by Paul Churchill | Dec 30, 2019 | Podcast
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Justin took his last drink on November 5, 2018. This is his story.
Update on the Alcohol is Sh!t book! The book is out! Pick up your paperback copy on Amazon here! You can get the Audible version here!
On January 1st, 2020 the 4th Café RE group will open.
2020’ Recovery Elevator LIVE event, Dancing with the Mind, will take place June 11-14 in Denver, CO. You can find more information about our events here.
On today’s episode Paul talks about manifestation, how you basically create your future with your thoughts. We all do it, most often unconsciously.
What is, and isn’t, possible isn’t your business, it’s nature’s business. Your business is to thrive towards what you want; sobriety, the why. To create what you want it must be clear in your mind, stay the course, make a commitment to this clear and coherent goal of quitting drinking.
If you don’t know what you truly want, seek love and connection in the mind with thoughts. Those two alone will blast through addiction.
[14:25] Paul introduces Justin.
Justin lives in Santa Cruz, CA. He is a musician and has been playing music for about 22 years. He is 31 years old.
[17:27] Give us a background on your drinking.
Justin says he got introduced to drugs and alcohol around the age of 16. He says he always wanted just a little bit more than everyone else, and then he started mixing up the drugs and alcohol at the same time.
Shortly after graduating high school Justin’s mother passed away and that sent him down a spiral. He started to really abuse drugs and alcohol, waking up sick every morning and hardly able to function. He realized that he needed to get help or he was going to die.
[19:00] How old were you when you realized you needed to get help?
Justin says it was around the age of 24 that he first really realized it, but that it wasn’t until the age of 27 that he really that he had thoughts of really quitting. At 27 Justin realized he had to stop, and that he couldn’t stop.
[19:43] What happened then?
One of Justin’s friends told him about the plant medicine ayahuasca. Justin felt like he had to options, rehab or try the plant medicine. He signed up for an ayahuasca ceremony.
Within a couple hours of drinking the plant medicine the first night Justin says he had a life changing experience. He was taken right to his mother’s death and says she was there with him, holding him. After that experience that night Justin completely quit everything and was sober for 16 months.
[23:20] What sneaky ideas did the thinking mind put in your head at 16 months?
It was New Year’s Eve and Justin had the thought that he would just drink a couple drinks that night, and go back to his sobriety the next day. What happened is he got black out drunk, doesn’t remember the night, and woke up sick.
[24:38] How long did you go back out for, and what brought you back?
Justin said he went back out for 7 months, and then he did another ayahuasca ceremony, which brought him back. At the time he felt that he needed the plant medicine to bring him back, but now he’s learning he can access that state of consciousness with yoga and meditation.
[26:15] Get us up to speed to your sobriety date.
There very last night Justin drank he told himself that he needed to stop. He started the night saying he would just drink one pint. The one pint led to at least 10 more drinks and Justin found himself getting kicked out of the bar. He got in his car, blacked out drunk, and sped away to the gym he goes to. He walked into the gym with a 12 pack of beer, went to the locker room and started chugging them, and puking in the lockers. Justin made a big scene and many other members were complaining about him. He was asked to leave the gym, or they were calling the cops. At the end of this night Justin woke up naked, covered in puke, in a bush in his yard, not remembering anything.
[35:39] Talk to us about how you did it?
Justin said he called a therapist the next morning, to talk about rehab. He was going to at least one AA meeting a day the first couple weeks. He still goes to a meeting about once a week, but doesn’t feel that meetings help him as much as meditation and yoga. Justin says a recent meditation cruise was the best trip of his life.
[42:25] Talk to us about meditation.
Justin says he feels that his alcohol abuse was led by feeling there was a hole, or emptiness, that he wanted to fill, or that he wasn’t enough. He wanted to cover up all those thoughts with alcohol. But now, he’s learned, that instead of covering up the thoughts he doesn’t want, to create the thoughts he does.
[52:30] Rapid Fire Round
- What’s a lightbulb moment you’ve had on this journey?
To love myself.
- What is a memorable moment that a life without alcohol has given you?
Meeting all these amazing people that are connected to the heart.
- What is your favorite alcohol-free drink?
Probably water, honestly.
- What are some of your favorite resources on this journey?
Plant medicine and YouTube.
- What is on your bucket list in an alcohol-free life?
Creating more music to help people heal.
- And what parting piece of guidance can you give to listeners?
I would say to spend more time connecting to your heart and spirit.
You might need to ditch the booze if…
You’re waking up naked, outside your house, on two hits of acid.
Upcoming Events and Retreats.
Asia Adventure – January 20-31, 2020
Recovery Elevator LIVE: Dancing with the Mind – in Colorado – June 11-14th, 2020
Recovery Elevator in Costa Rica: From Jungle to the Beach – October 8 – 18th, 2020
You can find more information about our events here.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Connect with Cafe RE– Use the promo code OPPORTUNITY for your first month free
Sobriety Tracker iTunes
Sobriety Tracker Android
Sober Selfies! – Send your Sober Selfie and your Success Story to info@recoveryelevator.com
“Recovery Elevator – It All Starts from the Inside Out. We can do this.”
by Paul Churchill | Dec 3, 2019
We regretfully inform you that we are canceling our upcoming event in Denver at the Hilton Garden Inn, March 31st – April 2nd, 2022. If you have registered for this event, we will be canceling and refunding all orders (estimated return of funds: 7-10 days). We...
by Paul Churchill | Dec 2, 2019 | Podcast
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe to the Recovery Elevator Podcast Apple Podcasts | | More
Dee took her last drink on January 17, 2019. This is her story.
Update on the Alcohol is Sh!t book! The book is out! Pick up your paperback copy on Amazon here! You can get the Audible version here!
On January 1st, 2020 the 4th Café RE group will open.
There will be 2 in-person meetups in Australia this December. If you would like more info or would like to RSVP please email info@recoveryelevator.com.
On today’s episode Paul talks about PAWS, or what he refers to as ‘healing symptoms. You can find a YouTube video on these healing symptoms, or PAWS, here. This period of experiencing these healing symptoms usually lasts anywhere from 3 – 6 months, but could last a little longer.
You have 2 choices. The 1st choice is to keep drinking. With this choice there will be a painful progression and whatever emotions and physical repercussions you’re experiencing now will only be enhanced in time.
The 2nd choice is to quit drinking and embark on the most heroic journey. This choice gives you options, and you don’t have to decide today.
[14:50] Paul introduces Dee.
Dee is 50 years old and recently moved to Albuquerque, NM. She works as a purchaser for the Federal Government. For fun Dee enjoys walking, hiking, biking, and meeting up with her fellow sober peeps.
[17:20] Give us a background on your drinking.
Dee was first introduced to alcohol by her parents as a child during the holidays. With high school came beer. Between high school and the age of 21 Dee really didn’t do much drinking. 21 years old rolls around and Dee got really good at drinking and socializing. Alcohol seemed to fix her feelings of not being enough. Always a tomboy Dee felt the guys didn’t really take an interest in her so the alcohol helped her become more flirtatious.
At the age of 25 Dee became, what she called, a pro at drinking. Dee’s dad got sick and passed, this prompted her to switch from drinking beer to hard liquor, thinking this would stop her from becoming an alcoholic. A month later Dee’s husband died. Dee says she dove into the booze at this time and continued to drink heavily for years.
[23:15] Do you feel that you properly grieved?
Dee says she did not, that she didn’t know how to properly grieve. Alcohol helped her get through this time in her life, when she was in so much pain she didn’t want to live. It allowed her to sleep and it allowed her to manage getting up every day.
[25:25] What role did alcohol play in your 30s and 40s?
Dee was living in Florida and back to drinking “normal”. At 33 Dee moved to Atlanta and decided she needed to quit drinking, so she did. She quit for 7 months. She started going to AA, and although she didn’t feel it was for her she continued to go because that is what she knew to do at the time.
After an offer of some free Dom Pérignon, Dee began drinking again. Fast forward to when Dee first joined Café RE. This was when her drinking really started to escalate, in 2018. Dee was in an unhappy marriage and although she didn’t want to drink, she couldn’t stop. Dee first joined Café RE in June 2018 and then thought she had her drinking under control and could moderate. She quit RE and drank for another 4 months before rejoining in January 2019.
[31:50] Was there an emotional rock bottom?
Dee says she fought with God, her higher power, over this for 25+ years. She says it was exhausting having one foot in church and one foot doing the drinking thing. So, Dee made the decision to face life without the alcohol.
[38:15] You’re entering the scary and uncomfortable area in life, called the unknown, how is this going?
Dee says it is going well and she is not afraid.
[39:40] Has there been cravings?
Having the mindset that drinking is not an option has helped Dee. Dee has a lot of options to reach out to people when she needs to, and she uses them. Connection and community are key. Dee is slowly building connections locally, in a healthy way.
[41:50] What is something that you learned at the RE Bozeman Retreat that you can implement in your journey?
Dee says the meditation and the breathwork were the two big things for her, they have helped her slow down and stay in the present.
[45:00] What are your thoughts on relapse?
Dee says she hates that word. That is breaks her heart when she sees people posting that they have relapsed, and not because she thinks less of them, but because she knows how hard it is to pick yourself back up and stack days.
[47:15] Rapid Fire Round
- What’s a lightbulb moment you’ve had on this journey?
You can do it.
- What is a memorable moment that a life without alcohol has given you?
Nashville and Bozeman.
- What is your favorite alcohol-free drink?
Waterloo Sparkling Water, Mango flavored.
- What are some of your favorite resources on this journey?
Well, the number one is Café RE.
- What is on your bucket list in an alcohol-free life?
Writing a book.
- And what parting piece of guidance can you give to listeners?
Believe in yourself.
You might need to ditch the booze if…
You are in Ireland, flying solo, and you walk into a bar in Dublin, and there’s all guys. One of the guys proposes to you, puts his ring on your finger, you go to the restroom and the ring falls off in the toilet, you have to fish it out, and you have to break up with him.
Upcoming retreats:
Asia Adventure – January 20-31, 2020
RE LIVE in Colorado – June 11-14th, 2020
You can find more information about this event here
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Honey
This episode is brought to you by the smart shopping assistant Honey. Get Honey for free at www.joinhoney.com/elevator . Honey, the smart shopping assistant that saves you time and money when you’re shopping online
Hello Fresh
Get 9 free meals at www.hellofresh.com/recoveryfresh9 and use the promo code recoveryfresh9
Connect with Cafe RE– Use the promo code OPPORTUNITY for your first month free
Sobriety Tracker iTunes
Sobriety Tracker Android
Sober Selfies! – Send your Sober Selfie and your Success Story to info@recoveryelevator.com
“Recovery Elevator – It All Starts From the Inside Out. We can do this.”
by Paul Churchill | Oct 28, 2019 | Podcast
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe to the Recovery Elevator Podcast Apple Podcasts | | More
Jay took his last drink on Decemeber 26, 2018. This is his story.
Update on the Alcohol is Sh!t book! The book is out! Pick up your paperback copy on Amazon here! You can get the Audible version here!
On today’s episode Paul talks about a response to a post on Reddit. Not knowing exactly what the initial post said, Paul guesses it was something about the poster wanting to ditch the booze, but not being able to.
The response…” You know what, you‘re heading in the right direction to win. You want to stop. You literally cannot win without that. I’ve lost friends to booze and none of them wanted to stop. Wanting to stop provides friction. It adds resistance to drinking, which has the effect of reducing your intake. Maybe you start an hour later in the day. Maybe you drink one glass less. That helps. It makes it easier to apply more friction in the future.”
The intention to stop is the most important thing.
[9:44] Paul introduces Jay.
Jay is 37 years old and grew up in upstate New York. He has lived in North Carolina for the last 9 years. He has a full-time sales job and a full time real-estate side hustle. He enjoys mountain biking and golf. He is married.
[11:05] Give us a background on your drinking.
In high school Jay had fun after the Friday night football games. In college Jay partied on Friday and Saturday nights. He was a weekend warrior during his twenties. He relocated in 2010 and started experiencing problems that he couldn’t solve. This is when alcohol really made it’s appearance.
[14:40] Do you feel your sports background backfired when it came to quitting drinking?
Yes. Jay says he ran into a set of problems that he could not out hustle, could not out grind.
[15:30] Early thirties and anxiety is creeping up, take it from there.
Rather than talking about it with the people he loved he internalized it. 2016-2018 Jay says he was a pressure cooker. He was never saying no, never setting boundaries.
[17:50] Did you ever try to moderate?
Around 2016 Jay recognized that alcohol was getting out of control. He would go 30-40 days AF a few times a year. After trying to fight a stranger at a party Jay knew the gig was up. He later had a conversation with his best friend and told him that he thought he had a drinking problem. Jay says that in that moment he felt a weight off his shoulders.
[27:24] What did you find when you went internal?
Jay learned that he’s a people pleaser, that he didn’t know what boundaries were, and having his emotional bids minimized really hurt.
[32:20] How’d you do it?
Jay says ever since the moment he told his friend that he has a drinking problem he has not experienced cravings. He has not attended AA, and does not like the term ‘alcoholic’.
[33:35] What’s been the hardest thing you’ve gone through in sobriety?
Jay says he’s gone through some events where there has been a lot of drinking and when people asked him why he wasn’t drinking his reply was, “I have goals so big that I and to give up some things.”
[37:15] What advice can you give to guys out there about emotions?
There is no courage without vulnerability.
[41:05] Rapid Fire Round
- What’s a lightbulb moment you’ve had on this journey?
Finally digging down to what was causing the sadness and now having an awareness of that.
- What is a memorable moment that a life without alcohol has given you?
Those moments where this incredible peace overcomes you.
- What is your favorite alcohol-free drink?
I drink coffee and water.
- What are some of your favorite resources on this journey?
Writing in my journal every morning has been a tremendous help.
- What is on your bucket list in an alcohol-free life?
Fly to California and drive the Pacific Coast Highway from end to end.
- And what parting piece of guidance can you give to listeners?
Have the courage to be honest with yourself and with the people closest to you.
- You might need to ditch the booze if…
If you self-impose a rule of only two 24 oz. Twisted Teas and then switch to Miller Lights because you’re worried about cavities.
Upcoming retreats:
Asia Adventure – January 20-31, 2020
You can find more information about this event here
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Connect with Cafe RE– Use the promo code OPPORTUNITY for your first month free
Sobriety Tracker iTunes
Sobriety Tracker Android
Sober Selfies! – Send your Sober Selfie and your Success Story to info@recoveryelevator.com
“Recovery Elevator – It All Starts From the Inside Out. We can do this.”
by Paul Churchill | Oct 21, 2019 | Podcast
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe to the Recovery Elevator Podcast Apple Podcasts | | More
Gracie took her last drink on September 29, 2018. This is her story.
Update on the Alcohol is Sh!t book! The book is out! Pick up your paperback copy on Amazon here! You can get the Audible version here!
On today’s episode Paul talks about connection. Human connection is an innate need to create a social bond with others.
For those that found a temporary connection with alcohol and are now trying to ditch the booze now find them facing disconnection head on. You are listening to the inner voice that isn’t craving alcohol, but is craving connection.
How to connect…ask for connection every single morning. Aim for 50% to be external connections, and the other 50% internal. If a connection is built within, we can go through difficult times in life and still feel that warmth. If you address the internal connection the external connection solves itself.
SHOW NOTES
[14:25] Paul introduces Gracie.
Gracie grew up in the Midwest and is currently living in Chicago. She is 32 years old and is a nurse. Gracie loves camping, backpacking, traveling abroad doing medical trips, and has recently gotten into rock and minerals. She lives with her boyfriend, who is 4 years sober.
[22:55] Give us a background on your drinking.
Gracie didn’t start drinking until she was 19 years old and off at college. Her drinking didn’t get bad until age 21/22 when she was in the Peace Corp and was partying hard with the other volunteers. In her mid-twenties she was binge drinking on the weekends and coming home and drinking by herself. She was experiencing a lot of loneliness and anxiety at the time, so would drink. By Gracie’s late 20s she was drinking most nights and having blackouts.
Gracie says she had a lot of ‘soft bottoms’ and it wasn’t until she was about 28 years old that it occurred to her that she needed to stop drinking. It was at this time that Gracie was starting to read self-help books and was interested in spiritual growth. As she started getting into medication retreats and plant medicine, she says she kept getting the message, from her heart, that her drinking was holding her back.
[37:45] How did it feel when you started to feel your feelings?
Gracie says she was afraid in the beginning, that she was even afraid to feel a feeling coming on. She says meditation helped her let the feelings come and pass. Gracie says it took months for her to learn to trust that a feeling wouldn’t swallow her whole.
[41:45] Was there a rock bottom before you quit drinking?
Gracie says there was a lot of heartbreaking moments. She was functioning but her relationships were suffering. She says there was this constant low-grade feeling of disfunction.
[44:50] Share with us how you did it.
Podcasts and books were a big part of her getting sober. For maintenance she uses her sobriety tracker on her phone. She is running a lot and taking her health more seriously.
[46:55] Do you have an in-person community that you meet up with?
Gracie says she does not, but that she thinks that may be what is next. Meetings have never been part of her journey but she says that may be her next step.
[48:12] What was the response when you posted on social media?
Gracie says the response was so supportive and it proved to be a very good thing for her.
[50:25] Rapid Fire Round
- What’s a lightbulb moment you’ve had on this journey?
I guess when I first heard, “stop obsessing about the word alcoholic and just look at what drinking is doing in your life.”.
- What is a gift sobriety has given you?
So much energy.
- What is your favorite alcohol-free drink?
I love gingerale and I love this Jamaican drink called Ting.
- What is on your bucket list in an alcohol-free life?
I’m starting some trainings and certifications to become a flight nurse.
- And what parting piece of guidance can you give to listeners?
Feel your feelings and love yourself. Make sobriety the most important thing in your life.
- You might have a drinking problem if…
You are an avid camper and want to achieve the perfect amount of hydration with drunkenness so you mix vodka with flavored Smart Water and just end up making a total ass of yourself.
Upcoming retreats:
Asia Adventure – January 20-31, 2020
You can find more information about this event here
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Connect with Cafe RE– Use the promo code OPPORTUNITY for your first month free
Sobriety Tracker iTunes
Sobriety Tracker Android
Sober Selfies! – Send your Sober Selfie and your Success Story to info@recoveryelevator.com
“Recovery Elevator – We took the elevator down; we have to take the stairs back up.
We can do this.”
