Sober Edge

My guest today is fellow coach Jeanine Grayson. Jeanine is a mindset and confidence coach who specializes in helping women overcome limiting beliefs and unlock their full potential. Jeanine shares her own journey from a toxic relationship and cancer diagnosis to a woman who now lives an empowered life.

We discuss the impact of perfectionism, the importance of clarity and how we can use boundaries as a way to advocate for ourselves. Jeanine also shares 3 tips to grow your confidence:

• Uncovering our limiting beliefs
• Reframing our thoughts
• Taking Action

As a Certified Life Coach and NASM Behavior Change Specialist, Jeanine helps individuals shed their self-doubt, identify limiting beliefs, reframe new thoughts and take empowered action in their lives.

Full Show Notes Here

We all know that lasting change comes not just from changing our behavior but also from changing our thoughts. So, the question becomes, how do we uncover our thoughts and get 'unstuck'? My guest today, Sheri Cutter, is trained as a Neuro Linguistic Programer. She believes that in order to make changes, you have to access the subconscious mind. Neuro refers to the mind; Linguistic to language and Programming to our underlying thought patterns. Sherri describes NLP as a way to 'marry' the conscious mind with the subconscious mind. NLP has been around since the 1970's, helping practitioners use language to uncover our hidden stories and thoughts and has informed the work of Annie Grace and David Gray (Liminal Thinking). For those of us that have been on an alcohol-free journey, we can see that having more access to our thought patterns and more awareness of our subconscious mind is a huge benefit. But, Sheri also shares that NLP can help us in all areas of growth, from negative thinking, to limiting beliefs to our core identity. Here are some highlights from today's episode:

• The Mind/Body Connection
• Our Underlying Values
• Dr. John Sarno's work
• Unmet Needs
• Hypnotherapy
• Reticular Activating System
• How to stop using unhealthy resources

Sheri Cutter has been in the field of health and healing since 1991, as a physical therapist, Pilates instructor, Franklin Method Educator and is currently a trainer and practitioner of Neuro Linguistic Programming, hypnotherapy and empowerment coaching. She is a sought after coach and consultant for both personal and business environments. With her emphasis and experience in true mind-body wellness, she has assisted many in overcoming both physical and emotional barriers. Sheri offers compassionate coaching using life changing skills for mindset and positive, realistic forward movement.

Full Show Notes Here

As the Sober Nutritionist I talk about sobriety a lot - today, I want to take you into the nutrition side of my practice and share a bit about 'food as medicine' and my own philosophy when working with clients. I also share some actionable steps for you to get started on your own nutritional journey and find your way to 'true wellness'.

I talk about:

• The power of the Food Journal
• Food, Mood, Poop
• The importance of blood sugar and the impact of artificial sugar
• Why digestion is key
• How to find the best diet for you

I am also highlighting an opportunity for you to participate in a scientific study in partnership with The University of Washington, The University of Florida and Alcohol Free Lifestyle. This 90 day study will follow participants as they engage in Project 90, run by Alcohol Free Lifestyle. As a part-time coach with Alcohol Free Lifestyle I can vouch for the quality of the program and their commitment to their clients. If you are still working to break free from alcohol, I invite you to check out this special opportunity and Get Sober For Science!

Alcohol Free Lifestyle Study

Show Notes Here

We are in the beginning of Dry January and one of the things we know is that socializing without drinking can be challenging. My guest on the podcast this week, Susie Streelman, took the challenge of creating an inclusive event for socializing while AF and has created a MOVEMENT. Susie shares her own journey from 'professional breaker' to the founder of Zero Proof Experiences. The mission of ZPE is confidence and empowerment for those of us who 'drink differently'. This conversation highlights the beauty of inclusion and how we can create our own 'movement' by learning to trust ourselves and step forward.

Susie Streelman is the founder of ZeroProof Experiences and creator of Sober in the City, a national traveling event. She lives in Long Beach with her husband of 31 years and has two boys in their mid twenties. Susie admits to falling down the zero proof rabbit hole and strives to promote the alcohol free social experience. She believes that one day soon, "It will be easy to obtain an elegant, alcohol free option when out!"

Full Show Notes Here

The end of the year is often a time for reflection, special memories and, let's face it, regret. We live in a hustle and grind culture and if we buy into it, the changing of the calendar on December 31st can bring a list of all the things we didn't accomplish this year and an even longer list of goals for the New Year.

A Year In Review; Goal Setting; Business Strategies; there is nothing wrong with any of these reflections or practices. However, what if there is a better way that allows us to celebrate and reflect while leaving the guilt and regret behind?

In my end of the year podcast episode I share a few ways to wrap up 2022 and welcome 2023. This process is rooted in Reflection, Celebration and Intention. Listen in as I share my process along with tips and takeaways from several of my mentors and friends.

I also want to share my deep gratitude to have you as a listener this past year. I love what I do and I love to share it with all of you! Thank you!

And, be sure to subscribe to my newsletter because I am going to introduce you to a new family member!

Full Show Notes Here

As a Nutritionist, I recognize that the weeks leading up to our Winter Holiday season are packed with opportunities for eating, overeating and unhealthy eating! In this episode I share 8 tips to stop overconsuming sugar this season. Food For Thought is really about the thoughts that lead to consuming too many sweets or eating on autopilot. You know how to Boss Your Brain around (Episode 57), which is key to breaking the holiday cycle of 'just one more', or 'I never eat sweets expect during ......' I also share the ways that overdrinking and overeating OVERLAP.

In today's intro I hightlight my friend Chris Engen's program "7 Nutritional Foundations for a Balanced Brain". This program is available in a year-long format through the end of 2022. (Beginning in 2023 the course will include 12 weeks of support). Chris holds an Advanced Certification as a Recovery Nutrition Coach (CRNC2) for Nutritional Therapy / Amino Acid Therapy from The Academy for Addiction and Mental Health Nutrition. Chris joined me on the podcast earlier this year to talk about the importance of cravings, a balanced brain and nutrition on the journey toward alcohol-freedom. This course includes live group coaching, a hippa compliant message board and a money back guarantee. I hope you will check it out in the show notes!

Show Notes

Blog: 8 tips to stop overeating sugar this season!

Becoming Alcohol-free is not easy; it is a journey that takes us to unexpected places such as redefining relationships, perusing mocktail recipes and figuring out what to do with an extra 2 to 5 hours a night. But, along the way, we get to find ourselves again. We get to venture deeper into our thoughts, emotions and behaviors. We start to trust ourselves and we slowly start to believe that everything is not only going to be alright, it's actually going to be better.

Meet my friend Cheryl Hendry. Cheryl was several months along on her AF journey, challenging herself and learning lots of tools to navigate these new thoughts and emotions. And then she got sick. At first, Cheryl thought it was her gallbladder. A series of tests led to more tests and then a routine CT scan. Later that day, Cheryl received a call from her doctor: Cancer.

In our interview today, Cheryl shares her journey fighting Hodgkin's Lymphoma. We talk about the support she found from her alcohol-free community, her firm foundation, and her doctor's question that prompted an outpouring of gratitude. Cheryl also tackles the question, Is Cancer A Gift?.

In the show notes, you can find Cheryl's list "6 reasons I No Longer Drink" and a link to my free guide "5 Healthy Reasons To Take A Break" so you can start building your firm foundation.

Show Notes Here

Your Guide 5 Healthy Reasons To Take A Break

Practical spirituality. Innate health. The journey from numbing and escaping life to becoming present offers insight into how we live our lives.

My guest today, Sam Goldfinch has been on this journey for many years. In this episode he shares wisdom gathered from his own spiritual journey and the teaching of several of his spiritual mentors. We talk about the difference between pleasure and joy; the distinction between desire and craving and my personal favorite, how to let go of 'seeking' and embrace 'finding'. This is a deep conversation with someone whose knowledge is vast and whose heart is even bigger! I consider this entire conversation a gift from Sam to me and to you; I hope you enjoy it!

Sam Goldfinch is a sobriety coach who helps people to release addictions and discover their innate health, without using willpower or missing out on life. Having left a damaging relationship with alcohol behind 7 years ago, Sam understands it is insight, not 'information', that will lead people home to the truth of who they really are and to true freedom.

Full Show Notes Here

Many people go through a stage in their alcohol-free journey where the idea of drinking surfaces. This can show up as romanticizing alcohol, or flirting with the idea of moderation. In today's episode, I address the possibility of PAWS (Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome) and FAB (Fading Affect Bias). One or both of these symptoms can show up after a few months without drinking and they can catch us by surprise. I also break down the different stages we go through when we first stop drinking:

• Uncomfortable Emotions
• New Coping Mechanisms
• Feeling Flat (is it worth it?)
• Grief: the 4 stages

This episode shares how to recognize and counteract both PAWS and FAB and where and when to get support.

And finally, it's important to remember that 'thinking is not drinking'. Try meeting these thoughts with curiosity and letting go of self-critisism and judgement .

Full Show Notes Here

Concerned about navigating the holidays without drinking? Grab my free guide here

Complaining, Venting, Whining...whatever we call it we all do it! Complaining is never helpful and often annoying. It can be an energy drain mentally, physically and spiritually. So how do we stop complaining? In today's episode I am going to share 3 steps to breaking the cycle of complaining:

1. Awareness
2. Antitode
3. Practice

I also share about my brand new free guide: How to Navigate the Holidays Sober! Whether you are 1 day alcohol-free, 1000 days alcohol-free or simply sober curious, this is an opportunity to discover a practical guide that will have you leaving behind FOMO and embracing JOMO!

Your Holiday Survival Guide Here

Full Show Notes Here