When was the last time you felt fully present with someone you love?

Brian was known as “the happy hour guy” among friends and colleagues. But when his dad passed away at age 57, he began reflecting on his health and how he was living. As his mom’s health declined soon after, he chose to take a break from drinking to be more present with her. That pause led to surprising changes including better sleep, more energy, and improved health. He stayed fully present for his mom when it mattered most. Along the way, he found a version of life that simply felt better. In this episode, Brian joins Annie to discuss navigating two losses, the impact of alcohol on health and wellbeing, and why you don’t need to hit rock bottom to make a change.

In this episode, Annie and Brian will discuss:

- Drinking in high school and college to socialize

- Building a work and social life around happy hour

- Using alcohol to cope with boredom and loneliness

- Questioning his habits after losing his dad

- Noticing alcohol’s impact on health and energy

- Changing habits, regaining sleep, health and clarity

- Being fully present for his mom’s final years

- Grieving his mom without numbing the pain

- Finding deeper, more genuine connections

- Making healthier choices before hitting rock bottom

- Why curiosity, not willpower leads to lasting change

- Guiding others toward informed, empowered choices

- Overcoming the fears of changing alcohol habits

- Creating a happy, healthy, and purposeful life

- And other topics…

Related Episodes:

EP 262: Reader Question – How Do I Deal with Death and Grief Without Alcohol? https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-262-reader-question-grief-without-alcohol/ 

EP 308: Reader Question – What are the Health Benefits When You Stop Drinking? https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-308-reader-question-what-are-the-health-benefits-when-you-stop-drinking/ 

EP 362: Reader Question – Will I Ever Have Fun Without Drinking Alcohol? https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-362-reader-question-will-i-ever-have-fun-without-drinking-alcohol/ 

Ready to take the next step on your journey? 

Visit https://learn.thisnakedmind.com/podcast-resources for free resources, programs, and more. Until next week, stay curious!