcohol. Episode Highlights:   Personality types are ad...

In this episode, ADHD coach Sharon Collon shares her top tips for enjoying social events without relying on alcohol. She discusses strategies for managing sensory overload and social anxiety, including visualising your ideal night, pacing your drinking with a sensible friend, and setting social challenges to stay engaged. Episode Highlights: Visualise how you want your night to go before arriving...

In this episode, I'm discussing the difference between being preoccupied with alcohol vs finding freedom from it. I'm talking about about how our triggers stem from unmet needs and big emotions, and how learning to regulate our nervous system and be present with difficult feelings is key to long-term change. Episode Highlights: Most struggle with alcohol for years before finding freedom - be kind...

I'm sitting down with autism advocate Jenny Loughran to discuss moving beyond a pathology model of understanding autism. Jenny shares her journey of late diagnosis and how advocating for her son led to a deeper understanding of herself. We discuss the importance of neurodiversity-affirming language and creating spaces where neurodivergent people can truly be themselves. Episode Highlights   T...

In this episode, I'm talking with special guest Kristy Forbes about neurodivergence, autism, and the dangers of pushing through our limits. Kristy shares her experience of being diagnosed late in life with autism and PDA, and how that helped her understand her children's needs. We also discuss the conditioning to be productive and compliant, and how that leads to burnout. Episode highlights: Neuro...

On this week's episode of Midlife AF, I'm diving deep into the transformative power of intention in midlife. We're tackling the topic of alcohol freedom, self-awareness, creativity, and more. No guests today, just me sharing insights and experiences that can help you navigate this incredible journey called midlife. Episode Highlights Include: 1. Intention and alcohol freedom in midlife ⭐️ The sig...

Join me on this week's episode of Midlife AF as I sit down with the incredible DJ Lady Langers. Discover the powerful story of how music and authenticity transformed Michelle's life as she embraced an alcohol-free journey. Together, we discuss the importance of community, connection, and the joy of dancing through midlife. Get ready for an uplifting conversation filled with insights and inspiratio...

In this episode, I had the privilege of sitting down with Anthony Hammond, a pub owner from Melbourne who's not only on a personal journey of AF living, but is also creating a safe haven for others to explore the world of alcohol-free choices. It's a story that's both inspiring and incredibly relevant to many of us. Let's dive right in! Episode Takeaways: ⭐️ Anthony Hammond, the man behind two pu...

In this episode we're diving into the world of interoceptive awareness. But first, let me introduce our incredible guest, Dr. Emma Goodall. She's not just a specialist; she's a researcher, author, and an amazing autistic woman. You might be wondering, "What's interoceptive awareness, and why should I care?" Well, stick around because it's a game-changer. In this episode, Dr. Goodall will shed ligh...

In this heartwarming episode of Midlife AF , I'm joined by the inspiring Josephine Lancuba. Together, we dive deep into the profound impact of adverse childhood experiences and the healing potential found in resilience, forgiveness, and self-acceptance. Join us as we share our personal journeys, discuss the stigma of problematic alcohol use, and explore the power of embrac...

Join Emma and the incredible Tina Tower in this episode of "Midlife AF." Tina, an inspiring entrepreneur and mentor, takes us on her personal journey of going alcohol-free for a year. No holds barred, she spills the beans on how this decision rocked her world, transformed her business, and deepened her family bonds. Tina's candid chat reminds us all about the magic of conscious choices when it com...

Join us for an inspiring conversation as I sit down with my friend and former Aussie Alcohol Experiment participant, Lou Coates. Lou shares her remarkable journey of breaking free from the alcohol cycle and embracing a life of clarity and authenticity. Discover how navigating perimenopause, managing teenagers, and facing life's challenges became a rewarding experience without the weight of alcohol...