This week we have one of Shaz's AF day ones on the podcast, we're welcoming the fantastic Andy Garwood back on to Over The Influence!

Andy is an Alcohol Support Coach and he's here to spread the good word that it is never too late in the day to make a positive change in your life. If you'd have told him in 2018 what the Andy of 2025 is achieving, he would have never believed you.

Andy is a fellow believer that the key to strength in sobriety is through connecting with others and having a great pride in what you're all achieving together.

It's always great to have Andy on the pod and we're sure you'll leave this episode pumped and ready or another AF week. If you'd like to keep up with Andy, you can visit his website andygarwood.com.

---

Of course, you can always get in touch with us (publicly or privately) on our socials - @alcoholfreepod on Instagram, or search for "Over The Influence" on Facebook.

We'd love to hear your story - please get in touch with us directly at [email protected] or go to our website, www.overtheinfluence.co.uk

---

If you love OTI and you'd like to hear behind the curtain, subscribe to the OTI Premium Podcast now!

---

For links to alcohol-related support services, please visit our website.

---

All views expressed in this podcast are of the participants themselves, and not necessarily those of Over The Influence (OTI) Ltd. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this podcast is done at your own risk. We are not medical professionals but normal people giving their own experiences of removing alcohol from their lives, and as such this podcast should not be considered professional advice. If you are dependent on alcohol, or think you may be, we strongly recommend that you seek professional medical advice.

---

We found hashtags and sober social media accounts really helpful in our early days alcohol free, as following them can help to reinforce that you are not alone! These are some of the hashtags we've followed:

#alcoholfree #stopdrinking #healthandwellnessjourney #zeroalcohol #idontdrink #sobercurious #healthydrinking #alcoholfreelife #soberaf #alcoholfreeliving #sobermotivation #podcast #healthpodcast #noalcohol #nobooze #sober #sobercurious #soberlofe #soberliving #sobercommunity #afcommunity #soberwomen #sobermom #sobermomtribe #sobersisters #sobriety #soberuk #soberjourney #sobrietyrocks #overtheinfluence #oti

---

Of course, you can always get in touch with us (publicly or privately) on our socials - @alcoholfreepod on Instagram, or search for "Over The Influence" on Facebook.

We'd love to hear your story - please get in touch with us directly at [email protected] or go to our website, www.overtheinfluence.co.uk

---

If you love OTI and you'd like to hear behind the curtain, subscribe to the OTI Premium Podcast now!

---

For links to alcohol-related support services, please visit our website.

---

All views expressed in this podcast are of the participants themselves, and not necessarily those of Over The Influence (OTI) Ltd. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this podcast is done at your own risk. We are not medical professionals but normal people giving their own experiences of removing alcohol from their lives, and as such this podcast should not be considered professional advice. If you are dependent on alcohol, or think you may be, we strongly recommend that you seek professional medical advice.

---

We found hashtags and sober social media accounts really helpful in our early days alcohol free, as following them can help to reinforce that you are not alone! These are some of the hashtags we've followed:

#alcoholfree #stopdrinking #healthandwellnessjourney #zeroalcohol #idontdrink #sobercurious #healthydrinking #alcoholfreelife #soberaf #alcoholfreeliving #sobermotivation #podcast #healthpodcast #noalcohol #nobooze #sober #sobercurious #soberlofe #soberliving #sobercommunity #afcommunity #soberwomen #sobermom #sobermomtribe #sobersisters #sobriety #soberuk #soberjourney #sobrietyrocks #overtheinfluence #oti

This week we have the wonderful James Gwinett on the pod!

James is nine years alcohol free this year and we think it's safe to say he's definitely made the most of his sobriety.

In his twenties, James was a semi-professional rugby player until he sustained a serious neck injury at 29. Realising that this had ended his rugby career, he fell into a depression which pushed his drinking into a place where he eventually felt like enough was enough and he had to change his life.

He's now an author, his book 'Ready, Set, Life: A Story Of Redemption And The Lessons Learned' came out last year but even more importantly than that, he's also a Dad!

Well it was lovely having James on the pod, he's a really inspiring guy and we know you're going to love listening to his episode with us. You can keep up with James on his Instagram.

---

Of course, you can always get in touch with us (publicly or privately) on our socials - @alcoholfreepod on Instagram, or search for "Over The Influence" on Facebook.

We'd love to hear your story - please get in touch with us directly at [email protected] or go to our website, www.overtheinfluence.co.uk

---

If you love OTI and you'd like to hear behind the curtain, subscribe to the OTI Premium Podcast now!

---

For links to alcohol-related support services, please visit our website.

---

All views expressed in this podcast are of the participants themselves, and not necessarily those of Over The Influence (OTI) Ltd. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this podcast is done at your own risk. We are not medical professionals but normal people giving their own experiences of removing alcohol from their lives, and as such this podcast should not be considered professional advice. If you are dependent on alcohol, or think you may be, we strongly recommend that you seek professional medical advice.

---

We found hashtags and sober social media accounts really helpful in our early days alcohol free, as following them can help to reinforce that you are not alone! These are some of the hashtags we've followed:

#alcoholfree #stopdrinking #healthandwellnessjourney #zeroalcohol #idontdrink #sobercurious #healthydrinking #alcoholfreelife #soberaf #alcoholfreeliving #sobermotivation #podcast #healthpodcast #noalcohol #nobooze #sober #sobercurious #soberlofe #soberliving #sobercommunity #afcommunity #soberwomen #sobermom #sobermomtribe #sobersisters #sobriety #soberuk #soberjourney #sobrietyrocks #overtheinfluence #oti

---

Of course, you can always get in touch with us (publicly or privately) on our socials - @alcoholfreepod on Instagram, or search for "Over The Influence" on Facebook.

We'd love to hear your story - please get in touch with us directly at [email protected] or go to our website, www.overtheinfluence.co.uk

---

If you love OTI and you'd like to hear behind the curtain, subscribe to the OTI Premium Podcast now!

---

For links to alcohol-related support services, please visit our website.

---

All views expressed in this podcast are of the participants themselves, and not necessarily those of Over The Influence (OTI) Ltd. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this podcast is done at your own risk. We are not medical professionals but normal people giving their own experiences of removing alcohol from their lives, and as such this podcast should not be considered professional advice. If you are dependent on alcohol, or think you may be, we strongly recommend that you seek professional medical advice.

---

We found hashtags and sober social media accounts really helpful in our early days alcohol free, as following them can help to reinforce that you are not alone! These are some of the hashtags we've followed:

#alcoholfree #stopdrinking #healthandwellnessjourney #zeroalcohol #idontdrink #sobercurious #healthydrinking #alcoholfreelife #soberaf #alcoholfreeliving #sobermotivation #podcast #healthpodcast #noalcohol #nobooze #sober #sobercurious #soberlofe #soberliving #sobercommunity #afcommunity #soberwomen #sobermom #sobermomtribe #sobersisters #sobriety #soberuk #soberjourney #sobrietyrocks #overtheinfluence #oti

This week on Over The Influence we have the wonderful and wise Hamza Najam on the podcast!

Hamza is nearly five years alcohol free and is now a breathwork and sobriety coach based in Canada.

After attempting to quit alcohol following a worrying experience, Hamza tried again during the Covid lockdown with a renewed mentality and a long term strategy for how to be sober for good.

It was a pleasure having Hamza on the show and you can keep up to date with him on Instagram @hamzanajam.sobrietycoaching

---

Of course, you can always get in touch with us (publicly or privately) on our socials - @alcoholfreepod on Instagram, or search for "Over The Influence" on Facebook.

We'd love to hear your story - please get in touch with us directly at [email protected] or go to our website, www.overtheinfluence.co.uk

---

If you love OTI and you'd like to hear behind the curtain, subscribe to the OTI Premium Podcast now!

---

For links to alcohol-related support services, please visit our website.

---

All views expressed in this podcast are of the participants themselves, and not necessarily those of Over The Influence (OTI) Ltd. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this podcast is done at your own risk. We are not medical professionals but normal people giving their own experiences of removing alcohol from their lives, and as such this podcast should not be considered professional advice. If you are dependent on alcohol, or think you may be, we strongly recommend that you seek professional medical advice.

---

We found hashtags and sober social media accounts really helpful in our early days alcohol free, as following them can help to reinforce that you are not alone! These are some of the hashtags we've followed:

#alcoholfree #stopdrinking #healthandwellnessjourney #zeroalcohol #idontdrink #sobercurious #healthydrinking #alcoholfreelife #soberaf #alcoholfreeliving #sobermotivation #podcast #healthpodcast #noalcohol #nobooze #sober #sobercurious #soberlofe #soberliving #sobercommunity #afcommunity #soberwomen #sobermom #sobermomtribe #sobersisters #sobriety #soberuk #soberjourney #sobrietyrocks #overtheinfluence #oti

We have a lovely story to kick off our 2025 podcasts with the AF Brothers from Copenhagen on the podcast, Louis & Andreas!

Over three and a half years ago, Louis decided his life would be better alcohol free. At his one year anniversary of going sober, his brother Andreas saw the fantastically positive effects that it had had on his brother and decided he was going to do the same too.

Since then, they've become as close as they were as kids again and their lives both individually and as a family have seen the benefits.

We could listen to Louis & Andreas chat all day, and if you want to hear more from them you can do so by listening to their own podcast Alkoholfri Brødre. 

Thanks again to the lovely AF Brothers for coming on the podcast, it's a wonderful story and we'll look forward to catching up with you next time! 

---

Of course, you can always get in touch with us (publicly or privately) on our socials - @alcoholfreepod on Instagram, or search for "Over The Influence" on Facebook.

We'd love to hear your story - please get in touch with us directly at [email protected] or go to our website, www.overtheinfluence.co.uk

---

If you love OTI and you'd like to hear behind the curtain, subscribe to the OTI Premium Podcast now!

---

For links to alcohol-related support services, please visit our website.

---

All views expressed in this podcast are of the participants themselves, and not necessarily those of Over The Influence (OTI) Ltd. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this podcast is done at your own risk. We are not medical professionals but normal people giving their own experiences of removing alcohol from their lives, and as such this podcast should not be considered professional advice. If you are dependent on alcohol, or think you may be, we strongly recommend that you seek professional medical advice.

---

We found hashtags and sober social media accounts really helpful in our early days alcohol free, as following them can help to reinforce that you are not alone! These are some of the hashtags we've followed:

#alcoholfree #stopdrinking #healthandwellnessjourney #zeroalcohol #idontdrink #sobercurious #healthydrinking #alcoholfreelife #soberaf #alcoholfreeliving #sobermotivation #podcast #healthpodcast #noalcohol #nobooze #sober #sobercurious #soberlofe #soberliving #sobercommunity #afcommunity #soberwomen #sobermom #sobermomtribe #sobersisters #sobriety #soberuk #soberjourney #sobrietyrocks #overtheinfluence #oti

For our last episode of Over The Influence in 2024, we have a major milestone to celebrate!

Coming up on 2nd January 2025, our Shaz is officially going to be an author as her book, The Life-Changing Magic of Quitting Alcohol will be out in the UK! (It will also be out elsewhere in due course, keep an eye out for it)

To celebrate, Shaz and Ben give you an exclusive sneak peak at what's inside the sparkly cover.

It's been a pleasure having you all on board for the podcast in 2024, wishing all of our fantastic listeners a very happy new year and a successful 2025!

---

Of course, you can always get in touch with us (publicly or privately) on our socials - @alcoholfreepod on Instagram, or search for "Over The Influence" on Facebook.

We'd love to hear your story - please get in touch with us directly at [email protected] or go to our website, www.overtheinfluence.co.uk

---

If you love OTI and you'd like to hear behind the curtain, subscribe to the OTI Premium Podcast now!

---

For links to alcohol-related support services, please visit our website.

---

All views expressed in this podcast are of the participants themselves, and not necessarily those of Over The Influence (OTI) Ltd. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this podcast is done at your own risk. We are not medical professionals but normal people giving their own experiences of removing alcohol from their lives, and as such this podcast should not be considered professional advice. If you are dependent on alcohol, or think you may be, we strongly recommend that you seek professional medical advice.

---

We found hashtags and sober social media accounts really helpful in our early days alcohol free, as following them can help to reinforce that you are not alone! These are some of the hashtags we've followed:

#alcoholfree #stopdrinking #healthandwellnessjourney #zeroalcohol #idontdrink #sobercurious #healthydrinking #alcoholfreelife #soberaf #alcoholfreeliving #sobermotivation #podcast #healthpodcast #noalcohol #nobooze #sober #sobercurious #soberlofe #soberliving #sobercommunity #afcommunity #soberwomen #sobermom #sobermomtribe #sobersisters #sobriety #soberuk #soberjourney #sobrietyrocks #overtheinfluence #oti

This week we have one of our fantastic community members Rich Gross joining us on Over The Influence all the way from Tennessee!

We hear some stories from Rich's time in the army and how that influenced his former drinking habits, all the way through to what he's up to now as a part of our sober community. 

He also gets a lesson in British lingo from his mates across the pond.

Thanks so much to Rich for taking the time to talk to us, congrats on your sobriety and we're so glad to have you on board!

---

Of course, you can always get in touch with us (publicly or privately) on our socials - @alcoholfreepod on Instagram, or search for "Over The Influence" on Facebook.

We'd love to hear your story - please get in touch with us directly at [email protected] or go to our website, www.overtheinfluence.co.uk

---

If you love OTI and you'd like to hear behind the curtain, subscribe to the OTI Premium Podcast now!

---

For links to alcohol-related support services, please visit our website.

---

All views expressed in this podcast are of the participants themselves, and not necessarily those of Over The Influence (OTI) Ltd. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this podcast is done at your own risk. We are not medical professionals but normal people giving their own experiences of removing alcohol from their lives, and as such this podcast should not be considered professional advice. If you are dependent on alcohol, or think you may be, we strongly recommend that you seek professional medical advice.

---

We found hashtags and sober social media accounts really helpful in our early days alcohol free, as following them can help to reinforce that you are not alone! These are some of the hashtags we've followed:

#alcoholfree #stopdrinking #healthandwellnessjourney #zeroalcohol #idontdrink #sobercurious #healthydrinking #alcoholfreelife #soberaf #alcoholfreeliving #sobermotivation #podcast #healthpodcast #noalcohol #nobooze #sober #sobercurious #soberlofe #soberliving #sobercommunity #afcommunity #soberwomen #sobermom #sobermomtribe #sobersisters #sobriety #soberuk #soberjourney #sobrietyrocks #overtheinfluence #oti

On this episode we are delighted to welcome Sarah Allen Benton from Connecticut, USA to Over The Influence!

Sarah is twenty years alcohol free and is a mental health counsellor as well as an advanced alcohol and drug counsellor. 

Not only that but she is also the author of two QuitLit reads, ‘Understanding the High-Functioning Alcoholic: Breaking the Cycle and Finding Hope’ and ‘Parents in Recovery: Navigating a Sober Family Lifestyle’. 

It’s a fantastic episode and Sarah has some wonderful insights which we’re sure that many of our listeners will relate to. 

Thanks for coming on to Over The Influence Sarah and if you’d like to find out more about her you can visit bentonbhc.com.

---

Of course, you can always get in touch with us (publicly or privately) on our socials - @alcoholfreepod on Instagram, or search for "Over The Influence" on Facebook.

We'd love to hear your story - please get in touch with us directly at [email protected] or go to our website, www.overtheinfluence.co.uk

---

If you love OTI and you'd like to hear behind the curtain, subscribe to the OTI Premium Podcast now!

---

For links to alcohol-related support services, please visit our website.

---

All views expressed in this podcast are of the participants themselves, and not necessarily those of Over The Influence (OTI) Ltd. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this podcast is done at your own risk. We are not medical professionals but normal people giving their own experiences of removing alcohol from their lives, and as such this podcast should not be considered professional advice. If you are dependent on alcohol, or think you may be, we strongly recommend that you seek professional medical advice.

---

We found hashtags and sober social media accounts really helpful in our early days alcohol free, as following them can help to reinforce that you are not alone! These are some of the hashtags we've followed:

#alcoholfree #stopdrinking #healthandwellnessjourney #zeroalcohol #idontdrink #sobercurious #healthydrinking #alcoholfreelife #soberaf #alcoholfreeliving #sobermotivation #podcast #healthpodcast #noalcohol #nobooze #sober #sobercurious #soberlofe #soberliving #sobercommunity #afcommunity #soberwomen #sobermom #sobermomtribe #sobersisters #sobriety #soberuk #soberjourney #sobrietyrocks #overtheinfluence #oti

This week we have author, fitness coach, mum, wife and all round wonderful person Hadley Sorensen on the podcast!

Hadley, who is from just outside Washington D.C. in the US, has been sober for three and a half years and since then, has written a book which came out earlier this year called 'The Dirty Truth on Social Drinking: Everything in Moderation and other BS' which came out earlier this year.

To the rest of the world, it didn't seem like she had an issue with alcohol. She seemed like a "normal" drinker - but maybe the word "normal" is part of the problem.

It's a great listen and we're really pleased that Hadley took the time to come and join us on Over The Influence. You can find out more about Hadley at hadleysorensen.com. 

---

Of course, you can always get in touch with us (publicly or privately) on our socials - @alcoholfreepod on Instagram, or search for "Over The Influence" on Facebook.

We'd love to hear your story - please get in touch with us directly at [email protected] or go to our website, www.overtheinfluence.co.uk

---

If you love OTI and you'd like to hear behind the curtain, subscribe to the OTI Premium Podcast now!

---

For links to alcohol-related support services, please visit our website.

---

All views expressed in this podcast are of the participants themselves, and not necessarily those of Over The Influence (OTI) Ltd. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this podcast is done at your own risk. We are not medical professionals but normal people giving their own experiences of removing alcohol from their lives, and as such this podcast should not be considered professional advice. If you are dependent on alcohol, or think you may be, we strongly recommend that you seek professional medical advice.

---

We found hashtags and sober social media accounts really helpful in our early days alcohol free, as following them can help to reinforce that you are not alone! These are some of the hashtags we've followed:

#alcoholfree #stopdrinking #healthandwellnessjourney #zeroalcohol #idontdrink #sobercurious #healthydrinking #alcoholfreelife #soberaf #alcoholfreeliving #sobermotivation #podcast #healthpodcast #noalcohol #nobooze #sober #sobercurious #soberlofe #soberliving #sobercommunity #afcommunity #soberwomen #sobermom #sobermomtribe #sobersisters #sobriety #soberuk #soberjourney #sobrietyrocks #overtheinfluence #oti

This week we have a fascinating chat with jazz drummer Jack Cotterill!

Jack is six years alcohol free after deciding to quit drinking at just 25 years old. Since then, sobriety has helped him build his confidence both on and off stage.

He's a fantastically positive guy, and speaks about the deliberate decision he made to become the feel good person that we had on the call with us. We think you're an inspirational guy Jack and we're delighted you joined us on Over The Influence. Thanks so much for your time!

If you'd like to stay up to date with Jack, you can follow him on Instagram @jackcotterill.

---

Of course, you can always get in touch with us (publicly or privately) on our socials - @alcoholfreepod on Instagram, or search for "Over The Influence" on Facebook.

We'd love to hear your story - please get in touch with us directly at [email protected] or go to our website, www.overtheinfluence.co.uk

---

If you love OTI and you'd like to hear behind the curtain, subscribe to the OTI Premium Podcast now!

---

For links to alcohol-related support services, please visit our website.

---

All views expressed in this podcast are of the participants themselves, and not necessarily those of Over The Influence (OTI) Ltd. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this podcast is done at your own risk. We are not medical professionals but normal people giving their own experiences of removing alcohol from their lives, and as such this podcast should not be considered professional advice. If you are dependent on alcohol, or think you may be, we strongly recommend that you seek professional medical advice.

---

We found hashtags and sober social media accounts really helpful in our early days alcohol free, as following them can help to reinforce that you are not alone! These are some of the hashtags we've followed:

#alcoholfree #stopdrinking #healthandwellnessjourney #zeroalcohol #idontdrink #sobercurious #healthydrinking #alcoholfreelife #soberaf #alcoholfreeliving #sobermotivation #podcast #healthpodcast #noalcohol #nobooze #sober #sobercurious #soberlofe #soberliving #sobercommunity #afcommunity #soberwomen #sobermom #sobermomtribe #sobersisters #sobriety #soberuk #soberjourney #sobrietyrocks #overtheinfluence #oti

This week we have one of our fantastic community members Niall Davison joining us on Over The Influence!

Niall is nearly at the 500 day milestone with his sobriety and is absolutely smashing sobriety. In this episode we chat about how bad habits all feed each other and the final piece in the puzzle for Niall was ditching alcohol.

He's a wonderful addition to our community and Niall's story is a very relatable one. 

Thanks so much to Niall for taking the time to talk to us, congrats on your sobriety and we're so glad to have you on board!

---

Of course, you can always get in touch with us (publicly or privately) on our socials - @alcoholfreepod on Instagram, or search for "Over The Influence" on Facebook.

We'd love to hear your story - please get in touch with us directly at [email protected] or go to our website, www.overtheinfluence.co.uk

---

If you love OTI and you'd like to hear behind the curtain, subscribe to the OTI Premium Podcast now!

---

For links to alcohol-related support services, please visit our website.

---

All views expressed in this podcast are of the participants themselves, and not necessarily those of Over The Influence (OTI) Ltd. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this podcast is done at your own risk. We are not medical professionals but normal people giving their own experiences of removing alcohol from their lives, and as such this podcast should not be considered professional advice. If you are dependent on alcohol, or think you may be, we strongly recommend that you seek professional medical advice.

---

We found hashtags and sober social media accounts really helpful in our early days alcohol free, as following them can help to reinforce that you are not alone! These are some of the hashtags we've followed:

#alcoholfree #stopdrinking #healthandwellnessjourney #zeroalcohol #idontdrink #sobercurious #healthydrinking #alcoholfreelife #soberaf #alcoholfreeliving #sobermotivation #podcast #healthpodcast #noalcohol #nobooze #sober #sobercurious #soberlofe #soberliving #sobercommunity #afcommunity #soberwomen #sobermom #sobermomtribe #sobersisters #sobriety #soberuk #soberjourney #sobrietyrocks #overtheinfluence #oti