In this episode we chat to Fraser Franks, a former professional footballer who started to struggle with alcohol after a medical diagnosis put a stop to his career overnight.

We're Sharon and Ben, two normal people who decided to give up alcohol to see how our lives would change. We're not medical experts but we are expert ex-drinkers, and our podcast brings people together who are on their own alcohol-free journeys by celebrating just how wonderful life without booze can be!

Fraser got in touch with us through Instagram because he listened to the podcast and wanted to share his story. He's particularly passionate about sharing his story with young men who have felt some of the same pressures that he has felt, especially men who have grown up in masculine environments.

Fraser abstained from alcohol for a lot of his life due to his professional commitments - if he did have a drink it was never much, because his dream as a child was to be a professional footballer and he wanted to do it to the best of his ability. He was signed by Chelsea at the age of 8 years old, went to play on to Brentford and England, and finished his career as captain of Newport County.

During one game for Newport, Fraser didn't feel right - so he did what he never did and asked to come off the pitch. He was diagnosed with a heart problem and his career was over like that - he then started to drink because it was something he'd never let himself do before, and before too long the signs that it was becoming a problem started to creep in.

Fraser is coming up to a year alcohol free now, and has discovered things about himself that he'd never known before. He talks to us about these discoveries, in terms of confidence and passions that he's now embracing - including getting his budgie smugglers out! The conversation about cold water therapy and how that has helped not just his mind but his heart condition is incredibly interesting.

If you'd like to follow Fraser on social media, you can find him on Instagram - @fraserfranks

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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

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

Released every Monday and exclusive to subscribers and OTI Community members, the Premium Pod is Sharon and Ben talking through even more topics surrounding alcohol-free life, from how to not just survive but enjoy AF holidays to alcohol free dating!

Subscribe now! Released every Monday, cancel any time - just £5 per month.

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Over The Influence is produced by Ben Anderson for Sound Rebel.

Sound Rebel works with businesses, brands, charities & other organisations across the UK - go to soundrebel.co.uk now to find out how podcasts could help you to tell your story to the world.

If you feel as if connection with likeminded people would help as you try life without alcohol, join the Over The Influence Community now - and we can't wait to meet you!

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

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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.

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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