Breaking Chains: Ian's 34-Year Battle with Alcohol to Sobriety

In this eye-opening episode of the Sober Motivation Podcast, I welcome Ian, who candidly shares his journey from a childhood surrounded by alcohol.  Discover how Ian turned his life around after 34 years of drinking, failed marriages, and professional challenges, all while exploring the profound impact of finding clarity, gratitude, and setting powerful examples for his children. Tune in to learn about the transformative power of community, self-forgiveness, and the surprising benefits of a sober life. Ian on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ian.fee/ 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:16 Ian's Early Life and First Encounters with Alcohol 02:26 High School and College Years 05:05 Career Beginnings and Drinking Culture 14:23 Family Life and Struggles with Alcohol 17:59 Rehab and the Road to Recovery 32:13 Struggles and Realizations 33:46 The Importance of Community 38:12 Facing Social Pressures 41:01 The Value of Time and Sobriety 45:06 Forgiveness and Self-Improvement 50:07 Gratitude and Daily Practices 54:39 Impact and Purpose 01:02:31 Final Thoughts and Advice

In this episode of the Sober Motivation Podcast, I sit down with Christine, a resilient mother and former nurse, who shares her compelling journey from a childhood affected by her father's alcoholism to her own struggles with addiction. Christine opens up about the challenges of growing up in a loving yet dysfunctional household, the impact of her father's early death, and eventually her own battle with substance abuse. She details her difficult path to recovery, which included losing her nursing license, the toll it took on her family, and her turning points. Christine discusses finding peace and purpose through sobriety, the support of her family, and the importance of honesty and community in her recovery journey. Support the Podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/sobermotivation Christine on IG: https://www.instagram.com/sherisessober/ 00:00 Introduction to Season Four 00:15 Meet Christine: A Long-Awaited Conversation 00:43 Christine's Childhood: Love and Dysfunction 04:14 School Days and Family Tragedy 06:31 High School: First Encounters with Alcohol 14:07 Post-High School Life: Family and Work 15:41 Meeting Her Husband: A Funny Story 18:14 Motherhood and Nursing School 21:39 The Accident: A Turning Point 24:00 Struggling with Addiction 27:18 Seeking Help and Legal Troubles 29:54 Relapse and Alcohol Dependency 36:41 Facing the Consequences of Poor Choices 36:59 Struggles with Guilt and Shame 37:51 Losing a Beloved Career 42:48 The Turning Point: Seeking Help 44:13 Entering Detox and the Road to Recovery 45:20 Rebuilding Relationships and Self-Identity 53:11 The Importance of Honesty and Vulnerability 55:47 Finding Peace and Purpose in Recovery 01:09:41 Encouragement for Those Struggling

In this episode of the Sober Motivation Podcast, Emily joins the show to share her powerful story of growing up with alcoholic parents, her own struggles with addiction, and the journey to sobriety. Emily recounts her move to Texas, feelings of disconnection, and major life challenges, including an unplanned pregnancy and battling an eating disorder. We explore Emily’s slow, nonlinear path of recovery after decades of chronic relapse, twenty institutions, a DUI with her child in the car, and ongoing neurological damage from alcohol use—all while mothering four children. She discusses her multiple stints in rehab and what led her to get sober again in 2016.  Emily also speaks about her memoir, 'Wife, Mother, Drunk,' which explores her family's generational trauma, her personal experiences, and her path to healing and understanding.   Sober Motivation Community: https://sobermotivation.mn.co Support the Show here: https://buymeacoffee.com/sobermotivation Connect with Emily on IG here: https://www.instagram.com/emilyredondo_author/    

In this episode of the Sober Motivation Podcast, Don shares his journey growing up with an alcoholic father to his own struggles with addiction and eventual sobriety. Don recounts the turning moments that led him to realize the depth of his addiction, including his near-death experiences and the kindness of strangers who helped him find his way. He discusses how sobriety opened doors to unexpected opportunities, including a role in a Netflix show and a thriving career in building hot rods. Don's story is a testament to the power of resilience, support systems, and a higher power in creating a new, fulfilled life.  Don on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donabenante/ 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:32 Don's Childhood and Early Exposure to Alcohol 02:05 Memories of Don's Father 04:19 The Impact of Don's Father's Death 06:39 Don's Struggle with Alcohol Begins 09:48 Life as an Alcoholic and Career Challenges 12:18 Hitting Rock Bottom and Seeking Help 16:00 The Turning Point: Finding Sobriety 21:52 Rebuilding Life and Embracing Sobriety 29:17 The Struggle with Sobriety 29:38 The Turning Point 30:07 The Battle with Kratom 32:19 Support Systems and Sobriety 34:08 Finding Peace in Sobriety 37:21 Embracing Sobriety as a Superpower 40:17 The Journey to Self-Acceptance 45:25 Career and Sobriety 46:21 The Netflix Opportunity 48:04 Building a New Life 01:00:15 Final Thoughts on Sobriety  

In this episode, I connect with Sam, a listener of the podcast. Sam shares his story growing up in Northern Virginia, where sports and family played significant roles, transitioning to a college life filled with heavy drinking and partying. After moving to Florida, Sam realized that alcohol prevented him from pursuing his passions and living a fulfilling life. A significant wake-up call from his boss helped Sam make the critical decision to stop drinking. Sam discusses his journey through sobriety, the importance of support systems like AA and podcasts, and how focusing on his hobbies and improving his mental health has changed his life. Sam now channels his energy into helping others and setting personal goals, celebrating one year of sobriety with a renewed sense of purpose and clarity.   Sam on IG: https://www.instagram.com/sammysharks9/   00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:40 Sam's Childhood and Upbringing 02:21 Early Experiences with Alcohol 03:40 High School Drinking Culture 09:37 College Life and Escalation of Drinking 14:00 Consequences and Realizations 17:44 Post-College Reflections 24:35 Health Issues and Denial 27:20 Seeking Help and Self-Reflection 34:19 Breaking the Cycle and Growth 35:15 The Unexpected Journey to Sobriety 35:41 Life in Tampa: Bars, Beaches, and Martial Arts 38:18 The Turning Point: Realizing the Impact of Alcohol 40:09 The Decision to Quit: Work and Personal Life Collide 42:52 The First Steps: AA and Early Sobriety 46:28 Transformations: Physical and Mental Health Improvements 48:20 Finding New Passions: Fishing and Fitness 49:07 Supporting Others: The Power of Community 01:00:45 Reflecting on the Journey: Advice and Encouragement  

In this episode of the Sober Motivation Podcast, host I welcome Logan, who shares his powerful story of sobriety from alcohol and gambling addiction at a young age. Logan talks about his early experiences with alcohol, the challenges of growing up with ADHD, and the impact of his upbringing on his addictive behaviors. He recounts his struggle with substance abuse, the consequences he faced, and his transformative journey through detox and rehab. Logan also discusses the importance of support systems, the role of faith in his recovery, and the hard choices he made to change his life. ------------- Logan's IG: https://www.instagram.com/newgenerationsobriety

In this episode of the Sober Motivation Podcast, I sit down with Andy to discuss Andy's incredible journey to sobriety. We jump into Andy's childhood, his early relationship with alcohol, his struggles, and the moments that made him decide to seek help. Andy shares his experiences with the Sober Motivation community and highlights the positive changes that have come from his sobriety. This episode offers an honest and inspiring look at the challenges and changes of living a sober life. -------- Support the Show: https://buymeacoffee.com/sobermotivation The Sober Motivation Community: https://sobermotivation.mn.co/ Andy's IG: https://www.instagram.com/aaernie/

In this episode of the Sober Motivation Podcast, the host welcomes Britt, who shares some of her struggles growing up in a household affected by addiction in South Florida. Britt talks about her relationship struggles and attempting to be the fixer of others. As life went on, Britt experienced domestic violence in her marriage, and alcohol became a way to numb and escape. With time, they both progressed until she left with her 3 kids and became homeless overnight.  Her drinking kept going as the shame and guilt compounded. On Sept 27th, 2018, a prayer was answered, and her sober journey began. This is Britt’s story on the Sober Motivation podcast. Support the Show: https://buymeacoffee.com/sobermotivation Join the Sober Motivation Community: https://sobermotivation.mn.co/ Britt on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brittbrandonofficial/

In this episode, we reconnect with Will, who shares his remarkable journey from a life-threatening situation due to alcoholism to thriving in sobriety. Will recounts how he initially connected with the host through social media and outlines the depth of his struggles, including undergoing liver and kidney transplants. We discuss the importance of maintaining ongoing support to avoid the pitfalls of complacency in sobriety. Will shares how he used various practices like gratitude exercises and physical wellness to stay grounded. The episode also highlights the emotional struggles and ultimate triumphs in Will's life, capturing the transformative power of sobriety. 00:55 The Journey of Sobriety 02:07 Challenges and Relapses 03:35 Community and Support 04:39 Personal Reflections and Family 10:06 Will's Story: A Year of Growth 11:39 Overcoming Adversity 13:02 Maintaining Sobriety 19:10 Acting As If: The Power of Mindset 25:26 Emotional Breakdown and Realization 26:10 The Struggles of Alcoholism 26:42 Finding Hope and New Possibilities 27:10 Coping with Social Situations 28:04 The Importance of Support Systems 30:00 Reflecting on the Journey 30:48 The Role of Confidence and Self-Work 31:43 Building a Meaningful Life 32:16 Family and Relationships 35:04 Gratitude and New Perspectives 42:52 Paying It Forward 43:34 Conclusion and Gratitude

In this powerful episode, Brad welcomes Faye to share her journey through childhood, family dynamics, and the challenges of alcohol use. Faye opens up about growing up around parties, the impact of her parents’ separation, and how alcohol became a coping mechanism. She discusses her experiences with blackouts, social anxiety, ADHD, and the turning point that led her to sobriety. We explore the process of self-discovery, the importance of building healthy relationships, and the significance of community in recovery. Faye on IG: https://www.instagram.com/fayelouise_____/