Ordinary coaches hang out on Zoom. Trailblazers? They get in the room.

I’ll never stop believing this: the most life-changing transformations, wildest epiphanies, and deepest connections don’t happen online. They happen face-to-face. It’s why my signature Empowered AF 5X Coach Certification Program  incorporates an in-person retreat.

In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on how I brought together the most incredible alcohol-free leaders to this certification retreat in Palm Springs and helped them transform into 6-figure business owners.

The 5X retreat is always an emotional weekend for me. It’s when I finally get to hug everyone in person and create a magical, shared experience, complete with sound baths, meditation, spontaneous jumps into the pool with our clothes on, and our “Come as You’ll Be” party where we embody our five-year future selves.

Our retreats draw leaders from ALL over the world (UK, Germany, South Africa, even Bali!) and this special weekend becomes the anchor that fuels their mindset and soul-level conviction long after they fly home.

If you want to be part of this special sisterhood and step into your own transformation, jump into the next round of the certification program. I hope to meet you at the next retreat in Dana Point. 

IN THIS EPISODE:

• Why in-person retreats (not endless Zoom calls!) — are what I SWEAR by for transformational breakthroughs and launching 6-figure coaching businesses
• Behind the scenes at these retreats: exclusive pool parties, soul-anchoring rituals like the “Come As You’ll Be” party, and the infamous red bracelet manifestation ritual
• Why an epic vision (not “safe” baby steps!) is essential if you want to become a sought-after thought leader
• Why alcohol-free living is only going to get bigger as time goes on, with 50% of Americans now saying they want to drink less or not at all

LINKS/RESOURCES MENTIONED

If you know you’re meant to help other people change their relationship with alcohol and achieve deep healing (along with their bigger dreams), apply for the Empowered AF 5X Coach Certification Program – and get 5x certified as a world class alcohol-free coach, mindset coach, success coach, NLP practitioner, and hypnosis practitioner.

Awarded the most empowering book in the sober curious genre, be sure to get your copy of Euphoric: Ditch Alcohol and Gain a Happier, More Confident You today and leave your review. 

Follow @euphoric.af on Instagram. And as always, rate, review, and subscribe so we can continue spreading our message far and wide.

Why do some coaches fill their programs in a month, while others hustle and grind with nothing to show for it? Cailen Ascher has a gift of helping coaches simplify their offers and start making real sales, WITHOUT burning out or chasing algorithms. I first met her when she was a student in my Become Euphoric program, and later, she became one of my business mentors.

In this episode, Cailen is sharing six of her best brand building secrets, including what strategies are completely outdated, the art of “borrowing audiences,” how to leverage social media without it taking over your life, and the magical effect of being pleasantly persistent.

If you’re tired of doing ALL the things, Cailen’s immensely helpful advice will show you a better way to fill your coaching programs and make an even bigger impact.

P.S. Apply now for the Empowered AF 5X Coach Certification Program and learn how to turn your alcohol-free journey into a movement that changes lives.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• Why “borrowing audiences” through collaborations, guest spots, and speaking gigs is the not-so-hidden shortcut to attracting clients, FAST
• How starting small (think: a ‘room’ of 50 people) can spark real human connections and why nurturing relationships always beats chasing vanity metrics
• Cailen’s story of going alcohol-free while already a successful entrepreneur and how this supercharged her clarity and expanded her vision
• The “pleasantly persistent” method that transforms strangers into clients, collaborators, and lifelong supporters

LINKS/RESOURCES MENTIONED

Listen to Episode 63: You Can Have the Life You Want with Cailen Ascher

Visit Cailen’s website and check out her free training on how to build a scalable coaching business.

If you know you’re meant to help other people change their relationship with alcohol and achieve deep healing (along with their bigger dreams), apply for the Empowered AF 5X Coach Certification Program – and get 5x certified as a world class alcohol-free coach, mindset coach, success coach, NLP practitioner, and hypnosis practitioner.

Awarded the most empowering book in the sober curious genre, be sure to get your copy of Euphoric: Ditch Alcohol and Gain a Happier, More Confident You today and leave your review. 

Follow @euphoric.af on Instagram. And as always, rate, review, and subscribe so we can continue spreading our message far and wide.

Let’s bust the myth that sophistication and wine are synonymous.

For years, Natalie Halt was a sommelier with a deep passion and professional stake in wine. But behind the polished image came blackouts, burnout, and a deep longing for something more. Her shift to spiritual alcohol-free leader and 5X Certified Coach is proof that the answer to fulfillment isn’t moderation: it’s unlocking a deeper purpose, celebrating small rituals, and finding meaning beyond the glass.

Natalie is a renaissance woman who has done so much in her life, and in this episode, she shares her extraordinary story as well as her enormous identity shift which inspired the launch of her program Sacred Rebellion, for women who want more than alcohol can offer. She’ll also reveal how she navigates ADHD and motherhood, and why she decided to become a leader in this space.

This is something I preach often: by the time you’re 8 weeks alcohol-free, why not turn into the teacher and become the leader you were always meant to be?

Apply now for the Empowered AF 5X Coach Certification Program and learn how to turn your journey into a movement that changes lives.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• Natalie's wild ride from professional sommelier (where swirling, sniffing, and sipping was an identity), to alcohol-free revolutionary pioneering Switzerland’s sober movement
• The myths and realities of “sophisticated” drinking and the eye-opening truth about moderation
• How Natalie’s journey through ADHD, motherhood, athletic setbacks, and career pivots led her to embrace spirituality, ritual, and sacred rebellion
• The surprising power in becoming the teacher (not just the student), which can better fuel personal growth and spark change in others
• Inside the “witchy, alcohol-free” space Natalie’s carving out with Sacred Rebellion: think full moon rituals, sacred movement, hypnosis, and storytelling as medicine

LINKS/RESOURCES MENTIONED

Visit nataliehalt.com, follow her on Instagram, and join the Sacred Rebellion: The Method, a 12-week program that starts September 15.

If you know you’re meant to help other people change their relationship with alcohol and achieve deep healing (along with their bigger dreams), apply for the Empowered AF 5X Coach Certification Program – and get 5x certified as a world class alcohol-free coach, mindset coach, success coach, NLP practitioner, and hypnosis practitioner.

Awarded the most empowering book in the sober curious genre, be sure to get your copy of Euphoric: Ditch Alcohol and Gain a Happier, More Confident You today and leave your review. 

Follow @euphoric.af on Instagram. And as always, rate, review, and subscribe so we can continue spreading our message far and wide.

Ever felt the sting of an identity shift, like when a lifelong pursuit suddenly ends, leaving you wondering what’s next?

For Anne Skriba, basketball was everything. But when she quit athletics for a “secure” sales job, the loss of structure, routine, and identity careened her into a harmful relationship with alcohol. 

I’ve heard this story so many times: when we stop doing the thing we love, the thing that once defined us, we start to lose pieces of ourselves. Without that passion to anchor you, it’s easy to drift into numbing habits.

Fast forward to today, Anne is the founder of Clean Play Coaching, host of the Clean Play Podcast, and a 5X Certified Coach. Before recording this interview, Anne celebrated ONE THOUSAND DAYS alcohol-free. To say this shift has changed her life is an understatement.

In this episode, Anne talks about transforming that former athletic identity into a winning mindset and the pivotal moment that shifted her relationship with alcohol that will blow your mind.

If you want to help others change their lives too, apply for the Empowered AF 5X Coach Certification Program by August 31 to get $1,000 off your tuition.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• Anne’s raw journey from college athlete and coach, and how the void left by sports led to a complicated relationship with alcohol
• Why so many former athletes (and ambitious strivers) lose themselves after “retiring” from their greatest passion, and how reclaiming a winning mindset is possible at any age
• Anne’s therapist’s powerful question that sparked her thousand-day (and counting) alcohol-free lifestyle and a complete personal reinvention
• Why opting out of alcohol is the ultimate act of courage and athletic-level grit, and how Anne empowers marginalized and underrepresented communities to join the movement

LINKS/RESOURCES MENTIONED

Check out the Clean Play Podcast, visit Anne’s website, check out her free Inner Mamba guide, her free scouting report, and the book she mentions in this episode, Quit Like a Woman by Holly Whitaker.

If you know you’re meant to help other people change their relationship with alcohol and achieve deep healing (along with their bigger dreams), apply for the Empowered AF 5X Coach Certification Program – and get 5x certified as a world class alcohol-free coach, mindset coach, success coach, NLP practitioner, and hypnosis practitioner. Apply NOW for the early bird special and get $1,000 off your tuition.

Awarded the most empowering book in the sober curious genre, be sure to get your copy of Euphoric: Ditch Alcohol and Gain a Happier, More Confident You today and leave your review. 

Follow @euphoric.af on Instagram. And as always, rate, review, and subscribe so we can continue spreading our message far and wide.

What happens when you take your wellness to a whole new level at a Polish health clinic, following rituals straight out of old-world Europe? Let’s just say it involved a vegetable-only cleanse, 3x a day water massages, and more parsley than you can possibly imagine.

It was an intense but unforgettable reset, and I could only do it because of the life and business I’ve built. For 10 years, my husband and I worked 9-5 jobs that limited our ability to travel. Now, the freedom to say yes to these kinds of adventures is so fulfilling.

In this episode, you’ll hear every detail of this beautiful opportunity – why we signed up in support of our fertility journey, our daily meals and activities (including water aerobics and hyperbaric oxygen chambers!), and the rest of our summer travels in Europe, from the Thought Leader Mastermind in Paris to incredible adventures in Italy and Slovenia.

If you’re ready to make your dreams happen too, apply for the Empowered AF 5X Coach Certification Program before August 31st to save $1,000 off your tuition!

IN THIS EPISODE:

• How a week of vegetable-only cleanses, mud treatments, daily saunas, water aerobics, and hyperbaric oxygen chambers helped my husband and I reset
• The Old World spa culture of Europe, and why I think this centuries-old wisdom is due for a comeback, especially in the United States
• The science behind these ancient traditions, which are supposed to help with fertility, regulation of chronic illness, and spark cell renewal
• Behind the scenes of my 4th summer in Europe: the details about the places we went, the oceans we swam in, and how we are able to create this life of freedom and travel together

LINKS/RESOURCES MENTIONED

Listen to Episode 262: “How I Retired My Husband and 3 Things We Did to Make It Happen.”

If you know you’re meant to help other people change their relationship with alcohol and achieve deep healing (along with their bigger dreams), apply for the Empowered AF 5X Coach Certification Program – and get 5x certified as a world class alcohol-free coach, mindset coach, success coach, NLP practitioner, and hypnosis practitioner. Apply NOW for the early bird special and get $1,000 off your tuition.

Awarded the most empowering book in the sober curious genre, be sure to get your copy of Euphoric: Ditch Alcohol and Gain a Happier, More Confident You today and leave your review. 

Follow @euphoric.af on Instagram. And as always, rate, review, and subscribe so we can continue spreading our message far and wide.

Ever find yourself hustling hard, checking all the right boxes, and still feeling unfulfilled?

Sarah Harris’s life seemed picture-perfect on paper: two advanced degrees, a family, and a high-paying 9-to-5 – but ditching alcohol in her 30’s cracked her wide open to the truth that alignment was missing.

In this episode, Sarah shares the story of her spiritual awakening and her journey to becoming an NLP practitioner, human design expert, alcohol-free empowerment coach, and success coach, helping women unlock their authentic blueprint, align with their higher purpose, and create a life that feels fulfilled AF.

We dive into why 30% of the population is actually NOT built for the traditional 9-to-5, the myths we’ve been fed about hard work, and how to work with your energy instead of grinding against it. It is such a juicy conversation.

Sarah is also an alum of the Empowered AF 5X Coach Certification Program and her transformation is proof of what’s possible. Want to be next? Applications are open NOW for our fall cohort.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• The hard truth about hustle culture, and how misalignment with your true energy type could be draining your soul (and your spark!)
• How Sarah’s decision to ditch alcohol at 39 didn’t just supercharge her intuition - it was the domino that toppled her entire “picture perfect” life and ignited her purpose
• The five Human Design types demystified: what each type really means for your work, energy, and your pathway to deep fulfillment
• Why “hard work = more abundance” is deeply outdated, and how to break free from beliefs that keep you stuck in someone else’s dream

LINKS/RESOURCES MENTIONED

Follow Sarah on Instagram and visit her website, where you’ll find a weekly newsletter and all kinds of fun freebies.

If you know you’re meant to help other people change their relationship with alcohol and achieve deep healing (along with their bigger dreams), apply for the Empowered AF 5X Coach Certification Program – and get 5x certified as a world class alcohol-free coach. Applications are now open.

Awarded the most empowering book in the sober curious genre, be sure to get your copy of Euphoric: Ditch Alcohol and Gain a Happier, More Confident You today and leave your review. 

Follow @euphoric.af on Instagram. And as always, rate, review, and subscribe so we can continue spreading our message far and wide.

One year after Monica Hardy went alcohol-free, she left a 25-year corporate career to launch Lux Powerhouse Coaching and Consulting – a thriving business with international retreats, high-ticket clients, and a mission to empower purpose-driven leaders.

In this episode, Monica shares how she went from employee to empowered CEO, and the EXACT steps that helped her rise fast: finding the right mentors, investing in herself, and taking bold action, even when fear crept in.

Monica’s story is proof that you already have everything you need, but when you remove alcohol, get the right support, and bet on yourself? That’s when the magic happens.

I’m humbled to be a part of Monica’s story. One of the bigger reasons she’s able to create this movement and dream company? After reading my book and listening to Euphoric the Podcast, she attended one of my retreats and enrolled in my Empowered AF 5X Coach Certification Program.

Want to be next? Applications are open NOW for our fall cohort. 

IN THIS EPISODE:

• How Monica shattered self-doubt, transformed burnout, and built a business from her lived wisdom, all while turning her personal story into her greatest asset
• Why in-person retreats are the next frontier for changemakers, plus Monica’s behind-the-scenes account of selling out her first New Orleans retreat
• Monica’s advice for high-achieving women, and why, by leaning into our own strengths and our own story, we already have what it takes to make massive impact
• A look at Monica’s rapid growth, which soared with the right support, mindset, and coaching

LINKS/RESOURCES MENTIONED

Follow Monica on her website, luxpowerhouse.com, follow her on Instagram, and check out the CliftonStrengths online talent assessment Monica mentioned in this episode.

There are FOUR spots left to join Monica on her Bold Visionary Retreat September 30th - October 3rd in Spain! Learn more here.

If you know you’re meant to help other people change their relationship with alcohol and achieve deep healing (along with their bigger dreams), apply for the Empowered AF 5X Coach Certification Program – and get 5x certified as a world class alcohol-free coach. Applications are now open.

Awarded the most empowering book in the sober curious genre, be sure to get your copy of Euphoric: Ditch Alcohol and Gain a Happier, More Confident You today and leave your review. 

Follow @euphoric.af on Instagram. And as always, rate, review, and subscribe so we can continue spreading our message far and wide.

Forget the tired “vacation = cocktails” script. Travel can be so much more exhilarating, especially when you’re clear-headed, confident, and fully present. In this episode, I’m sharing my 12 favorite travel hacks that make exploring the world as a non-drinker absolutely liberating and so pampering. 

As you probably know by now, culture is my lifeblood, and I travel a LOT. I love seeing the world, meeting new people, trying new food, and swimming in new waters. 

Some of my travel hacks are beneficial no matter who you are (like how to lean into credit card benefits and breeze through airport security!) while others are especially good to know as a nondrinker (for example, learning how to ask for non-alcoholic drinks in the local language).

I used to sit by the pool with a drink in hand, never leaving the resort. Now? I think of travel very differently, chasing adventures where I can be active and present, from hiking to snorkeling to exploring ancient ruins.

These hacks will change the way you plan your next trip. Get ready to travel lighter, braver, and way more alive.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• How learning a few words in the local language opens up a vibrant world of alcohol-free drinks (mocktails, mineral water, juices, and more!) that you’d never spot on the menu
• Leveling up your jet-setting, from hacking credit card points for nearly free flights and resorts to breezing past airport lines 
• Planning trips around wellness, adventure, and self-care, and why ditching the drink helps you discover new cultural, physical, and foodie experiences
• The exact things I look for in Airbnbs and hotels (including hidden gems!), and how airport lounges, hydration, and supplements help me feel amazing on the road

LINKS/RESOURCES MENTIONED

Check out Episode 229: Have the Best Alcohol-Free Summer Ever, Episode 188: Following Our Passions, Traveling the World, and How I’m Living the Life I Used to Dream Of, and Episode 135: Moving to Europe for the Summer - How I Made It Happen for more travel inspired episodes.

Awarded the most empowering book in the sober curious genre, be sure to get your copy of Euphoric: Ditch Alcohol and Gain a Happier, More Confident You today and leave your review. 

Follow @euphoric.af on Instagram. And as always, rate, review, and subscribe so we can continue spreading our message far and wide.

Stephanie Swail started her journey as a solo backpacker in South America to become a mentor to countless multi-6 and 7-figure success stories through the power of high-level selling. 

Learn how she built a freedom-based empire from the ground up—as she mentors multi-6 and 7-figure leaders in building empires that generate tidal waves of impact and wealth with high-ticket, high-impact offers—and without alcohol in the picture. 

I first joined Stephanie on a Brazilian retreat she was hosting, and it didn’t take long for me to know she was the coach for me. Working with her has been such a wild ride. Stephanie truly reminds you of your POWER and does not let you live in your insecurities, doubts, or fears.

Her journey is also a story of fierce self-trust: packing her bags at 23, setting out solo for South America, and eventually making Brazil her home. Stephanie offers empowering advice about serving first and reminds us that real success is found in the impact made, not just the money earned. 

If you’re a coach, entrepreneur, or high-achiever ready to stop second-guessing your power and start embodying it… this one will leave you lit up, expanded, and spellbound.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• Stephanie’s unconventional path to coaching, traveling around South America as a 23-year-old college grad, and the spiritual awakening she had in Peru
• What most people get wrong about high-level selling—and how to attract premium clients with integrity and ease
• Insights into the electric, heart-centered culture of Brazil, and how living outside your comfort zone elevates your entrepreneurial game
• How serving first, trusting your unique gifts, and relentless relationship-building are the rocket fuel for building a freedom-based empire (even if you’re just starting out)
• Stephanie’s insights in the 5x Certification 

LINKS/RESOURCES MENTIONED

Follow Stephanie on Instagram and visit her website.

Awarded the most empowering book in the sober curious genre, be sure to get your copy of Euphoric: Ditch Alcohol and Gain a Happier, More Confident You today and leave your review. 

Follow @euphoric.af on Instagram. And as always, rate, review, and subscribe so we can continue spreading our message far and wide.

Alcohol is draining more than your energy: it’s also draining your potential and your revenue.

Today’s guest James Swanwick breaks it down like this: If you’re making $1 million a year… but only operating at 60%, how much are you actually leaving on the table? 

James is an alcohol-free trailblazer, entrepreneur, and author of the new book, CLEAR. He’s living proof that ditching alcohol is the ultimate power move for high achievers, espousing the philosophy that successful people do not drink.

In our conversation, he talks about the decision to go alcohol-free 15 years ago, which at the time, had serious stigma attached to it. We also discuss the tidal wave of change happening, from sober raves to the fact that Gen Z is drinking less than ANY previous generation.

If you’re curious what really separates breakthrough performers from the rest, this episode is a must-listen. Will you be one of the leaders who chooses the alcohol-free edge?

IN THIS EPISODE:

• How James went from feeling “blah” and “mediocre” as a Hollywood journalist drinking nightly to an entrepreneur and ESPN anchor via a 30-day break from alcohol
• Eye-opening stories of high achievers James has worked with who went alcohol-free: one man saved a child’s life, another sailed the ocean for his late wife 
• The REAL cost of drinking for entrepreneurs: how “just one drink a night” can literally be draining you of hundreds of thousands of dollars in opportunities, focus, and legacy
• The “tidal wave” alcohol-free revolution we’re heading toward, led by Gen Z, from sunrise sober raves to new cancer warning labels
• Powerful people who don’t drink, from JLo to Warren Buffet, and reframing ditching alcohol as the gateway to fulfillment, peak performance, and genuine joy

LINKS/RESOURCES MENTIONED

Read James Swanwick’s new book, CLEAR: The Only Neuroscience-Based Method for High Achievers to Quit Drinking Without Willpower, Rehab or AA.

Visit James’s website, follow him on Instagram, and read the books he recommended, including Outwitting the Devil and Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill.

Awarded the most empowering book in the sober curious genre, be sure to get your copy of Euphoric: Ditch Alcohol and Gain a Happier, More Confident You today and leave your review.

Follow @euphoric.af on Instagram. And as always, rate, review, and subscribe so we can continue spreading our message far and wide.