Tribe Sober - inspiring an alcohol free life!

In this episode, I chat to Tribe Sober Ambassador Lynne, who spent years as a “normal” drinker - functioning well on the outside, but quietly questioning her relationship with alcohol. There was no dramatic rock bottom. No crisis. Just a growing awareness that something wasn’t working anymore. Lynne shares how her nightly whisky habit slowly increased in quantity and shifted from a reward to something that no longer felt good - and how she found her way to an alcohol-free life that feels calmer, clearer, and more aligned. If you’ve ever wondered whether your drinking is “bad enough” to change, this conversation will really resonate. 🔑 What We Cover What it means to be a grey area drinker How habits quietly become harder to control Why moderation often doesn’t stick The subtle signs that alcohol is no longer serving you Life without alcohol — what actually changes Why you don’t need a rock bottom to make a change 💬 Key Takeaway You don’t have to wait for things to fall apart to rethink your drinking. Sometimes the quiet nudge — “this isn’t working anymore” — is more than enough. 👣 Next Steps If Lynne’s story resonated, you’re not alone — and you don’t have to figure this out by yourself. 👉 Join our 6-week Accelerate programme and start building an alcohol-free life that actually feels good 🔗 https://www.tribesober.com/accelerate-2/

📝 Show Notes 🎙️ From Rock Bottom to Real Self: The Power of Returning to Yourself 🎶 Intro & Outro Music: “Remember” by Sutherland What if rock bottom isn’t the end… but the beginning? In this episode, Lynette explores the journey from rock bottom—or what we sometimes call a high bottom—into self-leadership, emotional power, and a return to your true self. Inspired by the story of Alysa Liu, this episode goes far beyond success or achievement. It’s about what happens when we lose ourselves in pressure, expectation, and survival… and how we begin to come back. If you’ve ever found yourself asking: “Why can’t I just stop?” “Is this my rock bottom?” “I’m sober… now what?” …this episode is for you. 🌿 In This Episode Why rock bottom can be a turning point—not a failure The difference between rock bottom and “high bottom” How nervous system stress and disconnection drive addictive patterns What it means to lose your sense of self—and how to reclaim it The shift from performance and people-pleasing → self-leadership Why recovery is not about becoming someone new, but returning to who you are A simple way to anchor into identity (what Lynette calls a “power pattern”) Emotional power: learning to feel without needing to escape 🔑 Key Takeaway You don’t change your life by trying harder. You change your life by returning to yourself— with awareness, with choice, and with authority. 💫 Ready for Support? If you are still struggling… still slipping… or wondering if you’ve hit your rock bottom—please don’t do this alone. ✨ Accelerate Programme (Tribe Sober) A new programme is launching this weekend. 👉 Contact Tribe Sober to find out more and get started. email [email protected] If you’ve had a few months of sobriety and you’re ready to go deeper… If you’re asking: “I’m sober… now what?” ✨ Work with Lynette Explore one-on-one coaching or mentorship programmes: 👉 Email : [email protected] 🌊 Final Reflection What if your past hasn’t broken you… but initiated you? And what if this next chapter is not about fixing yourself… …but about coming home to yourself?

In this episode, Janet talks with clinical psychologist Dr Sarah Michaud, who has been sober since 1984 and specialises in addiction and codependency. Sarah shares her powerful recovery story and explains why codependency is often the missing piece in long-term sobriety. In this episode Growing up in a family affected by alcoholism Why addiction often begins as a way to escape emotional pain The moment that led Sarah to get sober at 24 What codependency really means and how it shows up in relationships Why trying to fix or control other people never works How to start setting healthy boundaries in early sobriety Why guilt is normal when you begin changing people-pleasing patterns The importance of asking yourself: What do I want? What do I need? Why asking for help is the first step to recovery Key message Recovery isn’t just about stopping drinking. It’s about reconnecting with yourself and learning healthier ways to relate to others. Resources Dr Sarah Michaud – Co-Crazy: One Psychologist’s Recovery from Addiction and Codependency Podcast: Leaving Crazy Town Website: drsarahmichaud.com Support: Tribe Sober More Info This episode is sponsored by the Tribe Sober Membership Program. If you want to change your relationship with alcohol then sign up today Read more about our program and subscribe HERE Help us to Spread the Word! We made this podcast so that we can reach more people who need our help. Please subscribe and share. If you enjoyed the podcast, then please leave us a 5-star review on Apple podcasts. Take a screenshot of your review, and DM it to Tribe Sober’s Instagram page – see PS below for instructions. We’ll send you something special to say thank you! We release a podcast episode every Saturday morning. You can follow Tribe Sober on Facebook, Twitter, TikTok and Instagram. PS: How to Leave a Rating/Review in Apple Podcasts (on an iOS Device) Open the Podcasts app. EASY. Choose “Search” from the bottom row of icons and enter the name of the show (e.g. Recover Like a Mother) into the search field. Select the show under Shows (not under Episodes). Scroll down past the first few episodes until you see Ratings & Reviews. Click Write a Review underneath the displayed reviews from other listeners. You’ll then have the option to rate the show on a 5-star scale and write a review (you can rate without writing too but it’s always good to read your experience).

Episode Title: When Strategy Isn’t the Problem — Identity Is Episode Description Many people who want to change their relationship with alcohol believe they simply need a better strategy — more discipline, better rules, or a stronger moderation plan. But what if the real issue isn’t strategy at all? In this episode, Lynette explores a deeper truth: lasting change rarely comes from trying to control alcohol — it comes from expanding beyond the identity that believes alcohol is necessary. Drawing on insights from neuropsychologist Dr. Julia DiGangi and years of coaching experience, Lynette explains why so many attempts at moderation fail and why identity transformation is the real turning point in recovery. If you’ve ever told yourself, “I should be able to moderate,” this episode may help you see the pattern in a completely new way. In This Episode Lynette explores: Why many people struggle with alcohol even when they genuinely want to change The hidden difference between strategy change and identity change The “capability fantasy” that keeps people stuck in the moderation cycle How personality and identity influence our relationship with alcohol Why arguing with reality creates suffering The concept of “expanding beyond personality” from Dr. Julia DiGangi’s work The powerful shift from trying to control alcohol to becoming the person who no longer needs it Key Insight From This Episode One of the most powerful shifts in recovery happens when we stop asking: “How do I control my drinking?” And start asking: “Who am I becoming?” Sobriety is not simply about removing alcohol. It’s about expanding beyond the identity that once believed alcohol was necessary. A Quote From This Episode "The goal isn’t just to stop drinking. The goal is to become the person who no longer needs to". Want Support Exploring Sobriety? If this episode resonated with you and you’re curious about what life might look like with alcohol no longer running the show, Lynette offers exploratory coaching sessions. You can contact her at: [email protected] These sessions are a safe space to explore your relationship with alcohol and what might be possible for you moving forward. About Lynette Lynette Le Roux is a coach specialising in helping people change their relationship with alcohol and step into a more empowered, alcohol-free life. Through coaching, Positive Intelligence mental fitness training, and deep emotional insight work, she supports clients in transforming the patterns and identities that keep them stuck. Final Reflection Remember: You’re not giving something up. You’re stepping into the freedom of who you really are.

Tribe Sober - inpiring an alcohol-free life! My guest this week is British Psychiatrist Dr Tony Rao. He is an international expert of alchohol misuse in older people - with more than 20 years experience in this area. He works with Baby Boomers in the UK who have alcohol issues - I was one of those for many years so found this conversation fascinating.. In this Episode Dr Tony explains how his interest in the field started with his parents who were both medics He believes it's essential to understand the community his patients are from if he is to understand their problems The baby boomer generation is more susceptible to alcohol abuse as we grew up with very different cultural attitudes We believed it was ok to get drunk sometimes and the "work hard, play hard" ethos was encouraged in many corporates After decades of drinking the older generation have not even tried to cut down - many of them rely on it more as they get older Dr Tony believes that the "low risk" limits for alcohol should be reduced for older people as our bodies are less resilient Extra risks for older people include falls, mixing with medications and the fact that it takes longer to metabolize We agreed that although people are living longer the emphasis should be on "living well" for the last 10 years Dr Tony advises that we take the low risk limits seriously and reach out for help if we need it - there is always help. He has written a book called "Catch Me When I Fall" which dramatises the issue - available via Amazon More info Subscription membership for Tribe Sober join up HERE To access our website click HERE If you would like a free copy of our e-book "66 days to sobriety" please email us at [email protected] If you would like to come to our Saturday afternoon Zoom Cafe as a guest and meet our community just email [email protected] Episode Sponsor This episode is sponsored by the Tribe Sober Membership Program. If you want to change your relationship with alcohol then sign up today. Read more about our membership and subscribe HERE Help us to spread the word! We made this podcast so that we can reach more people who need our help. Please subscribe and share. We release a podcast episode every Saturday morning. You can follow Tribe Sober on Facebook and Instagram. Thank you for listening! Till Next Week Janet x

🎙 Episode 4: Falling in Love With Your Brain Love Series – Tribe Sober Podcast This month we’ve been exploring love. Love as compassionate witness. Love as unconditional. Love as unbreakable across time. And in this final episode of the series, we go deeper. What if one of the fiercest acts of self-love in sobriety is falling in love with your brain? Not believing every thought. Not fighting your mind. But understanding it. Training it. Leading it. Because if you don’t direct your brain… it will direct you. And when it comes to alcohol, your brain isn’t protecting you from drinking. It’s protecting your access to drinking. That distinction changes everything. In this Episode we explore : ✨ Why your brain isn’t broken — it’s programmable ✨ The five common distortions that argue for alcohol ✨ Why sobriety isn’t about willpower — it’s about leadership ✨ The power of deciding ahead of time who you are becoming ✨ What Olympic champion Eileen Gu teaches us about self-leadership ✨ How curiosity replaces self-criticism ✨ Why loving your brain is an act of fierce devotion Lynette also shares a deeply personal reflection: Her 54-year-old self — in her “Not This” moment — would absolutely love the 62-year-old woman she has become. Not because everything is perfect. But because she didn’t stay stuck. She got curious. She trained her thinking. She led herself first. And that is available to you too. The Core Message Sobriety is not about fighting yourself. It’s about understanding the instrument you are living inside. When you love your brain, you train it. When you train it, you change your life. And when you change your life, you become the version of yourself your former self would admire. Ready for Support? If you’re still early in sobriety and want structure and compassionate guidance: 👉 Accelerate – A practical, science-based program to help you stop drinking and build momentum. https://www.tribesober.com/accelerate-2/ If you’re sober and asking, “Now what?” 👉 Path to Purpose – Lynette’s monthly coaching membership where we apply this work deeply. Identity. Emotional mastery. Conscious self-creation. https://www.tribesober.com/path-to-purpose/ If you are serious about strengthening your brain intentionally: 👉 Mental Fitness Program & 1:1 Mentorship – High-level brain training, emotional regulation, and personal leadership work. DM Lynette directly to explore : [email protected] If this Love Series stirred something in you — don’t leave it at inspiration. Take the next step. Because love isn’t just emotional. It’s neurological. It’s intentional. It’s leadership. And sobriety? Sobriety is you deciding to create a version of yourself you are proud to be. 💛 See you soon.

Unbreakable Love - Having your own back Across Time This month we’re talking about love. And yes… I speak about love a lot. Because I genuinely believe that love is the most powerful force in the universe. But the most important place to practice love isn’t in your romantic relationships. It’s in your relationship with yourself. In this episode, we explore a deeper, sturdier kind of self-love — the kind that has your back across time. Not fluffy love. Not “treat yourself” love. Not self-soothing disguised as self-care. But unbreakable love. The kind that protects your future self. Honours your past self. And steadies your present self. Especially in sobriety, this distinction matters. Because if something feels good in the moment but harms your future self — it isn’t love. It’s relief. In this episode, I share: The difference between romance love and sturdy love Why self-discipline is actually devotion How to stop shaming your past self and start integrating her A powerful bridge metaphor for loving yourself across time Why loving yourself properly makes you more available to love others And I offer a simple, practical exercise to strengthen your relationship with: ✨ Your past self ✨ Your present self ✨ Your future self If you’re still trying to get a handle on your drinking: 👉 Join my free Accelerate Webinar happening today, 21 February. We’ll explore practical tools to stop the cycle and build momentum. https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/hpmdAdvxQO-bA0f8loMnIA#/registration If you’ve stopped drinking and you’re ready for deeper growth: 👉 Path to Purpose is my monthly coaching community where we apply this work in real life — identity, emotional mastery, purpose, and steady self-leadership. If you want to strengthen your inner steadiness daily: 👉 My Mental Fitness Pods are where we practice having our own backs — consistently. If this episode resonated with you, send me a DM - [email protected] Let’s talk about what support looks like for you. The world needs more love. But not just romantic love. It needs steady love. Grounded love. Self-trusting love. And that begins with you. Have a beautiful week. 💛

Episode 2 – Unconditional Love, Lovability & The Sobriety That Follows In this second episode of our February Love Series, we go deeper into one of the most powerful forces in our lives: love. Not romantic love. Not conditional love. But unconditional love — and what it has to do with sobriety. What if choosing sobriety is one of the fiercest acts of love you will ever perform? What if withholding love — from others or from yourself — is what keeps you stuck in shame, relapse, resentment or self-sabotage? In this episode, Lynette explores: Why love is not weak — it is strong and protective How unconditional love is a skill you can train The difference between love and expectation Why lovability is not something you earn — it is something you already are What to say to yourself at 3am after a slip Why sobriety powered by love lasts longer than sobriety powered by shame “I’m sober… now what?” — and how to step into your next chapter Lynette also shares a client story illustrating how choosing regulation over reaction becomes an act of self-respect and emotional leadership. Whether you are still questioning your relationship with alcohol, early in sobriety, or months/years alcohol-free and wondering what comes next — this episode will meet you exactly where you are. ✨ Ready to Go Deeper? If you’re exploring stopping drinking or want practical support: Free Webinar – Accelerate Your Sobriety Register here: https://www.tribesober.com/accelerate-2/ If you’re sober and asking “Now what?”: Path to Purpose – Monthly Coaching Membership This is where we take this material and apply it. We train it. We embody it. We study it at a deeper level. https://www.tribesober.com/path-to-purpose/ Music Opening and closing music: Remember by Sutherland

💛 The Love Series — Episode 1 Intro music: 🎵 “Remember” by Sutherland Love as Self-Leadership: Becoming the Compassionate Witness February is often called the month of love. But what if love isn’t something we look for outside of ourselves — what if love is how we lead ourselves, especially when things feel messy, tender, or hard? This episode is the first in a four-part mini-series exploring love as self-leadership — through sobriety, self-talk, and the way we meet ourselves in moments of struggle. In this opening episode, we begin with the idea of the compassionate witness — the part of us that can notice what’s happening without judgment, punishment, or shame. If you’ve ever woken up in the early hours of the morning replaying a slip, a choice, or a moment you wish had gone differently… this episode is for you. Instead of berating ourselves, what if the most loving response sounds more like: “What’s the matter, love?” “Help me understand.” “We’ll solve this in the morning.” In this episode, Lynette explores: Love as an act of self-leadership, not self-indulgence Why how we speak to ourselves matters more than willpower How sobriety deepens our relationship with truth and self-trust What it means to meet a wobble or slip with curiosity instead of cruelty A gentler way to work with early-morning shame spirals and mental noise This conversation invites you to soften — not to give up, but to grow up emotionally. To move from punishment to partnership with yourself. This is not about being perfect. It’s about practicing love where it matters most — inside. ✨ This episode is the beginning of The Love Series. Over the next three episodes, we’ll explore love through repair, self-trust, choice, and the quiet courage of staying. If this resonates, stay with me. 🎧 Listen if you: Are exploring or recommitting to sobriety Struggle with harsh self-talk or inner criticism Want a kinder, steadier relationship with yourself Are learning to respond to life with compassion rather than force 💌 Stay connected If you’d like to go deeper into this work — through sobriety, emotional self-leadership, and building self-trust — you’re warmly invited to explore working with Lynette or joining one of her programs. Email [email protected] to set up an exploratory session.

This week we're celebrating our 300th podcast by taking you through our top 10 podcasts. The episodes that have had the most downloads since we started the podcast back in 2020. So coming in at number 10 is James Swanwick who has some great advice about Alcohol and your Body Fat He explained how Alcohol consumption can compromise sleep quality, metabolism, and overall health. It can also disrupt the body's natural processes, leading to weight gain, reduced productivity, and increased cravings for unhealthy foods. Coming in at number 9... Recovery it's a Brain Thing – which is the name of the book by my two guests – David & Susan Kenney They run a program to train Recovery Coaches and one of our Tribe members Darren was so impressed by their approach he signed up for their course and is now a qualified recovery coach working with our Breaking Free program Coming in at number 8 is Dr. Loretta Breuning, who helped me to unpack the cause of my own early sobriety blues. Have a listen to the first interview I did with her, which was in August 2021 We called her episode - how to be sober...and happy At number 7 we have the brilliant William Porter William is a lawyer with a passion for the science behind alcohol dependence, and he's written two books, Alcohol Explained and Alcohol Explained 2. They're both essential reading, and I think the more we understand the damage that alcohol does to our bodies and brains, the less likely we are to want to drink it. His episode is called Why we get Hangxiety Coming in at number 6 we have Neuroscientist Staci Danford Stacy taught us about our lizard brain and how we need to manage it before it manages us. She even recommended that we give it a name. She calls hers Ernie. My interview with Stacy came out in August 2021 and is called Your Lizard Brain At number 5 is Stanford Psychiatrist Dr Anna Lembke Anna has written a top selling book called Dopamine Nation. It's an awesome book, which I highly recommend if you're interested in the science of addiction. Her explanation of the pain pleasure balance is superb. That episode is called, Why We Get Addicted, and it came out in November, 2023. Next up at number 4 is a firm favourite with Tribe Sober – Ken Middleton with his “How Drinking Limits our Potential” episode He's the author of Bamboozled, which has the clever subtitle of How Alcohol Makes Fools of Us All, Do grab a copy if you haven't yet read it. Such a brilliant description of how we've been manipulated by big alcohol for decades. I often quote Ken, who says, "even if alcohol doesn't destroy us, it will limit our potential". His Tribe Sober episode is called How Alcohol Limits Your Potential - released in April 2023 Ken was also one of our guests back in November 2020 when he shared his own story and explained the science behind alcohol dependence. And why drinking regularly for 20 years means you're very likely to develop a problem Next up at number 3 is me sharing my story - our very first podcast episode, which was released in May 2020 to celebrate my fifth soberversary. At number 2 we have another episode by William Porter - called Managing Cravings Finally, still hogging the number one slot is Australian sobriety coach, Kathryn Elliott. It's called "How to Stop Binge Drinking" and came out in June 2022. Like me, Catherine's had breast cancer, which prompted us to do an episode together recently. Because neither of us had realized that our heavy drinking was putting us at risk of breast cancer, so we celebrated Breast Cancer Awareness Month by having a conversation about it, spreading the word to other women that more than three glasses of wine a week increases your risk of breast cancer. We called it "Drink Less for Your Breasts" and it was released in October 2023. So that's our top 10. I'd like to say a big thank you to all our listeners. Thanks to you, the Tribe Sober podcast has had nearly 450, 000 downloads, which keeps its global ranking in the top 2 percent of all podcasts. More importantly, nearly 20 percent of our members found their way to us via the podcast. So don’t forget to make a playlist of our Top Ten and you might want to check out our Top 100 Playlist So if you want to join our tribe and connect with others on this path, just hit Join Our Tribe More Info This episode is sponsored by the Tribe Sober Membership Program. If you want to change your relationship with alcohol then sign up today Read more about our program and subscribe HERE Help us to Spread the Word! We made this podcast so that we can reach more people who need our help. Please subscribe and share. If you enjoyed the podcast, then please leave us a 5-star review on Apple podcasts. Take a screenshot of your review, and DM it to Tribe Sober’s Instagram page – see PS below for instructions. We’ll send you something special to say thank you! We release a podcast episode every Saturday morning. You can follow Tribe Sober on Facebook, Twitter, TikTok and Instagram. You can join our pri

On last weeks podcast I talked you through the Breaking Free course in detail so do have a listen if you missed it I recently hosted a discussion on Zoom with four Breaking Free graduates which will give you a real insight into the results that people are getting… You’ll hear from Grania and Helen who did the course last year and then you’ll hear from Lynne and Lori who have just completed the latest program… On the podcast you'll hear the soundtrack from that discussion So if you want to be sure of a place on the next BF program which kicks off on 31st January then please sign up today as places are filling up fast You can sign up for Breaking Free here More Info Tribe Sober membership – you can join up HERE. To access our website, click HERE. If you would like a free copy of our “Annual Tracker” or our e-book 66 Days to Sobriety, please email [email protected]. If you would like to come to our Saturday afternoon Zoom Cafe as a guest and meet our community, just email [email protected]. Episode Sponsor This episode is sponsored by the Tribe Sober Membership Program. If you want to change your relationship with alcohol then sign up today Read more about our program and subscribe HERE Help us to Spread the Word! We made this podcast so that we can reach more people who need our help. Please subscribe and share. If you enjoyed the podcast, then please leave us a 5-star review on Apple podcasts. Take a screenshot of your review, and DM it to Tribe Sober’s Instagram page – see PS below for instructions. We’ll send you something special to say thank you! We release a podcast episode every Saturday morning. You can follow Tribe Sober on Facebook, Twitter, TikTok and Instagram. You can join our private Facebook group HERE. PS: How to Leave a Rating/Review in Apple Podcasts (on an iOS Device) Open the Podcasts app. EASY. Choose “Search” from the bottom row of icons and enter the name of the show (e.g. Recover Like a Mother) into the search field. Select the show under Shows (not under Episodes). Scroll down past the first few episodes until you see Ratings & Reviews. Click Write a Review underneath the displayed reviews from other listeners. You’ll then have the option to rate the show on a 5-star scale and write a review (you can rate without writing too but it’s always good to read your experience).

On this weeks solo episode I talk about our 3-month Breaking Free program which we run just three times a year. Registration for the current program is open - more info on tribesober.com We limit each Breaking Free group to 20 so you’ll always get personal attention In this episode:- I talk about the warning signs of alcohol dependence as well as the benefits of an alcohol free lifestyle The Breaking Free program has four components… Four pieces of a puzzle that come together to create a transformation… The first piece of the puzzle is Community Support so we connect you with the other people on the Breaking Free program We put you in a chatgroup with where you’ll also find some TS team members to answer any questions you may have You'll also be invited to several Zoom meetings every week The second piece is our 4 hour Masterclass – a group session which we hold via Zoom. Another opportunity to get to know the other people on the program as everyone will share their story at the beginning of the session. By the end of the Masterclass you’ll understand:- The importance of a mindset change and the damage alcohol does to our health We’ll be sharing our tried and tested sobriety toolkit and you’ll end the session feeling motivated and excited about the changes ahead. While the Masterclass will give you an overview of the Tribe Sober approach to thriving in sobriety the online course will enable you to dive deeper at your own pace. You’ll get all the theory and training you need to overturn your limiting beliefs around alcohol which is the key…. Just as we’ve been programmed into thinking that alcohol is an essential part of our daily lives our online program will de-program you and enable you to understand that you will be happier and healthier without it! The third piece is our online course which includes videos, podcasts, articles and book recommendations so you’ll be able to throw the book at your sobriety – you’ll be able to treat it as a 3-month project that will take a deep dive into psychology, biology and neuroscience - a project that will change the trajectory of your future. The fourth part of the puzzle is the personal support. You’ll have a 1.2.1 Zoom call with Monica who will explain how everything work and help you with any tech issues Mid-way through the 3 month program you'll have a session with Coach Darren to review learnings so far A final session with our Coach Lynette who will discuss how you are applying the theory of the Breaking Free program to your daily life So that’s the four pieces of our Breaking Free puzzle, four pieces that will come together to create an alcohol free lifestyle that you love.. Apart from creating a program that will get results we’ve created a program that is flexible and will fit in with your busy lives…. All of the 1.2.1’s can be scheduled to suit your convenience, the online course can be worked through at your own pace so the only timeslot you need to fit in is the four hour Masterclass. (we can send you a recording if you can't make it) While we’re on the subject of time that’s one of the unexpected benefits of sobriety….. when we no longer spend time drinking and recovering from the drinking we find ourselves with extra time on our hands…. As well as the energy to do something constructive with that time! Registration for the current Breaking Free program is open - more info on tribesober.com More Info Tribe Sober membership – you can join up HERE. To access our website, click HERE. If you would like a free copy of our “Annual Tracker” or our e-book 66 Days to Sobriety, please email [email protected]. If you would like to come to our Saturday afternoon Zoom Cafe as a guest and meet our community, just email [email protected]. Episode Sponsor This episode is sponsored by the Tribe Sober Membership Program. If you want to change your relationship with alcohol then sign up today Read more about our program and subscribe HERE Help us to Spread the Word! We made this podcast so that we can reach more people who need our help. Please subscribe and share. If you enjoyed the podcast, then please leave us a 5-star review on Apple podcasts. Take a screenshot of your review, and DM it to Tribe Sober’s Instagram page – see PS below for instructions. We’ll send you something special to say thank you! We release a podcast episode every Saturday morning. You can follow Tribe Sober on Facebook, Twitter, TikTok and Instagram. You can join our private Facebook group HERE. PS: How to Leave a Rating/Review in Apple Podcasts (on an iOS Device) Open the Podcasts app. EASY. Choose “Search” from the bottom row of icons and enter the name of the show (e.g. Recover Like a Mother) into the search field. Select the show under Shows (not under Episodes). Scroll down past the first few episodes until you see Ratings & Reviews. Click Write a Review underneath the displayed reviews from other listeners. You’ll then have the option to rate the show on a 5-star scale and write a r

My guest this week is James Swanwick, an Australian-American investor and entrepreneur He is the creator of the Alcohol Free Lifestyle, which helps people change their relationship with alcohol In this episode:- James was a moderate drinker, but after 20 years of consistent drinking, he realized the negative effect on his health and stopped for what was supposed to be a 30-day experiment. That was 13 years ago and he’s been alcohol free ever since! Like many of us James hesitated to quit due to societal conditioning – he associated alcohol with socializing and fun and feared being perceived as dull or boring without alcohol. And indeed… There was some Social Awkwardness for a while - navigating social situations without alcohol felt awkward and he shared a story of pretending to drink alcohol when on a date – this strategy proved to be a mistake when his date discovered he had lied! In spite of the tricky start James was soon embracing his alcohol-free lifestyle openly. We discussed the strong influence of peer pressure and the need for a supportive tribe when quitting alcohol. We are both seeing a societal shift as people acknowledge the health risks of drinking alcohol – which is heading for a cigarette moment. Although drinking alcohol before bedtime may help initially with falling asleep but compromises the quality of sleep, leading to irritability, fatigue, and other negative effects on health. Alcohol's Effects on Sleep and Health: Alcohol consumption can compromise sleep quality, metabolism, and overall health. It can disrupt the body's natural processes, leading to weight gain, reduced productivity, and increased cravings for unhealthy foods. James shared some Benefits of his alcohol-free lifestyle which included improved physical health, mental clarity, productivity, and financial success. I I asked him for his advice for anyone who is struggling to get started on this journey: He suggested starting with a commitment to at least 30 days of sobriety as an experiment, but most importantly be open to extending it to 90 days or longer. We agreed on the importance of Avoiding the stop-and-start cycle and focussing on the long-term benefits of sobriety. Overcoming cultural conditioning and resistance may feel challenging, but taking action building an alcohol free lifestyle will lead to transformative results and a better quality of life You can contact James Swanwick via his website alcoholfreelifestyle.com More Info Tribe Sober subscription membership – you can join up HERE. To access our website, click HERE. If you would like a free copy of our “Annual Tracker” or our e-book 66 Days to Sobriety, please email [email protected]. If you would like to come to our Saturday afternoon Zoom Cafe as a guest and meet our community, just email [email protected]. to join our mailing list click HERE Episode Sponsor This episode is sponsored by the Tribe Sober Membership Program. If you want to change your relationship with alcohol then sign up today Read more about our program and subscribe HERE Help us to Spread the Word! We made this podcast so that we can reach more people who need our help. Please subscribe and share. If you enjoyed the podcast, then please leave us a 5-star review on Apple podcasts. Take a screenshot of your review, and DM it to Tribe Sober’s Instagram page – see PS below for instructions. We’ll send you something special to say thank you! We release a podcast episode every Saturday morning. You can follow Tribe Sober on Facebook, Twitter, TikTok and Instagram. You can join our private Facebook group HERE. PS: How to Leave a Rating/Review in Apple Podcasts (on an iOS Device) Open the Podcasts app. EASY. Choose “Search” from the bottom row of icons and enter the name of the show (e.g. Recover Like a Mother) into the search field. Select the show under Shows (not under Episodes). Scroll down past the first few episodes until you see Ratings & Reviews. Click Write a Review underneath the displayed reviews from other listeners. You’ll then have the option to rate the show on a 5-star scale and write a review (you can rate without writing too but it’s always good to read your experience).

In this New Year episode, Lynette records from a small guesthouse in Evander, a dusty coal-mining town in South Africa — a place marked by both decay and unexpected beauty. Through a moving real-life encounter, she reflects on how we are all dealt a hand of cards in life, and how joy, purpose, and meaning are not found in better circumstances, but in how we meet the life we have. This episode gently explores the illusion of “readiness,” drawing on the work of Dr. Julia di Gangi, to show why change is not about more time, but about emotional power, identity, and presence. Using the poetic metaphors of the snake shedding its skin and the horse moving forward with aligned energy, Lynette invites listeners to step into the now — not by forcing change, but by listening to the quiet inner yes. This is a conversation about emotional sobriety, relationships with self and others, and creating a life of vibrancy and quiet joy — right where you are. In This Episode, We Explore: How life’s “hand of cards” doesn’t determine our joy — how we play it does Creating heaven or hell through how we meet our circumstances Why waiting to feel “ready” keeps us stuck Emotional power vs. time and overthinking The snake as a symbol of shedding old survival patterns The horse as a symbol of presence, aligned movement, and inner power Sobriety as a doorway, not a destination Emotional sobriety and learning to meet life on life’s terms Relationships with self, others, and life itself Trusting the quiet yes instead of forcing the how Path to Purpose Path to Purpose is for people who are sober and asking: now what? It’s about learning how to take your hand of cards and create a life of vibrancy, connection, and joy — meeting life on life’s terms without numbing, bracing, or waiting for things to be different. The next intake opens in February. If you feel a quiet yes, you don’t need to work out the how. Path to Purpose is the what. 📩 Email Lynette: [email protected]

This week I'm doing a solo episode - 10 reasons to do an alcohol free January - and 14 tips to get you through. In This Episode REASONS TO DO AN ALCOHOL FREE JANUARY You've got a great "reason" to not be drinking when people ask! A dry month is a great way to test your dependency - if you can't get through a month without booze then you need to make some changes Alcohol is so toxic that just taking a month off will have significant health benefits Alcohol is linked to liver disease and 7 different types of cancer - 1 glass of wine will raise your risk of breast cancer by 15% Alcohol will weaken our immune systems - and put us more at risk of becoming infected with Covid 20% of regular drinkers will become dependent over the years - drinking more than a bottle and a half of wine a week may damage your health A month off alcohol will reduce your anxiety, freshen up your looks, help you lose weight and enable you to get some good quality sleep Making a donation to our January fundraiser will give you a dopamine hit (giving makes you feel good) and enable you to receive online and community support for 31 days - you can sign up here TIPS TO GET YOU THROUGH Shake up your daily routine and exercise every day Be ready to cope with your emotions - if you've been numbing your feelings with alcohol they will come to the surface Use a journal to track your progress, note your triggers and process your emotions Listen to music, make a soundtrack for your January Challenge - a real mood changer Have your go-to drinks -drinknil.co.za are offering 10% discount on all their alcohol free drinks for people doing our Challenge Find your tribe - its hard to do this alone - check out our membership program here Please donate to our Earthchild Fundraiser - and get 30 days of community and online support - sign up link is here MORE INFO To access our website click here Please subscribe and share this podcast so we can reach more people who need our help. Thank you

Undefended Joy Choosing Willingness, Acceptance, and Faith This Holiday Season The holiday season can be joyful — and it can also be triggering. Family dynamics, social gatherings, unmet expectations, and old habits often leave us feeling tense, reactive, and searching for relief. In this episode, Lynette explores a powerful and compassionate practice she calls Undefended Joy — a way of meeting life without armour, self-protection, or resistance. Drawing on teachings from Dr. Julia DiGangi and real-life experiences, Lynette shares how willingness, acceptance, and faith can gently replace the need to escape with alcohol or other numbing behaviours. This episode is not about forcing happiness or “getting it right.” It’s about softening, staying present, and discovering that joy becomes available when we stop fighting reality. In this episode, you’ll explore: Why so many of us drink or overdo things in search of relief The difference between being undefended and being defenseless How willingness creates emotional resilience and mental fitness Why the opposite of certainty is faith How accepting difference (in ourselves and others) reduces conflict A simple question to ask when you feel triggered Why joy is not something to chase — but something that emerges when fear loosens its grip Lynette also shares a gentle invitation to support yourself through the festive season with Tribe Sober’s Festive Open House, offering free access to community support, inspiration, and live sessions. A question to reflect on: What would it look like to meet this moment — just as it is — undefended and willing? 🎄 Tribe Sober Festive Open House For the first time ever, Tribe Sober is opening its doors for a Festive Open House from 21 December to 2 January. It’s completely free and gives you a chance to sample: Daily inspiration Community support Live Zoom sessions Practical tools for staying sober and grounded over the holidays 👉 Visit tribesober.com, sign up for monthly membership, and use the coupon code OpenHouse12 If you need help, you can also email [email protected]

My guest this week is couples therapist Zach Brittle who is based in Seattle I was able to pick his brain about that very common question we hear from some of our members – How can I quit when my partner drinks? In this episode:- Zach's drinking escalated during COVID lockdown—he felt depressed and family relationships were under strain. He reached that point that many of us get to – his “not this" moment as we call it in Tribe Sober He approached a sober friend, Dave, who became his sponsor and helped him to work the 12 steps He only attended a few in-person AA meetings but actually found a South African online meeting that became his home group – so he has a soft spot for us here in SA He quit alcohol quickly and without too much trouble, but deeper emotional recovery took much longer. Zach stressed the difference between quitting drinking and being sober. His marriage had involved heavy shared drinking and his wife had been his drinking buddy But after he got sober, his wife began to drink more and had her own recovery journey to tackle Their 15-year-old daughter also “spun out” as the family system recalibrated Family members are now all healthy and connected I loved Zach's analogy as a family being like a child mobile – hold one piece steady and the other pieces wobble – how true Zach had some great advice for partners struggling with a drinker who won’t change: Take care of yourself first — get grounded and stable. Build your “healthy place” and invite your partner into it. You can’t decide their behaviour, but you can decide what works for you. Early sobriety is fragile — ignore comments like “you’re boring.” Focus on your own survival. Zach's Top Benefits of Sobriety Feels like an adult for the first time in his life. Sleep transformed — falls asleep naturally, sleeps through, wakes refreshed. Clear mind & emotional stability — no hedging, hiding, or dodging. Better marriage — calmer, more intimate, more predictable. Massive financial savings — used to spend ~$12k/year on bar tabs. Advice for Anyone Struggling Ask yourself: “Am I ready?” If yes, do the work: find community, a sponsor, a meeting, a book, a mentor. The work isn’t quitting alcohol — it’s understanding yourself and building emotional sobriety. Zach’s Podcast & Work Hosts Marriage Therapy Radio — weekly episodes with real couples. Has published books and has a new one coming in 2027 on relational recovery. Works mostly in person in Seattle but does some online work. Zach Brittle is his website More Info Tribe Sober subscription membership – you can join up HERE. To access our website, click HERE. If you would like a free copy of our “Annual Tracker” or our e-book 66 Days to Sobriety, please email [email protected]. If you would like to come to our Saturday afternoon Zoom Cafe as a guest and meet our community, just email [email protected]. to join our mailing list click HERE Episode Sponsor This episode is sponsored by the Tribe Sober Membership Program. If you want to change your relationship with alcohol then sign up today Read more about our program and subscribe HERE Help us to Spread the Word! We made this podcast so that we can reach more people who need our help. Please subscribe and share. If you enjoyed the podcast, then please leave us a 5-star review on Apple podcasts. Take a screenshot of your review, and DM it to Tribe Sober’s Instagram page – see PS below for instructions. We’ll send you something special to say thank you! We release a podcast episode every Saturday morning. You can follow Tribe Sober on Facebook, Twitter, TikTok and Instagram. You can join our private Facebook group HERE. PS: How to Leave a Rating/Review in Apple Podcasts (on an iOS Device) Open the Podcasts app. EASY. Choose “Search” from the bottom row of icons and enter the name of the show (e.g. Recover Like a Mother) into the search field. Select the show under Shows (not under Episodes). Scroll down past the first few episodes until you see Ratings & Reviews. Click Write a Review underneath the displayed reviews from other listeners. You’ll then have the option to rate the show on a 5-star scale and write a review (you can rate without writing too but it’s always good to read your experience).

In this episode, Lynette shares a deeply personal story from her early sobriety and offers powerful insights on how to navigate the holiday season alcohol-free. From understanding your emotional triggers to anchoring into your Sage energy, Lynette guides you through practical and heart-centered ways to stay grounded, proud, and connected during a time that can feel overwhelming. You’ll also hear the story of Anna, a woman who created her first joyful alcohol-free holiday through intention, structure, and emotional leadership — a journey that mirrors what’s possible for all of us. Whether this is your first sober Christmas or your tenth, this episode will help you walk into the holiday season with clarity, confidence, and compassion for yourself. 🎄 Want more support? Join Lynette on 10 December at 5pm SA time for a gentle, practical masterclass on navigating the holidays alcohol-free. Email [email protected] or [email protected] for details.

My guest this week is a psychotherapist Dr Ginny who has had her own struggles with alcohol and food addiction. Dr Ginny had a long history of drinking - since college Like many of us she was “High-functioning” — working as a director for a non profit Drinking + emotional eating became her escape Hit crisis point at 55: inflammation, pre-diabetic, struggling to walk Realised she was heading toward chronic illness — and possibly a nursing home 🍷 Drinking & Denial Told herself it was “self-care” Rationalised with rules (“only weekends”, “never a bottle... then more”) Depended on wine to soothe stress, numb emotions Felt ashamed, trapped, out of alignment with her values Emotional crash cycle: regret → resolve → repeat “She would say every morning, ‘I won’t do it tonight,’ and by the end of the day I wanted it again.” 💡 Turning Point Came when she worked in a nursing-home and many patients her age Realised alcohol + ultra-processed food = metabolic decline Fear of losing mobility + independence Began exploring science-based nutrition and alcohol-free living Joined Annie Grace’s work early & became a coach 🥗 Healing Through Nutrition Quit drinking and ultra-processed foods together Focus on abundant, nutritious whole foods Massive improvement in: Inflammation Sleep Weight (lost 60 lbs naturally) Pre-diabetes reversed Mental clarity + emotional calm 📚 Her Program Slender for Good Science-based nutrition & mindset work Focus on adding nourishment, not restriction Works especially well for women in midlife & recovery Book: Slender for Good After 50 🌐 Where to Find Her Website: slenderforgood.com Works with clients worldwide via Zoom If Dr Ginny inspired you to avoid that metabolic decline she spoke of then why not buy her book “Slender for Good” and sign up for a Tribe Sober membership. On December 1st we open our Annual Fundraiser for Earthchild – make a small donation to this very good cause and in exchange you’ll get a month of support. Just go to tribesober.com and click on the Earthchild Banner…

🦋 Episode 6 — Becoming the Butterfly In this final episode of the Butterfly Series, we close the loop on your transformation journey — from your Not This moment all the way to stepping into the new chapter of your life. This episode is all about decisions: How to make them, how to stop living in the “miserable maybe,” and how to choose your future self with clarity and power. In this episode: ✨ The final stage of metamorphosis — choosing to fly ✨ Decisions ahead of time (especially for the holiday season) ✨ What “decision debt” is and how it keeps you stuck ✨ A simple 2-step tool to evaluate any decision ✨ Why sobriety is one big decision supported by many small ones ✨ How to step into 2026 feeling empowered and intentional 🎧 A Key Reflection From This Episode: “Indecision is a life thief. Most people fear making the wrong choice so much that they make the worst choice of all — no choice.” You learn how to remove fear from the driver’s seat and choose from your future self, not your past self. Special Invitations 🎄 10 December — Holiday Season Sober Support Call A live session to help you navigate triggers, social pressure, and emotional landmines during the holidays. For more information email [email protected] 🚀 Accelerate Your Sobriety — a Tribe Sober Program Start 2026 feeling clear, strong, and alcohol-free. Register here: https://www.tribesober.com/accelerate-2/ Work with Me For private coaching, PQ mentorship, or the Path to Purpose programs: 📩 [email protected] Music Intro/Outro: “Remember” by Sutherland (used with permission) 🦋 Closing Note Thank you for walking the Butterfly Path with me. This may be the final episode — but it’s truly just your beginning. Freedom is your beautiful name.

Show Notes – Episode 5: Mastering Uncertainty — Learning to Fly When the Wind Changes Series: Becoming the Butterfly – A Tribe Sober Mini-Series Theme: Emotional Power, Uncertainty & Self-Leadership Music: “Remember” by Sutherland 🎵 🦋 Episode Summary In this pivotal episode of Becoming the Butterfly, Lynette guides listeners into one of the deepest truths of transformation: You cannot become the butterfly without learning to live with uncertainty. This conversation explores how uncertainty — not alcohol — is often the real challenge on the sobriety path. With wisdom drawn from Dr. Julia DiGangi’s emotional energy work, Lynette explains that uncertainty isn’t a situation to control… it’s an energetic relationship with yourself to transform. Through stories, lived experience, and profound insights, this episode teaches you how to stop collapsing into fear, overthinking, overworking, over-busyness, and over-drinking — and instead step into self-assurance, inner steadiness, and emotional power. ✨ Key Insights & Nuggets 1️⃣ The Real Challenge Isn’t Alcohol — It’s Uncertainty We don’t fear the event… we fear how we’ll cope. Uncertainty makes the nervous system panic: racing thoughts, tight chest, shallow breath. This drives the impulse to drink, overwork, over-please or retreat. 2️⃣ Uncertainty Lives in the Self — Not in the Situation You cannot engineer life into certainty. You can only strengthen the self who meets uncertainty. This is emotional leadership. 3️⃣ Why We Overthink, Overwork, Over-Give, Over-Drink All the “overs” come from a dysfunctional relationship with certainty. Your brain is trying to create safety… but the very behaviours you use to feel safe become the behaviours that hurt you. 4️⃣ The Pain Behind the Pain: Self-Abandonment The real suffering happens when you: say yes when you mean no drink to fit in silence your truth shrink your needs seek reassurance instead of information Self-abandonment is always painful. Self-return is always powerful. 5️⃣ Becoming the Hero of Your Own Story Shift from reassurance-seeker to information-seeker: Ask once. Ask to learn. Stand inside uncertainty without collapsing. This is self-trust. This is power. 6️⃣ The French Lesson Moment The shame of “not knowing” is often self-judgment, not external judgment. Saying “I don’t know” without collapsing is emotional mastery. 7️⃣ You Don’t Need Certainty — You Need You The butterfly doesn’t wait for perfect wind. It learns to fly with the wind. 📝 Journal Prompts Where does uncertainty show up most strongly for me? What “over” behaviours do I use to avoid it? How do I abandon myself when I feel unsure? What would it look like to be an information seeker? Where can I practice saying “I don’t know” with compassion? 🌿 Community Is Not for Reassurance — It’s for Wisdom Tribe Sober is a knowledge circle. A place to learn, share honestly, and rise together — especially inside Accelerate. ⚡ Accelerate Your Sobriety — Free Webinar Invitation 2026 is around the corner. If you want to start the new year grounded, confident, and free… join us for our free webinar this Sunday where Lynette and Janet introduce the brand new 6-week Accelerate Program. 👉 Register here: https://tribesober.mykajabi.com/stop-drinking-webinar This program is for you if you want to: build sober momentum feel emotionally powerful create habits that hold rise beyond uncertainty reconnect with your Future Self 🎧 Credits Host: Lynette Le Roux Series: Becoming the Butterfly – Tribe Sober Podcast Music: “Remember” by Sutherland Connect: [email protected] | tribesober.com

🎙 Episode 4 – Building Your Power Pattern: Creating the House You Want to Live In A Tribe Sober × Lynette Le Roux Mini-Series — “Becoming the Butterfly” Music: “Remember” by Sutherland | 🦋 Episode Summary In this fourth episode of Becoming the Butterfly, Lynette returns from the Tribe Sober 10-year celebration in Bali, filled with gratitude, inspiration, and connection. She reflects on Triber Sober members sharing their own Power Pattern—a personal mantra or energetic blueprint that helps hold them steady when life feels hard. From “Too blessed to be stressed” to “There’s only ever one Day One,” to “Choose your hard”, these mantras became the foundation for a deeper teaching about how to rebuild the inner home of the mind. Drawing on the work of Dr. Julia DiGangi, Lynette explains how the brain predicts safety through familiar patterns—and how recovery means gently interrupting the old sequence (“long day → wine → regret”) and installing a new one (“long day → breathe → rest → peace”). Through simple, sensory Power Actions, Lynette invites you to build your own Power Pattern—your new emotional house filled with light, space, and freedom. ✨ In This Episode A heartfelt reflection from Bali Why your brain keeps choosing “apple, apple, apple” — and how to switch it to “apple, apple, pineapple” The “house you live in” metaphor for rebuilding your inner world How to design your Power Pattern — a mantra that feels like home in your body Everyday examples of replacing old alcohol cues with new rituals Why repetition redecorates the brain — and how to make calm your new familiar Journal prompts to help you create your own Power Pattern 🪶 Listener Reflection Prompts 1️⃣ What pattern feels most familiar after a long day? 2️⃣ What new pattern would feel like home in my body? 3️⃣ What sentence helps me remember who I am when life feels hard? 4️⃣ Complete: “I am the butterfly emerging, and freedom is my beautiful name because…” 💡 Takeaway Quote “Your Power Pattern is the house you live in. Build it with intention, fill it with peace, and you’ll never want to move back into the old one again.” 💌 Invitation 2026 is around the corner, and if you want to start the new year feeling fabulous, join Lynette and Janet for the free Tribe Sober Webinar on 16 November. They’ll introduce the brand-new six-week Accelerate Program — designed to help you build momentum, confidence, and joy as you keep growing your wings. 👉 For more info, visit www.tribesober.com or email [email protected].

Episode 3 — Breaking the Sound Barrier: Living at the Edge A Tribe Sober × Lynette Le Roux mini-series Music: “Remember” by Sutherland | Length: ≈ 18 min 🦋 Episode Summary Recorded on the morning Lynette set off for Bali to co-host Tribe Sober’s 10-year celebration, this episode explores how every real transformation passes through turbulence. From Brooke Castillo’s “currency of growth” to Phil Stutz’s “doorway of pain,” from Julia DiGangi’s edge of emotional power to the Positive Intelligence truth that we need to grow our mental six pack—each teacher reveals that the edge is not our enemy. Through her personal story of “surfing the urge,” Lynette shows how to stop taking the edge off and instead expand your edge—to move through fear like Chuck Yeager breaking the sound barrier and to emerge, like the butterfly, into calm air and new freedom. ✨ What You’ll Learn Why discomfort is the currency of growth How to use Phil Stutz’s Reversal of Desire—“Bring it on”—to walk through pain now, not later How Julia DiGangi’s Edge of Emotional Power expands your capacity for energy and balance How Positive Intelligence helps you grow your mental six pack The Three F’s practice: Feel it → Feed it → Focus forward The dramatic true story of Chuck Yeager’s sonic-boom breakthrough as a metaphor for personal freedom How to turn the thought “I need to take the edge off” into “I’m expanding my edge and growing my wings.” 🧭 Reflection & Practice Try this: 1️⃣ Pause before the old habit or coping behaviour. 2️⃣ Breathe and whisper, “This is the edge.” 3️⃣ Feel it. Feed it. Focus forward. 4️⃣ Repeat the thought: I’m expanding my edge. I’m growing my wings. Journal Prompts: Where am I trying to take the edge off instead of listening to what the edge wants to teach me? Dear Edge (or Dear Urge), what would you have me know?

Becoming the Butterfly — Episode 2: Visioning the Butterfly Crossing the River of Change Series: A 6-part Tribe Sober x Lynette Le Roux mini-series Host: Lynette Le Roux Music: “Remember” by Sutherland — used with permission Episode summary From the Not This awakening to the imaginal becoming: Lynette maps how Brooke Castillo’s Model (C→T→F→A→R) meets the butterfly’s cocoon. You’ll practice creating from your future self, activating “imaginal cells” of new thoughts and feelings to shape different actions and results. What you’ll learn The cocoon as the river of change where the old dissolves and new wings form How thoughts (the “imaginal cells”) create feelings → actions → results A practical way to think from your future self instead of your past Reflection & practice Write two Models: (1) Old Self and (2) Imaginal/Future Self Practice the new feeling (from your future self model) for one minute daily this week Timestamps (optional) 00:00 — Opening: “Remember” (Sutherland) 00:44 — Welcome & recap 01:45 — Cocoon & imaginal cells 02:22 — The Model explained 06:38— Wine example (two realities, one bottle) 08:30 — River of change (a.k.a. “river of misery”) 09:56 — Future-self visioning practice 12:45 — Revisit your Why List 13:49 — Two-model journaling + daily feeling rep 16:37— Wisdom Echoes 17:18 — Call to action & teaser for Ep 3 18:08 — Outro: “Remember” (reprise) Links Tribe Sober: https://tribesober.com Email Lynette: [email protected] Call to action If you’d like help with your Models or crafting your future-self vision, email [email protected] and let’s start a conversation. Credits Host & writer: Lynette Le Roux Collaboration: Tribe Sober Music: “Remember” by Sutherland (used with permission)

Butterfly series: Episode 1 “Not This — The Moment the Butterfly Knows” Series: Becoming the Butterfly (6-part mini-series with Tribe Sober & Janet Gourand) Host: Lynette Le Roux Music: “Remember” by Sutherland (used with permission) Episode summary Lynette opens the series with the tender, catalytic moment of “Not This”—the quiet inner knowing that your current life no longer fits. Through the butterfly metaphor, mindfulness (Ellen Langer), and Positive Intelligence, she invites you to notice where your own wings are beginning to stir. What you’ll learn Why a Not This moment is both painful and sacred How surrender (the cocoon) precedes transformation A gentle mindfulness lens: “the simple act of noticing new things” A reflection prompt to begin moving from awareness to change Reflection prompt Journal: “I don’t know exactly what’s next, but I know… not this.” Then ask: “If not this, what feels lighter, truer, more alive?” Timestamps 00:00 — Opening music: “Remember” (Sutherland) 00:44 — Series intro & collaboration with Tribe Sober 03:52 — Lynette’s story: the Not This moment 07:23 — Teaching: Mindfulness in transformation (Ellen Langer) 09:34 — Reflection & call to action 10:47 — What’s next in the series + how to connect 13:25 — Outro music: “Remember” (reprise) Resources & links Tribe Sober — community, challenges, and support: tribesober.com Email Lynette — coaching & programs: [email protected] Teaser — Episode 2 Turning Not This into a clear vision: Lynette introduces the cognitive tool that changed her life and how to cross the “river of misery” with compassion and practice. Credits Host & writer: Lynette Le Roux Collaboration: Tribe Sober & Janet Gourand Music: “Remember” by Sutherland (used with permission)

My guest this week is a very special member of our Tribe Sober Team I first met Lynette LeRoux when she came to one of our workshops more than 8 years ago She was in a dark place back then but the workshop was the catalyst she needed to change everything Lynette has been transforming and enriching her life for the last 8 years – she’s found her passion and qualified as a Coach and for the last 3 years she has been working for Tribe Sober as a Coach In this episode Lynette first tasted alcohol at the tender age of 9 – she’d got hold of some tiny bottles of whisky and brandy which she kept near her bed. She would take a sip when she went to bed as it comforted her Going off to boarding school at the age of 5 left her with lingering feelings of isolation – a feeling that those little sips chased away. As she reflects back she realises it was a way to feel nurtured and held She didn’t drink much in her teens but in her 20’s she met a guy who loved his whisky and she began to drink regularly Lynette had never really felt comfortable in her own skin so alcohol helped her to socialise Her relationship deteriorated due to her partners drunken rages and he left her when she was pregnant She coped well over the next few years and began to develop her career The usual after work drinks culture prevailed and Lynette fell back into her old patterns She would drink excessively at the weekends as well as after work sometimes Like many of us she would resolve to stop or cut down but nothing really changed Then she met her current husband who hardly drinks at all He thought she drank too much so she tried hard to make a change She managed some sober stretches but as she got into her 40’s the alcohol came back into her life Even though she was drinking Lynette tried a lot self development programs during this period Looking back she realises that she never tried to integrate her learnings into her daily life If we don’t apply the learnings then the courses are really a waste of time and nothing will change As she moved into her 50’s Lynette became more dependent on alcohol She felt she was losing connection with her husband and her friends Always looking for the quick fix she decided to study plant medicine As part of Lynette’s ongoing odyssey for a quick cure for her problems she came across our one day workshop She attended the workshop but true to form she never really engaged After the workshop she didn’t apply the tools or connect via the chatgroups So nothing really changed and three months after the workshop she hit her rock bottom Driving to work and struggling with an awful hangover she had a “not this” moment Followed by a “if not this then what?” moment Out of desperation she looked at her Tribe Sober workshop notes and decided to reconnect Lynette went to the coffee meetup and engaged on the WhatsApp group After reading other peoples messages for a while she decided to reach out She posted a message that she felt really low Another member explained that she felt that way because her brain was recalibrating and healing This really resonated with Lynette and became her mantra She began to study coaching and started to see that a different way of life was possible As Lynette has been coached herself and has coached many people I asked her to explain why coaching is so valuable She explained that coaching helps us to get perspective on our life and our mind Coaching enables a growth mindset as we move towards our future self We talked about the benefits she has gained from 5 years of sobriety The biggest benefit for Lynette was reconnecting with herself and then developing her passion for coaching She’s learned so much about her beautiful brain and she’s learned how to feel She’s learned that emotional pain is a sign of growth and she must learn to get comfortable with being uncomfortable That's a lesson she’s taught us all here at Tribe Sober We agreed that there is so much more to recovery than “not drinking” As Lynette said tha's just 10% of the work – and we will never thrive in sobriety if we don’t tackle the other 90% We talked about anhedonia which is the low mood that sometimes hits us in early sobriety For more on dealing anhedonia check out Lynette’s video on our you tube channel and the Tribe Sober podcast interview with Dr Loretta Breuning, episode 55 on Apple Podcasts We talked about the Path to Purpose which is Lynette's membership program We discussed the synergy between Tribe Sober and Path to Purpose memberships and our plans to bring them closer More Info MASTERCLASS with Ann Dowsett Johnston in Cape Town on 9th November For more info click HERE Tribe Sober subscription membership – you can join up HERE. To access our website, click HERE. If you would like a free copy of our “Annual Tracker” or our e-book 66 Days to Sobriety, please email [email protected]. If you would like to come to our Saturday afternoon Zoom Cafe as a guest and meet our community, just email [email protected]. to join our

Today’s guest is the wonderful Ann Dowsett Johnston who many of you will have heard of – she is a pioneer of the modern recovery movement and published her book "Drink" back in 2013 – which makes it one of the very first QuitLit books In this episode:- Ann's book Drink has been out for more than a decade and is still selling well – her TED talk has had 1.5m views I did a previous interview with Ann a couple of years ago that you can listen to here. The prologue to the book describes alcohol's seductive charm…and eventual harm I love this analogy and here at Tribe Sober we suggest that our members write a "Goodbye Letter" to alcohol as it evolves from a handsome stranger to an abusive lover Ann predicted the dramatic rise in risky drinking for women, which has sadly come true over the last decade There is an epidemic of female drinking, especially among younger women, with serious health consequences – we are even seeing young women presenting with liver disease The alcohol industry has been targeting women for the last couple of decades – using the tobacco marketing playbook and they’ve been stunningly successful Many of us believed that we couldn’t have fun or relax or cope with stress without alcohol – and it certainly takes a few months to deprogram our thinking, to overturn those limiting belief Ann is from Canada so had first hand experience of the public backlash that the low drinking guidelines (two drinks a week) caused! The reduction in drinking guidelines came as new research was published linking alcohol to cancer and many other health conditions Ann and I both love the modern recovery movement and the many different recovery pathways – I often say that if you want to give up drinking you need to find your people – if you think that Tribe Sober might be your community then click here Ann mentioned the three levers for change: price, marketing reduction, and availability, but government action is slow and Big Alcohol will continue to use its lobbying power So as individuals we must actively seek out the knowledge – we need to educate ourselves about the harm that alcohol can do to our brains and our bodies Knowledge is power and the more we understand about alcohol the less we’ll feel like drinking it Even if we decide to drink it should be an informed decision, we need to understand the risks Ann talked about her "Writing Your Recovery" courses which offers support and tools for memoir writing. Its a powerful 8-week online memoir-writing course. Go to her website annsdowsettjohnston.com for more info Ann will also be facilitating a South African writing retreat during week commencing 25th November – more info on that HERE Ann now has more than 15 years of sobriety and spoke of the many benefits she has experienced She returned to school at 64 to become a psychotherapist, specializing in women's substance issues and trauma She has a wonderful relationship with her grandchild Ann strongly believes that once we walk away from alcohol remarkable things will happen – the universe has a plan for us – she is awakened to wonder as she puts it She’s built a rich and an alcohol free life that she loves, a life she definitely doesn’t want to escape from! More Info Tribe Sober membership – you can join up HERE. To access our website, click HERE. If you would like a free copy of our “Annual Tracker” or our e-book 66 Days to Sobriety, please email [email protected]. If you would like to come to our Saturday afternoon Zoom Cafe as a guest and meet our community, just email [email protected]. Episode Sponsor This episode is sponsored by the Tribe Sober Membership Program. If you want to change your relationship with alcohol then sign up today Read more about our program and subscribe HERE Help us to Spread the Word! We made this podcast so that we can reach more people who need our help. Please subscribe and share. If you enjoyed the podcast, then please leave us a 5-star review on Apple podcasts. Take a screenshot of your review, and DM it to Tribe Sober’s Instagram page – see PS below for instructions. We’ll send you something special to say thank you! We release a podcast episode every Saturday morning. You can follow Tribe Sober on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can join our private Facebook group HERE.

On last weeks podcast I talked you through the Breaking Free course in detail so do have a listen if you missed it I recently hosted a discussion on Zoom with four Breaking Free graduates which will give you a real insight into the results that people are getting… You’ll hear from Grania and Helen who did the course last year and then you’ll hear from Lynne and Lori who have just completed the latest program… On the podcast you'll hear the soundtrack from that discussion So if you want to be sure of a place on the next BF program which kicks off on 11th May then please sign up today as places are filling up fast You can sign up for Breaking Free here More Info Tribe Sober membership – you can join up HERE. To access our website, click HERE. If you would like a free copy of our “Annual Tracker” or our e-book 66 Days to Sobriety, please email [email protected]. If you would like to come to our Saturday afternoon Zoom Cafe as a guest and meet our community, just email [email protected]. Episode Sponsor This episode is sponsored by the Tribe Sober Membership Program. If you want to change your relationship with alcohol then sign up today Read more about our program and subscribe HERE Help us to Spread the Word! We made this podcast so that we can reach more people who need our help. Please subscribe and share. If you enjoyed the podcast, then please leave us a 5-star review on Apple podcasts. Take a screenshot of your review, and DM it to Tribe Sober’s Instagram page – see PS below for instructions. We’ll send you something special to say thank you! We release a podcast episode every Saturday morning. You can follow Tribe Sober on Facebook, Twitter, TikTok and Instagram. You can join our private Facebook group HERE. PS: How to Leave a Rating/Review in Apple Podcasts (on an iOS Device) Open the Podcasts app. EASY. Choose “Search” from the bottom row of icons and enter the name of the show (e.g. Recover Like a Mother) into the search field. Select the show under Shows (not under Episodes). Scroll down past the first few episodes until you see Ratings & Reviews. Click Write a Review underneath the displayed reviews from other listeners. You’ll then have the option to rate the show on a 5-star scale and write a review (you can rate without writing too but it’s always good to read your experience).

On this weeks solo episode I talk about our 3-month Breaking Free program which we run just three times a year. Registration for the current program is open - more info on tribesober.com We limit each Breaking Free group to 20 so you’ll always get personal attention In this episode:- I talk about the warning signs of alcohol dependence as well as the benefits of an alcohol free lifestyle The Breaking Free program has four components… Four pieces of a puzzle that come together to create a transformation… The first piece of the puzzle is Community Support so we connect you with the other people on the Breaking Free program We put you in a chatgroup with where you’ll also find some TS team members to answer any questions you may have You'll also be invited to several Zoom meetings every week The second piece is our 4 hour Masterclass – a group session which we hold via Zoom. Another opportunity to get to know the other people on the program as everyone will share their story at the beginning of the session. By the end of the Masterclass you’ll understand:- The importance of a mindset change and the damage alcohol does to our health We’ll be sharing our tried and tested sobriety toolkit and you’ll end the session feeling motivated and excited about the changes ahead. While the Masterclass will give you an overview of the Tribe Sober approach to thriving in sobriety the online course will enable you to dive deeper at your own pace. You’ll get all the theory and training you need to overturn your limiting beliefs around alcohol which is the key…. Just as we’ve been programmed into thinking that alcohol is an essential part of our daily lives our online program will de-program you and enable you to understand that you will be happier and healthier without it! The third piece is our online course which includes videos, podcasts, articles and book recommendations so you’ll be able to throw the book at your sobriety – you’ll be able to treat it as a 3-month project that will take a deep dive into psychology, biology and neuroscience - a project that will change the trajectory of your future. The fourth part of the puzzle is the personal support. You’ll have a 1.2.1 Zoom call with Monica who will explain how everything work and help you with any tech issues Mid-way through the 3 month program you'll have a session with Coach Darren to review learnings so far A final session with our Coach Lynette who will discuss how you are applying the theory of the Breaking Free program to your daily life So that’s the four pieces of our Breaking Free puzzle, four pieces that will come together to create an alcohol free lifestyle that you love.. Apart from creating a program that will get results we’ve created a program that is flexible and will fit in with your busy lives…. All of the 1.2.1’s can be scheduled to suit your convenience, the online course can be worked through at your own pace so the only timeslot you need to fit in is the four hour Masterclass. (we can send you a recording if you can't make it) While we’re on the subject of time that’s one of the unexpected benefits of sobriety….. when we no longer spend time drinking and recovering from the drinking we find ourselves with extra time on our hands…. As well as the energy to do something constructive with that time! Registration for the current Breaking Free program is open - more info on tribesober.com More Info Tribe Sober membership – you can join up HERE. To access our website, click HERE. If you would like a free copy of our “Annual Tracker” or our e-book 66 Days to Sobriety, please email [email protected]. If you would like to come to our Saturday afternoon Zoom Cafe as a guest and meet our community, just email [email protected]. Episode Sponsor This episode is sponsored by the Tribe Sober Membership Program. If you want to change your relationship with alcohol then sign up today Read more about our program and subscribe HERE Help us to Spread the Word! We made this podcast so that we can reach more people who need our help. Please subscribe and share. If you enjoyed the podcast, then please leave us a 5-star review on Apple podcasts. Take a screenshot of your review, and DM it to Tribe Sober’s Instagram page – see PS below for instructions. We’ll send you something special to say thank you! We release a podcast episode every Saturday morning. You can follow Tribe Sober on Facebook, Twitter, TikTok and Instagram. You can join our private Facebook group HERE. PS: How to Leave a Rating/Review in Apple Podcasts (on an iOS Device) Open the Podcasts app. EASY. Choose “Search” from the bottom row of icons and enter the name of the show (e.g. Recover Like a Mother) into the search field. Select the show under Shows (not under Episodes). Scroll down past the first few episodes until you see Ratings & Reviews. Click Write a Review underneath the displayed reviews from other listeners. You’ll then have the option to rate the show on a 5-star scale and write a r

In this inspiring episode, Janet talks with Sarah, known online as the “Sober Sherpa”, about her journey from teenage drinking, to a “work hard, play hard” corporate lifestyle, to finally embracing the freedom of sobriety. Sarah shares how the COVID lockdown became a turning point, helping her finally step away from alcohol after years of trying to moderate. She opens up about the tools that helped her succeed, the unexpected benefits of life without booze, and how she’s now using her passion for adventure to help others in their recovery through the Sober Adventure Collective. In this episode:- How Sarah’s drinking started young and became tied to her identity and success The moment she realized her drinking could cost her the career she’d worked so hard to build How an online 12-week recovery program and “This Naked Mind” changed her perspective on alcohol The surprising emotional freedom and confidence that came with sobriety Why adding new passions and connections is just as important as removing alcohol How the Sober Adventure Collective helps people heal through nature, movement, and connection Why helping others in recovery has become one of the most meaningful parts of her journey Resources and Links Follow Sarah on Instagram: @thesobersherpa Grab the Epic Speakers Summit recordings: www.thesobersherpa.com Book recommendation: This Naked Mind by Annie Grace Join Tribe Sober's FREE 7 day Bootcamp (7-14th September) via this link More info Subscription membership for Tribe Sober join up HERE To access our website click HERE If you would like a free copy of our "Annual Tracker" or our e-book "66 Days to Sobriety" please email [email protected] If you would like to come to our Saturday afternoon Zoom Cafe as a guest and meet our community just email [email protected] Episode Sponsor This episode is sponsored by the Tribe Sober Membership Program. If you want to change your relationship with alcohol then sign up today Read more about our program and subscribe HERE Help us to spread the word! We made this podcast so that we can reach more people who need our help. Please subscribe and share. If you enjoyed the podcast then please leave us a 5 star review on Apple podcasts, take a screenshot of your review and DM it to Tribe Sober’s Instagram page - see PS for instructions - we'll send you something special to say thank you! We release a podcast episode every Saturday morning. You can follow Tribe Sober on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram You can join our private Facebook group HERE How to leave an rating/review in Apple Podcasts (on an iOS device) 1. Open the Podcasts app. EASY. 2. Choose "Search" from the bottom row of icons and enter the name of the show (Tribe Sober) into the search field. 3. Select the show under Shows (not under Episodes). 4. Scroll down past the first few episodes until you see Ratings & Reviews. 5. Click "Write a Review" underneath the displayed reviews from other listeners. You'll then have the option to rate the show on a 5-star scale, and write a review (you can rate without writing, too but it's always good to read your experience).

Meet Julie, a Johannesburg-based music therapist who uses music as a powerful tool for healing and recovery. In this episode:- Learn how music therapy differs from sound healing — and why it’s an interactive, evidence-based process. Discover Guided Imagery and Music (GIM), where curated music helps clients process emotions, grief, and life transitions. Hear how music therapy supports sobriety by building resilience, self-expression, and the ability to sit with difficult feelings. Get practical tips on using music in recovery — from mindful listening to creating playlists and even learning an instrument. A moving client story shows how music therapy can open new pathways for growth and self-discovery. Contact Julie via https://juliemusictherapy.co.za/ Join our FREE 7 day Bootcamp (7-14th September) via this link More info Subscription membership for Tribe Sober join up HERE To access our website click HERE If you would like a free copy of our "Annual Tracker" or our e-book "66 Days to Sobriety" please email [email protected] If you would like to come to our Saturday afternoon Zoom Cafe as a guest and meet our community just email [email protected] Episode Sponsor This episode is sponsored by the Tribe Sober Membership Program. If you want to change your relationship with alcohol then sign up today Read more about our program and subscribe HERE Help us to spread the word! We made this podcast so that we can reach more people who need our help. Please subscribe and share. If you enjoyed the podcast then please leave us a 5 star review on Apple podcasts, take a screenshot of your review and DM it to Tribe Sober’s Instagram page - see PS for instructions - we'll send you something special to say thank you! We release a podcast episode every Saturday morning. You can follow Tribe Sober on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram You can join our private Facebook group HERE How to leave an rating/review in Apple Podcasts (on an iOS device) 1. Open the Podcasts app. EASY. 2. Choose "Search" from the bottom row of icons and enter the name of the show (Tribe Sober) into the search field. 3. Select the show under Shows (not under Episodes). 4. Scroll down past the first few episodes until you see Ratings & Reviews. 5. Click "Write a Review" underneath the displayed reviews from other listeners. You'll then have the option to rate the show on a 5-star scale, and write a review (you can rate without writing, too but it's always good to read your experience).

This week's guest is Tribe member Christelle who did our #Sober66 Challenge 7 years ago and has been thriving in her alcohol free lifestyle ever since... in this episode:- Christelle realized that her drinking habits were problematic and knew she would have to make a change She knew that drinking a bottle of wine a night was damaging her health A particular worry was her heart rate which was in the high 80’s Christelle had signed up for our Dry January Challenge but she only lasted 30 minutes – rather than the 30 days of the Challenge Although she had not stuck at Dry January she decided to have a another try… at our 66 day Sober Spring Challenge It was hearing me on the radio tasting some alcohol free wines that gave her a light bulb moment… For Christelle her evening wine was a ritual…a ritual which had become a dependence due to the addictive nature of alcohol But if she could keep the ritual and change the ingredient by drinking alcohol free wine then it should be easier… To her relief Christelle met other people with a similar problem in the Challenge Community She connected regularly on the Challenge Whatsapp group and learned a lot As early as Day 8 of the Challenge she realized she could live without wine so long as she had the alcohol-free wine. So if you haven’t yet discovered alcohol free wine then do check it out – it could be a gamechanger for you just as it was for Christelle Her Benefits of Sobriety include: - Better looks (reduced puffiness and clearer skin). - Better sleep quality. - Reduced heart rate from 84 to low 60s – and probably most importantly of all… - Increased self-esteem and happiness. We agreed that for anyone who is even slightly concerned about their drinking should take a break from alcohol to check their dependence Doing our #Sober66 Challenge will provide online and community support To sign up for #Sober66 just CLICK HERE More info Subscription membership for Tribe Sober join up HERE To access our website click HERE If you would like a free copy of our "Annual Tracker" or our e-book "66 Days to Sobriety" please email [email protected] If you would like to come to our Saturday afternoon Zoom Cafe as a guest and meet our community just email [email protected] Episode Sponsor This episode is sponsored by the Tribe Sober Membership Program. If you want to change your relationship with alcohol then sign up today Read more about our program and subscribe HERE Help us to spread the word! We made this podcast so that we can reach more people who need our help. Please subscribe and share. If you enjoyed the podcast then please leave us a 5 star review on Apple podcasts, take a screenshot of your review and DM it to Tribe Sober’s Instagram page - see PS for instructions - we'll send you something special to say thank you! We release a podcast episode every Saturday morning. You can follow Tribe Sober on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram You can join our private Facebook group HERE How to leave an rating/review in Apple Podcasts (on an iOS device) 1. Open the Podcasts app. EASY. 2. Choose "Search" from the bottom row of icons and enter the name of the show (i.e., "Recover Like A Mother") into the search field. 3. Select the show under Shows (not under Episodes). 4. Scroll down past the first few episodes until you see Ratings & Reviews. 5. Click "Write a Review" underneath the displayed reviews from other listeners. You'll then have the option to rate the show on a 5-star scale, and write a review (you can rate without writing, too but it's always good to read your experience).

My guest this week is Kai from Switzerland who did our 66-day Challenge back in 2018 - and he's been sober ever since In this episode: Kai liked the competitive aspect of a “challenge” and once he’d checked out the science behind our 66 he was keen to join He never had a “rock bottom” moment; the realization that he was drinking too much came gradually over 5 years. Three main drinking situations: Friday/Saturday nights with his wife. After-work beers with colleagues. Holidays with daily alcohol. He’d always struggled with moderation; although he did attempt a “Dry January” most years. Kai started his 66-day challenge with confidence, expecting to moderate afterward. He found the accountability, group support, and reading resources helpful. He maintained his social life but switched to alcohol-free alternatives. Family Reactions were interesting… His wife didn’t fully understand the need for Kai to join a group in South Africa to do the challenge His children gave him some honest feedback that they never would have told him if he was still drinking Son disliked the smell of alcohol on his breath. Daughter disliked his loudness and unsteady walking after drinking. After the 66 days he felt great and extended challenge to 100 days and then to 6 months Then his daughter’s challenged him to do one year – that was 7 years ago and he’s been alcohol free ever since! Benefits Noticed Easier life – loved the simplicity of not counting drinks or worrying about driving Health improvements: better skin, digestion, sleep, mood. No more hangovers and much more energy. Kai’s Perspective has changed.. No current reason to drink; sees alcohol as incompatible with healthy living. Notices social norms promoting alcohol; predicts attitudes may shift like they did with smoking. Enjoys being a role model for his children and colleagues. Advice to Others Know your “why” before starting. Use the toolbox, community, and resources. Observe social drinking without judgment. Challenges help identify if drinking is truly a problem. He avoided the daunting idea of “forever” by setting achievable milestones. So if Kai has inspired you to try our #Sober66 Challenge just click on this link to join Next week we’ll be featuring another #Sober66 Challenger so don’t forget to tune in! If you're looking for a community then try Tribe Sober! More info Tools & Resources in Tribe Sober Member Journey Course (7 modules: psychology, biology, neuroscience) Members Vault with searchable tips and content Daily check-ins, trackers, 5 Zooms meetings a week – to suit all timezones Personal guidance from coaches, ambassadors, and cheerleaders Subscription membership for Tribe Sober join up HERE To access our website click HERE If you would like a free copy of our e-book "66 days to sobriety" please email us at [email protected] If you would like to come to our Saturday afternoon Zoom Cafe as a guest and meet our community just email [email protected] Episode Sponsor This episode is sponsored by the Tribe Sober Membership Program. If you want to change your relationship with alcohol then sign up today. Help us to spread the word! We made this podcast so that we can reach more people who need our help. Please subscribe and share. We release a podcast episode every Saturday morning. You can follow Tribe Sober on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can join our private Facebook group HERE Thank you for listening!

Today's 66 Day Challenger is Chez, a South African who heard me being interviewed about sobriety on the radio She didn’t act immediately but the seed was sewn… Chez did our Challenge back in 2018 when it was called the Sober Spring Challenge. Of course the 1st September is the beginning of Spring here in South Africa but we are so international these days that we’ve rebranded the Challenge #Sober66… So of course if you live in the northern hemisphere it will be a Sober Autumn for you! In this episode: Chez knew for years that she had a drinking problem but struggled to find a method that worked — rehab and AA didn’t suit her. Her turning point came after hearing about Tribe Sober on the radio and joining the Sober Spring Challenge in 2018. She committed to 66 alcohol-free days, which were initially difficult — with poor sleep, low energy, and emotional struggles but Somewhere between Day 55 and Day 66, everything shifted — she started sleeping well, felt energized, happy, and truly present with her son. She describes a poignant moment: watching her son in a colour run and truly enjoying it without a hangover. The WhatsApp support group was crucial for accountability, encouragement, and connection — and helped her make lasting friendships. After completing the 66 days, she tried to go it alone — but eventually relapsed. This made her realise the importance of ongoing support so She rejoined Tribe Sober as a full member and credits the community and her son as her two biggest motivators to stay sober. Chez speaks openly about her experience with bipolar disorder, noting that alcohol had rendered her medication ineffective — sobriety allowed it to work properly. She highlights multiple benefits of sobriety: improved sleep, emotional stability, stronger relationships, better skin, weight loss, and energy. Chez believes that habit change takes time — research shows that 66 days is long enough to break old habits and form new ones. She encourages others to take the #Sober66 Challenge — not just to stop drinking, but to assess their relationship with alcohol and what might be holding them back. So if Chez has inspired you then just go to tribesober.com and click on the membership tab – everyone who signs up as a member before September 1st will automatically be added to the Challenge and If you want to read more about the challenge then click on the Sober66 banner on our website homepage Next week we’ll be featuring another #Sober66 Challenger so don’t forget to tune in! If you're looking for a community then try Tribe Sober! More info Tools & Resources in Tribe Sober Member Journey Course (7 modules: psychology, biology, neuroscience) Members Vault with searchable tips and content Daily check-ins, trackers, 5 Zooms meetings a week – to suit all timezones Personal guidance from coaches, ambassadors, and cheerleaders Subscription membership for Tribe Sober join up HERE To access our website click HERE If you would like a free copy of our e-book "66 days to sobriety" please email us at [email protected] If you would like to come to our Saturday afternoon Zoom Cafe as a guest and meet our community just email [email protected] Episode Sponsor This episode is sponsored by the Tribe Sober Membership Program. If you want to change your relationship with alcohol then sign up today. Help us to spread the word! We made this podcast so that we can reach more people who need our help. Please subscribe and share. We release a podcast episode every Saturday morning. You can follow Tribe Sober on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can join our private Facebook group HERE Thank you for listening!

My guest this week is Becca Jacobson who has a remarkable life story to share.. She’s written a brave memoir which is called From Prostitute to Professor and summarises her journey of personal transformation so get ready to be inspired! In this episode: Becca entered the sex industry as an exotic dancer in her 20s while she was struggling with alcohol dependency. During this period her mom launched an escort agency and recruited Becca and her sister to work alongside her Although none of her family had attended college Becca was determined to pursue higher education and was accepted in 3 different colleges. She earned 3 degrees and taught English and Writing for 20 years. However the drinking continued and Becca reveals how shame, secrecy, and isolation kept her trapped in binge drinking for decades, even while functioning professionally. After 11 visits to detox and countless failed attempts to quit drinking her turning point came in 2018 after an 8-day blackout that led her to finally speak the truth and accept some help A detox center and an eight-week treatment program marked the beginning of her lasting recovery. We both agreed on the critical role of community in sobriety and the danger of trying to recover in isolation. It was only when Becca stopped hiding her problem and asked for help that things began to change. Journaling became a key tool in Becca’s healing, eventually leading her to write and publish her memoir: Prostitute to Professor: A Guide to Radical Transformation. These days she encourages women to create space for self-reflection, and now offers virtual retreats and an 8-week coaching program for women over 40. Becca shares practical tips for women, including how to carve out time for themselves and establish boundaries during recovery. Today, she’s passionate about helping women reclaim their lives, find purpose, and embrace sobriety with pride. You can connect with Becca at beccajacobson.com and listen to her podcast which is called Sober Living Snippets. If you're looking for a community then try Tribe Sober! More info Tools & Resources in Tribe Sober Member Journey Course (7 modules: psychology, biology, neuroscience) Members Vault with searchable tips and content Daily check-ins, trackers, 5 Zooms meetings a week – to suit all timezones Personal guidance from coaches, ambassadors, and cheerleaders Subscription membership for Tribe Sober join up HERE To access our website click HERE If you would like a free copy of our e-book "66 days to sobriety" please email us at [email protected] If you would like to come to our Saturday afternoon Zoom Cafe as a guest and meet our community just email [email protected] Episode Sponsor This episode is sponsored by the Tribe Sober Membership Program. If you want to change your relationship with alcohol then sign up today. Help us to spread the word! We made this podcast so that we can reach more people who need our help. Please subscribe and share. We release a podcast episode every Saturday morning. You can follow Tribe Sober on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can join our private Facebook group HERE Thank you for listening!

My guest this week is British Marketing Guru – Teresa Heath Wareing Teresa struggled to answer when I asked her when she started drinking – that’s because she felt that alcohol was always there . Drinking was normalized in her family - and ever-present in both celebrations and crises. From high-flying marketing roles to becoming a solo business owner, drinking remained central – even becoming part of her identity – G & T with T was a regular feature! Despite appearing very functional, Teresa was secretly struggling. A pivotal moment came when she was too hungover to say goodbye to her daughter on a Monday morning. Years of therapy helped her gradually acknowledge her dependence. She tracked over 100 units of alcohol in a week – a shocking realization especially when the UK low risk limits are only 14! Like many of us, she tried to control her drinking but found that moderation was impossible. Her husband drank the same amount but didn’t seem to have a problem – he had an off switch whereas Teresa didn’t! Getting sober in 2023 was the hardest thing she’s ever done. Her struggle was a long one and It took nearly a year before she began to feel good again. Teresa kept her sobriety private at first, worried how it would affect her brand. Eventually, she shared her story through a 15-episode podcast: Losing Part of Me. Her benefits of sobriety included More energy and focus – leading to greater business success. Improved relationships, especially with her husband. She began to love herself again Top Sobriety Tips: Treat sobriety as your main project. Be patient – healing takes time. Replace drinking with meaningful goals or passions (e.g. her garden). Join a community for support and accountability. Teresa’s Message to listeners: “If you’re listening to this, that’s the sign you need. Sobriety is hard – but joining a community will get you through... If you're looking for a community then try Tribe Sober! More info Tools & Resources in Tribe Sober Member Journey Course (7 modules: psychology, biology, neuroscience) Members Vault with searchable tips and content Daily check-ins, trackers, 5 Zooms meetings a week – to suit all timezones Personal guidance from coaches, ambassadors, and cheerleaders Subscription membership for Tribe Sober join up HERE To access our website click HERE If you would like a free copy of our e-book "66 days to sobriety" please email us at [email protected] If you would like to come to our Saturday afternoon Zoom Cafe as a guest and meet our community just email [email protected] Episode Sponsor This episode is sponsored by the Tribe Sober Membership Program. If you want to change your relationship with alcohol then sign up today. Help us to spread the word! We made this podcast so that we can reach more people who need our help. Please subscribe and share. We release a podcast episode every Saturday morning. You can follow Tribe Sober on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can join our private Facebook group HERE Thank you for listening!

My guest this week is Deb from Kentucky – aka Mocktail Mom This was her second time on the show - click here to listen to the first interview In this episode:- Deb quit drinking on December 31, 2020. She originally took a break to evaluate her drinking and felt so good she just kept going! Deb was a Late Starter and only started drinking heavily in her 40s during after her divorce. Like many of us she was a Gray Area Drinker: She often found herself drinking more than she had intended, particularly when she was alone on weekends without her kids. Debs Turning Point: came when she realized that alcohol was taking up too much mental space I loved her analogy of the ticker tape of breaking news that we see on tv – Deb felt she had an alcohol related ticker tape constantly turning in the background of her mind! She joined a sobriety challenge in January 2021 and community did the trick It was a breakthrough for Deb when she finally accepted that moderation wasn’t working for her Like many of us she discovered it was easier to stop completely altogether than to try to control it. This is because alcohol changes our brain chemistry – once we have crossed the line into dependence just one drink can trigger intense cravings I wish someone had explained that to me before I spent 10 long years trying (and failing) to control my drinking! Deb's Top 3 Benefits of Sobriety: Freedom from ticker tape mental chatter about alcohol. No more waking up with guilt and shame. Confidence and trust in herself (she gave that example of being able to collect her daughters if they called her in the evening.) Mocktail Mom Platform: Deb shares mocktail recipes and alcohol-free fun on Instagram and TikTok. Created a mocktail recipe book: The Happiest Hour. Learn more via her website mocktailmom.com Both Deb and myself are breast cancer survivors. We didn’t know about the alcohol-cancer link when we were drinking so are keen to let as many women as possible understand that alcohol is linked to 7 types of cancer Debs Sobriety Advice: Don’t think in terms of “forever.” Take it one day or one event at a time. Don’t worry about future events (e.g., weddings or trips). Celebrate any alcohol-free progress; it all adds up. Her last tip was to get support—having a community made all the difference for her If you're looking for a community then try Tribe Sober! More info Tools & Resources in Tribe Sober Member Journey Course (7 modules: psychology, biology, neuroscience) Members Vault with searchable tips and content Daily check-ins, trackers, 5 Zooms meetings a week – to suit all timezones Personal guidance from coaches, ambassadors, and cheerleaders Subscription membership for Tribe Sober join up HERE To access our website click HERE If you would like a free copy of our e-book "66 days to sobriety" please email us at [email protected] If you would like to come to our Saturday afternoon Zoom Cafe as a guest and meet our community just email [email protected] Episode Sponsor This episode is sponsored by the Tribe Sober Membership Program. If you want to change your relationship with alcohol then sign up today. Help us to spread the word! We made this podcast so that we can reach more people who need our help. Please subscribe and share. We release a podcast episode every Saturday morning. You can follow Tribe Sober on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can join our private Facebook group HERE Thank you for listening!

My guest this week is Sobriety Coach Rachael Shephard, mom of 2 young boys and author of "Sober Mama" In this episode:- Early Drinking Years Rachael always drank to excess, experienced frequent blackouts, and never had an off-switch. Used to look forward to drinking like a child anticipates Christmas. The Turning Point By her late 30s, Rachel felt exhausted and sick and tired… of feeling sick and tired A boozy holiday made her realize she needed to stop—shaking in the morning was her wake-up call. The Role of Motherhood Drinking increased after having children—became a way to cope with stress. Once sober, found motherhood became easier, with more energy, patience, and connection. Challenges in Early Sobriety First few weeks involved sugar cravings, extreme fatigue, and boredom. Found a "pink cloud" of euphoria around two weeks, followed by a flat period of low motivation. I loved her story about struggling to find something that was “fun” in early sobriety – so she spent her time organizing and decluttering her home so that life would be easier when she began to feel better Mindset Shift Realized alcohol was the cause of her anxiety, not the cure. Rejected the “mommy juice” culture and recognized societal normalization of addiction. Sober Coaching & Writing I loved Rachael’s sobriety timeline which she uses as a coaching framework. She has written a book called “Sober Mama” to centralize tools, stories, and support in one place. Advice for Others Suggests people try sobriety for just two weeks and take daily photos to see the transformation. Like us at Tribe Sober Rachael avoids the word "forever"—encouraging Sober Stretches of 30- or 90-days Where to Find Rachel Her book is available in UK bookstores and on Amazon. Coaching and resources at sobermama.co.uk More info Tools & Resources in Tribe Sober Member Journey Course (7 modules: psychology, biology, neuroscience) Members Vault with searchable tips and content Daily check-ins, trackers, 5 Zooms meetings a week – to suit all timezones Personal guidance from coaches, ambassadors, and cheerleaders Subscription membership for Tribe Sober join up HERE To access our website click HERE If you would like a free copy of our e-book "66 days to sobriety" please email us at [email protected] If you would like to come to our Saturday afternoon Zoom Cafe as a guest and meet our community just email [email protected] Episode Sponsor This episode is sponsored by the Tribe Sober Membership Program. If you want to change your relationship with alcohol then sign up today. Help us to spread the word! We made this podcast so that we can reach more people who need our help. Please subscribe and share. We release a podcast episode every Saturday morning. You can follow Tribe Sober on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can join our private Facebook group HERE Thank you for listening!

We’re featuring the soundtrack from our recent Webinar in this episode If you’d like to see the Webinar slides while you’re listening then click here to access Webinar on our You Tube channel During the Webinar:- We focussed a lot on mindset which is so much more powerful than willpower Quitting drinking isn't about deprivation—it's about transformation. We don’t have a drinking problem—we have a life-changing opportunity! 🔑 We covered the Three Essential Steps to Quit Change Your Mindset Undo decades of conditioning from marketing and culture. You do that by Educating yourself with books, podcasts, and Tribe Sober content. We need to Reframe quitting – we’re not missing out – we’re gaining: health, peace, energy, sleep, time. Rewire Your Brain Willpower isn’t enough—use repetition and neuroplasticity. Build new habits with tools, practices, and support. The “pause” before a drink = golden moment for change. Find Your People Connection is the opposite of addiction. Tribe Sober provides role models, accountability, and encouragement. "You’ve come home" – shared experience creates rapid bonding. 🧠 Tools & Resources in Tribe Sober Member Journey Course (7 modules: psychology, biology, neuroscience) Members Vault with searchable tips and content Daily check-ins, trackers, 5 Zooms meetings a week – to suit all timezones Personal guidance from coaches, ambassadors, and cheerleaders More info Subscription membership for Tribe Sober join up HERE To access our website click HERE If you would like a free copy of our e-book "66 days to sobriety" please email us at [email protected] If you would like to come to our Saturday afternoon Zoom Cafe as a guest and meet our community just email [email protected] Episode Sponsor This episode is sponsored by the Tribe Sober Membership Program. If you want to change your relationship with alcohol then sign up today. Help us to spread the word! We made this podcast so that we can reach more people who need our help. Please subscribe and share. We release a podcast episode every Saturday morning. You can follow Tribe Sober on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can join our private Facebook group HERE Thank you for listening!

Tribe Sober - inpiring an alcohol-free life! My guest this week is Podcast Business Coach and Weight Loss Guru - Adam Schaeuble. His story is similar to mine in that he resolved his own issues and then went on to help others to do the same In this Episode Adam shared his personal transformation story with us We agreed that many of the methods he uses to help his community can be used in the Tribe Sober community The first step - asking for help - is the hardest - we have to put our ego to one side and reach out Adam uses a strategic approach with his clients - gets them to plan 28 days in advance and look for "danger zones" We discussed the importance of not letting a "slip up" derail you - just get back on track straight away Anchor points are essential - they give you a dopamine hit to keep going forward Adam explained the difference between motivation and inspiration - we need to be inspired if we are going to succeed If you don't feel inspired then get some coaching - if you come to the coaching session "motivated" you will leave "inspired" He shared his transformation timeline with us - and stressed the importance of finding a new purpose at the end of the journey More info Subscription membership for Tribe Sober join up HERE To access our website click HERE If you would like a free copy of our e-book "66 days to sobriety" please email us at [email protected] If you would like to come to our Saturday afternoon Zoom Cafe as a guest and meet our community just email [email protected] Episode Sponsor This episode is sponsored by the Tribe Sober Membership Program. If you want to change your relationship with alcohol then sign up today. Help us to spread the word! We made this podcast so that we can reach more people who need our help. Please subscribe and share. We release a podcast episode every Saturday morning. You can follow Tribe Sober on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can join our private Facebook group HERE Thank you for listening!

Tribe Sober - Your guide to alcohol-free living! This week I'm chatting to an inspirational woman Mary Ann Shearer who is a best selling author and a motivational speaker. In this Episode Mary Ann is a woman before her time and was advocating veganism thirty years ago! Her first book "The Natural Way" was written more than 20 years ago She explained that if you give your children lots of sweet things it sets them up for alcohol dependency later in life Mary Ann had alcoholic parents and as a result she craves order and control and has never drunk alcohol We agreed that children of alcoholic parents tend to be like her - or they tend to follow the pattern of their parents She advised people who have stopped drinking to satisfy their cravings by eating fresh fruit not chocolates or sweets Our bodies need glucose and eating fresh fruit satisfies the craving for alcohol Mary Ann feels that alcoholics are clever people who need a creative outlet - sobriety will give them the time and space to find one She explained the damage that alcohol does to our endocrine system - and how it makes menopause much worse To find out more about Mary Ann go to her website - https://maryannshearer.com/ - her book is called "Perfect Health - The Natural Way" available on Amazon More info Subscription membership for Tribe Sober join up HERE To access our website click HERE To join our January Challenge click HERE - a small donation to a good cause will provide you with community and online support during January If you want to go it alone and would still like one of our trackers then email us at [email protected] Episode Sponsor This episode is sponsored by the Tribe Sober Membership Program. If you want to change your relationship with alcohol then sign up today. Read more about our 8-step program and subscribe HERE. Help us to spread the word! We made this podcast so that we can reach more people who need our help. Please subscribe and share. We release a podcast episode every Saturday morning. You can follow Tribe Sober on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can catch our FB live on Saturday mornings (11am SAST) and you can join our private Facebook group HERE Thank you for listening! Till Next Week Janet x

My guest this week is Tabin Almond who shares her powerful journey from high-functioning drinking to lasting sobriety. In this episode: Tabbin grew up in a drinking culture and entered the boozy world of advertising. She tried AA but couldn’t relate – the labeling and negative focus didn’t resonate. Her breast cancer diagnosis became a pivotal moment Tabbin read This Naked Mind and had coaching support to stop drinking for good. She’s now a certified alcohol-free coach working with professionals and organisations. She’s written a book called Bottling Up Trouble – which explores the hidden costs of alcohol in the workplace. There are some fascinating statistics in her book – including the fact that: 94% of people lie about alcohol-related sick days. The book also examines how workplace drinking culture impacts productivity, safety, inclusion, and wellbeing. Tabbin encourages companies to shift away from booze-centric bonding events and lead with empathy. She has a free assessment tool which you can access here:- bottlinguptrouble.com – this assessment tool enables both leaders and employees to review any problem areas and start a dialogue Her book advocates for compassion, culture change, and better health education around alcohol. More Info Subscription membership – you can join up HERE. To access our website, click HERE. If you would like a free copy of our “Annual Tracker” or our e-book 66 Days to Sobriety, please email [email protected]. If you would like to come to our Saturday afternoon Zoom Cafe as a guest and meet our community, just email [email protected]. Episode Sponsor This episode is sponsored by the Tribe Sober Membership Program. If you want to change your relationship with alcohol then sign up today Read more about our program and subscribe HERE Help us to Spread the Word! We made this podcast so that we can reach more people who need our help. Please subscribe and share. If you enjoyed the podcast, then please leave us a 5-star review on Apple podcasts. Take a screenshot of your review, and DM it to Tribe Sober’s Instagram page – see PS below for instructions. We’ll send you something special to say thank you! We release a podcast episode every Saturday morning. You can follow Tribe Sober on Facebook, Twitter, TikTok and Instagram. You can join our private Facebook group HERE. PS: How to Leave a Rating/Review in Apple Podcasts (on an iOS Device) Open the Podcasts app. EASY. Choose “Search” from the bottom row of icons and enter the name of the show (e.g. Recover Like a Mother) into the search field. Select the show under Shows (not under Episodes). Scroll down past the first few episodes until you see Ratings & Reviews. Click Write a Review underneath the displayed reviews from other listeners. You’ll then have the option to rate the show on a 5-star scale and write a review (you can rate without writing too but it’s always good to read your experience).

We’re always on the look out for new benefits to offer our Tribe Sober members So these days apart from coaching, hypnotherapy, art therapy and accountability groups we can offer our members a functional medicine coach. A Functional Medicine Coach can help us with the transition between drinking a building a healthy lifestyle. We all know vaguely what we need to do to be healthy but a Health Coach will personalise that plan for you and then ensure that you put it into action! So Tribe Sober’s new Functional Health Coach is called Laura Gujadhur We began by clarifying the difference between functional medicine and conventional medicine. Laura explained that conventional medicine is disease management and treatment of symptoms whereas Functional medicine looks at the root cause of disease An example would be going to a conventional doctor with a rash – that doctor would be unlikely to ask you about your diet, your stress levels and whether you’ve had allergy tests -he would probably give you a cream to calm down the rash but he wouldn’t have got to the root cause of whats going on So functional medicine looks at the root cause of disease and illness and starts from there Conventional medicine is something we resort to when we are already sick Whereas functional medicine encourages you to work on your health so that you don’t develop chronic diseases… You become the architect of your own health Laura’s interest in health and wellness began about 5 years ago when she quit drinking A member of her family was diagnosed with depression and immediately put on anti-depressants which didn’t sit well with Laura About that time she had stumbled across a book called The Ultra Mind Solution by Dr Mark Hyman In this book he explains that when he heals someone’s gut and sorts out the imflammation the cognitive function improves and depression and anxiety go away As an ex nurse married to a doctor this came as a revelation to Laura – they never learned anything like this in medical school Laura decided to approach functional medicine in the same way that she had approached sobriety – she would read everything she could get her hands on After all Annie Grace’s book “The Naked Mind” had been such an eye opener for her and made her realise that Big Alcohol are inundating us with false messaging Her research into Functional Medicine made her realise that conventional medicine was simply driven by Big Pharma and that she had been naïve not to question it during her medical training and career. Laura’s decision to quit drinking for a month came after a party when she woke up with a hangover and thought…enough She white knuckled her way through the month and used the time that she saved (by not drinking) to read everything she could. Her belief systems around drinking had already been overturned by The Naked Mind and she realized that she couldn’t go back to drinking Laura threw the book at her sobriety and like so many others who have succeeded she treated it like a job. She told her husband she wouldn't be entertaining or going anywhere for three months as she wanted to concentrate on her reading. We all learn differently so it can be helpful to reflect on our personal learning style as we approach the difficult task of giving up alcohol and learning to navigate society without it. There are 4 distinct learning styles identified by Honey & Mumford in 1986. Activist Theorist Pragmatist Reflector So we all learn how to navigate our alcohol free journey in our own way and shouldn’t be comparing our progress with others… just keep trying and it will come together. Back to Laura. What I found interesting was the fact that once she’d done all her research and reading she was absolutely ready to make a firm decision and her mantra was:- "Never Question the Decision" I think that’s such a helpful strategy which will stand her in good stead if she has a craving or is under pressure from others to drinking… She approached her sobriety with the same gusto and enthusiasm that she used to approach her drinking- focusing on what she was gaining rather than losing by leading an alcohol free lifestyle. However Laura did go into full blown sugar addiction when she quit drinking and wishes that she’d had a functional health coach teach her how to transition which would have resulted in her feeling a lot better sooner. These days Laura is qualified as Functional Health Coach. She talked about the 4 pillars of health Diet/Exercise/Stress Reduction and Sleep and emphasized that a Health Coach could ease the transition into the alcohol free lifestyle and help to avoid a cross addiction. As she said we all know broadly what we should be doing to stay healthy but the value of a health coach is that she will ensure that you implement and stick to the right eating plan and exercise regime. We agreed that coaching is super valuable to keep people on track - especially for women. Laura feels that many women tend to focus on what they haven’t done rathe

Tribe Sober - inspiring an alcohol-free life! This week’s podcast guest is an Art Therapist. Sami has been running her private Art Therapy practice for the past 20 years. She’s worked with people who struggle with stress, addiction, depression and also people wanting to discover more meaning and purpose in their lives. She has also worked with many people in recovery. In this Episode Sami began by defining Art Therapy which involves “using art materials to help a client to communicate and express themselves with the guidance of a qualified therapist". We discussed how as adults many of us have lost the ability to play – we tend to get caught up in productivity and ticking boxes. We need to get back in touch with our creativity and art therapy can help us to do that. Some people feel intimidated at the thought of Art Therapy thinking that they need some artistic skill. This is not true at all and in fact Sam loves clients who come to her with no knowledge or aptitude for “art” – Art Therapy is in fact a way of getting in touch with our creativity and playfulness. Art therapy can play in important role in our recovery – it can help us to reconnect with ourselves and better understand who we really are. It can help us to decrease our reliance on alcohol and build new and different pathways and coping mechanisms. As drinkers some of us spent years numbing our feelings. Art therapy will help us to get back in touch with our feelings - and to express ourselves creatively. Sami sees the Art as the Bridge between what is inside and what is outside – it’s simply a way to express ourselves. We discussed the fragility of early sobriety where Art Therapy can play the role of holding a safe space where we can “check in”. We talked about the power of vulnerability and how art therapy allows us to express our vulnerability Sam explained the concept behind the vision board sessions which help us to reconnect with our passions using images, art materials etc – I’ve done one of these sessions and can really recommend it – a vision board allows us to express ourselves and then the power of manifestion will come into play. Our subconscious will register our vision and help it to become a reality. The vision board workshop is particularly useful for people in sobriety as it helps them to get back in touch with what they really enjoy doing. We have extra time on our hands when we stop drinking so we need to find constructive ways to use that time. Sam is quite happy to run a group vision board session for people in recovery so do get in touch with myself or Sam if you are interested. Sam explained that addictions mean that we are always busy focusing on our next fix which prevents us from being in the moment. Art Therapy can help with mindfulness and mental health generally – focusing on a creative project will enable us to get “in the flow” which can give our minds a welcome break from stress and anxiety. Art therapy can help us to build resilience and help us to recognize our triggers – all of which will help to prevent relapse. We often say that “connection is the opposite of addiction” here at Tribe Sober and we are referring to community. Sam helped me to realise that we also need to connect with ourselves – to get to know who we really are. Understanding ourselves better means that we can find new ways of coping – instead of using alcohol. At Tribe Sober we love learning about neuroscience, happy brain chemicals and our Lizard Brains – our gurus have been neuroscientist Staci Danfield who you can hear on episode 67 of this podcast and author of the Happy Brain, Loretta Breuning who is on episode 55. Sami explained that Art Therapy will also trigger our happy brain chemicals and will give us a boost in early sobriety when we can be plagued with a low mood. Loretta Breuning explained to us that we need a project in early sobriety to stay happy and focused. That’s why we designed the Tribe Sober Success Path – to give you a project – the project of self discovery Sam and I both run our workshops on Zoom these days and agreed that they work really well and we enjoy opening them up to people all over the world. Sam works with individuals and with groups. Sometimes an individual will need personal attention for their growth, healing or recovery. However the group sessions can be special – she believes that groups come together for a reason – they bring their life experience and of course a key part of the workshop is about sharing our stories. Jung calls this the “collective unconscious” – the people who need to be together come together. I loved that and it made me think of our workshops and the synergy and bonding that I’ve witnessed during the 6 years of running workshops. For more info about Sam and her courses just go to her website which is arttherapy.co.za Episode Sponsor This episode is sponsored by the Tribe Sober Membership Program. If you want to change your relationship with alcohol then sign up today - here is the l