January 28, 2026

#122 Rewired AF

1 hour 5 minutes

In this episode, I walk you through my “third way” approach: a compassionate path that sits between white‑knuckling sobriety and feeling stuck in a shame spiral with alcohol. We explore how to get out of resistance and into curiosity, begin reconnecting with our bodies, and gently question the stories we’ve carried for decades. If you’ve ever thought, “What’s wrong with me? Why can’t I just stop at one?” this conversation is for you.

You’ll also hear how I work with women in my Great Aussie Alcohol Experiment, why grounding and self‑compassion matter so much, and how shifting beliefs can make alcohol feel more like a cheese sandwich - something you can truly take or leave.

Episode Highlights:

I encourage you to celebrate yourself simply for being here and examining your relationship with alcohol - most people never do this work.

One of the most powerful questions you can ask yourself is: “Why do I like to drink?” answered without judgment.

Everything we believe about booze, and much of what we believe about ourselves, is shaped by conditioning, not truth.

There are three levels of belief:
- Beliefs about the substance (what alcohol “does” for us)
- Beliefs about society (what’s normal, social, fun)
- Beliefs about self (am I lovable, acceptable, fun without alcohol?)

Beliefs about the substance are often the easiest to shift once we understand how alcohol actually affects our brain and body.

Alcohol doesn’t truly relax us - it spikes dopamine briefly, then floods us with stress chemicals like cortisol, adrenaline, and dynorphin.

Our struggle with alcohol is not a moral failing or lack of willpower; it’s about biology, nervous system regulation, and learned coping.

Many of our traits and patterns are actually protective adaptations, not our “true personality.”

We didn’t make ourselves - family dynamics, culture, and marketing (like “drink responsibly”) all shape our shame and silence.

Shame keeps us alone, and when we’re lonely, we’re more likely to drink. Breaking the shame is part of healing.

Dopamine’s job is to make us seek; it shows us alcohol through “rose‑tinted glasses,” which keeps us chasing the “buzz.”

Starting with knowledge and awareness - then feelings - then behaviour is far more effective than trying to change behaviour with willpower alone.

My “third way” is about building a take‑it‑or‑leave‑it relationship with alcohol, grounded in self‑compassion, nervous system tools, and deeper understanding - not harsh rules.

👉The 3-Day End of Jan Alcohol Reset - Reconnect · Rewire · Rise
FREE - My Back to School Gift To You
27th-29th January 2026
Live on zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82540254435 or in Midlife AF Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1AmoBDBtzB/ or at 6 PM Melbourne - AEDT

To join live register here https://www.hoperisingcoaching.com/3-day-reset

Once registered you can access the replays, resources and work books in the RESET Hub link is here https://www.hoperisingcoaching.com/jan-3-day-reset-hub

👉The Link For the 30 Day Great Aussie Alcohol Experiment - Starting Monday Feb 2nd 2026 is: https://www.hoperisingcoaching.com/the_great_aussie_alcohol_experiment

Special RESET Discount Codes for the Feb 2nd edition of the 30 Day Great Aussie Alcohol Experiment - Live - Gives you $200 off the Upfront Price or $50 off each payment from the 4 * monthly Payment Plan instalments.

Full price with RESET discount is $797 (normally $997)

👉Discount Link open until End Of Play Friday 29th Jan:. Special link to get this price is: https://www.hoperisingcoaching.com/offers/CUotwFPz?coupon_code=RESET

Payment plan is $247 * 4 monthly payments (normally $297)

👉Discount Link open until End Of Play Friday 29th Jan.Special link to get this price is:: https://www.hoperisingcoaching.com/offers/NCHNReNL/checkout?coupon_code=RESETPP

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By Emma Gilmour