In this episode we catch up with Ian Thurlbeck, an OTI Community member who's now over two years alcohol free!

The last time Ian was on the podcast he talked about his first year of sobriety, as we spoke to him on the day of his 365 days milestone - in this conversation we talk about how things continued to change for him since, and how his second year of sobriety has given him so much more than he ever could have expected.

For the vast majority of us, the first year AF is spent focussed on not drinking - it's ticking off the first wedding, the first birthday, the first sober Christmas - and that's absolutely the right thing to do. However, if you carry on past the year mark, that's when the really exciting stuff can start to happen... When the rewards for your efforts really start to come in.

Ian talks about the rewards he's found in his second year of sobriety, and very honestly reflects back on how far he has come. Ian is an incredible role model for men, because he isn't afraid to be vulnerable - he's modest, he's kind and he's inspirational.

If you're inspired by Ian's story, then we're sure he'd love to meet you! We're very lucky that Ian hosts regular Zoom calls for us in our OTI Community, and you can find all of the details below if you think connection could be the missing piece of the puzzle for you.

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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