Why Successful Men Quietly Stop Going to Bars

Gentlemen… what if the bar isn’t just a place to “blow off steam”… but a system designed to keep you from leveling up? In this episode, we break down a controversial idea: bars aren’t evil, but they are efficient. Efficient at sedating ambition. Efficient at normalizing mediocrity. Efficient at keeping men distracted from building legacies in business, family, health, and leadership. We unpack: • How bar culture subtly suppresses masculine drive• Why alcohol reduces ambition while increasing tolerance for mediocrity• The economic machine behind a $1.5 trillion global alcohol industry• How bars keep men predictable, distracted, and emotionally underdeveloped• Why younger men are quietly drinking less and what that means for leadership• The rise of sober social spaces and cultural shifts happening right now This isn’t a conspiracy rant. It’s a performance conversation. You can’t lead your company, your marriage, or your mission if your clarity is being fogged every weekend. Bars aren’t just “fun.” They shape behavior. They shape habits. They shape culture. And the real rebellion in 2026?Leaving early. Staying sharp. Building something meaningful. If you care about masculinity, leadership, high performance, sobriety, and building a life that actually matters, this episode will challenge you. Looking for 1 on 1 Coaching? Check out the Sober Executive Performance Reset Join our FREE online men’s community — The Victory Circle — for connection, accountability, and real conversations about alcohol, performance, and purpose. Sober Executive Performance Reset: A 12 Week Private Coaching Experience - APPLY HERE https://www.thatsoberguy.com/coaching Invite Shane to Speak - https://www.thatsoberguy.com/speaking Join “The Victory Circle”, our FREE Sober Guy Mens Community at https://www.thatsoberguy.com/offers/SvjjuEQ2/checkout Check out Shanes New Book, Sober Guy How Do I - https://a.co/d/81ZIgtE Tired of Drinking? Try Our 30 Day Quit Drinking Dude Challenge! - https://www.thatsoberguy.com/quit-drinking-alcohol-for-30-days For More Resources go to http://www.ThatSoberGuy.com Follow us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shane-ramer-7534bb257/ Follow us on Instagram @ThatSoberGuyPodcast Follow us on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/thatsoberguypodcast  Follow us on X @ThatSoberGuyPod Music - Going Late courtesy of Humans & Haven Sounds Inc. #ThatSoberGuy #Masculinity #Sobriety #MensLeadership #HighPerformance #AlcoholCulture #SelfMastery #EntrepreneurMindset Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Tattoo culture has always been wrapped in rebellion, late nights, and heavy drinking, but what happens when an artist decides to create without numbing? In this episode of That Sober Guy Podcast, Shane Ramer sits down with renowned tattoo artist Jeff Crabtree to talk about art, identity, discipline, and the uncomfortable truths no one wants to admit about creativity and alcohol. Jeff opens up about his journey through addiction, tattoo culture, and how sobriety didn’t kill his edge, it sharpened it. Together, they unpack why so many creative industries normalize burnout and substance use, how sobriety changes the way you show up in your craft, and what it really takes to build a legacy instead of just a reputation. This conversation goes deeper than tattoos. It’s about mastery, presence, masculinity, and creating something meaningful without destroying yourself in the process. In this episode, we cover: How sobriety impacts creativity, focus, and discipline Identity beyond the “artist lifestyle” The difference between rebellion and self-control What it means to build long-term success without self-sabotage Whether you’re an artist, entrepreneur, or just someone questioning the role alcohol plays in your life, this episode will challenge some deeply ingrained narratives, and challenges the status quo. www.lighthousetattooidaho.com @lighthousetattoo.id Warrior Heart Boot Camp - Use promo code SOBERGUY and get $100 off any 2026 Boot Camp! Sober Executive Performance Reset: A 12 Week Private Coaching Experience - APPLY HERE https://www.thatsoberguy.com/coaching Invite Shane to Speak - https://www.thatsoberguy.com/speaking Join “The Victory Circle”, our FREE Sober Guy Mens Community at https://www.thatsoberguy.com/offers/SvjjuEQ2/checkout Check out Shanes New Book, Sober Guy How Do I - https://a.co/d/81ZIgtE Tired of Drinking? Try Our 30 Day Quit Drinking Dude Challenge! - https://www.thatsoberguy.com/quit-drinking-alcohol-for-30-days For More Resources go to http://www.ThatSoberGuy.com Follow us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shane-ramer-7534bb257/ Follow us on Instagram @ThatSoberGuyPodcast Follow us on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/thatsoberguypodcast  Follow us on X @ThatSoberGuyPod Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What happens when sobriety becomes a cultural priority, not just a personal choice? In this episode of That Sober Guy Podcast, we break down the Great American Recovery Plan and explore what it could mean if America truly shifted toward treatment over punishment, real recovery infrastructure, and accountability with support. This conversation goes beyond politics and into culture, identity, performance, and leadership, especially for men navigating business, family, and health in a world built on distraction and sedation. We also examine the broader recovery messaging gaining traction around: Mental health and addiction recovery Food quality and physical health Pharma dependence and long-term consequences Sobriety as personal sovereignty and leadership We ask the uncomfortable questions: What industries struggle when people get clear-minded? Why is avoidance normalized while discipline is questioned? What changes when men stop numbing and start leading? This episode isn’t about telling you what to think, it’s about helping you see the system clearly and decide for yourself. If you’re interested in sobriety, recovery, mental clarity, personal growth, and high-performance living, this episode will challenge you, in a good way. Listen now and join the conversation. Sober Executive Performance Reset: A 12 Week Private Coaching Experience - APPLY HERE https://www.thatsoberguy.com/coaching Invite Shane to Speak - https://www.thatsoberguy.com/speaking Join “The Victory Circle”, our FREE Sober Guy Mens Community at https://www.thatsoberguy.com/offers/SvjjuEQ2/checkout Check out Shanes New Book, Sober Guy How Do I - https://a.co/d/81ZIgtE Tired of Drinking? Try Our 30 Day Quit Drinking Dude Challenge! - https://www.thatsoberguy.com/quit-drinking-alcohol-for-30-days For More Resources go to http://www.ThatSoberGuy.com Follow us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shane-ramer-7534bb257/ Follow us on Instagram @ThatSoberGuyPodcast Follow us on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/thatsoberguypodcast  Follow us on X @ThatSoberGuyPod Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Reality TV isn’t just entertainment, it’s a mirror. And what it keeps reflecting back is worth questioning. In this episode of That Sober Guy Podcast, Shane breaks down why reality TV consistently centers alcohol-fueled chaos, reckless masculinity, and emotionally unregulated men—and what that says about our culture’s relationship with leadership, performance, and sobriety. From dating shows and house-based dramas to competition series and celebrity culture, alcohol isn’t just present—it’s the engine. The louder the conflict, the sloppier the behavior, the better the ratings. But at what cost? Shane contrasts today’s reality TV landscape with earlier eras of television that celebrated responsibility, growth, and strong family dynamics—and asks a bigger question:Why does modern media reward dysfunction while treating discipline Sober Executive Performance Reset: A 12 Week Private Coaching Experience - APPLY HERE https://www.thatsoberguy.com/coaching Invite Shane to Speak - https://www.thatsoberguy.com/speaking Join “The Victory Circle”, our FREE Sober Guy Mens Community at https://www.thatsoberguy.com/offers/SvjjuEQ2/checkout Check out Shanes New Book, Sober Guy How Do I - https://a.co/d/81ZIgtE Tired of Drinking? Try Our 30 Day Quit Drinking Dude Challenge! - https://www.thatsoberguy.com/quit-drinking-alcohol-for-30-days For More Resources go to http://www.ThatSoberGuy.com Follow us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shane-ramer-7534bb257/ Follow us on Instagram @ThatSoberGuyPodcast Follow us on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/thatsoberguypodcast  Follow us on X @ThatSoberGuyPod Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of That Sober Guy Podcast, Shane Ramer looks past the headlines and into what falling beer and alcohol sales actually signal about culture, stress, health, and how people are coping right now. This isn’t about shaming drinkers or celebrating bankruptcy filings.It’s about asking better questions. Why are legacy beer brands struggling?Why are younger consumers quietly opting out?And why does every conversation about declining alcohol sales still avoid the obvious conclusion? We unpack: The collapse of “drink because it’s normal” logic Why alcohol is losing relevance and not just market share How wellness, performance, and awareness are reshaping habits What the industry’s panic tells us about cultural change And why fewer people drinking doesn’t mean fewer people socializing That Sober Guy isn’t just about quitting alcohol.It’s about what happens after. Drop a comment:Do you think alcohol is actually losing cultural power — or just being rebranded? Sober Executive Performance Reset: A 12 Week Private Coaching Experience - APPLY HERE https://www.thatsoberguy.com/coaching Invite Shane to Speak - https://www.thatsoberguy.com/speaking Join “The Victory Circle”, our FREE Sober Guy Mens Community at https://www.thatsoberguy.com/offers/SvjjuEQ2/checkout Check out Shanes New Book, Sober Guy How Do I - https://a.co/d/81ZIgtE Tired of Drinking? Try Our 30 Day Quit Drinking Dude Challenge! - https://www.thatsoberguy.com/quit-drinking-alcohol-for-30-days For More Resources go to http://www.ThatSoberGuy.com Follow us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shane-ramer-7534bb257/ Follow us on Instagram @ThatSoberGuyPodcast Follow us on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/thatsoberguypodcast  Follow us on X @ThatSoberGuyPod Credit articles for reference: https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/beer-demand-weakens-corona-modelo-seller-says https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/popular-alcohol-brands-could-forced-sell-off-inventory-after-bankruptcy-setback Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Every January, the same thing happens. Millions of people quietly stop drinking…Celebrities post their “reset” routines…Brands suddenly talk about “mindful consumption”…And then February hits, and we all pretend none of it mattered. In this episode of That Sober Guy Podcast, we break down the cultural hypocrisy around alcohol and why Dry January has become the only socially acceptable time to admit drinking might be an issue. We unpack: Why alcohol is the only substance you have to justify not using How celebrity culture glamorizes drinking, until it doesn’t What declining beer sales and bankrupt alcohol brands are quietly telling us Why “moderation” sounds responsible but rarely matches real life And how Dry January accidentally exposes a truth no one wants to say out loud This isn’t about shame.It’s about honesty, culture, and calling out the weird double standards we’ve all accepted. If you’ve ever wondered why quitting drinking feels harder socially than drinking every weekend…If you’ve ever done Dry January and thought, “Why don’t I feel like going back?”Or if you’re just tired of being gaslit by alcohol culture. This episode is for you. New episodes weeklyJoin our sober guy mens community The Victory Circle for more tips and connection. You don’t need alcohol to live a big life Sober Executive Performance Reset: A 12 Week Private Coaching Experience - APPLY HERE https://www.thatsoberguy.com/coaching Invite Shane to Speak - https://www.thatsoberguy.com/speaking Join “The Victory Circle”, our FREE Sober Guy Mens Community at https://www.thatsoberguy.com/offers/SvjjuEQ2/checkout Check out Shanes New Book, Sober Guy How Do I - https://a.co/d/81ZIgtE Tired of Drinking? Try Our 30 Day Quit Drinking Dude Challenge! - https://www.thatsoberguy.com/quit-drinking-alcohol-for-30-days For More Resources go to http://www.ThatSoberGuy.com Follow us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shane-ramer-7534bb257/ Follow us on Instagram @ThatSoberGuyPodcast Follow us on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/thatsoberguypodcast  Follow us on X @ThatSoberGuyPod Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dr. Oz recently said, “Don’t drink for breakfast,” while outlining the new food pyramid and it got Shane  thinking: why is alcohol still treated like the one socially acceptable drug? In this episode of That Sober Guy Podcast, Shane dissects the culture of “moderate drinking” and why society celebrates clarity only after chaos. From brunch cocktails to business happy hours, alcohol is everywhere, and yet health conversations barely touch it. Shane explores why this advice protects industry, normalizes avoidance, and keeps people numbing instead of thriving. He contrasts mainstream guidance with voices like RFK Jr., who emphasize real wellness, conscious food choices, and intentional living. This isn’t about shaming anyone, it’s about exposing cultural blind spots, questioning old habits, and seeing sobriety as clarity, freedom, and awareness. If you’ve ever wondered why “moderation” is celebrated more than awareness, this episode is for you. Sober Executive Performance Reset: A 12 Week Private Coaching Experience - APPLY HERE https://www.thatsoberguy.com/coaching Invite Shane to Speak - https://www.thatsoberguy.com/speaking Join “The Victory Circle”, our FREE Sober Guy Mens Community at https://www.thatsoberguy.com/offers/SvjjuEQ2/checkout Check out Shanes New Book, Sober Guy How Do I - https://a.co/d/81ZIgtE Tired of Drinking? Try Our 30 Day Quit Drinking Dude Challenge! - https://www.thatsoberguy.com/quit-drinking-alcohol-for-30-days For More Resources go to http://www.ThatSoberGuy.com Follow us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shane-ramer-7534bb257/ Follow us on Instagram @ThatSoberGuyPodcast Follow us on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/thatsoberguypodcast  Follow us on X @ThatSoberGuyPod Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sobriety doesn’t just change your habits.It changes your social surface area and that’s where most men get uncomfortable. In this episode of That Sober Guy Podcast (the number one sober podcast since 2014), we break down a hard truth most people won’t say out loud: when you stop drinking, your social circle often gets smaller, but your leverage gets bigger. This isn’t about isolation.It’s about signal-to-noise ratio. We explore why sobriety naturally compresses relationships, how alcohol props up low-value social volume, and why fewer but clearer connections often lead to better decisions, stronger positioning, and higher performance. Inside the episode: Why sobriety exposes which relationships were built on access vs alignment How fewer social obligations create more focus, time, and strategic clarity The difference between social popularity and social leverage Why some people get uncomfortable when you opt out, and what that reveals How disciplined men often get mislabeled before they get respected We also unpack the trade-off most high-performing men face: short-term social friction in exchange for long-term authority, credibility, and optionality. If you’ve noticed your calendar clearing, your phone getting quieter, or your tolerance for surface-level conversations dropping since you stopped drinking, this episode will help you understand why that’s not a loss. It’s a recalibration. Bottom line:Less noise. More signal.Fewer circles. Greater leverage. Listen to Episode 570 to reframe what sobriety is really doing to your social life and why the right rooms come later. Join our FREE online mens community at ThatSoberGuy.com If you’re a high-performing executive, founder, or operator ready to sharpen clarity, increase leverage, and build a life that actually compounds, learn more about the Executive Performance Reset, a 12-week private coaching experience designed for men who are done playing small. Apply at thatsoberguy.com/coaching. Sober Executive Performance Reset: A 12 Week Private Coaching Experience - APPLY HERE https://www.thatsoberguy.com/coaching Invite Shane to Speak - https://www.thatsoberguy.com/speaking Join “The Victory Circle”, our FREE Sober Guy Mens Community at https://www.thatsoberguy.com/offers/SvjjuEQ2/checkout Check out Shanes New Book, Sober Guy How Do I - https://a.co/d/81ZIgtE Tired of Drinking? Try Our 30 Day Quit Drinking Dude Challenge! - https://www.thatsoberguy.com/quit-drinking-alcohol-for-30-days For More Resources go to http://www.ThatSoberGuy.com Follow us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shane-ramer-7534bb257/ Follow us on Instagram @ThatSoberGuyPodcast Follow us on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/thatsoberguypodcast  Follow us on X @ThatSoberGuyPod Music - Going Late courtesy of Humans & Haven Sounds Inc. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Alcohol isn’t a reward. It’s not a release. It’s a performance tax and in this episode, we prove it. On this week’s That Sober Guy Podcast (the number one sober podcast since 2014), we break down how even “moderate” drinking quietly drains focus, fragments sleep, dulls urgency, and taxes next-day execution. Drawing from real-world patterns and insights from the Sober Male Index, this episode exposes what most men feel but can’t quite name: you don’t feel hungover, you feel slightly off. We cover: How alcohol disrupts sleep, cognition, and emotional regulation Why the biggest sobriety gain isn’t motivation, it’s baseline clarity The cultural protection around alcohol and why opting out makes people uncomfortable How alcohol delays stress, then charges interest Why “I don’t have a problem” is the wrong metric. and ROI is the right one If you’re a high-performing man, an executive, founder, or leader, this episode will challenge you to audit what’s quietly leaking your energy and compressing your edge. Bottom line:If it costs tomorrow, it’s not a reward.Clarity compounds faster than motivation. Learn more about the Sober Executive Performance Reset, a 12-week private coaching experience designed to help serious operators remove the tax, sharpen execution, and reclaim leverage. Sober Executive Performance Reset: A 12 Week Private Coaching Experience - APPLY HERE https://www.thatsoberguy.com/coaching Invite Shane to Speak - https://www.thatsoberguy.com/speaking Join “The Victory Circle”, our FREE Sober Guy Mens Community at https://www.thatsoberguy.com/offers/SvjjuEQ2/checkout Check out Shanes New Book, Sober Guy How Do I - https://a.co/d/81ZIgtE Tired of Drinking? Try Our 30 Day Quit Drinking Dude Challenge! - https://www.thatsoberguy.com/quit-drinking-alcohol-for-30-days For More Resources go to http://www.ThatSoberGuy.com Follow us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shane-ramer-7534bb257/ Follow us on Instagram @ThatSoberGuyPodcast Follow us on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/thatsoberguypodcast  Follow us on X @ThatSoberGuyPod Music - Going Late courtesy of Humans & Haven Sounds Inc. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Check out Shanes New Book, Sober Guy How Do I - https://a.co/d/81ZIgtE Join “The Victory Circle”, our FREE Sober Guy Mens Community at https://www.thatsoberguy.com/offers/SvjjuEQ2/checkout AMPLIFY Sober Voices Event - https://amplify.soberliferocks.com/ Tired of Drinking? Try Our 30 Day Quit Drinking Dude Challenge! - https://www.thatsoberguy.com/quit-drinking-alcohol-for-30-days Work with Shane 1 on 1 Coaching - https://www.thatsoberguy.com/coaching Invite Shane to Speak - https://www.thatsoberguy.com/speaking For More Resources go to http://www.ThatSoberGuy.com Follow us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shane-ramer-7534bb257/ Follow us on Instagram @ThatSoberGuyPodcast Follow us on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/thatsoberguypodcast  Follow us on X @ThatSoberGuyPod Music - Going Late courtesy of Humans & Haven Sounds Inc. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - 1-800-273-TALK (8255) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.