by Paul Churchill | Jan 6, 2020 | Podcast
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Kerri took her last drink on November 6, 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!
Happy New Year! On January 1st the 4th Café RE group, UP, opened.
2020’ Recovery Elevator LIVE event, Dancing with the Mind, will take place June 11-13 in Denver, CO. Registration opens on January 8th, you can find more information about our events here.
On today’s episode Paul talks about meeting the man he would stay with while in Mexico, hearing his story, and discovering they had a connection through the TEDx Talk that Paul gave. You can find the TEDx Talk, I’ve been duped by alcohol, here.
Paul also discusses a video he recently watched, an interview by Dr. Gabor Mate, (author of In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts). Dr. Mate says if you want to look at what causes the addiction you have to look at the benefit of addiction. That the greatest myth on addiction is that its genetic, the other myth around addiction is that it is a choice that people make. You can watch the Dr. Gabor Mate video here.
[10:14] Paul introduces Kerri. (**Doing the shownotes for my own interview is awkward! **)
Kerri just turned 50, is married, and lives in Redding, CA. She has two adult daughters, that both have families, and is a grandmother to 4. For work Kerri recently fell into a new career, as a baker, and does stuff for RE. For fun Kerri loves to be outdoors, hiking, taking her 3 rescue dogs out, travel, and kayaking.
[15:51] Give us a background on your drinking.
Kerri started drinking in high school and was a black out drinker from the start. A family move before 9th grade made Kerri very angry. Alcohol helped her fit into a new school and she quickly became known as a partier.
Kerri got married at 19, had her daughters right away. She says that her and her ex-husband were problem drinkers throughout their entire 17-year marriage. Kerri’s drinking really ramped up after her divorce.
[17:00] How old were you when you realized you had a problem with alcohol?
Kerri says that in high school she knew she didn’t drink like her friends, but that she didn’t care. Alcohol got her out of her shell.
[18:00] What happened after your divorce?
Kerri says her drinking ramped up and it got bad, really quick. It was a big life change for Kerri, with the divorce, having to go out and find a job, and her daughters basically being out of the house. She was drinking at home alone, blacking out every time.
[23:35] How come you didn’t feel ready to do this interview?
Kerri said she didn’t feel like she had anything worth sharing. She said that has felt that way all her life.
[26:23] Did you have a rock bottom moment?
Kerri said yes. After getting her teaching credential later in life, which Kerri says was a dream job, she was fired from two teaching jobs as the result of her drinking. Kerri surrendered her teaching credential.
[31:00] Talk to us about how you did it the first weeks, first month.
Kerri said it was really hard, that she didn’t know what anyone (co-workers, parents) was told or what they knew. Kerri was afraid to leave her house for fear of running into someone, she would grocery shop at 2:00 AM. She said she was filled with so much anxiety that she didn’t know how she was going to come out of it the 2nd time around. She went to a therapist for the first time. She sought out and entered into a 90-day IOP program.
[35:17] You’ve burned the ships on social media, what kind of response have you received?
Kerri said she has received nothing but support and encouragement, and she encourages everyone to do it.
[37:50] Talk to us about the breakthrough you had at the Bozeman retreat.
Kerri said she got much from the entire retreat but it was the Clarity Breathwork that really did it for her. She said once she was able to stop paying attention to what was going on around her and just do her thing, she was able to experience something powerful that changed her.
[44:38] Rapid Fire Round
- What’s a lightbulb moment you’ve had on this journey?
That I don’t have to live up to, what I think are, other people’s expectations.
- What is a memorable moment that a life without alcohol has given you?
All these RE retreats, that is something I never would have imagined doing…taking off and meeting strangers.
- What is your favorite alcohol-free drink?
I’m kind of boring, I really don’t do the mocktail thing, I’m a water drinker.
- What are some of your favorite resources on this journey?
Definitely Café RE, these sober meetups, retreats and I listen to a lot of podcasts.
- What is on your bucket list in an alcohol-free life?
Travel, travel, and more travel. I want to do a marathon.
- And what parting piece of guidance can you give to listeners?
To recover, get sober, whatever you want to call it, your way. Your way may be different than someone else’s, and to not worry about what other people think.
You might need to ditch the booze if…
You wake up one morning with a broken ankle and you have no idea how you did it.
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:
SkillShare
Get two months free of classes with Skillshare at www.skillshare.com/ELEVATOR
BetterHelp
Visit betterhelp.com/ELEVATOR and join the over 500,000 people talking charge of their mental health with the help of an experienced professional. Recovery Elevator listeners get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/ELEVATOR.
Skillshare
For two free months of premium membership visit www.skillshare.com/elevator
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 23, 2019 | Podcast
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe to the Recovery Elevator Podcast Apple Podcasts | | More
Val took her last drink on June 26, 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.
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 some recent events that he has gone through and why he ended up in Oaxaca, Mexico.
While meditating this past June, Oaxaca; the name, the city, just showed up. Shortly after that, Oaxaca started showing up in film, tv, Netflix episodes, the Internet, and a gift he received from his mom was from Oaxaca. Paul says he then knew he had to travel to Oaxaca.
Sobriety is your superpower, and an offshoot of that superpower is putting the body and mind in a state of calm.
[12:00] Paul introduces Val.
Val is 30 years old and is from Fort Collins, CO. She works from home for a software company. Val is married and is one of 5 children, and also has 4 step siblings. For fun Val likes to golf, walk her dog, do crafty things, cook and enjoys the outdoors.
[16:00] Give us a background on your drinking.
Val started drinking around the age 14/15 in high school, usually just on the weekends. In college her drinking became almost a daily activity, which was also the time she was prescribed Adderall. During college Val worked at different bars, and continued working in the restaurant industry after college. In a way, working at these places, validated Val’s drinking because she didn’t see herself as bad off as those she was serving alcohol to.
Once out of college her drinking habit changed and she was drinking more at home, with her husband. This, at the age of 24/25, is also when she started using her Adderall more than it was prescribed. Adderall kept her productive even with a hangover.
Around this same time Val says she started to realize that she (and her husband) might have a problem with alcohol and they started trying to moderate.
[21:48] Half way through this year you both stopped drinking for a couple weeks, and then both relapsed, fill us in from there.
Val says she was out of town when they relapsed, and that when she came back her husband was ready to be sober. She said she would do the same, but it was because she was abusing her Adderall and it was keeping her high. When she would run out of her Adderall she would start drinking again.
[22:55] What was the tipping point for you?
Both Val and her husband started going to AA. Val was going to meetings and meeting with her sponsor, but still drinking. Her tipping point came one night while throwing out all the bottles she had been hiding.
[25:45] Talk to us about what happened after that moment of clarity?
Val says she stayed up all night and waited for her husband to wake up because she had to tell him she had been drinking. It was a very emotional moment, he had known she was drinking, but he wanted her to make the decision to stop. A couple hours later she emailed her doctor and told her what was going on and to stop prescribing her any medication. Later that same day she also shared with family member and her sponsor.
[27:40] What happened after you burned the ships?
Val says it created the accountability she needed, and she could no longer go back.
[30:43] How has it been for you off the ADD meds?
Val says she doesn’t get her house as clean as she used to, but that she is a more whole person without them.
[31:56] Talk to us about the last few months, has there been challenges, have you had cravings?
Val has had cravings, but says she doesn’t get them as often anymore. Working from home can be triggering, and that is when Val plays the tape forward.
[32:34] Walk us through a typical day.
AA is still a bog part of Val’s journey and she goes to 2-3 meetings a week. She has worked all the 12 steps with her sponsor and just recently started to sponsor someone herself.
Val tries to get up at the same time every day, take a walk, do a daily reflection, and then jump right into work. Keeping a routine is really important to Val.
[42:10] Rapid Fire Round
- What’s a lightbulb moment you’ve had on this journey?
That connection with other people is so important.
- What is a memorable moment that a life without alcohol has given you?
Every single day has been a memorable moment.
- What is your favorite alcohol-free drink?
LaCroix, any sparkling water, and my bad habit drink is the Redbull Pear Sugar-free.
- What are some of your favorite resources on this journey?
Any, and all, podcasts I listen to. I have read Annie Grace’s book, and your book Paul. And I am an avid believer in AA.
- What is on your bucket list in an alcohol-free life?
Right now, my focus is on my job, and hopefully in the near future starting a family.
- And what parting piece of guidance can you give to listeners?
If you are on the fence if you should stop drinking, then you should stop drinking.
You might need to ditch the booze if…
You are literally drinking in your closet before you attend an AA meeting.
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:
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 14, 2019 | Podcast
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe to the Recovery Elevator Podcast Apple Podcasts | | More
Patty took her last drink on July 19, 2017. 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 the two main sources of unhappiness and how hope is sending us barreling off a cliff. On the surface hope is great. But where is it located on a timeline? In the future, not in the now.
If hope isn’t serving us, then what? Throttle back on the hope and lean into ‘this moment’.
SHOW NOTES
[12:00] Paul introduces Patty.
Patty is 665 years old and is originally from Fairbanks, AK. She currently lives in Corvallis, OR. Patty has 3 children in their forties and 7 grandkids. She worked at a university for 30 years and is now retired. For fun Patty likes to hike, kayak, and sailing.
[13:55] Give us a background on your drinking.
Patty says she was 14 years od the first time she got drunk, and that she was a black-out drinker her very first time. It wasn’t until she was in her 30’s that she felt she may have a problem; it was then she started to drink at home alone.
When Patty was in her forties, she started to attempt to give up alcohol. She would go a couple days up to 11 months, and that went on for about 15 years.
[18:15] Was there a moment that it got scary for you?
In early 2017 she drove home drunk from the airport and realized the next morning how dangerous that was. She says it scared her, that she could have killed someone, or herself.
[20:50] How did you do it those first couple weeks?
Patty said she had a different mindset this time. This time her mindset was one of, ‘I don’t have to do this (drink) anymore’, rather than, ‘I can’t do this anymore.’
[26:00] What are some improvements in life that you have experienced in a life without alcohol?
Patty says she used to make a lot of plans and then not follow through with them, she doesn’t do that anymore. She has signed up to get her pilot’s license, something that she has always wanted to do. Going to the RE Bozeman retreat. She has been a lot more physically active, instead of talking about walking the dog, she just gets up and goes.
[30:25] What is something that you’ve had to go through in the last 2 years that you didn’t expect?
Patty’s mom died 3 months ago and drinking didn’t even seem like an option. It was a real tough time, losing her mom and with family drama, but she was able to be present and she didn’t have conversations that she regretted later.
[37:20] What’s the biggest thing you’ve learned about yourself in these last 2 years?
Patty says it’s that she in genuinely a happy person.
[38:00] Was there a rock-bottom moment?
The drive home from the Eugene airport. Also, on July 19 drinking with her daughter, who herself was struggling with alcohol, and her 16-year-old granddaughter.
[43:00] Rapid Fire Round
- What’s a lightbulb moment you’ve had on this journey?
That I don’t have to drink.
- What is a memorable moment that a life without alcohol has provided you?
Waking up early, I have just started taking a morning Pilates class.
- What is your favorite alcohol-free drink?
LaCroix, hands down.
- What is on your bucket list in an alcohol-free life?
I hope to live in Panama half of the year, and I’m working on that.
- What are some of your favorite resources in recovery?
Definitely Café RE, and I’m a reader so I have every self-help book probably written since 1972.
- And what parting piece of guidance can you give to listeners?
Think it all the way through, and remember you just don’t have to drink.
- You might have a drinking problem if…
You consider dropping $100 at every airport bar as just part of your traveling expense.
Upcoming retreats:
Asia Adventure – January 20-31, 2020
You can find more information about this event here
Resources mentioned in this episode:
ZipRecruiter
This episode is brought to you in support by ZipRecruiter. Right now, my listeners can try ZipRecruiter for free. Visit Ziprecruiter.com/elevator
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 can do this.”
by Paul Churchill | Sep 30, 2019 | Podcast
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe to the Recovery Elevator Podcast Apple Podcasts | | More
Dan took his last drink on July 28, 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 how we need to read his book, and others like it, with pride. We have to shred the shame and ditch the stigma.
He shares a letter he received from someone that attended the Recovery Elevator Retreat in Bozeman recently, and as she was reading Alcohol is Sh!t on the plane the lady sitting next to her asked about the book. And she was able to share. Turned out the lady was on her way to help her daughter who had relapsed and needed to hear everything she had to say.
SHOW NOTES
[10:10] Paul introduces Dan.
Dan is a father of 3, has a daughter in college and the youngest is 14. He works as a retail executive. He lives in New York and enjoys cycling.
[12:45] Give us a background on your drinking.
Dan says he started drinking in high school and drank all through college. He says that drinking is a big part of the business world and he fell right into that. He didn’t realize he had an issue, but his wife did. He said he was drinking 5-6 drinks a night.
[15:35] Talk to us about how you asked yourself, “how can I quit?”.
Dan says he called a hypnotist to get some help, but after his initial call to her he never followed up. About a month later, on July 29, 2018, he was in a bad bicycle accident. His doctors took great care of him and he hasn’t had a drink since.
[18:10] What happened after the accident?
He had a bad brain injury so was told that he should not drink, if he did, he could have a seizure or a stroke. After 10 days Dan came home from the hospital only to find out that his wife had removed all the alcohol from the house. Dan says that was like being asleep and thrown into an ice-cold pool. His brother told him he needed to go to AA so he walked into one only to feel like he didn’t belong. He left that meeting angry and determined to show everyone wrong.
[24:05] How are you feeling now?
Dan says it’s a little bit of ‘he’s going to show them (his friends and family)’ and it’s a little bit of he likes the way he feels and he looks.
[26:47] You were told by your doctor not to drink for a year, because of the chance for a stroke…did you ever have the thought when that year was up to pick up a drink?
Dan says no, in fact he went to the conference he was supposed to be at the year before and never thought about it.
[28:17] At your yearly physical you asked your doctor if you could now have a glass of wine, and he asked you, “why would you?”, can you answer that question?
Dan says because of the social aspect, he admits to missing it.
[39:20] Dan talk to us about that connected feeling.
Dan is feeling connected to life and not the alcohol. He is feeling more connected to his family.
[40:25] What’s on your bucket list for an alcohol-free life?
Going to a sporting event AF and seeing what that’s like and racing again.
[43:00] Rapid Fire Round
- What’s a lightbulb moment you’ve had on this journey?
When I was at my physical and I asked my doctor if I could have a glass of wine and he leaned across the table and asked, “why the F would you?”.
- What’s a memorable moment a life without alcohol has given you?
A better connection with my children and my wife.
- What is your favorite poison free drink?
Diet Coke, I drink too much of it. I also like a nice latte.
- What are some of your favorite resources in recovery?
My favorite resources would be my family, cycling, I have a lot of resources at work too.
- And what parting piece of guidance can you give to listeners?
It’s not all about work, life is a balance, and the more pressure you’re under you need a release and a hobby.
- You might have a drinking problem if…
You’re a business person that the alcohol is incorporated into the fabric of your life.
Upcoming retreats:
Asia Adventure – January 20-31, 2020
You can find more information about this event here
Resources mentioned in this episode:
ZipRecruiter
This episode is brought to you in support by ZipRecruiter. Right now, my listeners can try ZipRecruiter for free. Visit Ziprecruiter.com/elevator
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.”
by Paul Churchill | Sep 23, 2019 | Podcast
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe to the Recovery Elevator Podcast Apple Podcasts | | More
Rose took her last drink on March 12, 2019. This is her story.
Update on the Alcohol is Sh!t book! The book is out! Pick up your copy on Amazon here!
On today’s episode Paul talks about Recovery Elevator Bozeman Retreat that took place this past August. One of the speakers at the retreat was a spiritual teacher that Paul has worked with, Elaine Huang, you can find out more about her here.
And a BIG thank you to the sponsors of the retreat.
Nutzo, an organic 7-nut seed butter, that provided a jar of said butter to everyone that attended!
Rise Brewing Co., provided Nitro Cold Brewed Coffee!
Fire Brew, an apple cider-based health tonic, provided shots for everyone!
And tajín, a seasoning blend of lime, chili peppers and sea salt, provided a bottle of zing for all!
The cool thing is that these sponsors wanted to be a part of this event. Thank you to Odette who worked hard in setting it all up!
SHOW NOTES
[22:20] Paul introduces Rose.
Rose is 37 years old. She is from New Zealand but is currently living in France. Rose is a physiotherapist by trade, but her degree is not recognized yet in France so she is teaching English. She is a newlywed and they have a 3-year-old son. For fun Rose likes to cook, sing, be outdoors, and go to gigs.
[25:20] Give us a background on your drinking.
Rose started drinking as a teenager. She says she grew up in a loving family but that everyone was a boozer, that it was normal. At 18 she went off to university but dropped out after 2 years because it was getting in the way of her drinking. She moved cities in search of new drinking friends and for the next 5 years was in an abusive relationship. Rose says she spent a good chunk of her 20’s getting out of, and recovering from, that relationship.
Rose then spent time on a friend’s large sailing boat and sailed to Fiji, continuing her drinking. She then went home and started studying to become a physiotherapist. Rose says she slowed her drinking down while she was studying.
[28:25] What happens next?
Rose got her degree, got a great job in a hospital where she wanted to work. In 2016 she had her son. She says after the birth of her son she fell into the ‘mommy drinking’ culture. Rose also started to feel like an imposter. Promoting health at work but doing the very opposite personally.
[32:20] Was there anything in particular that led you to ditch the booze?
Rose says a big part of it was moving to France in 2017. She found France’s drinking culture to be the polar opposite of New Zealand’s which made her feel out of place. Even though she knew she needed to stop her drinking ramped up at the beginning of this year after the death of a close friend.
[35:15] What happened on March 12th?
Rose says she had started to drink during the daytime, when she wasn’t on pick-up duty with her son. She also started smoking cigarettes. She started feeling guilty about not being present as a parent. She reached out to an American friend she had met on that sailing ship that was posting about being sober. This friend led her to Café RE.
[38:50] How did you do it?
Rose says she told her husband, creating some accountability. Her husband was very supportive. The removed all the alcohol from the house and Rose declined engagements for a while. She joined Café RE and jumped in and starting participating and getting involved.
[48:50] How have things changed in an alcohol-free life?
Rose says she’s a better mother, she’s present. She has an increase in self-love and self-worth.
[55:05] Rapid Fire Round
- What is your favorite alcohol-free drink?
Pineapple and lime sparkling water.
- What are some of your favorite resources in recovery?
I loved The Joy of Being Sober book. I also really love Josh Korda’s Dharmapunx podcast. There is a New Zealand woman named Lotta Dann and she has a book, and blog, by the same name called, Mrs. D is Going Without.
- What’s on your bucket list now that alcohol isn’t part of your life?
A lot more travel, I love to travel. To be able to help someone else get sober.
- And what parting piece of guidance can you give to listeners?
Connect, connect with people. Look for the similarities and not the differences.
- You might have a drinking problem if…
You’re drinking wine out of a coffee mug just so the neighbors won’t know because it’s 11 AM on a Monday.
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 – You took the elevator down, you have to take the stairs back up.”
