We Recover Loudly – Personal Recovery and Mental Health Stories

In this new episode of We Recover Loudly, Shell is joined by the wonderful Derek Brown. Derek is an author and NASM-certified wellness coach, and also the founder of Positive Damage, Inc. As one of the US’s top bartenders, he previously owned the Spirited Awards 2017 “Best American Cocktail Bar” Columbia Room in Washington, D.C. Derek published his first book in 2019, and followed that up in 2022 with his book Mindful Mixology: a Comprehensive Guide to No- and Low-Alcohol Cocktails.

Derek has made significant contributions to the global bar industry and has influenced the way we approach non-alcoholic drinking. After experiencing his own struggles with alcohol, Derek now promotes mindfulness as a way to encourage people to reflect on their reasons for reaching for a drink, instead of focusing solely on abstaining from alcohol.

We also discussed - 

- The VAMPIRIC lifestyle of a bartender and shift worker
- The joy in finding we can still enjoy the magic of a bar sober! 
- How putting down the booze made Derek realise how much he was using it to hide his mental health issues and that finally in sobriety he was able to address issues that had been there for years.  
- How boring hanging out with a load of drunk people has become now we are sober!
- How sobriety has completely turned Derek's life around; which does not mean it is all perfect, but does mean you can build real defences to the worlds challenges.

This was a one of a kind conversation with a personal hero, and it is a brilliantly enriching listen.  Enjoy!

For more information on We Recover Loudly and to reach out for speaking engagements or support email [email protected]

@werecoverloudly
www.werecoverloudly.com

In this new episode,  Shell welcomes the delightful Jason-Candid Knusel, who is the director of non profit Healthy Hospo. With 15 years of experience in the food and drinks industry, including working at renowned venues like The Savoy and the NoMad Hotel in London, Jason has seen the importance of investing in a healthier hospitality culture.  Alongside Tim Etherington-Judge, the founder of Healthy Hospo, they decided to create a platform of training and events that promotes a more sustainable and fulfilling industry. In addition to his impressive background, Jason is also a certified nutritionist and all-around great guy.  We talked about a lot of awesome things, including - 

• Jason's start of his career in hotel kitchens, and we reminised on the charm and nostalgia of hotels from a time when traveling was seen as a special occasion.
• His passion for meeting new people each day in the front of the house quickly led Jason to make the switch from the kitchen to the floor and eventually the bar. Although he initially considered leaving the industry due to missing the creativity of cooking, he soon discovered that the bar provided the ideal balance between creativity and personal interaction.
• How in the industry, we're usually taught to have respect for produce, recipes, processes, and brand standards. However, we often overlook training the importance of respecting ourselves and ensuring our safety in hospitality.
• Tim, the founder of Healthy Hospo's incredible story and what drove him to create the brilliant organisation.
• How we CAN do the job of a bartender and brand ambassador without being an excessive consumer of alcohol; but what are the brands teaching their ambassadors about having a balanced relationship with the drinks they are representing. 
• STAFF FOOD!  And why it is so important to offer teams nutritious fuel if we want the best from them; and that good staff food is a great indicator of good company culutre.

Jason, and Healthy Hospo have done some incredible work to help people in the industry make more sustainable decisions that are all about keeping ourselves healthy and working longer in this fabulous industry with success.  Check out more on their work following the below links : 

https://healthyhospo.com/
https://www.drinkstrust.org.uk/
@healthyhospo
@jasoncandid

For more information on We Recover Loudly and to reach out for speaking engagements or support email [email protected]

@werecoverloudly
www.werecoverloudly.com

In this new episode, we get to know Joshua Gandee, a bartender and creative who has been working in and around the restaurant industry for over a decade. In 2017, Joshua made the decision to quit drinking and has since been promoting a non-alcoholic culture in his city of Ohio and beyond whether with his buddies Focus On Health, with Historic Revellery who specialise in creating one of a kind experiences with drinks brands, or on his podcast 'No Proof' which has been nomitated at Tales of a Cocktail 2024 for an award for best podcast! 

On the podcast, Josh hosts conversations that highlight the different ways we all navigate life without alcohol. It's a reminder that while our journeys may be unique, we ultimately share in the growth and transformation that comes from making this choice. I really resonate with Joshua's mission, as I set up We Recover Loudly as I wish something like this had existed when I was questioning my own relationship with alcohol.  Joshua believes it is all about a shift in mindset, which leads to a change in identity, and he is dedicated to continuously improving himself while uplifting those around him.   We discussed -

- The ulitmate sparkling water
- The repurcussions the industry is still feeling post pandemic
- What Gen Z really want in a role.
- Culture being a 'tick box' excercise, and how as leaders we have to live the culture we want to see.
- The awesomeness of finding common ground with your team when you remove alcohol and actually get to know them as individuals.
- The power of all recovery stories, and that not having a 'rock bottom' does no invalidate your experiences.

This was a wonderful chat with a beautiful soul.  Check out his podcast 'No Proof' on all podcast platforms, and follow Josh on socials to stay in the loop.

@joshuagandee
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/noproof

For more information on We Recover Loudly and to reach out for speaking engagements or support email [email protected]

@werecoverloudly
www.werecoverloudly.com

This week's guest is the iconic, and exceptionally talented, chef Gabriel Rucker.  Having started in kitchens at a young age, even though he dropped out of culinary school, Gabriel's incredible talent was there from the start.  At 25, Gabriel became the chef at Portland’s iconic Le Pigeon, where he redefined French cuisine with his signature adventurous twists and carefree energy. He continued building award-winning restaurants, and he currently serves as Chef and co-owner of Canard—a French brasserie with two locations in Oregon–in addition to Le Pigeon.  He is one of Portland’s most respected and decorated chefs. He has earned two James Beard awards for Rising Star Chef in 2011 and Best Chef Northwest in 2013. Over the past 10 years, he has become a leading advocate within the restaurant industry for recovery, health and fitness. In 2019, Rucker, along with fellow Portland chef Gregory Gourdet, he opened the Portland chapter of Ben’s Friends, the restaurant industry recovery group started by previous guest Mickey Bakst. 

Recently Gabriel did a Ted Talk Portland about leadership, mentorship and how to keep pushing forward in life even when things are tough.  He also runs a group called Bird Dog Run, which is a running club that meets in front of Le Pigeon every Friday at 9am for people of all industry's to connect and enjoy the positive effects of exercise.   

We discussed - 
- Being a culinary school drop out.
- How in 2007 he was the top of the culinary world, and how he nearly lost it all due to his spiralling addiction.
- How alcohol and drugs had been an issue from a young age, but the environment and pressure of the kitchen had amplified this until he felt he could not do it anymore and sort help from his father, himself in recovery.
- Priorising his wife and family over his job, and how by doing that and being a better family man he is actually able to be a better leader in the kitchen.
- The teaching and mentoring he now does about balance, presence and boundaries with his own team, so they do not repeat the same patterns he did.

 Getting to speak to Gabriel was a real pinch-me moment, and it was amazing to get the chance to connect with one of the first chefs who has really taken it upon themselves to recovery loudly, to stop others dying quietly.  

 Check him out on Instagram  - @ruckergabriel @birddogrunclub

For more information on We Recover Loudly and to reach out for speaking engagements or support email [email protected]

@werecoverloudly
www.werecoverloudly.com

ONE YEAR BIRTHDAY PODCAST RELEASE !!!

This week's episode marks one year since releasing episode one.  To mark this milestone, it was important to invite a guest along who has been instrumental in the genesis of this whole project, and indeed my sobriety.  My guest, Rupert Davison is one of the company directors of A Rule of Tum.  Rupert is a director at A Rule of Tum, which operates 6 restaurants in Worcester and Hereford, with plans to open in Birmingham. A Rule of Tum offers a diverse range of dining experiences, from Japanese ramen to classic burgers. They also run Dish by Art, a events company specializing in bespoke weddings and celebrations. Over the past decade, A Rule of Tum has become a culinary powerhouse.    

I worked at The Burger Shop Worcester for a few years, including over Covid. During that time, my drinking spiralled out of control, leading to devastating consequences like losing my job. In this episode, I chat with Rupert, a dear friend and the one who ultimately had to let me go. We delve into the challenges faced by employers in an industry with a long history of excessive drinking and drug use. 

We also talked about

• How Rupert got into cooking, and the great experiences the industry can offer young people in particular.
• The stresses of being a leader, and the burnout that so frequently comes with that.
• The lessons we have both learnt from the situation we found ourselves in.
• The great work that A Rule of Tum do to support their team members.   

This episode includes an introduction discussing the incident and my hope to inspire change by being open and vulnerable. Thank you to all listeners for an amazing year of podcasting.

Check out the fantastic company A Rule of Tum here - https://aruleoftum.com/

And follow on socials
@_burger_shop
@_the_yard_hereford
@leavenpizza
@manekiramenworcester
@thebookshophfd

For more information on We Recover Loudly and to reach out for speaking engagements or support email [email protected]

@werecoverloudly
www.werecoverloudly.com

In this week's episode we speak to the absolute legend Mickey Bakst, co founder of the national organisation Ben's Friends in the US.  After losing a friend to addiction, Ben's Friends was born with a simple mission: to help struggling industry professionals break free from addiction. With almost 60 years of combined sobriety, Mickey and his partner Steve Palmer have proven that you can thrive in this industry while staying sober.  Established in 2016, Ben’s Friends provides hope, fellowship, and support to those in the hospitality industry dealing with substance abuse. The organisation demonstrates that recovery is possible, and individuals can thrive in the industry without relying on alcohol or drugs through community, communication, and compassion.

We discussed SO MUCH, including -

- Why the industry is not to blame for peoples addiction ... But why it is also not blameless.
- Why we need to stop throwing our people away, and how we can help them collaborative as mental health organisations.
- How addiction is an industry wide issue, and not just reserved for chefs and BOH team members.
- How to change the culture around drinking when the managers are the ones that need to change the most.
- The recent change of narrative from 'let's get rid of the problem worker' to 'what can we do to support' and how important that change is for the future of the industry.   
- Sober contracts; what do they mean for the industry?

Micky's honesty and willingness to generously share his story has saved so many lives.  He speaks with love, passion and poetry of his time working FOH and his mission to protect both its people, and its magic is why he is an ICON.   As Mickey himself says "Sobriety is a ball, we can do it in the industry and its even better if we do it together."

Ben's Friends have daily online meetings, as well as in person meetings across the US and Canada.  Check out their website for meeting links and follow on social media for more information.

https://www.bensfriendshope.com/  @bensfriendshope

For more information on We Recover Loudly and to reach out for speaking engagements or support email [email protected]

@werecoverloudly
www.werecoverloudly.com

In this week's episode, I sat down with the hilarious and incredibily intellectual Laura Louise Green, the founder of Healthy Pour.  Healthy Pour is an organisation based in Chicago who focus on improving the mental health and well being of individuals in the workplace.  Laura is a trained psychotherapist, and organizational consultant.  It was shortly after receiving her license to practice as a psychotherapist, that the death of Anthony Bourdain prompted her to turn her sights on the hospitality industry and to provide free psychoeducation to the community at large.  Since then, Healthy Pour has expanded to service all workspaces and industries, with a fondness for creative, high-pressure, working environments.

We discussed – 

• Trauma bonding and how that influence’s our decision on where we work.
• The impact of childhood experiences on our adult life decisions.
• How making small changes can have a massive ripple affect on the way people experience their work and therefore how they go on to enjoy their down time.
• The failed opportunities we had to reset as an industry after the pandemic.
• How to build trust in the workplace

Laura is a powerhouse of information and her passion for change is not only infectious, but vitally needed at this time in the industry.  Check out the amazing work she does on the website and follow her on socials.

https://healthypour.org/about

@laura.louise.green

@healthy.pour

For more information on We Recover Loudly and to reach out for speaking engagements or support email [email protected]

@werecoverloudly
www.werecoverloudly.com

In this new episode, recorded late 2023, Shell talks to the wonderful Karl Considine back when he was still at the beginning of his journey with the now wildy successful Love From bar in Manchester.  

Throughout this heartfelt conversation, Karl peels back the layers of his experiences, discussing the stark realities of his former identity as the 'party boy' and the shift to a life where authenticity takes center stage. From confronting an identity crisis to building a new sense of self, he guides us through the intricate process of self-discovery that sobriety has ignited within him. His insights into the struggles with past habits, fears of relapse, and the joyous moments of living authentically offer a stirring glimpse into a life reclaimed.

We also discussed - 

• The challenge of looking after yourself when working in hospitality as you are there to serve others .
• Wearing you ability to work hard, party hard and repeat over and over as a badge of honour.
• Drinking home and alone; the secret world of addiction and that road to isolation it takes us down.
• The spectrum of extroversion and introversion.

Karl's unwavering commitment to fostering inclusive, safe spaces where people can recover and discover themselves is such an inspiring story.  He really is one of those unique humans with a very special heart and it was wonderful to chat to him.

To connect with Karl, head to his instagram @love.fromco and @whatnext.karl

For more information on We Recover Loudly and to reach out for speaking engagements or support email [email protected]

@werecoverloudly
www.werecoverloudly.com

In this new episode, Ben Gibbs, founder of the Sober Boozers Club, shares his journey with us in his signature candid, and humourous manner. He discusses his struggle with alcoholism and the pivotal moment that led him towards sobriety. Ben's story not only highlights his personal triumph but also sheds light on the growing market for non-alcoholic beer, emphasizing the inclusivity and happiness that can be found in a life without alcohol.

During our conversation, we delve into the emotional challenges faced by those in recovery. We discuss the stigma associated with the term 'alcoholic' and the importance of self-forgiveness. Ben discusses the process of overcoming past mistakes while redefining one's identity. 

We also discuss - 

• Being a big deal in Redditch
• The challenge of being an alcoholic who loves beer, and how Ben claimed that and has not stopped doing what he loves just because he put down the booze.
• That you do not have to be an alcoholic to stop drinking
• How important to Ben it has been building a community of AF beer drinkers around him, and the joy of being able to share his love of these drinks with people
• The commonality of addicts who search for community in the wrong places, which leads to the bottle of a bottle ... And how now we are sober we find what we were really looking for.  Connection.

This episode is a mix of laughter and honesty, showcasing a community that embraces vibrant living without alcohol. Pour yourself your fave AF beer and enjoy!  For more from Ben, follow him on @sober_boozers_club

For more information on We Recover Loudly and to reach out for speaking engagements or support email [email protected]

@werecoverloudly
www.werecoverloudly.com

This week on We Recover Loudly, we pull back the curtain with Shannon Michelle, whose journey from pizza counter to cocktail shaker has taken a turn towards sobriety and a quest for inclusivity in the bar industry. Her candid stories serve as a beacon for those navigating the rewarding yet tumultuous waves of hospitality. From the personal cost of burnout to her transformation into a charity-minded business owner, Shannon's reflections are a testament to the power of vulnerability and the strength found in choosing a life less intoxicated.

Navigating a career in hospitality can be like mixing a complex cocktail – it requires balance, a dash of creativity, and the occasional bitter note to appreciate the sweet. We examine the silent struggles faced by many behind the bar, discussing the importance of recognizing the warning signs of mental health in our team and the necessity for compassionate leadership. 

We also discuss - 
- Burn out and neurodiversity
- The fear we can feel around asking for help, and how this can esculate destructive behaviours.  
- How important boundaries are, and that we should be championing them in our teams, and ourselves.
- The importance of mentorship.

We discuss the burgeoning trend of low and no ABV cocktails that Shannon champions.  This conversation is an inspiring a celebration of personal growth, professional evolution, and the realization that sobriety might just be the best decision you can make!

For more information on We Recover Loudly and to reach out for speaking engagements or support email [email protected]

@werecoverloudly
www.werecoverloudly.com