Click here to watch the full interview with Carley on YouTube

In this raw and relatable conversation, I’m joined by one of my incredible clients, Carley — a driven healthcare professional, mom of two, and former daily drinker who once believed her only two choices were to either quit drinking forever or keep white-knuckling it with shame and regret.

Carley opens up about what her drinking looked like behind closed doors and the pressure she put on herself to “keep it together” — until it started to fall apart. She shares how overachieving, perfectionism, and people-pleasing became coping mechanisms, and how alcohol slowly crept in as her off-switch.

We talk about the moment she realized her mental math wasn’t working anymore, the emotional buildup that led her to finally book a discovery call, and what shifted when she heard someone say: “You don’t have to get sober. You just have to feel better.”

This is an incredibly powerful episode for anyone who has ever felt stuck between drinking too much and feeling like you can’t stop completely. Carley’s story is proof that emotional sobriety isn’t about rules — it’s about freedom.

What you’ll hear in Part 1:

• The hidden stressors that led Carley to overdrink (even as a healthcare worker who knew better)

• The fear of reaching out for help — and what made her finally do it

• The myth of “just try harder” and why it never works

• The exact moment she realized she didn’t have to choose between chaos and abstinence

 

Click here to BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL if you’re ready to fully commit to your personal growth and do the work to get emotionally sober. Side effects include an 80 percent reduction in drinking.

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—Do you want coaching from Colleen on a situation you’re struggling with? Click here to submit your question. Your name will not be mentioned on air!