Sober Motivation: Sharing Sobriety Stories

Teri aka @sassysobermum made the life-changing choice to embrace sobriety on April 29th, 2019, putting an end to years of excessive drinking that had begun to overshadow her desired lifestyle. Initially, alcohol had provided enjoyment, relaxation, and a means of social connection with friends and peers. However, over time, it transformed into a habit of solidarity and uncontrollable consumption, w...

On today's episode, we have the privilege of hearing Gary's inspiring journey. For the past 17 years, Gary has chosen a life free from alcohol and drugs. Growing up, he struggled with keeping his emotions hidden, internalizing everything. Eventually, alcohol became a significant part of Gary's life, providing a temporary escape. But one day, something happened in Gary's apartment while he was into...

Madeline grew up with a keen awareness of the dangers of alcohol, as her family had a history of alcoholism. Despite this knowledge, she had her first drink at the age of 17. However, it didn't take long for Madeline to experience overwhelming anxiety whenever she consumed alcohol. During a year-long trip to Australia, alcohol started to dominate Madeline's life. Recognizing the need for change up...

Daniel Patterson's sobriety journey began on January 1st, 2015, although it wasn't initially part of his plan. As the date approached, Daniel recognized that alcohol was not benefiting his life and he had already embarked on what he referred to as a "pre-quit" phase. The previous night which was New Year's Eve, like many others, was filled with alcohol, and it was during breakfast the following da...

Heather knew alcohol was a serious problem in her life and it got to the point where she knew it would kill her if she continued. Over many years, Heather was finding a way to make her relationship with alcohol work even though she knew it was a problem. Growing up in Wisconsin where alcohol always seemed to be flowing. It was no surprise to Heather she would later struggle with alcohol after havi...

Brandon Saho started drinking alcohol as a teenager and things picked up in college. For Brandon, it was all about the buzz that he experienced when drinking. Alcohol became a massive part of Brandon's life and he struggled with his mental health for years. Getting help saved his life. Brandon was approaching 100 days sober at the time of the podcast and this is his story on the sober motivation p...

D Jay McGrath grew up with one thing in mind, making it from a small town in Saskatchewan  to the NHL. At 15 when D Jay moved away from home for the first time to play in a bigger hockey market, he could feel the pressure of hockey and being away from home. D Jay would start out with drinking and smoking . As the years went on, the pressure became much more than D-Jay could handle. From far, he wa...

Your first sober summer is a big big deal and in this episode Megan and I discuss how possible this really is for everyone. We answer some of the follow questions: 1. Do you still have Cravings? 2. How do you deal with being nervous to hang out with old friends when being newly sober. 3. How to navigate your first AF summer? 4. How to navigate social event where alcohol is the theme?  5. How to re...

Dino had it all or so he thought. Business was great and cash was flowing in. Alcohol served as Dino’s medicine. With alcohol, he felt untouchable and was able to show up in the big moments with less stress and more confidence. Towards the end of his struggle with addiction, Dino found himself completely alone and knew something had to really change. Dino entered a treatment center and checked his...

Welcome back to another episode today. We have Melissa Paige as a guest on the show. Growing up, Melissa was never really around alcohol or other substances and her mom was her hero. She moved around a lot as a child and struggled to fit in with her peers. Melissa was very shy and nervous and always the new kid in school. Once Melissa discovered that drugs and alcohol would quiet down the nosies a...

At 32 years old, at a networking happy hour, Jenn Kautsch experienced the escape from self that alcohol could provide and the wheels would begin turning.  Jenn never hit what some may consider rock bottom like we see in the Hollywood movies, but she knew something was not right when it came to her relationship with alcohol. Jenn felt stuck in the  “grey area” on the drinking spectrum and made a ch...

Renee lost her daughter, Sabrina, to Endocarditis due to substance use on November 30, 2019. Sabrina struggled for many years with substance use, and Renee joined the show to share Sabrina's story and a powerful message for anyone struggling not to give up. Renee can’t go back and save her daughter, but she hopes to help others by sharing their story. This is Sabrina and Renee’s story on the sober...

On this weeks episode we have Nathan Harmon. His journey comes from a combination of a troubled past and a great desire to help others overcome many of his same struggles. In his younger years Nathan battled divorced parents, suicidal thoughts, self harm, alcohol and drug addictions, bulimia and eventually jail. On July 17th, 2009 Nathan was the driver in a drinking and driving accident and from t...

Matt J. joined the show this week. Matt was confused for years about giving up alcohol because he never hit what some may call rock bottom, but deep down, Matt knew something had to change. Matt describes his childhood as terrible, and alcohol would help him fit in during social situations. Everything began to change when Matt attended his first AA meeting, raised his hand, and said, I am an alcoh...

Ricky started drinking early on in life and it just became the norm. Everyone around Ricky was always drinking and for years it never seemed like a problem. Ricky joined the Marines after high school and would experience several traumatic events and decided to quit drinking for a year but slowly got back into drinking. Ricky never asked for help and struggled in silence for many many years. One da...

John Mabry was in a car accident which resulted in the loss of his leg and his addiction began. John had a ton of success with acting, education but always struggled with feeling  insecure, broken and unfixable and John believed that. John attended many rehabs and would go on to lose his brother to an overdose and many more things in his life. John would find a way out but he had to get sober for...

Paul Holley struggled with alcohol for many many years and never thought a way out was possible. Paul was in jail 6 times and had been arrested for drinking and driving 4 times. Paul had to attend meetings and never took things seriously.  Paul would go on auto pilot most times he drank and did not have an off switch. On January 1, 2017 Paul reached out to a sober friend and has been sober since....

On this weeks episode we have Hilary Phelps.  She had a great childhood and starting swimming very young and always wanted the biggest trophy. Early on she had this feeling of never being good enough.  Alcohol would quiet the negative voices in her head and that was enough to get the ball rolling. Hilary has been sober for 15+ years  and this is her story on the sober motivation podcast. ---------...

Ash Butterss joined the podcast this week with 3 years sober.  Ash started drinking at 12 years old and things escalated from there for many many years to come. After losing a friend Ash ramped up her drinking and drugging to avoid any feelings coming her way. As her marriage fell apart and her life as a whole she knew something had to change. This is Ash’s story on the sober motivation podcast. A...

Laura (@yoursoberpal) shares her story with us on the podcast and was very open and honest about all the ups and downs. It took Laura some relapses to really come to the understanding that moderation would not work for her alcohol intake. After a very scary blackout which ended her up at Whole Foods and very few memories of the event. Laura knew she needed in person connection with others on the j...

Mayra Gomes lost her father at 11 years old from a car accident and had a feeling of abandonment for years to follow. Mayra would first become obsessed with boys and then alcohol. Due to the past trauma Mayra was unable to be alone with out having panic attacks and alcohol just make this much worse. Mayra was a best selling author and journalist but drinking tequila became a way of life. She also...

Scotty Soprano got sober on Feb 2, 2022.  Scotty struggled with drinking and other substances from a young age. For around 22 years Scotty was never able to string together a week of sobriety and the consequences kept adding up. Scotty lost his father and the drinking escalated. Scotty began trying to escape by doing drugs he never thought he would. A very good friend of Scotty’s passed away from...

Suzanne had the realization that her relationship with alcohol was not helping her be the best version of herself. She was blacking out on many occasions and after 1 final time she decided to take a good hard look at her relationship with alcohol and said enough was enough.  Suzanne didn’t hit what some may consider a “rock bottom” and that is part of her message. You can exit at anytime. Suzanne...

Stephanie found great relief from herself in substances. As things progressed from drinking alcohol, smoking weed to pain pills and heroin.  Stephanie was going through the motions on a daily basis trying to find an escape.  In an underground parking garage she overdosed and got her 4th DUI. She is a true example of what is possible if you put in the work and this is Stephanie Nobles story on the...

Joe Williams has been sober for 17 years it was not a rock bottom situation that started him on the path. Joe was simple sick and tired of being sick and tired and wanted better for his life. When he took an honest look at things drink and drugs were at the centre of many of life’s negative issues. Joe promotes “Don’t look at the what, look at the why.” Joe was a national rugby league  player livi...