Transforming Your Life Through Confidence and Finding Your Voice with Les Alfred
Mar 14, 2023
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Les Alfred, a proponent of the 'sober curious' movement, talks about reconsidering societal norms around drinking, finding pleasure in your own company, and identifying patterns that prevent authenticity. The importance of including diverse perspectives in wellness conversations is also discussed, along with techniques for feeling confident and proud of your decisions.
Reconsider the societal belief that drinking is necessary for socializing and shift towards healthier and more authentic lifestyles.
Find pleasure in your own company and connect with yourself as a way to practice self-love and improve overall well-being.
Recognize the importance of representation and inclusivity in the wellness community, particularly for women of color, to promote a more holistic understanding of wellness and prioritize personal health and self-care.
Deep dives
Balanced Black Girl: Amplifying Voices in Wellness
Balanced Black Girl is an online wellness community and podcast that aims to amplify the voices and perspectives of Black women and women of color in the wellness space. Les, the founder and host, recognized the lack of representation for women of color in the wellness industry and decided to create a platform to showcase their expertise and experiences. The podcast explores various topics related to mind, body, health habits, productivity, financial wellness, and self-care. By providing a space for these voices to be heard, Balanced Black Girl aims to empower and inspire its audience to prioritize their well-being and navigate their own wellness journeys.
Finding Sobriety and Self-Acceptance
Les discusses her personal journey towards sobriety and self-acceptance, highlighting the role that alcohol played in her life and how she eventually reached a point where it no longer felt necessary. She describes her sober curiosity as more of an alcohol disinterest, as she found more comfort and authenticity in social situations without relying on alcohol. By being present and embracing discomfort, Les discovered the freedom to choose experiences that truly benefit her and align with her values, allowing her to build a stronger connection with herself and others. She encourages listeners to explore their own relationship with alcohol and consider how it may impact their overall well-being and personal growth.
Breaking Barriers in the Wellness Community
Les discusses the importance of representation and inclusivity in the wellness community, particularly for women of color. She acknowledges the systemic barriers and disparities that women of color face, both in terms of healthcare and social experiences, and the impact this has on their overall well-being. Through Balanced Black Girl, Les aims to provide a platform for Black women and women of color to share their stories, expertise, and support each other in navigating wellness. By addressing these unique experiences and perspectives, the podcast promotes a more holistic understanding of wellness and encourages individuals to prioritize their own health and self-care.
Navigating Social Dynamics When Quitting Drinking
The podcast episode discusses how friends and social dynamics are affected when someone decides to stop drinking. The speaker shares personal experiences of not drinking due to practical reasons in the past and having supportive friends who respected her choice. She emphasizes the importance of having understanding friends and how their support can make a difference in embracing a sober lifestyle.
Exploring Sober Curiosity and Wellness Practices
The podcast explores the concept of sober curiosity and its trendiness. The discussion highlights the all-or-nothing approach that sometimes accompanies drinking culture, with either excessive drinking or complete abstinence being emphasized. The speaker emphasizes the importance of finding nuance and balance in one's relationship with alcohol. The conversation also touches upon the role of low or no ABV spirits in the market and the increasing popularity of mocktails and non-alcoholic options.
In today's episode, we're joined by Les Alfred, a proponent of the "sober curious" movement. Les is an inspiration, authentic, and has been on a journey to find her own practice of self-love. We pull from child hood memories to spark inspiration and tapping into what brings us more joy and understanding how these little routines can make us happier.
We recognize that this topic is sensitive. Unlike other addictions, alcohol is a part of everyone's life. However, it is important to reconsider the societal belief that drinking is a necessary part of socializing and shift towards healthier and more authentic lifestyles.
During our conversation with Les, we covered the following points:
Cultural norms that suggest drinking is a way to socialize and why it's worth reconsidering this belief.
Ways to take pleasure in your own company and connect with yourself.
Techniques for becoming curious about yourself and identifying patterns that prevent authenticity.
The importance of having wellness conversations that include the perspectives of people of color.
How to feel confident and proud of your decisions, instead of insecure.