Sober Stories from Everyday People

In this week's episode of Sober Stories from Everyday People I am chatting to Tom from Bolton, Leeds.

Tom grew up in Leeds and began drinking young, navigating restlessness, big emotions, and a sense of never quite fitting in. Drinking quickly became a way to cope, to belong, and to quiet an inner discomfort he couldn’t yet explain. As the years went on, alcohol became tightly woven into masculinity, friendships, and work culture, reinforcing the belief that drinking was simply “what men do.”

As his drinking escalated through his late teens and twenties, Tom describes a growing emotional numbness and disconnection from himself. By his early thirties, despite outward signs of a settled life, he found himself feeling stuck, depressed, and without purpose.

Since stopping drinking, Tom speaks openly about the internal shifts he’s experienced; learning to sit with emotions, rebuilding motivation, and reconnecting with a sense of self that had long been buried.

Towards the end of the episode, Tom shares an important realisation: that many of the struggles he had spent years trying to numb with alcohol are now making sense through the lens of ADHD. Understanding this has brought him compassion, clarity, and a deeper understanding of why sobriety was never just about alcohol, it was about finally learning how his mind works.

Helpful links:

Get help from me directly by visiting www.sassysobermum.com

Visit THRIVE Sober Coaching for sobriety guidance & resources here www.thrivesobercoaching.com

Get access to my new online sobriety self-paced course here https://checkout.teachable.com/secure/1930842/checkout/order_jmr0kg9w

(use coupon code HALFPRICE)

Join my super friendly and safe online women’s sober community here: https://thrive-af-community.circle.so/checkout/thrive-subscription

Email sassysobermum at [email protected]

1. Alcohol Change UK
   • Website: https://www.alcoholchange.org.uk
   • Helpline: 0800 917 8282 (Available Monday to Friday 9 AM - 8 PM)
2. Mind (Mental Health Support)
   • Website: https://www.mind.org.uk
   • Helpline: 0300 123 3393
3. NHS Alcohol Support Services
   • Website: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/alcohol-misuse

In this inspiring episode of Sober Stories from Everyday People, we meet Kelly from Long Ditton in Surrey, who is 344 days sober at the time of recording. Kelly is a mother of two boys and the founder of a thriving music and drama company that brings creativity and confidence to children in schools.

Growing up in the late 70s and 80s and coming of age in the 90s, Kelly’s relationship with alcohol will feel familiar to many listeners—weekend drinking woven into socialising, identity, and adult life. But after a particularly messy night out with colleagues—who also happen to be her employees—Kelly reached a turning point. With Christmas approaching, she made the brave decision to quit drinking for good.

Her first alcohol-free Christmas brought its challenges, but clarity arrived on New Year’s Day during a walk through the breathtaking Scottish Highlands. In that moment, surrounded by nature and a deep sense of peace, she knew without doubt that she had made the right decision.

Kelly’s story is one of self-awareness, courage, and the powerful transformations that can unfold when we choose to step off the drinking treadmill. Her honesty and warmth will resonate with anyone questioning their relationship with alcohol or seeking inspiration on their own sober path.

You can follow Kelly on Instagram at @scalesandtales123

Helpful links:

Get help from me directly by visiting www.sassysobermum.com

Visit THRIVE Sober Coaching for sobriety guidance & resources here www.thrivesobercoaching.com

Get access to my new online sobriety self-paced course here https://checkout.teachable.com/secure/1930842/checkout/order_jmr0kg9w

(use coupon code HALFPRICE)

Join my super friendly and safe online women’s sober community here: https://thrive-af-community.circle.so/checkout/thrive-subscription

Email sassysobermum at [email protected]

1. Alcohol Change UK
   • Website: https://www.alcoholchange.org.uk
   • Helpline: 0800 917 8282 (Available Monday to Friday 9 AM - 8 PM)
2. Mind (Mental Health Support)
   • Website: https://www.mind.org.uk
   • Helpline: 0300 123 3393
3. NHS Alcohol Support Services
   • Website: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/alcohol-misuse

TRIGGER WARNING This episode contains personal experiences and expressions that may be sensitive to some listeners.

In this heartfelt episode of Sober Stories from Everyday People, we meet Jo, who’s approaching two years of sobriety and embracing what she calls her “second spring.” Living in France with her two children, Jo reflects on her journey through difficult relationships, early drinking experiences, and the powerful decision to finally stop drinking after years of struggle.

With 17 years in France, Jo shares how her healing journey has blossomed through education, therapy, and connecting with nature. From herbal medicine to massage and mindfulness, she’s finding new ways to nurture her wellbeing.

Her story is one of quiet strength, courage, and transformation. proof that it’s never too late to begin again. This conversation is an invitation to everyone standing at the edge of change to trust in their own second spring.

You can follow Jo on instagram at @laguerisseuseverte. You can also find therapist Emma Bates on instagram: @Emma_l_bailes_

Helpful links:

Get help from me directly by visiting www.sassysobermum.com

Visit THRIVE Sober Coaching for sobriety guidance & resources here www.thrivesobercoaching.com

Get access to my new online sobriety self-paced course here https://checkout.teachable.com/secure/1930842/checkout/order_jmr0kg9w

(use coupon code HALFPRICE)

Join my super friendly and safe online women’s sober community here: https://thrive-af-community.circle.so/checkout/thrive-subscription

Email sassysobermum at [email protected]

1. Alcohol Change UK
   • Website: https://www.alcoholchange.org.uk
   • Helpline: 0800 917 8282 (Available Monday to Friday 9 AM - 8 PM)
2. Mind (Mental Health Support)
   • Website: https://www.mind.org.uk
   • Helpline: 0300 123 3393
3. NHS Alcohol Support Services
   • Website: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/alcohol-misuse

In this weeks episode of Sober Stories from Everyday People I chat with Kellie in Hong Kong.

Kellie is an Australian living in Hong Kong, a fitness lover, newly married, and mum to a daughter and step-son. I first met Kellie several years ago at a retreat called Phuket Cleanse in late 2017, which sparked years of sober curiosity for both of us.

Although Kellie's drinking wasn’t especially heavy, alcohol felt like it had a hold on her—even when she could moderate or go weeks and months without it. On New Year’s Day this year, Kellie stopped trying to moderate and chose full sobriety.

At 9.5 months sober at the time of recording, Kellie shares how making alcohol a “non-event” unlocked a profound sense of freedom, focus, and motivation.

This episode explores expat social pressures in Hong Kong, building an alcohol-free marriage, showing up fully for family, and the fitness routines and a passion for her career that reinforced her decision—offering a powerful reminder that you don’t need a dramatic rock bottom to choose a better life.

You can connect with Kellie on instagram at @sunshinejoy29.

Helpful links:

Get help from me directly by visiting www.sassysobermum.com

Visit THRIVE Sober Coaching for sobriety guidance & resources here www.thrivesobercoaching.com

Get access to my new online sobriety self-paced course here https://checkout.teachable.com/secure/1930842/checkout/order_jmr0kg9w

(use coupon code HALFPRICE)

Join my super friendly and safe online women’s sober community here: https://thrive-af-community.circle.so/checkout/thrive-subscription

Email sassysobermum at [email protected]

1. Alcohol Change UK
   • Website: https://www.alcoholchange.org.uk
   • Helpline: 0800 917 8282 (Available Monday to Friday 9 AM - 8 PM)
2. Mind (Mental Health Support)
   • Website: https://www.mind.org.uk
   • Helpline: 0300 123 3393
3. NHS Alcohol Support Services
   • Website: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/alcohol-misuse

In this episode of Sober Stories from Everyday People we explore one of the most asked questions: when does sobriety actually get better?

The truth is, there is no single timeline. The journey begins with what can feel like a muddy and overwhelming start, with cravings, exhaustion, emotions running high and a sense of loss that can feel like saying goodbye to your best friend. Social pressures and the fear of missing out only add to the challenge, but this stage is temporary. Think of it as planting a seed. Change is happening beneath the surface, even before you see the growth.

Then come the subtle shifts. The first genuine belly laugh. The first deep night’s sleep. The first morning you look in the mirror and see brightness return to your eyes. These breadcrumb moments are small but powerful reminders that things are changing, one step at a time.

Sobriety does not get better because of a date on the calendar, it gets better through the moments you live. A sober birthday. Dancing at a wedding without a drink. Handling stress and realising you survived it sober. Brick by brick, a new life is built.

We also talk through the milestones many people notice. Thirty days when your body thanks you. Ninety days when the fog begins to lift. Six months when new rhythms feel stronger than old habits. One year when you can look back on a whole cycle of life without alcohol. Beyond that, sobriety shifts into something bigger. It becomes your normal.

The turning point comes when the focus moves from what you have lost to what you have gained. Peaceful mornings. Money saved. Stronger connections. Self-respect. Trust in yourself. Joy in the little things. From there, the bigger payoffs shine through, such as better health, deeper relationships, more freedom, and the space to create the life you want.

Helpful links:

Get help from me directly by visiting www.sassysobermum.com

Visit THRIVE Sober Coaching for sobriety guidance & resources here www.thrivesobercoaching.com

Get access to my new online sobriety self-paced course here https://checkout.teachable.com/secure/1930842/checkout/order_jmr0kg9w

(use coupon code HALFPRICE)

Join my super friendly and safe online women’s sober community here: https://thrive-af-community.circle.so/checkout/thrive-subscription

Email sassysobermum at [email protected]

1. Alcohol Change UK
   • Website: https://www.alcoholchange.org.uk
   • Helpline: 0800 917 8282 (Available Monday to Friday 9 AM - 8 PM)
2. Mind (Mental Health Support)
   • Website: https://www.mind.org.uk
   • Helpline: 0300 123 3393
3. NHS Alcohol Support Services
   • Website: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/alcohol-misuse

Episode Summary: From Sobriety to Real Healing

For many of us, getting sober feels like the finish line. In reality, it is just the beginning. In this episode, I share my personal journey of moving beyond simply not drinking into the deeper work of healing, growth, and self-discovery.

Sobriety was my gateway. It gave me clarity and space to finally face the patterns, beliefs, and wounds that had been shaping my life in the background. From there, I began to explore what I call the seven pillars of healing, the practices that helped me grow into a more authentic, compassionate, and empowered version of myself.

Together we explore letting go of other people’s expectations, releasing the need to take responsibility for other people’s feelings, shifting from a fixed to a growth mindset, reconnecting with my inner child and healing early trauma, extending compassion to myself and others, paying attention to the stories I tell myself and choosing best case scenarios, and finally understanding my triggers and learning from them.

This episode is an honest reflection on how sobriety is just the first step, and how true healing is about reclaiming your voice, rewriting your inner stories, and embracing the wholeness that was always within you.

Helpful links:

Get help from me directly by visiting www.sassysobermum.com

Visit THRIVE Sober Coaching for sobriety guidance & resources here www.thrivesobercoaching.com

Get access to my new online sobriety self-paced course here https://checkout.teachable.com/secure/1930842/checkout/order_jmr0kg9w

(use coupon code HALFPRICE)

Join my super friendly and safe online women’s sober community here: https://thrive-af-community.circle.so/checkout/thrive-subscription

Email sassysobermum at [email protected]

1. Alcohol Change UK
   • Website: https://www.alcoholchange.org.uk
   • Helpline: 0800 917 8282 (Available Monday to Friday 9 AM - 8 PM)
2. Mind (Mental Health Support)
   • Website: https://www.mind.org.uk
   • Helpline: 0300 123 3393
3. NHS Alcohol Support Services
   • Website: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/alcohol-misuse

In this episode, I’m joined by Hannah from Peterborough, a mum of three daughters, wife, and dog lover, who is passionate about running, socialising, and spending time with her big, close-knit family.

Hannah shares her honest journey with alcohol – one that was “on and off” for years. In her twenties, she lived for the weekends, often with no off switch, though she would take breaks here and there and found herself becoming sober curious two to three years before finally committing to sobriety. She opens up about the role alcohol played as both a form of rebellion and a “reward,” and how the cycle of trying to moderate always ended the same way.

After one final night out where moderation slipped through her fingers again, Hannah woke up with a powerful “that’s it”energy and made the decision to quit drinking for good. Now, at 283 days sober (at the time of recording), she describes life as happier, clearer, and so much better without alcohol.

This is a story about freedom, self-discovery, and the joy that comes from choosing a life that truly feels good. You can find and follow Hannah on instagram at @hannahhewitt

Helpful links:

Get help from me directly by visiting www.sassysobermum.com

Visit THRIVE Sober Coaching for sobriety guidance & resources here www.thrivesobercoaching.com

Get access to my new online sobriety self-paced course here https://checkout.teachable.com/secure/1930842/checkout/order_jmr0kg9w

(use coupon code HALFPRICE)

Join my super friendly and safe online women’s sober community here: https://thrive-af-community.circle.so/checkout/thrive-subscription

Email sassysobermum at [email protected]

1. Alcohol Change UK
   • Website: https://www.alcoholchange.org.uk
   • Helpline: 0800 917 8282 (Available Monday to Friday 9 AM - 8 PM)
2. Mind (Mental Health Support)
   • Website: https://www.mind.org.uk
   • Helpline: 0300 123 3393
3. NHS Alcohol Support Services
   • Website: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/alcohol-misuse

In this episode of Sober Stories from Everyday People, I speak with Ali, joining me near Reading in the UK, to share her powerful journey of sobriety. At the time of recording, Ali is 911 days sober.

Ali opens up about how her drinking began at 14 years old, carried into her early career as a journalist, and slowly became a part of her weekly life.

As a long-term ex-member of my THRIVE Sober Community, Ali has grown not only in her own sobriety but has also trained to become a sober coach herself — helping others find the freedom she has discovered.

Her story is one of resilience, transformation, and hope. Whether you’re sober curious, in early sobriety, or years alcohol-free, Ali’s journey will remind you that change is possible and that no one has to do it alone.

Helpful links:

Get help from me directly by visiting www.sassysobermum.com

Visit THRIVE Sober Coaching for sobriety guidance & resources here www.thrivesobercoaching.com

Get access to my new online sobriety self-paced course here https://checkout.teachable.com/secure/1930842/checkout/order_jmr0kg9w

(use coupon code HALFPRICE)

Join my super friendly and safe online women’s sober community here: https://thrive-af-community.circle.so/checkout/thrive-subscription

Email sassysobermum at [email protected]

1. Alcohol Change UK
   • Website: https://www.alcoholchange.org.uk
   • Helpline: 0800 917 8282 (Available Monday to Friday 9 AM - 8 PM)
2. Mind (Mental Health Support)
   • Website: https://www.mind.org.uk
   • Helpline: 0300 123 3393
3. NHS Alcohol Support Services
   • Website: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/alcohol-misuse

✨ Sober Stories from Everyday People with Sassy Sober Mum ✨

This week’s guest is Daniel, known on Instagram as @jerseysoberwalker, who lives in Jersey and has been sober for 6 years and 1 month at the time of this recording.

In this powerful episode, Daniel shares his story of heavy drinking and the profound clarity that came when he finally stopped. His journey is a reminder of the freedom, perspective, and deep sense of self that sobriety can bring.

If you’ve ever wondered what life might feel like beyond alcohol, Daniel’s story is both inspiring and eye-opening.

Helpful links:

Get help from me directly by visiting www.sassysobermum.com

Visit THRIVE Sober Coaching for sobriety guidance & resources here www.thrivesobercoaching.com

Get access to my new online sobriety self-paced course here https://checkout.teachable.com/secure/1930842/checkout/order_jmr0kg9w

(use coupon code HALFPRICE)

Join my super friendly and safe online women’s sober community here: https://thrive-af-community.circle.so/checkout/thrive-subscription

Email sassysobermum at [email protected]

1. Alcohol Change UK
   • Website: https://www.alcoholchange.org.uk
   • Helpline: 0800 917 8282 (Available Monday to Friday 9 AM - 8 PM)
2. Mind (Mental Health Support)
   • Website: https://www.mind.org.uk
   • Helpline: 0300 123 3393
3. NHS Alcohol Support Services
   • Website: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/alcohol-misuse

✨ Sober Stories from Everyday People with Sassy Sober Mum ✨

This week I’m joined by Emily from Dorset, who is celebrating 1,073 days of sobriety at the time of this recording. After a lifetime of casual drinking that often tipped into over-drinking, Emily reached a point where she was simply fed up with alcohol taking centre stage in her life.

Nearly three years ago, she made the spontaneous decision to stop drinking — a choice that changed everything. Since then, Emily has moved to the countryside, embraced being a more present and connected mum, and, most importantly, repaired the relationship with herself.

Her story is one of courage, clarity, and transformation. It’s a truly inspiring listen.

You can find and follow Emily on instagram at @sober_discovery.

Helpful links:

Get help from me directly by visiting www.sassysobermum.com

Visit THRIVE Sober Coaching for sobriety guidance & resources here www.thrivesobercoaching.com

Get access to my new online sobriety self-paced course here https://checkout.teachable.com/secure/1930842/checkout/order_jmr0kg9w

(use coupon code HALFPRICE)

Join my super friendly and safe online women’s sober community here: https://thrive-af-community.circle.so/checkout/thrive-subscription

Email sassysobermum at [email protected]

1. Alcohol Change UK
   • Website: https://www.alcoholchange.org.uk
   • Helpline: 0800 917 8282 (Available Monday to Friday 9 AM - 8 PM)
2. Mind (Mental Health Support)
   • Website: https://www.mind.org.uk
   • Helpline: 0300 123 3393
3. NHS Alcohol Support Services
   • Website: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/alcohol-misuse