Alice Hansen, From Rehab to Wild Wellness

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Alice’s drinking got out of control growing up in Tasmania, drinking to numb complicated feelings associated with being gay in an environment in which it was still illegal to be gay at the time and so she kept her identity hidden from everyone around her.  After bravely going to rehab more than 20 times desperate to find a way out of the destructive drinking cycle she was in, Alice was finally able to stop drinking after reading Annie Grace’s This Naked Mind, doing several of Annie’s alcohol programs and pursing the transformational effects of cold-water exposure and Wim Hoff’s breathing techniques. It stuck. Alice then decided to support others struggling with alcohol and stress to access this method too. She founded Wild Wellness in Tasmania which offers a range of transformational retreats designed to help people escape, heal and reset in the magnificent wilderness of Tasmania via ocean plunges, practitioner-led fireside sessions, journaling and guided breathwork. Alice’s story is inspirational and empowering. She tells her story with openness and honesty together with plenty of belly laughs along the way.

Rina Bowring – Empowering Mums to live alcohol free!

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Growing up in South Africa, Rina began using alcohol as a preteen to overcome her social fears. After the birth of her son, she felt overwhelmed by motherhood and turned to a daily happy hour with a glass of wine, believing it helped her cope. Ultimately, it was The Alcohol Experiment that allowed her to break free. Rina shares how her newfound freedom from alcohol has brought gratitude, how to navigate a social life without alcohol, and how her relationships have become even more valuable without alcohol.

Michelle McDonald is Sober, Connected and More Than Enough!

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Today we are joined by Michelle McDonald, sobriety coach and burgeoning podcaster, about her transformation from a daily drinker to an alcohol-free woman. Michelle describes how she never really felt like she “was enough”. She consequently filled her life with a busy schedule of things to do, was loud, sociable and drank a lot to “complete” herself. She believes all this noise and “doing” including hitting the gym early and hard, was a trade-off to justify the drinking. Michelle’s drinking escalated to the point that she sometimes started the day with a drink of vodka on a bad day.  However she turned it around. Michelle found sobriety after completing a 90-day alcohol challenge and within a fortnight of doing so, she noticed life opportunities started opening up for her. She likens it to a domino effect whereby her life organically and naturally began falling into place. From there Michelle has gone from strength to strength. Gone is the noise that so often accompanies drinking. She now relishes sitting peacefully and calmly and describes her life now as full of clarity and purpose. She even feels younger (love this!). Look no further if you are after sober inspiration. So many women will relate to this story!

Mrs D is Going without – Lotta Dann interview

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Meet Lotta Dann, also known as Mrs D, the anonymous blogger who discovered the tremendous power of online support for those seeking sobriety. Join us on the podcast as we delve into her fascinating story. We discuss rock bottom, the challenges of moderation, the impact of alcohol on society, and much more. Grab your cup of tea, your headphones, what ever you need to feel comfortable.. Lotta’s insights are not to be missed!

Mel Moss, VIA Drinks: How Going Alcohol Free Propelled Mel to Find Her Passion & Purpose

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Mel Moss, VIA Drinks: How Going Alcohol Free Propelled Mel to Find Her Passion & Purpose

Mel Moss, introduces us to VIA, an alternative to alcohol which delivers on taste and feel-good vibes. Mel also talks about her alcohol-free story. Mel stopped drinking alcohol on Mother’s Day 2019 after reading Annie Grace’s This Naked Mind. She didn’t put it down for two days and laughs that it must have contained “magic spells” that transformed her relationship with alcohol and changed her life for the better. We chat about socialising alcohol-free, being the best role models for our kids that we can be and finding our passion and zest for life. Mel believes that the very act of giving up alcohol propelled her to embrace mid-life and channel the energy, motivation and passion she needed to help launch VIA with her fellow colleagues, Sarah & Kiersten, and lead a life she loves. Learn more about VIA at: https://www.viadrinks.com and follow VIA on Instagram at @viadrinks.

Pia Clinton-Tarestad of The Clean Slate Clinic is a Woman on a Mission

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Pia Clinton-Tarestad of The Clean Slate Clinic is a Woman on a Mission

Today we are joined by Pia Clinton-Tarestad, Co-founder & Chief Executive of The Clean Slate Clinic. In fact, Pia was The Clinic’s very first client! Pia tried and tested The Clinic’s program from her caravan as she travelled around Australia. She started the program in New South Wales, detoxed in South Australia, continued it through Western Australia, Northern Territory and Queensland, completing it near Sydney. It was absolutely life changing for her. She believes that had she not done the program she might not have been able to transform her relationship with alcohol as she has done now as the barriers to her seeking help were so significant. Since then, Pia has been a “women on a mission to make it available to anyone who needs it”. The Clinic is an innovative and ground-breaking service that provides a Telehealth program supporting Australians struggling with alcohol (and also stimulants and cannabis) dependence to safely detox from home. Pia brings a wealth of knowledge to this role, including a lived experience with an alcohol use disorder and with that immense passion and determination to make this service as accessible as possible. Pia’s story is compelling and certainly one to listen to. For further information we encourage you to look at The Clean Slate Clinic’s site: https://www.cleanslateclinic.com.  You can also follow The Clinic on Instagram: @cleanslateclinic.

Jolene Park on Nourishing Your Nervous System and Neurotransmitters

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Jolene Park on Nourishing Your Nervous System and Neurotransmitters

Jolene Park joins us this episode to talk about the importance of prioritising the nourishment of your nervous system and neurotransmitters when quitting drinking. Jolene explains why a “bottom up” approach focussing on rewiring, replenishing and repairing the nervous system is vital to the success of drinking less long term. Do you drink to relax, destress, numb anxiety or soothe an activated nervous system (most do!)? Then it is essential to incorporate resources to calm the nervous system into your sober practice. This physiological piece is often overlooked or minimised in favour of cognitive reframing work. It shouldn’t be. The good news is, Jolene provides examples of simple and accessible resources that can easily be put into practice by you or your clients. Jolene is a leading authority on Grey-Area Drinking, a TED talk speaker, functional nutritionist and health coach who coaches private clients and also trains healthcare practitioners on the importance of nourishing neurotransmitters and supporting their client’s nervous system.

Danielle Fleming on the hospitality industry, motherhood and more!

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Danielle Fleming on the hospitality industry, motherhood and more!

Join us for an exciting and insightful episode as we delve into the world of the hospitality industry with fellow coach Danielle. Discover how she conquered the intense pressure to drink in this industry and turned her passion into a thriving career. Hear firsthand about Danielle’s personal journey from heavy drinking to living a fulfilling life without alcohol.
Danielle speaks about 3 female forces in her life led her to stop drinking and how being sober has meant a different life for her daughter who will never know her Mother as a drinker.
Danielle now has a course for Leaders in the Hospitality industry. You will find link to Danielle’s info below.

Am I an Alcoholic?

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Am I an Alcoholic?

In this episode, we talk about the term “alcoholic”.  The phrase “am I an alcoholic?” is frequently googled and many use this as the starting point for exploring whether alcohol has become a problem for them. We explore the derivation of this term, why some people with alcohol use disorders do not relate to or identify with this term and what are some alternatives to this label.  Two important points to note in relation to this episode: firstly, if you are moderate to heavy consistent drinker and you feel you may be physically addicted then it is important that you seek medical advice to detox safely.  Secondly, we respect everybody’s right to use the label that feels right for them and if you have opted to use the term “alcoholic” to describe your own relationship with alcohol then we 100% support this too.

Anna Cusack on Alcohol and the Stresses and Joy of Motherhood

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Anna Cusack on Alcohol and the Stresses and Joy of Motherhood

In today’s episode we talk to Anna Cusack.  Anna is a Postpartum Doula, Parent Supporter, Certified Motherhood Studies Practitioner, Author, Podcaster and a mum who supports and mentors women in pregnancy, post-birth and early parenthood. Anna has also been alcohol free for 4 years. We start by talking about Anna’s decision to go alcohol free and then we have a lively chat about the pressures woman face during motherhood, how hard it can be when choosing between your career and motherhood, the allure and risks of mummy wine culture and how alcohol can become a crutch to get through the stresses of raising our little ones, often masking our need to connect and seek extra support. Be sure to catch this episode. There will be so much you can relate to.  Apart from thinking “oh I wish I knew Anna when I was having my babies…” (like we did!), you might also look back on your parenting struggles with a little more self-compassion (like we did!) or if you are in the midst of it right now you might feel a little more understood (also us!) and keep Anna’s number handy nearby just in case you or a friend need it.