Avery Schlereth never planned on getting sober — until alcohol stopped numbing her anxiety and started running her life.

In this New Year, New Me episode of Rise Above, Avery shares what sobriety really looks like beyond the first year. Not just quitting drinking, but learning how to live, heal, and evolve as a sober woman — one year at a time.

Year one was about survival. Getting sober in 2024 meant sitting with anxiety she had spent years trying to silence, learning how to exist without alcohol, and discovering a completely new way to move through the world.

Year two was where the real work began. Avery focused inward — getting comfortable with herself, addressing old wounds, rebuilding self-trust, and learning who she was without alcohol, chaos, or external validation.

Now heading into year three, Avery is operating on all cylinders. She’s applying everything she’s learned, revamping her business, and fully stepping into a new version of herself — grounded, confident, and intentional.

In this conversation, Avery opens up about drinking two bottles of wine a night, blacking out, hiding alcohol from loved ones, and why moderation never worked for her. She also shares the moment she realized she was living below her potential, how therapy and AA helped her rebuild from the inside out, and why sobriety didn’t take her life away — it gave her one back.

Today marks Avery’s two-year sober anniversary, and her story is a reminder that New Year, New Me isn’t a slogan — it’s a process of growth, honesty, and commitment.

If you’re entering a new year feeling anxious, stuck, or tired of telling yourself “I’ll start tomorrow,” this episode is for you.

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