In this episode, Erin Frame discusses Sober Fierce on her weekly real estate webcast The LowDown, with cohost Ian Brannon of Nova Home Loans. To kick the episode off, Erin and Ian played a game with the Facebook Live listeners to give away a large Tino's Pizza for the first person to like the video. After the game, they talked about Erin's Sober Fierce journey…

[1:51] Ian Brannon You’ve been sober now for almost six full months. And you talk about it, but I haven’t asked you questions about it. I understand why you call it Sober Fierce because it takes a lot of strength, doesn’t it?

[2:39] Erin Frame It’s an insane amount of strength, but for many reasons.

[2:42] Ian Brannon I want to know the social aspect of being sober because how many times are you in a setting where someone else is drinking, and they say, “Can I get you a glass of wine?” Talk about that.

[3:14] Erin Frame I haven't had to be out much because of the pandemic so I'm starting to run into these issues. For me, it's not a big deal, but there are a lot of people out there that it's hard for them in that scenario. It's shocking how many people struggle with that.

[4:04] Ian Brannon Are you vocal upfront about it? Do you tell people like you just mentioned, is that like your go-to? Do you ever downplay it and just order glasses or a nice tea instead of wine?

[4:16] Erin Frame If somebody asked me if I wanted to drink. I wouldn't say, "I'm sober. No, thank you.”

[5:20] Ian Brannon Speaking of the health benefits, I learned from Carol that hydration and nutrition are almost more important than working out. She has tripled her water intake and decreased her alcohol intake because she hasn't hit her water goal for the day.

The Importance of Nutrition and Hydration 

Erin used to drink wine to quench her thirst, but she learned that your body will not look for other things if you drink enough water. Ian thought it was the opposite. Drinking more water makes you bloated, but he found out it expels toxins out from the body. Ian realized that the body prioritizes processing alcohol first before the food you eat.

[7:34] Ian Brannon That’s why because the dinner that you ate isn’t being processed. The nutrients aren’t being absorbed by your body. The alcohol is.

[7:46] Erin Frame Alcohol will keep you from that, so don't drink as much as I did. I'm not that person that's going to dive too much on health stuff. I feel good, I know how much weight have already lost without it. My eyes and skin are brighter, many things improved in my body, and I feel great.

[8:15] Ian Brannon The other thing that can break through that glass ceiling is one container.

[8:42] Erin Frame The Sober Fierce part is just putting it out there and talking about it. What I found is, it’s mind-boggling to me that I didn’t know that drinking it’s embarrassing to talk about. People don’t want to talk about being sober.

[9:00] Ian Brannon I feel like everyone else is watching. Why aren’t you drinking?

[9:04] Erin Frame I don't want to preach, but I'm super excited that we talked about this. People feel like I have a problem. Our society puts us into a situation where it's not normal.

[10:38] Erin Frame It was just the right time in my life, to be honest from, one or two bottles a day to nothing. I am proud of myself. I guess until next time. We'll get back on real estate.

Erin’s Side Story

Ian believes that the universe knows everything and it is wise. With that, Erin just shared a side story of her life. Don’t forget to visit Erin’s website and podcast to know more about her!

In this episode of Sober Fierce, Erin will talk about how she dealt with sadness and grief with her past alcoholic self. She also shares a great non-alcoholic option for other people who want to become sober.

Episode Timeline:

Family Gathering

[1:03]

Erin had relatives come into town, and there have been many social events. Even though she has been tempted, she abstained. When they were sitting at a table, Erin felt sadness—she had to breathe through it. She didn’t care why she was feeling that way, but she didn’t understand it.

[2:45]

Erin went out of her way to never sound drunk, which is why people never knew about it. She says that if she could see the drunk version of herself as the sober version of herself, she would definitely see a difference.

Acknowledging the Loss

[4:28]

Becoming sober is more than just not drinking.

[5:09]

Erin is learning every day. Back then, something would pop up, and she would typically grab a drink immediately to avoid it. Though she still has bad habits like procrastination and avoidance, she has gotten much better.

[5:58]

Erin’s thought was that the fun version of herself is gone—the “fun her” was a “fake her.” The fun version of her was masked by alcohol. Moving forward, she has to acknowledge and breathe through those feelings of sadness or mourning.

Reconnecting with Herself

[6:58]

Erin knows what she feels right for her at the moment. She always needs to go back to when she feels anxiety or loss and grief. It felt like a hole in her stomach where something is missing. Erin tries to fill that void and find new things about herself that’s she’s not been connected to.

[7:30]

Sobriety is amazing. If you’ve never had the experience of being addicted to something, you’ll never know how great it is. Erin knows who she is and what she’s been through make her stronger, happier, and balanced.

[8:10]

When it comes to addictions and things, many people try really hard to avoid the things about themselves that they’re not comfortable with.

The Non-Alcoholic Option

[8:22]

Now, Erin drinks tonic water. She isn’t fond of a diet soda but loves tonic water. In the future, she hopes to incorporate non-alcoholic options like tonic water for other people.

If you are considering quitting drinking and you want to know the process to get into this journey, this is the perfect episode for you. Erin talks with Helene Gaudard-Castillo, an acupuncture expert, as she breaks down the many benefits of acupuncture to help deal with substance addiction and dependence, and how it is often offered as a treatment option to deal with this problem.

Episode Timeline

The Effects of Alcohol on the Brain

02:25

When you drink alcohol, it stimulates the hormone of dopamine. Dopamine is the hormone that makes you relax and feel good.

02:42

If you take too much alcohol, it makes you sleepy and drowsy. When you wake the next day, the alcohol is starting to clear out from your system and the dopamine gets pretty low. It’s leaving you tired and irritable

03:13

The vicious cycle starts if you start to get addicted to dopamine.

The Great Effects of Acupuncture

03:29

Acupuncture stimulates the same effect when you are drinking alcohol. Acupuncture prompts the hormones in your body that create relaxing digest like dopamine and serotonin. Getting an acupuncture treatment will give you that same effect of relaxation, but with all the health benefits and no other side effects.

03:51

If you are someone that really wants to get off of alcohol, it is advisable to get a period of intensive treatments to help you deal with the vicious cycle of addictions and help the liver to clear out because the liver is a big filter. These treatments will help support detoxifying the liver and balancing the whole system so you can function normally.

04:31

It is also suggested to get regular acupuncture which is a method with all needles in the ears. The ears have hundreds of points that help with numerous things and are extensively explained through a unique form of acupuncture called NADA protocol.

Maintaining the Person’s Health

7:06

By looking at the person’s tongue, you can pretty much tell what's going on internally with their body.

07:25

The person's pulse is also taken because each organ has its own pulse.

07:32

After the information has been obtained, they will have a very specific and personalized treatment just for you. The treatment might change from session to session. That’s the beauty of acupuncture, it's very personalized medicine.

09:03

It's a combination of a multitude of things like changing your environment, changing the people you hang out with, changing your eating habits, incorporating exercise in your lifestyle, taking supplements, etc. It’s a whole package of different things.

We’re going to talk about Sober Fierce in this episode. Erin will talk about what it’s been like for her to get sober, how she got there, and what she’s doing to stay sober.

Episode Timeline:

What is Sober Fierce?

[3:11]

Some people are already on the journey of sobriety, but they don’t talk about it. If you don’t want to talk about it, you don’t have to talk about it. For Erin, talking about her journey gives people the opportunity and the confidence to take this thing called sobriety because sobriety is freeing and challenging.

[4:12]

When Erin came up with “Sober Fierce,” it makes her stand up straighter. It makes her more powerful against whatever’s out there that might challenge her.

Going against the Grain

[5:04]

When it comes to walking this journey, society sets us up to fail. You are the one that would have a better life if you have the mentality that you are smarter than anyone else. In the end, you’ll be the one who accomplishes most because of your fearless attitude.

The Sober Fierce Hat

[7:08]

The hat gives Erin “the” strength. One thing that she also thought about is coming up with a bracelet or a necklace. Something that you can wear out of the house every day, even when you’re dressed up, and be able to carry that fierce persona with you.

Fighting Addiction

[9:01]

Just fighting addiction is super challenging. Every addiction you beat gives you so much more confidence.

[9:11]

Erin used to have a gambling addiction. She and her husband would get in the car and go to the casino. Otherwise, sit at home smoking cigarettes.

[9:54]

One day, Erin decided not to smoke any more. The only time she ever smokes is when she goes to the casino. Some of her relatives died of lung cancer and decided to quit smoking. After that, she had no desire to gamble.

A Whole Other World for Sober People

[11:38]

Erin is thinking of starting a Facebook club. Groups are great for her because they aren’t just for her to share motivational content but also to discuss. She would like to speak with more people and learn about their experiences and help them.

Choosing to stay sober when you are at a family member or a friend's house for a get-together is quite challenging. You may find yourself struggling when you know there may be alcohol. As a person in recovery, you know that at one point, you should manage how to engage with the world without drinking. But when you are out in the "real world," it can be more complicated than you thought.

In this episode, Erin Frame recounts her mini get-together with her family and how she stayed sober during that challenging situation. Today, let's discover some of the things that we should consider to protect ourselves and our sobriety and determine some of the best ways to stay sober when our family, friends, or other loved ones don't.

00:45

Erin's family enjoys drinking together. It's what they do to bond and enjoys as a family.

1:01

On the first night of their family get-together, everyone was drinking except for Erin. Being in the company of people drinking and having a glass full of wine made Erin worry about giving in to the temptation of even having a sip. Erin admits that the first night was rough for her, but it got manageable from there.

3:09

Being the only one sober in the family gathering was frustrating for Erin. But it was something that she had to do. For her, it’s all about finding a way to have a good time without having to drink alcohol.

5:05

Erin might be missing that "initial feeling" of drinking alcohol, but after all the fun, the immediate guilt of consuming too much would kick in. The majority of what alcohol did to Erin was just to numb her and made her feel exhausted.

6:14

Erin's family gathering was very successful. Now, Erin is much more confident being around her family or friends who drink, especially when they visit them, and still protects her sobriety.

The first few months of your sobriety journey are challenging. The holidays, family events, and friends’ get-together may present the toughest triggers. During your first social event, it may be difficult to believe that things will get easier. But they eventually do. You have to remind yourself about the progress you have made and what you are thankful for that have nothing to do with substance abuse. Focus on these reasons to help you stay present, manage your feelings, and protect your sobriety not just at gatherings and holidays but any time of the year.

Erin Frame hopes to inspire others struggling with alcohol use to embrace their “Sober Fierce” – to reduce the stigma surrounding the decision to stop using alcohol and to flaunt it!

Although it may seem simple, the term sobriety is somewhat controversial. It is a commonly accepted drug that is known to be addictive, yet people feel shame in admitting they got sucked into the trap – when, in fact, they should be PROUD to acknowledge and share their alcohol-free status. 

Erin Frame is an outgoing everyday person sharing her own experiences with the wine witch and how she is changing her lifestyle in 2021 with a new alcohol-free outlook!

Sober Fierce is a podcast where candid conversations happen – sometimes just with Erin and sometimes with friends and/or experts in the biz. Wherever you are on your wellness journey, Reframe Your Future will provide you with tips, tools, community, support, and inspiration you'll need to help you grow and evolve.

In this episode of Sober Fierce, Erin talks about the many benefits sobriety has brought into her life and hopefully motivates all the listeners going through the same journey of sobriety to stay clean. Learn more about how your sobriety could provide incredibly positive changes to your life.

#1 Clarity of the Mind

1:09

One of the benefits sobriety has given Erin is a clear mind and focused direction. Alcohol made a huge impact on her poor concentration, decision-making skills, and memory.

#2 Guilt-Free Day and Better Sleep

2:22

Sobriety has allowed Erin to wake up feeling energetic and happy throughout the day without feeling guilty, thinking about what the night before looked like. Not being hungover and having a good sleep will enable you to wake up with a more refreshed mind.

#3 Clearer Skin and Improved Overall Appearance

2:51

Erin’s complexion started to clear up, and she has a better glow and lost weight since she decided to live a sober life. Once you eliminate all the toxins from your system, you will not only feel better, but you will look better too.

#4 Inspiring Others

5:05

Erin’s podcast inspires others to get sober too. The effect of addiction and recovery can be felt by so many around you. People who are going through the same journey of sobriety need to know that they are not alone.

#5 Anxiety Levels Decreased

7:34

Anxiety levels will decrease once you stop filling your body with alcohol that lacks nutrients and is full of empty calories. Being sober allows your body to operate at an optimum level.

Erin Frame hopes to inspire others struggling with alcohol use to embrace their “Sober Fierce” – to reduce the stigma surrounding the decision to stop using alcohol and to flaunt it!

Although it may seem simple, the term sobriety is somewhat controversial. It is a commonly accepted drug that is known to be addictive, yet people feel shame in admitting they got sucked into the trap – when, in fact, they should be PROUD to acknowledge and share their alcohol-free status.

Erin Frame is an outgoing everyday person sharing her own experiences with the wine witch and how she is changing her lifestyle in 2021 with a new alcohol-free outlook!

Sober Fierce is a podcast where candid conversations happen – sometimes just with Erin and sometimes with friends and/or experts in the biz. Wherever you are on your wellness journey, Reframe Your Future will provide you with tips, tools, community, support, and inspiration you'll need to help you grow and evolve.

The journey to recovery is different for everyone. Creating a lifestyle of sobriety experiences true freedom, even more so than we ever thought we could experience before. In this episode of Sobriety Fierce, Erin Frame talks about how sobriety allows us to take back the very part of ourselves that we lost through addiction. She shares her personal experiences and the changes she has discovered to encourage everyone who is going through the same journey and those just curious about becoming alcohol-free. Don’t wait any longer to give life without alcohol a try… You’ll find so many benefits!

Anxiety Due to Alcohol Addiction

1:04

Now that Erin is nearly 3 months into her sober journey, she has realized that her anxiety developed due to her excessive drinking. And now, the things she used to be anxious about before are just gone.

Changes Brought by Sobriety

4:26

One of the changes Erin is noticing is that she’s mentally stimulated with so many new ideas on how to go about the matters in her life. Her mind is so much clearer and she’s more focused. Erin was diagnosed and medicated for ADHD but she believes that alcohol played a part in that.

The Negative Effect Alcohol Brings on Your Body

7:00

Alcohol can play such a negative role in your body. Erin believes she is in a great spot in her life right now, finding herself in the whole process. Although still struggling, she pushes herself every single day to stay away from alcohol and remind herself how good she feels not waking up hungover.

Sobriety Equals to Freedom

7:57

Think about all those things that you haven't been doing. If you are planning or thinking about quitting alcohol, ask yourself a question to motivate you even more: At the end of your life, would you want to think that alcohol kept you from experiencing life to the fullest?

8:45

Own your sobriety. After being in the grips of alcohol for so long, this sober time is a real blessing for Erin because she can see what the other side of her can do and achieve.

9:59

You just have to truly decide that you want to quit drinking and start your sobriety journey. You wouldn’t want to go through your whole life limiting yourself.

Any shift in lifestyle is a slow process. If you want lasting improvements on your body and health in general, the process surely takes time. Be realistic. Start by setting small goals that are easy to apply to your everyday life. Today, Erin Frame interviews the owner of Fit Body Boot Camp, Carol Carruth. She is passionate about fitness and nutrition and aims to instill in others a lifestyle that is perfectly fit and sustainable for themselves, focus on improving and creating personal health and wellness as a way of life and everyday living.

Episode Timeline:

Change in Diet

[2:33] Carol was delighted to see Erin determined to change her lifestyle and embrace sobriety when she started noticing negative changes in her body. Carol explained that it was not the hard change; it was the transition of either stopping or starting something that people hadn’t tried before. However, she believes that a plan or a strategy will help you to be successful.

Journey to Healthy Living

[4:57] Carol admires Erin for her diligence in changing her lifestyle. It is not about the quantity of the calorie but rather the quality. The quality of calories comes from the healthiest choices in our foods. [5:47] When a person starts recognizing the small changes happening in their lives, they get more inspired and motivated to continue their journey.

Importance of Water

[6:57] Carol always preaches about the significance of the amount of water people take. 70% of a person’s body is made up of water. Thus, people should replenish their bodies with water all the time.

[8:00] Water cleanses the body of impurities and optimizes and improves the body's organs, and brain functioning.

Guidance on Lifestyle

[9:36] Carol guides people to use portion controls in their diet and listen the their bodies to know their needs. Proper amount of protein and carbohydrates should be consistently maintained to reach an optimal level of health and wellness.

[10:36] Muscles are essential to one’s body to support a person’s body frame. To build muscles, maintaining the proper amount of proteins in the body is vital.

[11:44] Aging is inevitable. However, Carol wanted people to understand that they could create that longevity and vitality-driven mindset to create a pleasant gradual decline in one’s health.

Healthy Community

[13:27] According to Harvard's study, people's happiest place is being surrounded by a healthy, positive community. Carol believes that is the best kind of nourishment that people need to be exposed to, to be in the best condition.

Plan a Routine

[15:45] Carol and Erin encourage people to make a plan. It is the small steps taken every day that can change many different things in people's lives, especially in the lifestyle of health and wellness.

Get to know more about Fit Body Boot Camp and their amazing programs on their website https://fitbodybootcamp.com/9563-rincon-az/

Be sure to follow Fit Body Boot Camp on their social media accounts

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rinconfitbody/

Choosing your Path

[0:36]

Your journey is different from others -- so your approach is different. It may seem easy for other people to see your improvements, but only you know YOUR journey. Erin chose to approach life in a different way, more meaningful, productive, and fulfilling.

Definition of Fierce, Finding it and Owning it

[1:06]

Firece is not how the dictionary describes it as something associated with anger. It’s like having a tough attitude to pull yourself through. Your fierce persona can help fight alcohol cravings and any feelings of sadness and discouragement. You are in control of your life, your daily choices, and decisions.

Make a Daily Schedule

[2:16]

Erin has reevaluated her schedule. Previously, thoughts revolved around times to be able to drink, including early in the day to numb anxieties. Now, she realizes how important it is to reframe your daily routine and have a plan. Having something to do refreshes your mind and gives you a different kind of freedom.

Be creative and engage in different activities

[7:56]

Now, when Erin wants to drink, she recreate a similar taste with something non-alcoholic, like KOMbucha! She looked at the differences in the days when she didn't drink and they are more productive and happier.

[9:58]

There is way more free hours in the day now. At first, Erin didn’t have any hobbies other than drinking. Now her hobby is doing this podcast and community interviews for her business. Maybe she’ll try playing golf without drinking!

Find Confidence with Sobriety

Being alcohol-free helps Erin to be confident. It shows how people see her now that she has decided to take full control of her life. She suggests, make a drinking and non-drinking schedule, and see how much more time you could find to do other things and be healthier.

About Erin Frame…

Erin is a Real Estate Agent in Tucson, Arizona originally from Seattle, Washington, with a love and dedication for helping others. She works with honesty and a true desire to do good in her community. In her new 2021 Sober Fierce podcast, Erin talks about how she is tackling self-improvement by going alcohol free and making other healthy changes. Learn more and subscribe at http://www.soberfierce.com/.

Get social with Erin on….

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoberFierce/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soberfierce/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3uo0bYmnN-QlyqUy98R90A