Midlife AF Podcast

#120 Refreshed AF

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In this final session of my three-day Festive Alcohol Reset, I walk you through exactly how to move into a “third way” relationship with alcohol - one that isn’t miserable, all‑or‑nothing, or based on shame and willpower.

I share how we can step into the New Year feeling refreshed, resourced, and connected to our original, unhurt selves, instead of chasing a “new me” from a place of self‑blame.

I talk about why slip‑ups are data, not moral failures, how dopamine and our beliefs keep us stuck, and why self‑compassion is non‑negotiable if we want lasting change. We explore painting a vivid vision of a life where booze is a genuine non‑issue, and I walk you through the core pillars I teach in my programs: knowledge, positive emotion, and aligned action - all wrapped in community, curiosity, and kindness.

If your intuition is whispering (or yelling) that alcohol is taking more than it’s giving, this episode will help you see that you are not broken, you are not alone, and there really is a way to make this feel lighter, easier, and even joyful.

Episode Highlights

  • I explain my “third way” approach to alcohol - neither white‑knuckled sobriety nor stuck, unhappy drinking.
  • I share why I rarely use the word “sober” and why language matters so much in how we see ourselves and our choices.
  • I reframe slip‑ups as data points, not proof of failure or lack of character.
  • I walk through the three levels of belief that keep us stuck:
    Beliefs about the substance (“Alcohol relaxes me”)
    Beliefs about society (“You can’t have fun without booze”)
    Beliefs about the self (“There’s something wrong with me”).
  • I talk about dopamine - why the first drink feels so good, how alcohol hijacks our reward system, and what that means for cravings.
  • I emphasise that problematic drinking is a normal human response to an addictive substance, not a personal defect.
  • I show how real change comes from knowledge → positive emotion → action, not from goals and willpower alone.
  • I guide you to define how you want to feel in your future relationship with alcohol (e.g. free, relieved, fearless), rather than just how much you want to drink.
  • I invite you to paint a detailed day‑in‑the‑life where alcohol is a non‑issue and you wake up clear, present, and proud.
  • I talk about returning to the “OG” you - the original, unmasked, unprotected self beneath the coping strategies.
  • I explain why blame (of self or others) keeps us out of change and steals our power.
  • I encourage using curiosity over criticism whenever a craving or slip shows up: “What need is unmet here?”
  • I highlight how planning and preparation make social and high‑risk situations far easier to navigate.
  • I share why community and group coaching are so powerful for dissolving shame and showing us we are not alone.
  • I invite listeners into my Aussie Alcohol Experiment, explaining how it helps you cultivate a genuine take‑it‑or‑leave‑it relationship with alcohol, on your own terms.

    • 👉 Join the 3-Day Festive Alcohol Reset (Dec 27–29)
    Repair · Reconnect · Refresh (Free)
    https://www.hoperisingcoaching.com/3-day-reset

    👉 Join the January 2026 Great Aussie Alcohol Experiment - Starts January 1
    https://www.hoperisingcoaching.com/the_great_aussie_alcohol_experiment

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    Midlife AF PodcastBy Emma Gilmour