What if “I deserve a drink” is just an old script you can rewrite? In today’s episode, Coach Cole helps Matt notice how removing alcohol lowered his baseline stress at a new job—turning frantic mornings into steady ones and replacing dread with data. Coach Zoe supports Constance, a second-grade teacher whose activated nervous system kept her in fight-or-flight; together they connect the dots from childhood patterns to present-day overwhelm and practice coming back to the body for safety. You’ll hear the role of community, self-trust, and daily practices to stay alcohol-free—from 6 a.m. calls to simple breathwork—to make change sustainable. Powerful, shame-free coaching like this happens every day inside The Path, where small experiments add up to big shifts—at work, at home, and in who you believe you can be.

In Matt’s Session:

Managing work-related stress and anxiety without resorting to self-medication

Alcohol-free benefits: showing up clearheaded and reducing work stress

Building self-trust by seeing the evidence of a better life

Overcoming the "I deserve a drink" mentality after a stressful day

Differences between AA and The Path

Recognizing the ingrained, Pavlovian nature of drinking urges and how to decondition them

Daily practices to stay alcohol-free and more

In Constance’s Session:

Coping with a constantly activated nervous system

Using alcohol as a "safety valve" to "emotionally shut down" and stop playing a role

Connecting current emotional regulation issues to childhood experiences

Moving from external focus (saving others) to internal focus (regulating her own body)

Learning tools for nervous system regulation and grounding

Understanding the importance of finding a "safety container" within herself to process emotions

The value of incorporating daily practices to stay alcohol-free and more

Cole Harvey is a certified Naked Mind Senior Coach. For years, he felt lost and used alcohol as a way to cope, until he decided to go alcohol-free and focus on finding his purpose. Through curiosity, self-compassion, and adventure, he transformed his life. As a habit change and mindset coach, Cole helps young men understand themselves, build better habits, and find meaning.

Learn more about Coach Cole: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/cole-harvey/

Zoe Ewart is a Certified Naked Mind Senior Coach who brings her experience and understanding to help with the tricky parts of life’s big changes. Her coaching gives you an enjoyable, light-hearted, and safe environment to effortlessly take back control of alcohol so you can feel better physically, mentally, and spiritually. Zoe taught Pilates for 15 years. She has four adult children and more animals than the Ark ever had.

Learn more about Coach Zoe: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/zoe-ewart/

Episode links:

nakedmindpath.com

Related Episodes:

Escaping The Hamster Wheel of Drinking – Alcohol Freedom Coaching – E847 – https://thisnakedmind.com/why-cant-i-quit-drinking-after-so-many-tries-afc-e847/

Will I ever stop craving alcohol? – Reader Questions – E676 – https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-676-readers-question-will-i-ever-stop-craving-alcohol/

Trusting Yourself Again – Alcohol Freedom Coaching – E760 – https://thisnakedmind.com/trusting-yourself-again-alcohol-freedom-coaching-e760/

Ready to take the next step on your journey? 

Visit https://learn.thisnakedmind.com/podcast-resources for free resources, programs, and more. Until next week, stay curious!

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Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of alcohol dependence, addiction, suicidal thoughts, mental health struggles, and relapse.

Why we drink too much isn't always obvious—what if the answer lies deeper than willpower or self-control? Dr. Charles Knowles, a world-renowned surgeon and author, spent decades trapped in a cycle he couldn't explain: 10 years of fun, 10 years of fun with consequences, and 10 years struggling to stop. As a high-achieving professional, he looked nothing like the stereotype of someone with alcohol dependence, yet he faced the same battle millions experience in silence. Through his journey to find freedom from alcohol and extensive research, Dr. Knowles discovered that understanding how we learn to drink, and why some people can't unlearn it, is the key to breaking free. In this episode, Dr. Knowles joins Coach Cole Harvey to explore the science behind gray area drinking, the difference between positive and negative reinforcement, and why shame is the biggest barrier to change.

Dr. Charles Knowles and Coach Cole discuss :

"Light turning on" moments: when alcohol feels like instant peace for the first time

Why being sober means having peace of mind, not just being alcohol-free

The powerful analogy: trying not to drink is like being deprived of water in the desert

How the "memory super league" in your brain makes drinking patterns nearly impossible to break

Gray area drinking and the role of worry, cognitive dissonance, and control

Alcohol reliance as a missing piece in how we talk about modern drinking habits

Why dry challenges work best when they become a learning process (not just "white-knuckling")

Finding out who you are without alcohol after years of drinking shaped your identity

And other topics…

Episode links:

https://amzn.to/4r9eP3b

When you buy something we recommend, we may get an affiliate commission — but it never affects your price or what we pick.

Related Episodes:

Gray Area Drinking with Jolene Park | Naked Life Story | EP 47 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-47-naked-life-story-jolene-park/

Are there normal drinkers? | Reader Question | EP 400 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-400-reader-question-are-there-normal-drinkers/

Why do I keep going back to drinking? | Reader Question | EP 570 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-570-readers-questions-why-do-i-keep-going-back-to-drinking/

Ready to take the next step on your journey? 

Visit https://learn.thisnakedmind.com/podcast-resources for free resources, programs, and more. Until next week, stay curious!

Hungryroot: Get 40% off your first box + a free item for life at ⁠https://www.hungryroot.com/mind⁠

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Trigger Warning: This episode contains mentions of chronic illness, disordered eating, self-harm, and the death of a loved one.

Can learning to love yourself unconditionally be the missing piece in your alcohol-free journey? Jean, 65 days alcohol-free, worries about her sister's upcoming visit and how to maintain their bond without wine. Coach Cole helps her realize their connection runs deeper than shared beverages and guides her to communicate authentically before the visit. Meanwhile, Megan struggles with relapse, rebellion against authority, and decades of self-judgment stemming from her childhood diabetes diagnosis. Coach Zoe helps Megan understand how her adaptive child's protective rebellion has morphed into adult self-sabotage, including using her mother's care as a hiding place to avoid addressing her drinking. Through powerful coaching, Megan discovers that giving herself unconditional love and attention is the key to releasing her need for alcohol. 

In Jean’s Session: 

“What’s different is just the liquid” reframe

Calling ahead: why honesty beats hiding

Staying warm and welcoming without self-betrayal

Connection activities to replace happy hour

Scripts that say “no pressure, no judgment”

Learning to love yourself unconditionally while holding true to your values

…and more

In Megan’s Session: From authority-resistance to authentic choice

A daily 20-minute anchor for energy and clarity

Naming grief and care-giving as hiding places

The “I’m choosing to drink over you” pause tool

Resetting after slips with compassion, not shame

Learning to love yourself unconditionally through every season

…and more

Cole Harvey is a certified Naked Mind Senior Coach. For years, he felt lost and used alcohol as a way to cope, until he decided to go alcohol-free and focus on finding his purpose. Through curiosity, self-compassion, and adventure, he transformed his life. As a habit change and mindset coach, Cole helps young men understand themselves, build better habits, and find meaning.

Learn more about Coach Cole: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/cole-harvey/

Zoe Ewart is a Certified Naked Mind Senior Coach who brings her experience and understanding to help with the tricky parts of life’s big changes. Her coaching gives you an enjoyable, light-hearted, and safe environment to effortlessly take back control of alcohol so you can feel better physically, mentally, and spiritually. Zoe taught Pilates for 15 years. She has four adult children and more animals than the Ark ever had.

Learn more about Coach Zoe: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/zoe-ewart/

Episode links:
nakedmindpath.com

Related Episodes:

How To Show Up For Yourself and Stop Drinking - Alcohol Freedom Coaching - E831 - https://thisnakedmind.com/how-to-show-up-for-yourself-and-stop-drinking-e831/

 Sharing the Truth About Alcohol (How To Talk With Family) – Reader Question - E396 – https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-396-reader-question-how-can-i-tell-my-family-the-truth-about-alcohol/

Learning To Trust Yourself Again – Alcohol Freedom Coaching – E746 – https://thisnakedmind.com/learning-to-trust-yourself-again-alcohol-freedom-coaching-e746/

Ready to take the next step on your journey? 
Visit https://learn.thisnakedmind.com/podcast-resources for free resources, programs, and more. Until next week, stay curious!

Hungryroot: Get 40% off your first box + a free item for life at https://www.hungryroot.com/mind

Shopify:Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at ⁠⁠Shopify.com/mind⁠⁠ 

Quince:Go to ⁠⁠Quince.com/naked⁠⁠ for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns 

BetterHelp:BetterHelp makes it easy to get matched online with a qualified therapist. Sign up and get 10% off at BetterHelp.com/nakedmind

Do you find yourself wondering how to shut your brain off without alcohol when social situations feel overwhelming? Glenn spent decades believing alcohol was essential—from watching his parents' basement bar parties to using beer as a social crutch in college. By COVID, weekend-only drinking had become daily drinking, and he was hiding bottles from his wife. Traditional counseling focused on willpower and substitution didn't work. The therapists hadn't experienced what he was going through, and Glenn felt like they were silently judging him: "Why can't you just stop?" When he discovered The Path, everything shifted. Instead of demanding he quit immediately, the program invited him to experiment, gather feedback instead of facing failure, and explore his emotional relationship with alcohol. It took a full year, but three weeks before his membership ended, Glenn had his aha moment. Glenn joins Coach Cole to share his journey from childhood exposure to genuine freedom, proving that awareness and curiosity can accomplish what willpower never could.

In this episode, Glenn and Cole discuss:

Learning that alcohol equals fun from parents who met working at a brewery

Being the shy introvert who always held a beer to avoid conversation

Boundaries that worked until COVID turned the house into a bar

Why therapists who never drank couldn't relate to the struggle

Skipping the book and joining The Path for coaching and community support

Reframing drinking as data points and feedback instead of failures

Discovering how to shut your brain off without alcohol through journaling and awareness

The aha moment that came three weeks before his year-long Path ended

Building real social confidence without pre-drinking or hiding bottles

And more breakthroughs on the journey to freedom...

Episode links:

nakedmindpath.com

Related Episodes:

Calming the Type A Mind Without Alcohol - Jennifer’s Naked Life - E804 - https://thisnakedmind.com/how-to-turn-your-brain-off-without-drinking-e804/

The Path to Inner Clarity - Alcohol Freedom Coaching - E748 - https://thisnakedmind.com/the-path-to-inner-clarity-alcohol-freedom-coaching-e748/

Why Willpower Fails: Cracking the Code to Emotion-Driven Behavior Change - Reader Question - E668 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-668-readers-question-why-willpower-fails-cracking-the-code-to-emotion-driven-behavior-change/

Ready to take the next step on your journey? 

Visit https://learn.thisnakedmind.com/podcast-resources for free resources, programs, and more. Until next week, stay curious!

Hungryroot: Get 40% off your first box + a free item for life at ⁠⁠https://www.hungryroot.com/mind

Shopify:Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at ⁠⁠Shopify.com/mind⁠⁠ 

Quince:Go to ⁠⁠Quince.com/naked⁠⁠ for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns 

BetterHelp:BetterHelp makes it easy to get matched online with a qualified therapist. Sign up and get 10% off at BetterHelp.com/nakedmind

Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of stroke, death of a spouse, and grief.

What happens when you stop trying to think your way through living alcohol-free and start feeling your way forward? Ann felt trapped by an endless to-do list and the fear that alcohol would "attack" when her defenses were down. Jamie clung to her nightly glass of wine as the last piece of normalcy after losing her husband and surviving a stroke. Both women were stuck in their heads, analyzing and overthinking instead of experiencing their journey. In this episode, you'll witness the moment everything shifts. Coach Hayley guides Ann through reframing her entire approach to recovery, helping her discover how to move from thinking to feeling through powerful language shifts and self-compassion. Coach Cole helps Jamie see that prioritizing her health isn't about deprivation—it's about opening new doors.

In Ann’s Session:

Transforming fear of alcohol lurking around the corner into confidenceReframing "to-do lists" as "adventures that await"Understanding liberation versus fixation with alcoholConnecting with your body instead of living in your headShifting language from "I need to" to "I get to"Recognizing personal gains instead of focusing on gapsHolding goals loosely to reduce overwhelm and fearAnd more topics…

In Jamie's Session:

Navigating life after stroke and loss of spouse without alcoholBreaking free when alcohol feels like your last piece of normalcyPrioritizing health as the foundation of recoveryUnderstanding choice versus deprivationDiscovering how to move from thinking to feeling during griefManaging stress and mental health alongside physical wellnessVisualizing the doors that open when one closesApproaching doubt and fear with curiosity instead of judgmentAnd more topics…

Hayley Scherders is a certified TNM Coach with training from the Canadian Addiction and Mental Health Association. Drawing from personal experiences, Hayley understands how tough change can be and provides a safe, compassionate, and judgment-free space where her clients can feel supported. She believes that with the right mindset, anyone can change their life at any time.

Learn more about Coach Hayley: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/hayley-scherders/

Cole Harvey is a certified Naked Mind Senior Coach. For years, he felt lost and used alcohol as a way to cope, until he decided to go alcohol-free and focus on finding his purpose. Through curiosity, self-compassion, and adventure, he transformed his life. As a habit change and mindset coach, Cole helps young men understand themselves, build better habits, and find meaning.

Learn more about Coach Cole: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/cole-harvey/

Episode links:

nakedmindpath.com

Related Episodes:

How do I deal with death and grief without alcohol? - Reader Question - E262 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-262-reader-question-grief-without-alcohol/

What Rewiring the Brain Really Looks Like - Alcohol Freedom Coaching - E807 - https://thisnakedmind.com/reprogramming-your-brain-after-quitting-drinking-e807/

What To Do When The Emotions Hit After You Quit Drinking – Alcohol Freedom Coaching – E845 – https://thisnakedmind.com/drinking-to-avoid-emotions-afc-e845/

Ready to take the next step on your journey? 

Visit https://learn.thisnakedmind.com/podcast-resources for free resources, programs, and more. Until next week, stay curious!

Hungryroot: Get 40% off your first box + a free item for life at ⁠⁠https://www.hungryroot.com/mind

Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at ⁠⁠Shopify.com/mind⁠⁠ 

Quince:Go to ⁠⁠Quince.com/naked⁠⁠ for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns 

BetterHelp:BetterHelp makes it easy to get matched online with a qualified therapist. Sign up and get 10% off at BetterHelp.com/nakedmind

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode discusses childhood trauma, parental abandonment, domestic abuse, substance use, and mental health topics.

Have you ever realized you're doing to someone you love exactly what hurt you most as a child? That gut-wrenching moment hit Heather hard when she recognized she was neglecting her son the same way her alcohol dependent father neglected her. Growing up, she watched her dad drink every night, becoming hostile and unavailable while she desperately needed connection. Her mother had already left, and the bullying at school made her feel even more alone. By her twenties, Heather was chasing belonging through party drugs and alcohol, convinced that being the life of the party meant she'd finally be accepted. Fast forward to her divorce, and she was drinking two bottles of wine alone every night, passing out in front of Netflix, unable to be present for her son. But the real wake-up call came when her child witnessed her having a trauma response while intoxicated. That's when Heather joined The Path and discovered what finding connection without alcohol actually means. Through coaching calls, self-compassion, and community support, she learned that genuine connection starts with being safe within yourself—not performing for others or numbing your pain.

Heather and Coach Cole discuss:

Heather’s early memories of an unpredictable, drinking parent and the “Sunday blues” that still linger

How childhood bullying and self-sabotage formed a template for chasing approval and bracing for criticism

Becoming the designated driver, then later stepping into party culture, drugs, and chasing acceptance at any cost

Motherhood, isolation, and week-on/week-off parenting that turned wine into a nightly coping strategy

The breaking point meltdown that led Heather to seek real help instead of trying to “just stop” on her own

How The Path showed her that finding connection without alcohol is possible through safety, shared stories, and unconditional support

Rewriting generational patterns by parenting her son with emotional language, nervous-system tools, and open conversations about alcohol

Feeling “me is okay, me is cool” and stepping into a new season of confidence, self-trust, and genuine belonging

How Heather now seeks out like-minded people, creates connections from the inside out, and has more insights, reflections, and ah-ha moments

Episode links:
nakedmindpath.com

Related Episodes:

One Year No Beer – Andy’s Naked Life – E57 – https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-57-naked-life-story-andy-ramage/

Can I Just Take a Break From Alcohol? – Reader Question – E378 – https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-378-reader-question-can-i-just-take-a-break-from-alcohol/

Finding Your True Self and Building Genuine Connections Without Alcohol – Alcohol Freedom Coaching – E821 – https://thisnakedmind.com/building-genuine-connections-without-alcohol-e821/

Ready to take the next step on your journey? 
Visit https://learn.thisnakedmind.com/podcast-resources for free resources, programs, and more. Until next week, stay curious!

Hungryroot: Get 40% off your first box + a free item for life at https://www.hungryroot.com/mind

Shopify:Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at ⁠⁠Shopify.com/mind⁠⁠ 

Quince:Go to ⁠⁠Quince.com/naked⁠⁠ for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns 

BetterHelp:BetterHelp makes it easy to get matched online with a qualified therapist. Sign up and get 10% off at BetterHelp.com/nakedmind

Is your struggle with alcohol secretly a struggle for your true self? This powerful dual-coaching session with Coaches Zoe and Cole brings you inside The Path to witness the transformation of Jason and Jim. Jason is 50 days alcohol-free but still tormented by the idea that he’s lost his place in his social circle, grappling with the fear of sacrificing his identity as he removes the "existential glue" of drinking. Jim reveals the intense, internal conflict of the "punching bag" who is desperately trying to manage stress and avoid the "embarrassment" of an emotional breakdown. Both coaches showcase the fact that alcohol created an artificially high reference point for pleasure. They discuss the vital work of understanding how to reset dopamine after quitting alcohol, which is key to restoring the capacity for simple, natural joy. Listen in as Jason and Jim discover the freedom that comes from embracing vulnerability and choosing self-compassion over a constant battle.

In Jason’s session:

Spotting reward cues that masquerade as “treats.”

Two-minute resets that interrupt autopilot.

Habit friction: move it, hide it, swap it.

“Next right thing” planning for 5–9 p.m.

Data-not-drama journaling you’ll actually use.

How to reset dopamine after quitting alcohol with tiny pleasures.

And more ideas, scripts, and adjustments.

In Jim’s Session:

Why joy dips: the brain’s recalibration window.

Sensation anchors: seat, breath, jaw, hands.

Pairing movement + music for fast reward.

Social micro-rituals that feel safe and real.

Reframing slips as information, not identity.

Weekend templates that lower craving noise.

Plus more experiments, reflections, and tools.

Zoe Ewart is a Certified Naked Mind Senior Coach who brings her experience and understanding to help with the tricky parts of life’s big changes. Her coaching gives you an enjoyable, light-hearted, and safe environment to effortlessly take back control of alcohol so you can feel better physically, mentally, and spiritually. Zoe taught Pilates for 15 years. She has four adult children and more animals than the Ark ever had.

Learn more about Coach Zoe: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/zoe-ewart/ 

Cole Harvey is a certified Naked Mind Senior Coach. For years, he felt lost and used alcohol as a way to cope, until he decided to go alcohol-free and focus on finding his purpose. Through curiosity, self-compassion, and adventure, he transformed his life. As a habit change and mindset coach, Cole helps young men understand themselves, build better habits, and find meaning.

Learn more about Coach Cole: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/cole-harvey/

Episode links:

nakedmindpath.com

Related Episodes:

How do I stay alcohol free at a bachelor/bachelorette party weekend? - Reader Question - E292 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-292-reader-question-how-do-i-stay-alcohol-free-at-a-bachelor-bachelorette-party-weekend/

What I Wish I Knew Before My First Drink – Bison Hunting and Raspberries - E444 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-444-what-i-wish-i-knew-before-my-first-drink-bison-hunting-and-raspberries/

Embracing Joy in the Moment – Alcohol Freedom Coaching – E754 – https://thisnakedmind.com/embracing-joy-in-the-moment-alcohol-freedom-coaching-e754/

Ready to take the next step on your journey? 
Visit https://learn.thisnakedmind.com/podcast-resources for free resources, programs, and more. Until next week, stay curious!

Hungryroot: Get 40% off your first box + a free item for life at https://www.hungryroot.com/mind

Shopify:Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at ⁠⁠Shopify.com/mind⁠⁠ 

Quince:Go to ⁠⁠Quince.com/naked⁠⁠ for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns 

BetterHelp:BetterHelp makes it easy to get matched online with a qualified therapist. Sign up and get 10% off at BetterHelp.com/nakedmind

Losing the fear of not drinking can feel impossible, can’t it? For Lindsey, alcohol was woven into every milestone: sixth-grade sleepovers, college weekends, early marriage, and long workweeks that ended with “just one more” drink on the couch. Drinking wasn’t just a habit; it was how she fit in, turned off the noise, and chased that first rush of feeling totally okay for a moment. Over time, the hangovers became brutal, and the mental fallout was even worse—fights with her husband, Sunday dread, and memories she didn’t always want to remember. One morning, after a night that ended with a chipped tooth and dry heaving on the kitchen floor while her daughter watched, something inside her shifted. Lindsey found This Naked Mind and, for the first time, felt like someone was telling her she wasn’t broken—this is simply what alcohol does. The book became a permission slip to step off the hamster wheel and experiment with not drinking at all. In this episode, Lindsey joins Coach Cole to talk about rebuilding self-trust, reshaping a marriage that was once built on drinks, and becoming the kind of mom whose daughters see her saying “no” with confidence instead of needing a glass to cope.

Lindsey and Coach Cole discuss:

Lindsey describes the first drink in middle school and how quickly alcohol became tied to identity, popularity, and feeling “okay” for a moment.

The progression from curiosity to dependence: chasing euphoria, ignoring red flags, and waking up in emotional and physical pain.

How “I’ll just drink less” experiments and endless rules kept her stuck in the same cycle of regret, self-doubt, and harsh inner dialogue.

The breaking point: a trip that ended with a chipped tooth, a morning spent on the bathroom floor, and her daughter seeing a version of mom Lindsey never wanted to be.

Finding This Naked Mind and reframing her story—from “I’m the problem” to “this is what alcohol does,” opening space to question everything.

What changed when she began losing the fear of not drinking: more stable moods, clearer health goals as a trainer, and deeper presence with her family.

The new foundation of her marriage and parenting—less reactivity, more responsibility for her own choices, and a commitment not to be someone else’s story of what they had to overcome.

How losing the fear of not drinking allowed Lindsey to feel “light as a feather” and more.

Episode links:

nakedmindpath.com

Related Episodes:

How To Stop Using Alcohol As A Crutch - Alcohol Freedom Coaching - E811 - https://thisnakedmind.com/how-to-stop-using-alcohol-as-a-crutch-e811/

What Is the Pink Cloud? - Reader’s Question - E320 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-320-reader-question-what-is-the-pink-cloud/

How To Feel Good Without Alcohol - Reader’s Question - E702 - https://thisnakedmind.com/podcast/ep-702-readers-question-how-to-feel-good-without-alcohol/

Ready to take the next step on your journey? 

Visit https://learn.thisnakedmind.com/podcast-resources for free resources, programs, and more. Until next week, stay curious!

Hungryroot: Get 40% off your first box + a free item for life at https://www.hungryroot.com/mind

Shopify:Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at ⁠⁠Shopify.com/mind⁠⁠ 

Quince:Go to ⁠⁠Quince.com/naked⁠⁠ for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns 

BetterHelp:BetterHelp makes it easy to get matched online with a qualified therapist. Sign up and get 10% off at BetterHelp.com/nakedmind

Why is it so hard to close the gap between knowing you should stop drinking and actually stopping? In this episode, we feature powerful sessions with Coach Cole and Sabine, and Coach Zoe and Mary. Coach Cole validates Sabine’s frustration, helping her realize that her goal isn't to get rid of the inner critic, but to listen to and validate all her internal "parts" so they can work together. These sessions reveal that lasting change comes not from fighting ourselves, but from deep self-understanding and compassion. Mary understands the content intellectually, but her body keeps pulling her back to the bottle. Coach Zoe explains that the common denominator in all her drinking—celebration, sadness, or boredom—is emotion. She provides Mary key tips to stop using alcohol to avoid feelings by building a "safety container" in the body, starting with simple sensations. In her session, Sabine opens up about her struggle with a critical "people-pleaser" voice that emerged during her move to a new country and a dysfunctional marriage.

In Sabine’s Session:

Parts work 101: letting people-pleaser and protector both be heard

How curiosity softens rumination after awkward interactions

Scripts to be factual and direct without labeling yourself “rude”

Re-building self-trust and everyday autonomy

Pause → notice → name the need before you reply

Reflection prompts—and tips to stop using alcohol to avoid feelings—and more

In Mary’s Session:

Why intellect can’t carry the whole day

“Sensations before emotions” (seat, breath, throat, stomach)

Micro-check-ins tied to routines (sitting, doorways, kettle)

Working gently with perfectionism and shame

Body-led evening plans that lower craving noise

Kind, doable next steps you can practice tonight—and more

Cole Harvey is a certified Naked Mind Senior Coach. For years, he felt lost and used alcohol as a way to cope, until he decided to go alcohol-free and focus on finding his purpose. Through curiosity, self-compassion, and adventure, he transformed his life. As a habit change and mindset coach, Cole helps young men understand themselves, build better habits, and find meaning.

Learn more about Coach Cole: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/cole-harvey/

Zoe Ewart is a Certified Naked Mind Senior Coach who brings her experience and understanding to help with the tricky parts of life’s big changes. Her coaching gives you an enjoyable, light-hearted, and safe environment to effortlessly take back control of alcohol so you can feel better physically, mentally, and spiritually. Zoe taught Pilates for 15 years. She has four adult children and more animals than the Ark ever had.

Learn more about Coach Zoe: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/zoe-ewart/ 

Episode links:
nakedmindpath.com

Related Episodes:

How do I handle cravings and people pleasing?-Reader Question-E272- https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-272-reader-question-how-do-i-handle-cravings-and-people-pleasing/

Why Do I Drink When I Know It’s Bad For Me?-Reader Question-E660- https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-660-readers-question-why-do-i-drink-when-i-know-its-bad-for-me/

The Path to Inner Clarity-Alcohol Freedom Coaching-E748- https://thisnakedmind.com/the-path-to-inner-clarity-alcohol-freedom-coaching-e748/

Ready to take the next step on your journey? 

Visit https://learn.thisnakedmind.com/podcast-resources for free resources, programs, and more. Until next week, stay curious!

Hungryroot: Get 40% off your first box + a free item for life at https://www.hungryroot.com/mind

Shopify:Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at ⁠⁠Shopify.com/mind⁠⁠ 

Quince:Go to ⁠⁠Quince.com/naked⁠⁠ for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns 

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Have you ever caught yourself thinking, “If you felt what I feel, you’d drink too”? Chuck gets that.

For years, a combination of work stress, long commutes, and intense back pain had him pouring more than he ever planned. Drinks became his “off switch” at the end of the day and then his go-to whenever his body flared. Eventually, the pain calmed down and the stressful job shifted, but the habit of drinking stuck around—which was the wake-up call he couldn’t ignore. In this episode, Chuck and Coach Cole talk through the messy, human side of quitting alcohol when you have chronic pain, including what happened when his back suddenly “went out” again after months alcohol-free. Chuck shares how appropriate medical care, a short course of prescribed meds, and a strong internal “I am not starting over” helped him stay off the bottle. You’ll hear how he rebuilt his routine around daily stretching, core strength, and even a zero-gravity nap, plus why music and creative hobbies feel better than any buzz. They also dig into boundaries—leaving family gatherings early, pushing back (diplomatically) at work, and deciding he no longer has to sit and absorb other people’s behavior to be polite. If you’ve ever wondered whether you can rebuild your life around what you love instead of avoiding what hurts, this conversation is for you.

Coach Cole and Chuck discuss:

Slipping from teenage partying into midlife self-medication with alcohol

Realizing the job and pain changed, but the drinking stayed

Navigating quitting alcohol when you have chronic pain

Facing a second major back episode alcohol-free and nearly getting derailed

Why alcohol never truly solves stress, family conflict, or health issues

Using “walk away” as a valid backup plan at triggering gatherings

And more…

Episode links:

www.alcoholexperiment.com

Related Episodes:

I’ve Used Wine to Numb Physical Pain | Reader Question | E196 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-196-i-used-wine-to-numb-physical-pain-now-without-it-my-quality-of-life-is-way-down-what-can-i-do/

 Overcoming Using Alcohol as a Pain Reliever | Reader Question | E656 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-656-readers-question-overcoming-using-alcohol-as-a-pain-reliever/

Alcohol Doesn’t Relieve My Pain, It Steals My Joy | Alcohol Freedom Coaching | E732 - https://thisnakedmind.com/alcohol-freedom-coaching-alcohol-doesnt-relieve-my-pain-it-steals-my-joy-ep-732/

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