In this episode we chat to wonderful Justin Jones, who's now over 4 years alcohol-free!

Justin has the most dreadful year in 2016. He and his wife Lucy were expecting twins when on Boxing Day (four months before the due date) they were rushed in to hospital. The boys were born incredibly early and weighed next to nothing - and tragically, after they'd been released from hospital months later and back at home, their little boy Maximus stopped breathing.

They lost Maximus, and we thank Justin so much for speaking so openly and bravely about his little boy.

Later that year, Justin lost both his brother and his Mum. His drinking ramped up, and he became very good at hiding it. But despite everything that had happened, after running a Spartan race and not getting the time he'd hoped for, Justin decided that something had to change - and he started his alcohol-free journey, and the rest is now history.

Justin is an incredibly brave man, and this conversation is one of the most powerful conversations we've ever had on the podcast. Justin's message is simple - talk. Talk to the people around you, and seek professional help if you need it. It isn't weak to open up and be vulnerable during difficult times - its strength.

You can find out more about Justin and read his blog at alcoholfreeaf.substack.com

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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