How do you know when a fun social habit has turned into a problem? On today’s episode of One Year No Beer, we’re going to hear about  the journey of Freddie Bennett-Willetts from a social drinker, to a heavy drinker, to a world record holder. Freddie talks about his journey, his past with alcohol, the excuses we make, the “perfect time” to start, and about the benefits of going alcohol-free. You might know Freddie as the “guy in the fisherman’s costume,” but around the office, he was known as the heavy drinker and the party-boy who was destroying himself. After changing his perception of his life, he let his journey change his life for the better. “To get the things you’ve always wanted, you have to do the things you’ve never done before.” Freddie delves into his history with social drinking as a teen in the 90’s. His social drinking quickly spiraled into a habit. While he was a well-behaved teen, he didn’t realize that his life was filled with drinking and heavy drinkers. As an adult—and after his father’s death—he knew he didn’t want his life to be a waste. But Freddie’s life hasn’t always been about alcohol. In the office, he always works hard. He is a dreamer, schemer, lover, father, and an adrenaline junkie. His kids helped push him even further and were a surprising source of inspiration as they were the reason he first thought about becoming the Guiness World Record holder for being “the fastest fisherman.” He talks about how his life could have turned out differently but instead of regrets, he’s turned to anticipation and productivity. Because of One Year No Beer, Freddie explains that he was able to change his life around. Not just with sobriety but by transforming from the asthmatic boy in school to the fastest fisherman in the world. He has also completed an Ironman triathlon, launched a new business, started meditating, journaling every day, and started writing a book. He has focused his addictive personality into a more positive outlet.  OYNB LINKS: OYNB Website: https://www.oneyearnobeer.com/  OYNB Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Oneyearnobeer/  OYNB Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/199505820380513/  OYNB Twitter: https://twitter.com/oynbuk/  OYNB Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oneyearnobeer/  Email: info@oneyearnobeer.com    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This podcast is being reposted as a tribute to Sean, self-help author, therapist, and motivational speaker, who sadly died on Wednesday, August 28 2019, due to complications after suffering a head injury.  It can be easy to get sidetracked by your own fears, insecurities, and troubles. This may be especially true when you’re trying to accomplish something big, like giving up alcohol for a period of time. Without meaning to, you can begin to slide into negativity, allowing your fears and problems to take over and lapsing into unwanted behaviors or temptations. It can be hard to bring yourself back up when you’re going through those dark times and experiencing negative emotions. But today’s guest has some ideas about how to bounce back, take care of yourself, and make a positive impact on the world around you. Dr. Sean Stephenson was born with osteogenesis imperfecta, a condition that is otherwise known as brittle bone syndrome. By the time he was 18 years old, he had already broken over 200 bones in his body. He likes to say that he was given 24 hours to live by the doctors when he was born – but now, more than 30 years later, he’s the only doctor still alive. In today’s interview, Dr. Stephenson talks about the importance of perspective and being able to bounce back from dark places. One way that he deals with challenges is by reaching out and helping people who are going through bigger challenges. He explains that helping people with their problems can take your mind off your own struggles. Dr. Stephenson also shares the three factors of his unstoppable formula: impeccable self-care, self-purpose, and an empowering environment. He says these are the things that you need in order to overcome your insecurities, achieve your goals, and overcome your negative habits. Tune in to the episode to hear the whole inspiring interview. LINKS & RESOURCES OYNB Website: https://www.oneyearnobeer.com/ OYNB Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Oneyearnobeer/ OYNB Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/199505820380513/ OYNB Twitter: https://twitter.com/oynbuk/ OYNB Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oneyearnobeer/ SEAN STEPHENSON’S RESOURCES: Sean Stephenson’s Website: http://seanstephenson.com/ Sean Stephenson on Twitter: https://twitter.com/theseantourage?lang=en Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is happening in your gut when you drink alcohol? If you’ve never thought about it, now is the time to give it some thought. On today’s episode of One Year No Beer, Dr. Mahmoud Ghannoum explains what an imbalance in the gut biome is, what happens when you have an imbalance, and what alcohol has to do with it.    Dr. Ghannoum is the author of the book Total Gut Balance. He explains how people get involved with his organization, Biohm, and what happens when people have a gut imbalance. He explains that people usually want to know what they can do to rebalance their gut – which foods and lifestyle changes will help.    “I direct the center for medical mycology which is the fungal research. That’s why I’m known as a fun guy.”  Dr. Ghannoum also talks about the role that alcohol plays in the gut biome, especially in relation to problems like IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome). Dr. Ghannoum explains that gut bacteria isn’t the only factor to consider – factors like genetics and lifestyle play a role as well – but that the gut environment plays a significant role in health.   Dr. Ghannoum talks about the differences between good and bad bacteria and how alcohol affects each. He also explores topics like leaky gut syndrome, what causes it, what symptoms a person with a leaky gut might experience, and how leaky gut and alcohol consumption are related. Listen to the episode to learn more about gut health and how it’s connected to alcohol, as well as what kind of benefits you might experience in your gut when you decide to give up drinking.    OYNB LINKS    OYNB Website: https://www.oneyearnobeer.com/  OYNB Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Oneyearnobeer/  OYNB Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/199505820380513/  OYNB Twitter: https://twitter.com/oynbuk/  OYNB Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oneyearnobeer/  Email: info@oneyearnobeer.com    DR. GHANNOUM’S LINKS: BIOHM: https://biohmhealth.com/    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

No one has unlimited time in this world to do all of the things that they may want to do, so why waste time? Today’s guest says that he plans to live to 100, and understands that if he wants to work and build and create all the things that he wants to do in that time, then it’s important to get started now.  Richie Crowley has been alcohol-free for about two years now. He stresses the importance of health, wellness, meditation, and connecting with others. Richie points out that while people often encourage their friends to leave toxic relationships and workplaces, they don’t necessarily encourage them to change toxic ways of living, and that the relationship with alcohol is a toxic one for many people.  “There’s just so many different things that I want to build and create and work on and be a part of in this life, that I look at and say hey, the clock is ticking in a way, let me start doing it all.”  In today’s episode, Richie talks about his current adventure, a bike ride across America. Richie will be starting his ride in Boston, Massachusetts, and finishing in Los Angeles, California. Along the way, he plans to meet and connect with people from communities that he’s never visited before and share what he knows about health, wellness, and meditation with the people who need to hear it.  Richie wants to make connections and show the importance of connections, and he believes that there’s no time to waste. Listen to the episode to hear more about Richie’s background, philosophy, and plans for adventure.  OYNB LINKS  OYNB Website: https://www.oneyearnobeer.com/ OYNB Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Oneyearnobeer/ OYNB Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/199505820380513/ OYNB Twitter: https://twitter.com/oynbuk/ OYNB Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oneyearnobeer/ Email: info@oneyearnobeer.com  RICHIE CROWLEY’S LINKS  The Wellness Ride: https://www.veestro.com/pages/the-wellness-ride Richie’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richie-crowley-9a749667/ Richie’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rickieticklez/ Richie on Medium: https://medium.com/@rickieticklez  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s guest is a motivational speaker, business coach, and bestselling author. Pete Cohen joins the One Year No Beer podcast to talk about addiction, delayed gratification, and meditation, among other things.  Pete describes his own background when it comes to drinking. He says that he began drinking at around age 14 and that the pub he went to never asked for ID until shortly before he turned 18. Pete also says that drugs were accessible and available where he lived, but some early bad experiences prevented him from getting seriously involved. Pete says that his college was a sports college with a heavy drinking culture. Now, however, Pete says that he values feeling healthy and being able to get up early in the morning more than he wants to drink. Pete worked as a personal trainer and got a degree in sport science. He says that his goal is to help give people a different perspective.  “For me, I just love getting to that place where I feel like there’s possibility.” On the subject of willpower, Pete says that the human ability to delay gratification is where the real power lies. He talks about how making choices and getting better at something can cause momentum and energize people, which is what he feels that One Year No Beer is accomplishing. He believes that if people can quit drinking, they will feel empowered to accomplish other things as well.  Pete also talks about the power of meditation and the power of feeling possibility. He discusses the importance of having a coach and of people helping each other as they work to reinvent themselves. He explains the importance of not only finding your own why but also buying into your own why and then using that emotional connection to achieve your goals and have an impact on the people around you. Listen to the episode to hear the full interview with Pete Cohen.  OYNB LINKS  OYNB Website: https://www.oneyearnobeer.com/ OYNB Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Oneyearnobeer/ OYNB Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/199505820380513/ OYNB Twitter: https://twitter.com/oynbuk/ OYNB Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oneyearnobeer/ Email: info@oneyearnobeer.com  PETE COHEN’S LINKS  Pete’s Website: https://petecohen.com/ Pete on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pete-cohen/about/ Pete on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Itspetecohen Pete’s Newest Book: https://www.inspirators.me/   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Getting through a 365-day challenge is no small feat. It’s an achievement that deserves to be celebrated. And what’s the best way to celebrate an alcohol-free year? Why not with a Spartan race?  In today’s episode, Ruari talks to Zoe Grant and Sharon Hartley not only about their experiences going alcohol-free but also about their experiences running a Spartan Race. The interview was recorded in a tent at a Spartan event, shortly after Zoe finished her first race. And though she signed up for the race much earlier, the event itself came just after finishing her one year challenge. “I knew it was like the ultimate, ultimate celebration, actually. And I knew I’d cry.” Zoe talks about herself and her experiences before joining One Year No Beer. She says that she was a low-level constant drinker, drinking just one glass a night, every night. She realized later that the alcohol was keeping her anxiety high, but without it, she was happier and less anxious. She explains that things have changed a lot over the last year and that she spent a lot of that time discovering herself.  Zoe and Sharon discuss the connections that they’ve made in the group and what it feels like to meet up in person with people who have been supporting you in your alcohol-free challenge in the group. They talk about the importance of making connections with people who are experiencing or have experienced the same things.  They also talk about what the first month or so without alcohol is like, and how it can be exciting to watch the days add up into weeks and months. They explain what it’s like to go out to restaurants or bars without drinking and how, over time, it gets easier to bat away negative comments about not drinking. Listen to the episode to hear the whole conversation and what it’s like to celebrate an alcohol-free year with a Spartan race.  OYNB LINKS  OYNB Website: https://www.oneyearnobeer.com/ OYNB Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Oneyearnobeer/ OYNB Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/199505820380513/ OYNB Twitter: https://twitter.com/oynbuk/ OYNB Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oneyearnobeer/ Email: info@oneyearnobeer.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’re new to One Year No Beer, or if you’re just considering taking a challenge and starting to change your relationship with alcohol, you may be wondering not just about the short-term challenge, but what going alcohol-free might look like in the long term. In today’s episode, you’ll hear from a long-time member of One Year No Beer about her journey from her first challenge in 2017 to now.  Louise Vickers discovered One Year No Beer in January of 2017. She had done Dry January a few times before and was planning on doing it again, so she decided to go to a party and drink on December 31st. The night ended with Louise breaking several of her toes. She describes herself sitting on her couch the next day, resting her sore foot and scrolling through Facebook, when she came across an ad for One Year No Beer and decided to give it a try.  “I think me finding me took longer than 90 days. It maybe even took longer than the 365.”  Louise started out with a 90-day challenge and then decided to try the 365-day challenge next. She says that before she found OYNB, she was a partier, but that her hangovers were starting to last two days instead of one, and that she was experiencing a lot of anxiety during a hangover as well. Louise describes herself as a goal-driven and deadline driven person, so she decided to set a goal of one event a month along with her alcohol-free challenge. And despite the broken toes that kept her from completing a physical event in January of 2017, she still managed to complete 12 events that year.  Louise says that the first 90 days were tough but going to events and completing challenges gave her a way to channel her energy and adrenaline. Louise also says that without alcohol, she was able to discover more things about herself and feel her feelings more fully.  Louise explains that at some point, she began substituting sugar for alcohol, and she’s now working on weight loss and healthier living. She says that she’s using the same tools that she learned when originally cutting out alcohol now to meet her new goals. She says that she still loves the OYNB group and that she’s now approaching 900 days without alcohol. Listen to the episode to hear more of Louise’s story in her own words.  OYNB LINKS  OYNB Website: https://www.oneyearnobeer.com/ OYNB Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Oneyearnobeer/ OYNB Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/199505820380513/ OYNB Twitter: https://twitter.com/oynbuk/ OYNB Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oneyearnobeer/ Email: info@oneyearnobeer.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Everyone knows about rehabilitation facilities and Alcoholics Anonymous, but what is out there for people who want to live a healthier, alcohol-free life or who want to moderate their drinking, but aren’t in need of interventions or total permanent abstinence? One Year No Beer provides one community for people in those situations, and today’s guest is also helping to create a community by hosting events for the sober curious and talking about her own journey with alcohol and with giving up alcohol.  Janey Lee Grace is a television presenter and radio personality who’s been featured on BBC Radio 2. She was a singer who toured with Wham and performed alongside artists like Boy George and George Michael. Today, she’s a journalist and an alcohol-free inspirationalist. “You actually get younger when you get sober.”  Janey says that when you give up drinking, you’re actually giving more than you’re giving up. Abstaining from alcohol improves health and relationships and reduces anxiety. Janey says that even her eyesight has improved since she quit drinking.  Although Janey has a background in health, wellbeing, and holistic wellness, she explains that she didn’t change her diet or do any other special health-related work while she was in the process of getting sober. She says that she felt she needed to just focus on getting sober and that she actually ate more sugar in the beginning. Janey explains that sometimes you need to put your energy and focus into doing one thing – in this case, getting sober – and it’s OK not to also be trying to lose weight or avoid sugar during that time.  Janey has partnered with a charity called My Yard to host Self Care for the Sober Curious events for people who are trying to get sober or who are considering it. My Yard is a small charity that focuses on providing healthy food for people in crisis, and they found that in the course of that work, they encountered a lot of people who were dealing with alcohol and substance dependence issues. These free events are meant to help people who want to cut down or quit drinking meet other people who feel the same way.  Janey explains that she kept her alcohol-free journey quiet at first, but going public with it helped her by providing accountability and community. She now hosts a podcast called Alcohol Free Life where she speaks to authors, experts, and other guests about living a sober life. Listen to the episode to hear more about Janey’s story and her work in the alcohol-free community.  OYNB LINKS  OYNB Website: https://www.oneyearnobeer.com/ OYNB Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Oneyearnobeer/ OYNB Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/199505820380513/ OYNB Twitter: https://twitter.com/oynbuk/ OYNB Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oneyearnobeer/ Email: info@oneyearnobeer.com  JANEY LEE GRACE’S LINKS  Website: https://janeyleegrace.com/ Blog: http://imperfectlynatural.com/category/alcohol-free-life/ Events: https://janeyleegrace.com/eventsseminars/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janeyleegrace/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janeyleegrace/ Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/janey-lee-grace-alcohol-free-life/id1448715889 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The stories of One Year No Beer members themselves can be some of the most powerful and compelling evidence for people who want to learn about how One Year No Beer works. On today’s episode, you’ll hear one of those personal stories from Sharon Hartley, a One Year No Beer member who joined eight months ago.  Sharon is a married mother of three from Lancashire. She has a background in broadcast journalism, and says that she got used to the culture of parties and freebies when she was working in radio. She used to be a regular drinker – the first to arrive at a party and the last to leave – who preferred rose wine and vodka with red bull. “Be brave and be bold and do what you’ve got to do.”  Sharon says that she didn’t have a dramatic experience of hitting bottom before she signed up for One Year No Beer. She just found that more and more of her life was revolving around alcohol, and that it was causing conflict within her family. She also found that she was becoming bored of drinking. She enjoys a challenge and pushing herself outside of her comfort zone, and that instinct led her to One Year No Beer.  Originally, Sharon signed up for a 28-day challenge, and she was skeptical when other members told her that she’d see more of a difference when she went for 60 days or 90 days, but she didn’t believe it at first. However, the further she took her challenge, the more she found that to be true. Sharon explains that it was hard at first, and even scary to try to go without alcohol. It was hard to think past the next party or next weekend and people would ask her why she wasn’t drinking and what was wrong.  However, over time, she got accustomed to it and also started seeing the benefits of going alcohol-free. She says she has more time to spend with the kids, spends more time doing new things like running and mountain climbing, and has even signed up for her first Spartan event. She is also seeing the health benefits of giving up alcohols. She sleeps better and has more energy for the gym, more mental clarity, and better skin.  Sharon says that one of the ways to avoid drinking in the beginning is to remove yourself from situations where you’ll be tempted to drink – it helps not to go to a bar or a party on your first alcohol-free weekend. She also says that it helps to remember that you’re not necessarily removing alcohol from your life forever, just for long enough to change your relationship with it. Her advice for people who are considering joining OYNB or taking an alcohol-free challenge is to just jump in with both feet and don’t wait. There will always be a reason not to do it, so it’s better to make up your mind that you’re going to do it and go for it. LINKS & RESOURCES  OYNB Website: https://www.oneyearnobeer.com/ OYNB Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Oneyearnobeer/ OYNB Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/199505820380513/ OYNB Twitter: https://twitter.com/oynbuk/ OYNB Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oneyearnobeer/ Email: info@oneyearnobeer.com   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today’s episode of the One Year No Beer Podcast, Ruari is trying out a new format. Rather than interviewing a guest, Ruari is going to spend some time talking about the community and some of the things that are going on with the OYNB community and its members.  First of all, Ruari shares some updates from the OYNB HQ, including the fact that OYNB has expanded to about 16 full-time members of the team. There’s also a new community manager, and OYNB members should expect to see some big changes over the next three months.  “It’s an interesting journey, this changing your relationship with alcohol. It’s different for everybody.”  Ruari also mentions that he’s noticed several people sharing stories of grief and personal loss in the community recently. He talks about how his experience with grief was to continue down the same destructive path that he was on before. Ruari believes that this is not unusual – heavy drinking is a common element of funerals and wakes, for example. But as Ruari points out, alcohol is a depressant, and adding it to a situation that’s already upsetting can cause a person to spiral.  Ruari believes that the answer is to really get in touch with your feelings and find a safe space in which to feel them. He recommends a book, Focusing by Eugene Gendlin, that was recommended to him by a counselor in his youth and that he believes can help people trying to get in touch with their feelings.  Ruari suggests contacting the Samaritans (at 116 123 in the UK) for people who are in need of someone to talk to. He also reminds listeners that they can contact info@oneyearnobeer.com for help and that they’re planning to relaunch their coaching program very soon.  Ruari believes that connections are an important part of the answer to dealing with addictions, as well as an important part of the One Year No Beer mission. He explains that OYNB is heavily invested in their partnership with Spartan, and they’re going to have a presence at every Spartan in the UK, as well as some in the US. The next upcoming Spartan is in early May and will be held in Kent, and OYNB will be there with a tent, providing an excellent opportunity for members of the OYNB community to meet and make connections.  LINKS & RESOURCES  OYNB Website: https://www.oneyearnobeer.com/ OYNB Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Oneyearnobeer/ OYNB Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/199505820380513/ OYNB Twitter: https://twitter.com/oynbuk/ OYNB Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oneyearnobeer/ Email: info@oneyearnobeer.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices