By Andy Ramage
4.7
1414 ratings
The podcast currently has 248 episodes available.
And you thought this was just a podcast about alcohol-free advantages!!
Here we are wrestling with the biggest questions of all. So, before we move on, thank you for being courageous enough to join me on this adventure to meaning and purpose. It is so rare that we take the time to reflect on these important questions.
Before we attempt to answer the BIG question, I will turn to one of my favourite mentors and researcher, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, and his genius book, ‘Flow: The Psychology of Happiness’.
Flow is a scientific concept for what athletes call being in the zone.
These are moments when time seems to disappear, the self dissolves into the activity and you become one with what you are doing.
Equally you can experience this sense of flow within any activity from gardening, to spending time with friends, writing, work, or on the sporting field. Also our life goals will often provide the feedback and structure to elicit the experience of a flow state.
Mihaly’s research found that flow states are incredible for our overall well-being. The more time in flow, the happier and healthier we become.
However, there is also something much bigger at play.
Imagine you found a goal big enough and challenging enough that enveloped your whole live.
A life mission or life project.
In essence, trying to reach this goal could bring flow to every element of your life. Even the mundane could be transformed into part of your overall goal.
Mihaly puts it like this:
“What this involves is turning all life into a unified flow experience. If a person sets out to achieve a difficult enough goal, from which all other goals logically follow, and if he or she invests all energy in developing skills to reach that goal, then actions and feelings will be in harmony, and the separate parts of life will fit together—and each activity will “make sense” in the present, as well as in view of the past and of the future. In such a way, it is possible to give meaning to one’s entire life.”
Yes, for most of us fortunate ones, we could all do a million things and have a million goals.
But what if you had just one super goal, and you put all your life energy into it?
This singular focus could turn your whole life into a meaningful experience.
Mihaly continues,
“In this sense the answer to the old riddle “What is the meaning of life?” turns out to be astonishingly simple. The meaning of life is meaning: whatever it is, wherever it comes from, a unified purpose is what gives meaning to life.”
Here is the major point - it does not matter what the goal is. This is not a goal-off who has the best goal competition.
The goal must matter to you and be big enough to fuel you with meaning for the rest of your days.
“The challenge might involve the desire to have the best beer-bottle collection in the neighbourhood, the resolution to find a cure for cancer, or simply the biological imperative to have children who will survive and prosper. As long as it provides clear objectives, clear rules for action, and a way to concentrate and become involved, any goal can serve to give meaning to a person’s life.”
So, for a bit of fun, here is your reflection:
Now we have the answer to the meaning of life!!
All you need to do is find your one BIG goal.
Don’t worry about the how-to - Take some time this week to try to answer this question:
What goal or goals could you think of that could be big enough to provide a life of flow?
Let me know how you get on.
After 50 years of searching, I found mine - Transform the world’s relationship with alcohol.
Your coach
Andy
If you want to potentially join Paul on my 6-month Diploma in Coaching & Alcohol-Free Performance Coaching, click here for more information.
This week, on The Alcohol-Free Advantage Podcast, I am joined by Paul Sculfor, one of the world's top male models—aka the Million-Dollar face!!
This is my favourite kind of story, one of inspiration and transformation.
Paul achieved extraordinary financial and global success, amassing fame and living the most glamorous lifestyle imaginable. Yet beneath the glittering exterior, something was wrong. He felt uninspired and unmotivated, and the cracks in his life soon became impossible to ignore, Alcohol was taking far more that it was giving!
With over 20 years of living Alcohol-Free, Paul shares some brilliant insights into the more subtle benefits of choosing a sober way of life.
We chat about: -
I left this conversation feeling connected to Paul’s journey of Living Alcohol-Free: how he’s rediscovered life’s simple joys, found and flourished in his career and purpose and dedicated himself to helping others through his charity, STRIDE while continuing to nurture his true, authentic self.
Join two mates in catching up about the 'limitless' advantages of living alcohol-free!
Let's Do this!
Your coach
Andy
.
Thank you for joining me on my weekly reflection.
My role is to distil the wisdom found in my favourite books, which has taken me years to find, into a few words so you can quickly absorb the major insights.
My dream is that these insights will make you feel happier, healthier, and lead to more meaning!
I love your feedback.
Please let me know what you think, and if you enjoy these reflections, please share.
Today’s reflection: How do we radiate joy?
Below is the opening paragraph of David Brook's The Second Mountain,
“Every once in a while, I meet a person who radiates joy. These are people who seem to glow with an inner light. They are kind, tranquil, delighted by small pleasures, and grateful for the large ones. These people are not perfect. They get exhausted and stressed. They make errors in judgment. But they live for others, and not for themselves. They’ve made unshakable commitments to family, a cause, a community, or a faith. They know why they were put on this earth and derive a deep satisfaction from doing what they have been called to do. Life isn’t easy for these people. They’ve taken on the burdens of others. But they have a serenity about them, a settled resolve. They are interested in you, make you feel cherished and known, and take delight in your good.”
Brooks paves the way to joy - It is not found in income or the material but in a commitment to a family, cause or faith.
Joy is found in the service of others, giving back and contributing.
Here are a few reflections for you to mull over:
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to live a life that radiates joy?
What are you committed to?
How could you give back?
What can you do today to give back?
If you find these reflections challenging, that in itself is a great reflection. Maybe this struggle is worth exploring in more depth.
Your coach,
Andy
PS—I am biased, but coaching is a commitment to an incredible cause of giving back and contributing. That’s why I see many coaches who radiate joy.
For this reason, I created the Andy Ramage Training Academy (ARTA) to guide a small group of people on their adventure to meaning.
If you want more meaning, check out this short workshop, ‘How to find your purpose through coaching, even if you are unsure what you have to offer.’ Click here to watch.
Who better to kick off the new season of the podcast but the ex Govt. chief drugs advisor. Prof David Nutt ~ Author of the highly acclaimed book, ‘DRINK,’ Founder and Chairman of ‘Drug Science,’
For 40 years, David has been at the forefront of scientific research into the harm that Alcohol causes to our bodies, minds and lives.
In this conversation, we discuss topics such as how the ‘highly sophisticated Alcohol Industry intentionally promotes disinformation’ through a culture of ‘creating confusion, fortifying stats and evidence, cultivating benefits and attacking other drugs to distract us!’
They talk about hangovers, the physical and emotional impacts, but also the financial ones - The UK loses close to £10.5 BILLION annually - because of alcohol!
Follow Prof David Nutt:
David Nutt Profile | Imperial College London
Drink?: The New Science of Alcohol and Your Health : Nutt, Professor David: Amazon.co.uk: Books
Sentia Spirits - 0% ABV, Alcohol Free Botanical Supplement
Summary
Sarah shares her journey of alcohol addiction and recovery, highlighting the societal pressures and beliefs that contribute to the cycle of drinking. She discusses the impact of alcohol on her physical and mental health, as well as her relationships. Sarah's decision to quit drinking led her to retrain as a health and wellness coach and a grey area drinking coach. Her story resonated with thousands of women, inspiring them to seek help and make positive changes in their own lives. Sarah Rusbatch shares her journey of quitting alcohol and how it has transformed her life. She emphasizes the importance of sharing our stories and how it can inspire and impact others. Sarah discusses her book, 'Beyond Booze,' which focuses on creating a fulfilling life without alcohol. She explores the physical and emotional aspects of quitting alcohol, including the role of neurotransmitters like GABA and serotonin. Sarah also addresses the challenges of being in a relationship where one partner still drinks and offers strategies for navigating those dynamics.
Keywords
alcohol addiction, recovery, societal pressures, beliefs, physical health, mental health, relationships, quitting drinking, health and wellness coach, grey area drinking coach, inspiring, alcohol, quitting, transformation, sharing stories, inspiration, impact, book, Beyond Booze, fulfilling life, physical health, emotional health, neurotransmitters, GABA, serotonin, relationships, challenges, strategies
Summary
Anneke shares her journey of giving up alcohol and how it led her to coaching. She discusses the importance of self-development and the positive changes she experienced, such as increased self-belief and confidence. Anneke also talks about her vision for her coaching practice, including incorporating practices like tarot reading and astrology. She envisions creating a retreat in Scotland where people can explore alcohol-free living and engage in various practices for personal growth.
Keywords
Alcohol-free, coaching, self-development, confidence, tarot reading, astrology, retreat
Takeaways
Social Links
Summary
In this podcast episode, Andy Ramage interviews Zena, a coach and HR system specialist, about her journey and the importance of coaching. Zena shares how she lost herself while working full-time and how a self-development program helped her rediscover her confidence and purpose. She also discusses the obstacles she faced, such as limiting beliefs, and how coaching helped her overcome them. Zena emphasizes the need for people to thrive in all aspects of their lives, not just survive, and highlights the power of visualization and solution-focused approaches in coaching. Her big dream is to have a successful private practice and help others find clarity and fulfillment in their careers and lives.
Takeaways
Social Links
Summary
Nigel Jones shares his alcohol-free journey and the transformation it brought to his life. He emphasizes the importance of setting daily goals and the power of walking and connecting with nature. Nigel discusses the freedom he experienced by breaking free from the chains of alcohol and how it inspired him to write the book 'Walking Back to Happiness.' He also explores the hero's journey and the role of coaching in personal development. Nigel highlights the significance of neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) in changing unconscious programs and beliefs. He encourages taking action and starting the alcohol-free adventure. Finally, Nigel discusses his work in promoting alcohol-free workplaces and his future plans.
Takeaways
Social Links
Summary
In this conversation, Andy Ramage and Rich Casement discuss the connection between alcohol-free living, clean break, and running. They explore the power of connection and the benefits of combining coaching with running. Rich shares his journey of creating Clean Break, an alcohol-free lifestyle brand, and the various pillars of the brand. They also emphasize the importance of self-care and personal growth for coaches. Overall, the conversation highlights the transformative effects of taking a break from alcohol and the positive impact it can have on one's life.
Takeaways
Social Links
The podcast currently has 248 episodes available.
2,568 Listeners
3,959 Listeners
248 Listeners
143 Listeners
92 Listeners
632 Listeners
192 Listeners
1,132 Listeners
170 Listeners
142 Listeners
126 Listeners
84 Listeners
352 Listeners
66 Listeners