Behind the Smile: Ash Butterss on Navigating through Trauma, Addiction and Rebuilding Self-Esteem
/in Podcast /by Isabella Ferguson, Counsellor & CoachPrepare to be spellbound by Ash Butterss, a wellness mentor and yoga meditation teacher, as she bravely narrates her journey from growing up in an alcoholic home to overcoming addiction and rebuilding self-esteem. Travel with us down the memory lane of Ash’s formative years marked by trauma, her relationship with alcohol, and the subsequent tumble into addiction. Her story is a testament to resilience and self-discovery, and ensuing joy and fulfillment.
Ash guides us through the labyrinth of breaking the cycle of negative behaviour, self-forgiveness, and the process of healing. Join us in exploring the significance of community in recovery, the necessity to process our own trauma and emotions, and the crucial task of reconnecting with our authentic selves.
Ash’s vision is to eradicate the stigma surrounding mental health and addiction, a goal that is intricately interwoven into every facet of her work. If you or someone you know is grappling with addiction or if you’re intrigued by the complex intersections of trauma, mental health, and addiction, this episode promises an enlightening journey. Listen in to Ash’s awe-inspiring story of transformation and healing.
From Addiction to Endurance: Nikki Langman’s Journey to Authenticity and Sobriety
/in Podcast /by Isabella Ferguson, Counsellor & CoachMeet Nikki Langman—international speaker, author, thought leader, and endurance runner. Nikki, once a career alcoholic, started her journey with addiction quite early, at the tender age of seven. She was introduced to the world of drinking, and it quickly spiraled into a manipulative and deceitful relationship with alcohol. Join us as she bares it all, revealing the struggles of confronting the person in the mirror, and the bravery it took to get honest with herself. Nikki’s journey is a testament to self-improvement and authentic living.
But there’s more to Nikki than just sobriety. She’s a long-distance runner, a love she discovered as a method to regulate her high energy levels and find joy in extreme physical activities. Nikki redefines what it means to be a badass, embracing bravery, authenticity, a sense of direction, and self-love. She candidly discusses her support system and the positive changes she made to support her sobriety. Get ready to be moved by Nikki’s incredible journey from addiction to endurance running, from self-deceit to authenticity, and from surviving to thriving.
Alcohol, Breast Health and Transforming Australia’s Workplace Drinking Culture: Kath Elliott’s Story
/in Podcast /by Isabella Ferguson, Counsellor & CoachHave you ever found yourself stuck in a cycle of binge drinking, weighed down by the shame and embarrassment that comes with it? We’ve been there, and so has Kath Elliott, the Alcohol Mindset Coach. In a candid conversation, Kath allows us to peek into her four-year journey of sobriety, highlighting some uncomfortable yet transformative moments. She takes us back to her teenage years when she was applauded for her drinking prowess and how a family vacation led her to make a life-altering decision.
Kath also brings our attention to the often overlooked connection between alcohol consumption and the increased risk of breast cancer. Even more alarming is how celebrities glamorising alcohol can influence many of us to dismiss the risks.
Finally, Kath and Bella discuss the benefits of engaging an alcohol coach with a lived experience of problematic drinking. This episode isn’t just about the perils of alcohol but also about finding hope and liberation beyond it. So join us as we unravel the complex relationship between alcohol, breast health, and Australia’s workplace drinking culture.
Neuroscientist, Professor Selena Bartlett on stress, alcohol, neuroplasticity and brain health
/in Podcast /by Isabella Ferguson, Counsellor & CoachProfessor Selena Bartlett, world-renowned neuroscientist, joins us today to share her powerful message about how to train our mindset using the principles of brain plasticity to mitigate stress without reaching for alcohol. Have you ever wondered why you handle stress differently to others? Or why you immediately reach for alcohol when you walk in the door after a stressful day? Did you know your childhood experience is highly relevant to your stress response as an adult and the likelihood you will reach for alcohol to cope? Professor Bartlett answers these questions plus provides us with practical tips on how to create new healthier neural pathways or “pave a yellow brick road” that will impact future generations for the better. Guess what?! Listening to this podcast and learning the science behind your stress response and brain health equals one new paver down on your new amazing yellow brick road.
Why Moderating is So Incredibly Hard to Achieve
/in Podcast /by Isabella Ferguson, Counsellor & CoachIn this episode, Meg & Bella address the pros and pitfalls of moderating alcohol. Everybody who drinks or has drunk has practiced it but not many succeed at it! We talk about alcohol moderation in the context of Dry July, this being the second day of it, when thousands of Australians dip their toe into the alcohol-free water and try their hand at giving up the booze for a full 31 days. Why this topic? Well, firstly, because most people who sign up for Dry July are having trouble moderating and curious about taking a break. Secondly, most who do Dry July plan to return to the booze but with great intentions to tighten up their moderation rules – at least at the start anyway! So why not use this month off alcohol to learn about your relationship with alcohol and make some changes that stick long term. **IMPORTANT NOTE: Dry July is a fundraising campaign, raising funds for people affected by cancer. To signup and donate, visit www.dryjuly.com**
Bella’s Story
/in Podcast /by Isabella Ferguson, Counsellor & CoachIn this episode, Bella shares her personal story which lead to her becoming an alcohol free woman and a This Naked Mind Certified Coach. Bella’s story addresses her experiences with alcohol in her legal career, in becoming a mum and step-mum and how she leapt into mummy wine culture with wild abandonment only to hit rock bottom and end up with a wake-up call in rehab. Bella opens up about the 4 themes that have been ever present in her life involving confidence, finding her tribe, her voice and anxiety which she believes she drank alcohol to overcome but which she then had to deal with head-on in order to successfully become alcohol free. Bella is the founder and counsellor and coach of Isabella Ferguson Counselling & Coaching. She supports women in mid-life and parents and teenagers in relation to issues involving alcohol, life balance and diet culture.
Coach Tony Richardson of Sober Tides on giving up booze twice
/in Podcast /by Isabella Ferguson, Counsellor & CoachAfter 9 years of being alcohol free Tony started drinking again and, like many, found myself exactly where he had left off: binge drinking, hangovers and full of shame. Second-time around, Tony discovered that willpower or “white knuckling” alone was not the answer. He discovered This Naked Mind and has been alcohol free since. Tony is now a This Naked Mind Certified Coach and helps others quit drinking. He is interested in men’s health and encourages ex-serviceman like him to reach out to him at Sober Tides and get help to kick the booze.
Alex McRobert, Sober Yoga Girl!
/in Podcast /by Isabella Ferguson, Counsellor & CoachNamaste to Alex McRobert creator of the Sober Yoga Girl Podcast and founder of the Mindful Life Practice based in Bali (but accessible online all around the world)! Alex has fit a lot into her relatively young life so far. She is a Canadian who’s lived in Kuwait, Abu Dhabi and Bali over the last eight years, was married, divorced and suffered a mental health breakdown all by the age of 25. She now calls Bali home and has created a life full of yoga, health and wellness that she now shares with others. Alex talks about what led her to quit drinking, how her yoga practice complements her sober practice, how yoga is much more than movement, stretching and poses and the importance that spirituality plays in her life. We also discuss Alex’s beautiful retreats. Take a listen to this episode if you would like to learn how incorporating yoga into your routine could bolster your sobriety goals and how you might go about doing so, even if you are a beginner who might be considering starting yoga in mid-life. Alex radiates health and happiness and will certainly inspire the best of us to at least want to give it a try!
Sophie Scott on human potential, mental health and mindset
/in Podcast /by Isabella Ferguson, Counsellor & CoachWe are honoured to have Sophie Scott, award-winning broadcaster, international speaker and author, on our latest episode of She’s Sober Sydney!Sophie shares why she decided to stop drinking and provides insights on anxiety, burnout and the vagus nerve, with an overarching goal to equip people with evidence-based tools needed to become the architects of their own wellbeing. Get ready to be inspired!
You can listen to this episode on your favourite podcast platform.
Sophie’s website: https://lnkd.in/gvjifV7M
Sophie’s Insta handle: https://lnkd.in/gSCKU8Kj
Sophie on you tube: https://lnkd.in/gKWtwahE