Midlife AF Podcast

Progress Over Perfection: Bec's New Alcohol Free Journey

In this week's episode of Midlife AF, Emma welcomes Rebecca to join her behind the mic to share her powerful and relatable alcohol-free journey with the world.

After six years of living a completely alcohol-free life, Bec found herself craving the odd drink or two. And slowly but surely, alcohol started to get a bit of a hold again as she began to hide her drinking and feel the shame attached to it.

In this raw and honest insight into this challenging period, Bec shares what it has been like for her to find a new way of stopping drinking, and how important community has been in her journey towards gentle loving kindness and self compassion without judgement.

"Everybody knew I didn't drink, and I simply couldn't drink in front of anybody. It just wasn't an option. And so it had to be sneaky. And that sneaky element really frightened me."

In this episode, Emma and Bec explore:

You'll also learn why it's so important to focus on progress over perfection - the goal is to simply put more into the alcohol free bucket, so that eventually it tips. 

Resources:

Learn more about Emma Gilmour at: www.hoperisingcoaching.com

Follow Emma on insta @hoperisingcoaching

Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/midlife-af-podcast/id1649673705 

Roses Are Red, Violets Are Blue - This Valentine’s Day Will You Choose YOU?

Or

Choosing YOU This V-Day!

In this episode, Emma explores why taking a break from drinking and reducing alcohol consumption is the most radical act of self-care. She shares how the fear of being rejected, alone, and unloved can be present in people who drink, especially those with trauma in their backgrounds.

You’ll also discover how taking a break from drinking and taking care of oneself is an act of self-love and compassion, and is key to teaching children how to love and take care of themselves.

"Taking a break from or reducing your alcohol consumption is a radical act of self compassion and self love."

In this episode, Emma will help you to unpack:

Resources:

Learn more about Emma Gilmour at: www.hoperisingcoaching.com

Follow Emma on insta @hoperisingcoaching

Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/midlife-af-podcast/id1649673705 

The Journey Home: Ellie Crowe's Story of Reconnecting with Herself After Alcohol

With her primal need for connection and survival, Ellie Crowe was desperately seeking freedom from alcohol and a way to process her emotions, only to discover that the journey home to self is both terrifying and wondrous.

This week’s guest, Ellie Crowe is a This Naked Mind grey-area drinking coach and podcast host of Present and Sober. Ellie has been alcohol free since 2019 and is passionate about helping other moms reconnect with themselves and find freedom from alcohol.

In this episode, Ellie and Emma share:

"It's life-giving and I don't think there is any greater gift that you can give yourself than to be present to your life, the entirety of it."

Resources:

Learn more about Emma Gilmour at: www.hoperisingcoaching.com

Follow Emma on insta @hoperisingcoaching

Learn more about Ellie Crowe at: https://www.pumpupthepresent.com/

Listen to Ellie’s podcast ‘Present And Sober’: https://podcast.presentandsober.com/ 

Follow Ellie Crowe on insta @pumpupthepresent

Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/midlife-af-podcast/id1649673705 

The Buzz: Friend Or Foe?

This week we are talking about The Buzz - the reason people drink.

🦸‍♂️ The amazing Buzz. That super guy who comes in and makes everything warm and fluffy, takes us away from ourselves, stops the bloody chatter in our head, gives us an excuse to sit down, gives us that floaty light feeling, and enables us to be fun and funny...or does he?

Struggling with self-sacrifice and feeling the need to escape from myself, the 'Buzz' of alcohol quickly became a sinister allure. In this episode of Midlife AF, I'm going to share with you how "The Buzz" was one of the many catalysts that led me on a journey to rediscover self-love and connection.

I'll share with you how I found alcohol consumption to be an act of self-sacrifice and self-silencing that took me away my true self, as together we explore:

Resources:

Learn more about Emma at: www.hoperisingcoaching.com

Follow Emma on insta @hoperisingcoaching

Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/midlife-af-podcast/id1649673705 

Midlife AF Episode 16 - Coke & Cuddles AF!

This week I am talking to the wonderful Victoria Vanstone, who has been prominent in the Alcohol Free and sober-curious space for quite a few years.

In my eyes, she’s well and truly hit gold Celeb status, because when I stopped drinking in 2020 she was one of the very few people ‘out there’ in Australia who were speaking out and having a positive presence on alcohol free living.

To me, Victoria WAS that presence, and she has since grown an incredible community, a hugely successful blog, not to mention a podcast and two-book publishing deal to boot.

The ultimate sober gal with it all!

In this episode, we talk about social awkwardness, feeling the responsibility for everybody else's experience, as well as touching on the important topic of emotional sobriety.

You’ll also discover:

We also discuss the positive impact of having a sober community to simultaneously support and lean on as you embrace an alcohol-free life.

“Don't give a party girl a line of coke. Give her a cuddle”

Resources:

If you aren’t ready to stop drinking but want to make some positive steps to a healthier relationship or prepare for taking a break with alcohol download my FREE Awareness Worksheets: https://www.hoperisingcoaching.com/pl/2147565979

If you need a quick reset or you want to get to know me and my methodology a bit more before you take a plunge into a longer program the 5 Day Alcohol Reset Program could be what you are looking for check it out here: https://www.hoperisingcoaching.com/five-day-alcohol-reset-copy-1

Ready to hit the ‘stop’ button in 2023? Here is the link to my new self-paced, start when you are ready Aussie Alcohol Experiment.  If you can’t wait until March to join our ‘Live’ version of the Great Aussie Alcohol Experiment then here it is: https://www.hoperisingcoaching.com/aae

Learn more about Emma at: www.hoperisingcoaching.com

Follow Emma on insta @hoperisingcoaching

Learn more about Victoria at www.drunkmummysobermummy.com

Follow Victoria on insta @drunkmummysobermummy
Victoria’s podcast is called Sober Awkward

Join Victoria’s community at www.cuppa.community

Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/midlife-af-podcast/id1649673705

Midlife AF Episode 15 - The New Year AF Episode!

It’s officially 2023, so naturally in this episode I'm going to talk about what the New Year means for me, and what it can mean for you as you navigate all of the feelings that come with the unwrapping of a brand new calendar.

To me, the new year is about bringing self compassion to the front and centre of these new beginnings, which means we need to say ‘goodbye’ to some of the regular guests who may have been taking up rent-free space in our heads in 2022.

We’re saying goodbye to punishment.
We’re saying goodbye to restrictions.
We’re saying goodbye to changing who we are.

Instead, this episode will empower you to bring in the new year with a sense of abundance, as I’ll share:

I’ll also be sharing the most important questions you can ask yourself as we begin this new year together.

“What if there was nothing wrong with you? And what if you didn't need to change? What if you didn't need to punish yourself into anything?”

Resources:

If you aren’t ready to stop drinking but want to make some positive steps to a healthier relationship or prepare for taking a break with alcohol download my FREE Awareness Worksheets: https://www.hoperisingcoaching.com/pl/2147565979

If you need a quick reset or you want to get to know me and my methodology a bit more before you take a plunge into a longer program the 5 Day Alcohol Reset Program could be what you are looking for check it out here: https://www.hoperisingcoaching.com/five-day-alcohol-reset-copy-1

Ready to hit the ‘stop’ button in 2023? Here is the link to my new self-paced, start when you are ready Aussie Alcohol Experiment.  If you can’t wait until March to join our ‘Live’ version of the Great Aussie Alcohol Experiment then here it is: https://www.hoperisingcoaching.com/aae

Learn more about Emma at: www.hoperisingcoaching.com

Follow Emma on insta @hoperisingcoaching

Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/midlife-af-podcast/id1649673705 

Midlife AF - Ali’s Journey

On this week's episode of Midlife AF, I know you’re going to love meeting a very special guest, my client and dear friend Ali!

In this episode, Ali shares her own unique pathway towards living a happy, alcohol-free life which has seen many ups, downs and in-betweens. You’ll also discover:

Ali also shares what the alcohol and anxiety spiral looked like for her, and how her work and personal relationships have since changed.

“Change happens in an instant. It's the preparation for change that takes time.”

Join us, as Ali shares her inspiring journey while empowering you to continue learning, build your resilience muscle, and most importantly, to get ready for extraordinary change. 

Resources:

If you aren’t ready to stop drinking but want to make some positive steps to a healthier relationship or prepare for taking a break with alcohol download my FREE Awareness Worksheets: https://www.hoperisingcoaching.com/pl/2147565979

The NEW Aussie Alcohol Experiment is a self-paced version of the alcohol experiment featuring 30 videos and journaling prompts delivered over 30 days. Find out more here: https://www.hoperisingcoaching.com/aae

Learn more about Emma at: www.hoperisingcoaching.com

Follow Emma on insta @hoperisingcoaching

Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/midlife-af-podcast/id1649673705 

Midlife AF Episode 13 - And So This Is Christmas AF

This week I am talking about all things Christmas AF.

Or more specifically, together we will be exploring the expectations and pressure that we put on ourselves having been conditioned to be responsible for everybody else's experience.

It’s not your typical Christmas chit chat, so strap in for some self-love!

Christmas is tough in a world that's created to keep us all working hard and producing, but the good news is that THIS Christmas, you have a choice.

You have a choice to stay with yourself.
You have a choice to create a Christmas period where you get to breathe and have space.

You have a choice, and in this episode you will discover ways to nurture your precious self and essence as together we explore:

“The reason you drink more than you should, or you want more than you wanted to is because of the way it works chemically in your brain. It has nothing to do with you as a human being; no reflection on your morals; no reflection on your weakness or strength.”

Resources:

If you aren’t ready to stop drinking but want to make some positive steps to a healthier relationship or prepare for taking a break with alcohol download my FREE Awareness Worksheets: https://www.hoperisingcoaching.com/pl/2147565979

If you need a quick reset or you want to get to know me and my methodology a bit more before you take a plunge into a longer program the 5 Day Alcohol Reset Program could be what you are looking for check it out here: https://www.hoperisingcoaching.com/five-day-alcohol-reset-copy-1

Not ready to hit the stop button but wanting to after Christmas? Here is the link to my new self-paced, start when you are ready Aussie Alcohol Experiment.  If you can’t wait until March to join our ‘Live’ version of the Great Aussie Alcohol Experiment then here it is: https://www.hoperisingcoaching.com/aae

Learn more about Emma at: www.hoperisingcoaching.com

Follow Emma on insta @hoperisingcoaching

Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/midlife-af-podcast/id1649673705

Midlife AF Episode 12 - Giving Your Senses A Great Big Cuddle!

Once upon a time, there was NO WAY this week’s podcast guest could have imagined not drinking.

Sarah Connelly was stuck in a cycle of on-again off-again drinking, binge drinking, drinking alone and feeling shame, guilt and anxiety almost daily.

As a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) and someone with social anxiety, Sarah drank before she went out. She hated small talk, so she drank to fit in. She drank to numb and soothe her nervous system. She drank away her motivation and her potential.

She was in survival mode, living on a rollercoaster of drunken highs and regretful lows.

Sound familiar?

Then you are going to love this episode as (now 3-years-sober) Thrivalist and The Alcohol-Free lifestyle coach, Sarah Connelly shares her powerful story and gives an insight into the unique highs and lows of being a HSP.  Sarah will also help you unpack:

“Learning how to regulate the nervous system…whether you're HSP or not, is huge. Because we drink to change how we feel, and if we can get ourselves to that lovely calm state more regularly, then the urges to drink tend to be less intense.”

Join Emma Gilmour and Sarah Connelly as they take us on a deep dive into strategies to start rewriting what is okay and what is not okay not only at a personal level, but in a step to foster broader, positive societal change.

Resources:

If you aren’t ready to stop drinking but want to make some positive steps to a healthier relationship or prepare for taking a break with alcohol download my FREE Awareness Worksheets: https://www.hoperisingcoaching.com/pl/2147565979

If you need a quick reset or you want to get to know me and my methodology a bit more before you take a plunge into a longer program the 5 Day Alcohol Reset Program could be what you are looking for check it out here: https://www.hoperisingcoaching.com/five-day-alcohol-reset-copy-1

Learn more about Emma at: www.hoperisingcoaching.com

Follow Emma on insta @hoperisingcoaching

Learn more about Sarah at: www.sarahconnelly.com.au 

Join Sarah’s free Facebook community https://www.facebook.com/groups/tappedinaf 

Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/midlife-af-podcast/id1649673705

Show Notes - Midlife AF Episode 11 - Help - My Partner Still Drinks Without Me!

On this week's episode of Midlife AF, host Emma Gilmour is taking a look at what happens when we choose to be alcohol-free, but our partners and loved ones aren’t coming along for the ride.

What can you do - if anything - when those around you are drinking more than you think they should? Or if you have decided that you're going to live an alcohol free life, how does that work when your long term partner has not?

In this episode, Emma will gently help you to unpack:

Emma also generously shares an insight into her own relationship, and ways that she is working on her marriage now.

“Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” - Viktor Frankl

Join us, as Emma takes you on a journey and shares her own experiences into navigating an alcohol-free life alongside friends and loved ones who haven’t made the choice to find their groove without booze.

Resources:

If you aren’t ready to stop drinking but want to make some positive steps to a healthier relationship or prepare for taking a break with alcohol download my FREE Awareness Worksheets: https://www.hoperisingcoaching.com/pl/2147565979

If you need a quick reset or you want to get to know me and my methodology a bit more before you take a plunge into a longer program the 5 Day Alcohol Reset Program could be what you are looking for check it out here: https://www.hoperisingcoaching.com/five-day-alcohol-reset-copy-1

If you require support or emergency help regarding domestic violence or abuse, call these recommended hotlines: https://www.whiteribbon.org.au/Find-Help/Help-Lines 

Learn more about Emma at: www.hoperisingcoaching.com

Follow Emma on insta @hoperisingcoaching

Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/midlife-af-podcast/id1649673705