"Sobriety Was the Hardest Thing I’ve Ever Done" - The Tired Dad Returns

Alcohol addiction doesn’t always look like rock bottom.In this episode of the Sober Motivation Podcast, John shares his story after more than 20 years of drinking and drug use — and the painful realizations that came when he finally got sober.From the outside, his life looked normal. No arrests. No dramatic collapse.But inside, alcohol was shaping decisions, regrets, and memories he would carry for decades.This conversation explores grief, shame, regret, and the realization that some of the biggest consequences of alcohol aren’t the ones people see.They’re the ones we carry internally.Today John is over seven months sober and sharing his story to help others realize they don’t need to hit rock bottom to question their drinking.John on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/withorwithoutbacon/Sober Motivation Community: https://sobermotivation.mn.co/Support the Podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/sobermotivationContact me anytime: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jerzey Mike rode the alcohol train all the way to the last stop. A liter of vodka a day, yellowing eyes, a coma, and doctors who weren't sure he'd make it. In this raw and deeply honest conversation, Mike walks us through the earliest warning signs of liver failure, what life looked like at his absolute worst, and the shame that nearly stopped him from getting help. If you've ever wondered how bad it can really get — or if you're quietly wondering whether you're heading down this road yourself — this episode is for you. Mike survived the last stop. He's sharing his story so you don't have to go there.Mike On IG: https://www.instagram.com/jerzeymike/Sober Motivation Community: https://sobermotivation.mn.co/Support the Podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/sobermotivationContact me anytime: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jess spent years blacking out from alcohol and convincing herself it was normal. After losing her mom at just 19, drinking became the way she coped — until everything finally caught up with her.In this episode she shares the reality of alcohol blackouts, addiction, relapse, and the moment she finally admitted she needed help.Today Jessica is over 20 months sober and rebuilding a life she once believed was impossible.Topics: alcohol addiction, alcohol blackouts, sobriety, recovery.https://www.instagram.com/wmmsjustjess/Sober Motivation Community: https://sobermotivation.mn.co/Support the Podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/sobermotivationContact me anytime: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jon (The Tired Dad) is back with a sobriety update — now 3+ years sober. We talk Dry January to kick things off and why the first year can be the hardest, why moderation didn’t work, parenting as the turning point, and how to build real tools instead of masking emotions. Plus, Jon shares the story behind his upcoming book 100 Reflections on Showing Up for What Matters Most. Sober Motivation Community: https://sobermotivation.mn.co/Support the Podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/sobermotivationContact me anytime: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ashley Jo shares her story of high-functioning alcoholism, grief, shame, and sobriety after years of mommy wine culture and secret binge drinking.A Christian mom, executive, and outwardly successful woman, Ashley struggled privately with addiction and suicidal ideation before choosing sobriety on August 14, 2020.This episode covers:Functional alcoholism, Comparing your drinking to others, Mommy wine culture, Faith and recovery, Self-forgivenessIf you feel like you “should know better” but can’t stop, this conversation will resonate. Links: Support Show HereJoin the Sober Motivation Community Ashley Jo on Instagram  Sober Motivation Community: https://sobermotivation.mn.co/Support the Podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/sobermotivationContact me anytime: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Sober Motivation Podcast, Phillip Barbb shares how a DUI at 22 became the turning point that led to 18 years of sobriety. This is a powerful conversation about alcohol addiction, anxiety, grief, and long-term recovery.Phillip opens up about using alcohol to silence anxiety, growing up under pressure, and how ego and perfectionism kept him stuck. What started as drinking to cope eventually led to arrests and legal consequences — and ultimately a decision to quit drinking for good.We discuss:• DUI and the wake-up call that changed everything• Alcohol addiction and anxiety• Ego in recovery• The role of community and support meetings• What long-term sobriety really requiresIf you’re struggling with alcohol, thinking about quitting drinking, or looking for insight into long-term sobriety, this episode offers real perspective and hope.----------Phillip on IG: https://www.instagram.com/phillipbarbb/Sober Motivation Community: https://sobermotivation.mn.co/Support the Podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/sobermotivationContact me anytime: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From Casual Drinking to Liver Failure: Jacob’s Story of Alcoholic Cirrhosis, Sobriety, and Second ChancesIn this episode of the Sober Motivation Podcast, Jacob shares his powerful journey from a normal upbringing and moderate drinking to developing alcoholic liver cirrhosis after a slow, 10-year descent into alcohol dependency.Growing up in Wisconsin with a loving family, sports, and strong values, Jacob never saw alcohol as dangerous. Drinking started socially and casually — a beer here, wine at dinner, fun with friends. But as stress increased through marriage, business responsibilities, and parenting, alcohol quietly shifted from celebration to coping.In 2023, Jacob was hospitalized with severe abdominal swelling (ascites), jaundice, and ultimately diagnosed with alcoholic liver cirrhosis. Doctors gave him a grim prognosis and discussed palliative care.But this is not a tragedy story. It's about what Jacob is doing with his second chance. -----------Support the Show: https://buymeacoffee.com/sobermotivationJoin the Sober Motivation Community: https://sobermotivation.mn.co/Jacob in Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/feel_sober_good/Sober Motivation Community: https://sobermotivation.mn.co/Support the Podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/sobermotivationContact me anytime: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alcohol didn’t crash into Antoine’s life — it slowly became normal.In this episode of the Sober Motivation Podcast, Antoine shares how drinking started at just 12 years old, was reinforced through culture, school, and social life, and quietly followed him for three decades. From boarding school overseas where alcohol was normalized, to college, hospitality, and years of “functioning” drinking, his story shows how easy it is to miss the warning signs when everyone around you is doing the same thing.We talk about the pressure to fit in, living with ADHD, blackouts that were brushed off, and the moment in Apex, North Carolina that forced him to take a hard look at his relationship with alcohol. Antoine opens up about trying to cut back, why that didn’t work, and what finally made sobriety stick.This episode is for anyone who’s questioning their drinking, feels stuck in the cycle, or wonders what life could look like without alcohol.You don’t have to hit rock bottom to choose a different path.One story at a time—you’re not alone. --------------Join the Sober Motivation Beta Platform FREE: https://sobermotivation.net/Connect with Antoine on IG: https://www.instagram.com/asavageslife/Sober Motivation Community: https://sobermotivation.mn.co/Support the Podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/sobermotivationContact me anytime: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Derek shares a raw, unforgettable sobriety story: growing up in a chaotic home, learning early that alcohol was “dangerous,” and still getting pulled into a cycle of binge drinking, DUIs, and arrests. He opens up about the restaurant industry drinking culture, people-pleasing, shame, and how secrecy (“what happens in this house stays in this house”) fueled isolation.Eventually, alcohol dependence escalated to 25–30 beers per day, severe withdrawal, grand mal seizures, and DTs, leading to hospitalization and a medically critical turning point. Learn how he turns it all around.We also talk about Derek’s book The Dog Bowl—a fictional story built from real addiction pain and real recovery truth.----------Derek On IG: https://www.instagram.com/dpaquette1/ Sober Motivation Community: https://sobermotivation.mn.co/Support the Podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/sobermotivationContact me anytime: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“How do I get sober?”It’s the most common question people ask when they’re struggling with alcohol — and it’s a fair one. But in this solo episode of the Sober Motivation Podcast, Brad challenges the idea that how is the real problem.Instead, he offers a powerful reframe drawn from 16 years of personal recovery and 14 years of supporting people in sobriety:👉 The real question isn’t how do I get sober — it’s what are you willing to do to get sober and stay sober?In this honest and reflective episode, Brad explores why so many people feel stuck when trying to quit drinking, even after trying rehab, meetings, therapy, books, podcasts, and recovery programs. He explains how the search for the “right way” to get sober often becomes a form of avoidance, and why willingness — not information — is what actually leads to lasting change.This episode covers:Why asking how to get sober can keep people stuckThe role willingness plays in quitting alcohol and staying soberWhy many people believe they’re “different” — and how that belief blocks recoveryThe fear of discomfort and change in early sobrietyWhy alcohol feels like it “worked” for so longThe importance of changing routines, environments, and relationshipsWhy doing sobriety alone rarely worksHow shame and ego prevent people from asking for helpWhy support and connection matter more than willpowerSober Motivation Community: https://sobermotivation.mn.co/Support the Podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/sobermotivationContact me anytime: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.