In this episode, I sit down with Amanda Lockyer, an expert on supporting families and spouses of those struggling with addiction. Amanda shares her personal journey and insights on navigating the complexities of relationships affected by addiction. We discuss the challenges of enabling, setting boundaries, and prioritising self-care while supporting a loved one.

Key takeaways: 

Episode links & Resources

My Upcoming Coached Events & Programs:

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

I'm discussing the links between disappointment, people-pleasing behaviours, and alcohol use in midlife women. We'll explore concepts like unmet expectations, examining our beliefs and needs, and letting go of seeking external validation. I also share insights on cultural conditioning, trauma, and finding your authentic identity beyond societal pressures.

Episode Highlights Include:

Disappointment stems from unmet and unexpressed expectations

People pleasing behaviours are often trauma responses from childhood

Examining one's expectations is important for avoiding resentment

Radical acceptance and living in the present can help manage disappointment

Women often turn to alcohol as a substitute for validation and praise

Cultural conditioning impacts our constructed personalities

Traumatic experiences are common but often go unacknowledged

Working through trauma is necessary to find one's true self

Self-care and asking for help are important parts of well-being

Episode links & Resources

My Upcoming Coached Events & Programs:

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

In this episode, I discuss how trauma is held in the body and why somatic experiencing is so important for healing. I explore the relationship between trauma, the nervous system, and addiction. Listeners learn practical tools like breathwork and yoga to connect with their felt sense and regulate emotions.

Episode highlights include:

How trauma gets stored in the nervous system and impacts our "fight or flight" response

The link between highly sensitive people and addiction

Why resilience is more complex than society often portrays

Validating emotions through interoceptive awareness exercises

Releasing past hurts through somatic experiencing techniques like breathwork and yoga

Episode links & Resources

My Upcoming Coached Events & Programs:

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

Lindsay Beveridge shares her journey in overcoming alcohol addiction through studying nutrition and exploring mind-body practices like Kundalini yoga. We discuss how genetics, hormones and neurotransmitters impact mental health and addiction, and how to support recovery through lifestyle changes. Lindsay shares insights on perimenopause, meditation, and using modalities like yoga to manage trauma responses. 

Episode highlights include:

Lindsay's background in overcoming alcoholism and developing her recovery nutrition practice

The link between genetics, gut health, hormones and mental wellbeing

How alcohol affects neurotransmitters and anxiety levels

Non-traditional approaches to meditation for those with trauma histories

Kundalini yoga as a transformative practice for mental health recovery

Episode links & Resources

My Upcoming Coached Events & Programs:

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

This week's I'm discussing one of my fave topics - the myth of the "buzz" from drinking alcohol. We will explore how many of the commonly held beliefs about the positive effects of alcohol are actually untrue and examine why "the buzz" is something many people feel they will miss out on without drinking.

Episode highlights include

👉 The buzz is not actually a pleasant or desirable feeling, contrary to popular belief
👉 Drinking does not truly help with socializing, relaxing or having fun - it often has the opposite effect
👉 People may cling to drinking due to fears of rejection or not fitting in without it, but true friends will accept us regardless
👉 Stopping drinking is often about prioritising self-care and treating ourselves with kindness rather than worrying about what others think

Episode links & Resources

My Upcoming Coached Events & Programs:

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

I'm welcoming autism parent and author Kate Laine Toner to discuss her experiences raising an autistic child and discovering her own autism later in life. Kate shares insights from her book "Where Do I Start?" on navigating the emotional journey of autism parenting and prioritising self-care. You'll learn about finding support groups, special interests, and letting go of toxic influences to better care for neurodivergent children and oneself.

Highlights include:

Kate shares her personal autism journey and insights from her book guiding new parents

We discuss the importance of self-care for parents and autistic individuals alike

Kate emphasises trusting your gut if concerned about your child and not waiting for a diagnosis

Connecting with other parents through support groups is crucial for sharing resources and normalising experiences

Parents must help children find their "tribe" through shared interests to avoid feeling alienated

Let me show you how easy it can be to go from feeling tired, bloated, overwhelmed and slugglish to jubilantly full of beans and ready to take on the world with the 30 day Great Aussie Alcohol Experiment this May.

🤸‍♀️ The 30 Day Great Aussie Alcohol Experiment - LIVE! 3rd June - 3rd July 2024 - 7pm nightly (optional) 
https://www.hoperisingcoaching.com/the_great_aussie_alcohol_experiment 

🔗 RESOURCES
⭐ Learn more about Emma at: www.hoperisingcoaching.com 
⭐ Follow Emma on insta @hoperisingcoaching
⭐ Follow Kate on insta https://www.instagram.com/katelainetonerautism/ 
⭐ Find out more about Kate at https://bit.ly/m/katelainetonerautism 
Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/midlife-af-podcast/id1649673705 

In this BONUS episode I'm reflecting on my journey of self-discovery through taking breaks from alcohol and learning to embrace vulnerability. I'll share how affirmations, meditation, difficult conversations and community support have helped me to finally cultivate self-love and authentic relationships.

Episode Highlights:

Let me show you how easy it can be to go from feeling tired, bloated, overwhelmed and slugglish to jubilantly full of beans and ready to take on the world with my program of events leading up the the 30 day Great Aussie Alcohol Experiment this May.

🤸‍♀️ Drink Less, Feel Fabulous - 5 Day Reset - LIVE! 27th-31st May 7-8pm (AEST) https://www.hoperisingcoaching.com/reset

🤸‍♀️ The 30 Day Great Aussie Alcohol Experiment - LIVE! 3rd June - 3rd July 2024 - 7pm nightly (optional) 
https://www.hoperisingcoaching.com/the_great_aussie_alcohol_experiment 

🔗 RESOURCES
⭐ 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 

This week I chat with Victoria Vanstone from Drunk Mummy, Sober Mummy and Sober Awkward about the importance of storytelling in our alcohol-free lives. We discuss how sharing our stories helps others feel less alone and more empowered to make changes.

Episode highlights include:

Storytelling is a huge part of this work. Sharing our experiences helps normalizse conversations around moderation and sobriety.

Telling my story helped me process my journey and showed me how many others were desperate to hear stories outside of AA meetings or rock bottoms.

Consistently sharing our stories through good and bad keeps us accountable to our sobriety and empowers us to keep choosing ourselves.

Let me show you how easy it can be to go from feeling tired, bloated, overwhelmed and slugglish to jubilantly full of beans and ready to take on the world with my program of events leading up the the 30 day Great Aussie Alcohol Experiment this May.

🤸‍♀️ FREE Masterclass: Drink Less The Easy Way - 22nd May 7pm (AEST) https://www.hoperisingcoaching.com/masterclass

🤸‍♀️ Drink Less, Feel Fabulous - 5 Day Reset - LIVE! 27th-31st May 7-8pm (AEST) https://www.hoperisingcoaching.com/reset

🤸‍♀️ The 30 Day Great Aussie Alcohol Experiment - LIVE! 3rd June - 3rd July 2024 - 7pm nightly (optional) 
https://www.hoperisingcoaching.com/the_great_aussie_alcohol_experiment 

🔗 RESOURCES
⭐ 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 

For those new to my circle or new to the podcast, I'm sharing my personal journey of reducing and eventually stopping drinking. I open up about growing up neurodivergent and using alcohol to mask and fit in, and how examining my beliefs about alcohol led me to question my identity and relationship with myself. 

Episode Highlights:

Let me show you how easy it can be to go from feeling tired, bloated, overwhelmed and slugglish to jubilantly full of beans and ready to take on the world with my program of events leading up the the 30 day Great Aussie Alcohol Experiment this May.

🤸‍♀️ FREE Masterclass: Drink Less The Easy Way - 22nd May 7pm (AEST) https://www.hoperisingcoaching.com/masterclass

🤸‍♀️ Drink Less, Feel Fabulous - 5 Day Reset - LIVE! 27th-31st May 7-8pm (AEST) https://www.hoperisingcoaching.com/reset

🤸‍♀️ The 30 Day Great Aussie Alcohol Experiment - LIVE! 3rd June - 3rd July 2024 - 7pm nightly (optional) 
https://www.hoperisingcoaching.com/the_great_aussie_alcohol_experiment 

This week I'm exploring how to make positive changes in our lives without feeling deprived or struggling against resistance. I share my own journey with reducing alcohol consumption and the reframing that made all the difference for me. You will learn techniques I've used for addressing underlying beliefs and emotions that may have been hindering their own progress. I also discuss the importance of self-awareness, authenticity, and prioritising self-care in my personal growth journey. Some key insights I hope people take away are:

Reframing negative perceptions removed obstacles for me - it can do the same for others

I've found cravings are signals to understand myself more deeply

Integrating truth and accepting discomfort paved the way for effortless change in my life

Daily mindfulness practices like meditation support my regulation and reduce reliance on numbing behaviors

Non-judgmental self-compassion has been critical for me when "data points" occur along the way

Let me show you how easy it can be to go from feeling tired, bloated, overwhelmed and slugglish to jubilantly full of beans and ready to take on the world with my program of events leading up the the 30 day Great Aussie Alcohol Experiment this May.

🤸‍♀️ FREE Masterclass: Drink Less The Easy Way - 22nd May 7pm (AEST) https://www.hoperisingcoaching.com/masterclass

🤸‍♀️ Drink Less, Feel Fabulous - 5 Day Reset - LIVE! 27th-31st May 7-8pm (AEST) https://www.hoperisingcoaching.com/reset

🤸‍♀️ The 30 Day Great Aussie Alcohol Experiment - LIVE! 3rd June - 3rd July 2024 - 7pm nightly (optional) 
https://www.hoperisingcoaching.com/the_great_aussie_alcohol_experiment