In this episode of the Sober Motivation Podcast, I connect with Meg to explore her journey from a typical suburban upbringing in Chicago to navigating her relationship with alcohol. Meg opens up about her experience growing up with a strong family foundation, her high school and college years, and the influence of social and professional environments on her drinking habits. They discuss the concept of 'gray area drinking' and its widespread impact, the societal pressures associated with drinking, and the courageous choice she made to live a sober life. Meg highlights the positive changes she experienced, including better relationships and professional achievements.

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Meg on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megmckeen/

In this episode Justin shares his compelling story of growing up amidst domestic violence, struggling with various addictions, and his journey toward sobriety. He discusses his battle with alcohol, heroin, and other substances, the impact of his actions on his personal life, and his eventual path to recovery. Justin reflects on the transformative moments that led him to seek help, the importance of support from loved ones, and the gratitude he now feels for a sober life. This inspiring story highlights the resilience of the human spirit and the possibility of change, no matter how deep the struggle and this is Justin’s story on the sober motivation podcast.

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Sober Motivation Community:https://sobermotivation.mn.co

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:28 Childhood Memories and Family Struggles

02:31 High School Challenges and Seeking Acceptance

04:53 Early Adulthood and Substance Abuse

11:18 Heroin Addiction and Recovery

16:05 Struggles with Alcohol and Identity

26:47 Turning Point and Seeking Help

29:58 Navigating the Party Lifestyle

31:00 The Descent into Daily Drinking

32:19 Struggles with Alcohol and Relationships

34:11 Health Issues and Realizations

35:19 First Attempt at Rehab

36:38 Relapse and the Ego Trap

41:31 Final Rock Bottom and Seeking Help

43:00 The Road to Recovery

44:27 Life in Sobriety

45:23 Reflections and Gratitude

In this episode, I welcome Megan, who shares her powerful sobriety journey. Megan opens up about her struggles with perfectionism, early exposure to alcohol, postpartum anxiety, and the loss of her father. After a life-changing moment on Easter 2019, she embraced spontaneous sobriety and immersed herself in various recovery methods, including therapy, AA, and online support communities. Megan emphasizes the importance of living authentically, finding joy in recovery, and connecting with others for a fulfilling, sober life.

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Join the Sober Motivation Community: https://sobermotivation.mn.co

Megan on IG: https://www.instagram.com/meganeileen3/

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:11 Megan's Childhood and Early Struggles

01:45 Teenage Years and First Encounters with Alcohol

03:59 College Life and Escalating Drinking Habits

09:39 Post-College Life and Motherhood

12:31 Struggles with Postpartum Anxiety and Drinking

14:05 The Turning Point and Path to Sobriety

24:35 Facing Defeat and Embracing Vulnerability

25:23 Reflecting on Life Choices

25:42 The Turning Point: Choosing Sobriety

26:18 Struggles and Values: A Personal Journey

26:44 The Reality of Addiction

28:38 Rediscovering Joy and Connection

29:12 Building a Support System

30:22 Sharing the Journey Publicly

31:59 Finding Balance and Purpose

43:04 Overcoming Challenges in Sobriety

45:12 A Message of Hope and Gratitude

In this compelling episode of the Sober Motivation Podcast, John Buckley candidly shares his harrowing yet inspiring journey through alcoholism and his ultimate path to sobriety. Growing up in an Irish immigrant household with a father battling alcohol addiction, John reflects on his early encounters with drinking and the profound impact it had on his identity, education, and relationships. From dealing with high-stress environments on Wall Street to personal crises, including his father's death and his own terrifying health scare. Through immense challenges and with significant resilience, John has successfully reclaimed his life, offering hope and practical advice to those battling similar struggles.

Links: 

Sober Motivation Community 2 week trial: https://sobermotivation.mn.co

1:1 Sobriety Mentorship Info: https://www.sobermotivationmedia.com/1-1-mentorship

SoberLink: https://www.soberlink.com/recover

John on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jbuckofficial/

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:29 John's Childhood and Family Background

01:39 Early Experiences with Alcohol

13:11 College Years and Identity Struggles

19:58 Career in Sales and Drinking Culture

24:15 Family Struggles and Father's Decline

32:39 The Illusion of Control

33:49 Life in Manhattan

35:19 Meeting Debbie

36:31 Fatherhood and Escalation

38:47 COVID and the Downward Spiral

41:07 Hitting Rock Bottom

44:03 The Turning Point

51:13 A New Beginning

53:16 Reflections and Advice

In this episode, we have Lisa, who shares her compelling story of sobriety and reclaiming her life. Growing up  Lisa faced a challenging childhood with a mother suffering from MS. Despite her struggles with self-esteem, she discovered sports as an outlet. However, in high school, alcohol became a coping mechanism for fitting in and dealing with uncomfortable feelings. Lisa recounts her college years, marked by risky behavior and other challenges, underscoring the central role alcohol played in her life. Her 20s and 30s saw professional achievements, including a career as a police officer. But personal losses, family tragedies, and health setbacks led to a deeper dependency on alcohol. A turning point in 2023, driven by sheer frustration with the control alcohol had over her, catalyzed her sobriety journey, marked by strong community support, embracing online platforms, and a profound commitment to self-care. Lisa shares insights about the importance of community, gratitude, and acknowledging the challenges of sobriety. And this is Lisa’s story on the Sober Motivation podcast.

Lisa on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisa_m_amos/

Join the Sober Motivation Community: https://sobermotivation.mn.co

More information on SoberLink: https://www.soberlink.com/recover

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:34 Lisa's Challenging Childhood

02:14 Struggles with Fitting In

03:48 Early Encounters with Alcohol

05:09 High School and the Start of Drinking

13:44 College Years and Escalating Issues

19:18 Post-College Life and Career Beginnings

24:15 Finding Purpose in Policing

28:11 Major Life Changes and Daily Drinking

31:37 Reflecting on Past Counseling Experiences

32:13 The Journey to Sobriety Begins

32:50 Struggles and Attempts to Quit Drinking

35:35 Finding the Right Support and Tools

37:26 Embracing a Sober Lifestyle

39:17 The Importance of Community

40:43 Overcoming Challenges and Celebrating Success

53:59 Sober Travel and New Experiences

57:20 Final Thoughts and Advice for the Journey

In this episode, we have Mason who shares his profound journey from childhood growing up in a family where alcohol was part of the norm, Mason recounts his experiences with his parents' substance use issues, navigating school life, and coming to terms with his own struggles. He dives into his periods of heavy drinking, the challenges of accepting his sexuality in the ’80s, and the spiral following his HIV diagnosis. Despite multiple setbacks and deep lows, Mason finds the strength to seek sobriety in his mid-40s, eventually leading to a fulfilling career helping others. His story is a testament to resilience and the possibility of change at any stage of life.

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00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:24 Early Life and Family Background

04:04 High School Years and Early Drinking

09:15 Post-High School Life and Marriage

12:55 Struggles with Substance Abuse

18:56 Facing Consequences and Isolation

21:13 Moments of Realization and Regret

24:28 Gaming and Personal Struggles

25:23 Facing the Truth

26:40 Sobriety and Self-Realization

28:21 The Turning Point

30:10 Early Days of Sobriety

32:19 Therapy and Self-Acceptance

36:49 Life Changes and Achievements

40:49 Continuous Self-Improvement

49:09 Final Thoughts and Advice

In this episode, we have Stephanie who discusses her multiple-decade battle with alcohol addiction. As the youngest of five girls, Stephanie grew up in a household heavily exposed to alcohol, leading her to start drinking at a young age. Her journey through high school, college, and her professional life is marked by escalating alcohol use, culminating in a near-death experience and a hospitalization due to alcohol withdrawal seizures in December 2021. This life-changing event prompted Stephanie to seek help and embrace sobriety. Now, having reached 1,000 days sober, she shares her insights on the struggles and triumphs of sobriety, the importance of seeking help, and the tools that have helped her maintain a sober lifestyle. This is Stephanie’s story on the Sober Motivation podcast.

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Donate to support he show: https://buymeacoffee.com/sobermotivation

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Check out the YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@sobermotivationpodcast

Stephanie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephrudnicki/

In this episode of the Sober Motivation Podcast, we have Kelsey, who details her journey from a turbulent childhood to overcoming profound addiction challenges. Raised by her grandparents due to her parents’ substance abuse issues, Kelsey sought connection through drugs and alcohol, leading to a life marked by substance misuse, including cocaine, heroin, alcohol, benzos and DUIs. However, Kelsey’s story is one of transformation and hope. Through immense struggle and court-mandated rehabilitation, she achieved sobriety and now lives a fulfilling life as a mother and business owner. This episode also highlights the importance of community and supportive networks, with Brad discussing the newly launched Sober Motivation Community aimed at providing support for those on their sobriety journey. Join this episode to hear about the power of resilience and the possibility of redemption one story at a time.

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Join the SoberMotivation Community: https://sobermotivation.mn.co

More information on Soberlink: https://www.soberlink.com/recover

Kelsey on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelseyautry/

In this episode, I sit down with Chad Caruso to discuss his incredible journey from skateboarding to overcoming addiction. Chad shares candid insights about his upbringing, his passion for skateboarding, and how he gradually fell into the damaging cycle of alcohol. Despite facing challenges like dropping out of school and multiple DWIs, Chad turned his life around, finding sobriety and embarking on ambitious projects such as skating across all 50 states in 50 days and ultimately setting a Guinness World Record by skateboarding across the United States. This is Chad's story on the Sober Motivation podcast.

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Connect with Chad on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chad_caruso/

In this episode of the Sober Motivation Podcast, my buddy Ryan joins us to share his sobriety journey. Ryan reflects on his childhood in a tight-knit community, his introduction to alcohol in high school, and how his father's coping mechanisms influenced his own. He describes the progressive nature of his alcohol dependency, the strain it put on his relationships, and his eventual realization of needing change in 2020. After multiple attempts to quit, trying a few different pathways Ryan was tired of the life he was leading and realized his drinking did not only affect him it affected everyone around him.  Something had to change but how would Ryan go from a life of drinking to a life without? This is Ryan's story on the Sober Motivation podcast.

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Join the Sober Motivation Community here: https://sobermotivation.mn.co

Ryan's Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/weber.m.ryan/

00:00 Introduction to Season Three

00:14 Meet Ryan: A Journey Begins

00:43 Ryan's Early Life and College Days

01:25 The Role of Alcohol in Ryan's Life

02:39 Marriage and Moving Away

03:29 Struggles with Alcohol and Family Dynamics

04:47 Realizations and Early Signs of Alcohol Dependence

06:25 The Turning Point: Marriage and Parenthood

08:25 Hiding the Problem and Seeking Help

10:27 The Role of Community and Support

25:48 Fishing Trip Revelations

26:31 Struggles with Sobriety

27:00 A Turning Point

28:22 The Road to Recovery

30:07 Reflections and Realizations

35:32 Finding Community

47:34 The Power of Connection

52:19 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

In this episode we have Dave, who shares his deeply personal and inspirational journey from growing up with an anxious mind and early struggles with guilt and shame, to becoming a defined party guy in high school and college. Despite achieving professional milestones, Dave's life was becoming increasingly unmanageable due to his drinking. He opens up about the physical and emotional toll his addiction took on him and his loved ones. Dave recounts his turning point moment of seeking help, the challenges of early sobriety, and the transformative effects it has had on his health, relationships, and overall life. Dave and I discuss the importance of replacing drinking with healthier activities, the persistent struggle with alcohol cravings, and the critical role of self-awareness and support systems in recovery.

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https://sobermotivation.mn.co

Dave's IG: https://www.instagram.com/daveg717/