How Quitting Alcohol Changed Everything

Let me start by saying that this has been the hardest thing I had ever done - for the first 2-3 months anyway. I am 33 years old, and extremely social. Yet, every social aspect revolved around alcohol, and it was slowly destroying me. Failed relationships, declining physical health, inability to be happy, and constant bad decisions - all relating back to alcohol.

The last (nearly 400) days have been transformative and eye opening. Never did I think I would be in this position. I would previously drink 3-5 days a week, for 10 years, yet here we are.

For those that need that little push, here are some of my learnings to help motivate you to take the plunge.

Clarity of the Mind
You don't know what you are capable of until you go sober. Don't expect it to happen straight away, but around month 3, things sky-rocket. I have never been more productive in my life. I quit my job, started a tech company, raised funding, about to start a podcast, am 18 months into a relationship. I am happy, calm, and settled.

All of these are the exact opposite of where I was 18 months ago.

I now think extremely clearly, make rational decisions, and am now the person my friends and family come to for advice.

Improved Physical Health
I wasn't in bad shape prior, but I wasn't as good as I could be. In the first 4 months, I lost 10 kgs, and dropped my body fat % to the lowest it has ever been. I was lifting PBs, but also never missing the gym - I would be in the gym everyday (including Sunday) at 5am, and would have enough energy to do a second workout (even if it is just a walk) in the afternoon.

Once you realise how good you actually feel, and feel the improvements in your body, it becomes just a part of your lifestyle.

Deeper Relationships
I had churned through 4-5 relationships, with myself being the issue all the way along. Well, alcohol and me. Through going sober, I am much more present. I want to be closer and more loving, and I enjoy every aspect of my relationship. I am kinder, and I truly care. Just by being sober, present, and healthy, it changed my outlook on life and being able to have a happy, healthy, functioning relationship.

This also extends to friendships. No longer am I searching for drinking buddies. What I now cherish is the deep friendships and conversations I can have, where alcohol is no longer the glue.

Resilience Through Challenges
I was always resilient, but it would only last a certain amount of time - and if I didn't get through the challenge, I would move on. Now, I have the feeling and belief that nothing can stop me. Challenges present themselves everyday to us - but I am able to rationalise through them, and come out the other side better for it. Sleep helps here also!

Just by giving up alcohol, and continuing the journey, proves the resilience. We don’t move forward without committing to hard choices.

Rediscovery of Self
I look back, and I realise I had probably been chasing around a shadow for 10 years. Hoping to become the person I am now. But failing to realise that improving yourself, and becoming who you say you want to or will be, takes extreme ownership and planned action. By going sober, I removed the excuses, and was able to rise to the level I knew was inside me - but knowing that this is just the start.

If you have been considering going sober, even just for a set amount of time, I encourage you to try it. But make a physical note of your thoughts, feelings, and mindset now. And then do the same after a week, 2 weeks, a month, etc - you will start to notice massive shifts in yourself, and you may never want to go back.

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The Rich Roll Story

If ever there was a tale that epitomised the profound transformation that sobriety and dedication can bring, it's that of Rich Roll. Like many of us, Rich found himself at a crossroads as he approached middle age. Despite being a successful attorney, he was overweight, out of shape, and staring down the barrel of the unhealthy life choices he'd made, much like I faced my own reckoning with alcohol.

On the night before his 40th birthday, breathless from climbing a simple flight of stairs, Rich confronted his reality: change or continue a decline. This moment of truth led him not just to sobriety but to a radical overhaul of his entire lifestyle. He adopted a plant-based diet and began to push his body, discovering a passion for ultra-endurance sports previously unimaginable.

Within a few short years, Rich evolved from a sedentary, overweight individual to one of the fittest men in the world, competing in gruelling competitions like the Ultraman World Championships—an invitation-only event entailing a 6.2-mile swim, a 261.4-mile bike ride, and a 52.4-mile run, spread over three days. His journey is a example to the incredible feats the human body and spirit can achieve when freed from the shackles of poor health habits and unleashed through sobriety and rigorous self-care.

Rich's story is not just about physical transformation; it's a reminder of the dormant potential within us all. It shows that no matter where you are in your journey, profound change is possible, and often, it starts with that one decision to turn away from what's harming us towards what will heal and strengthen us.

Resources:

1. "This Naked Mind" by Annie Grace: This book provides a revolutionary approach to understanding alcohol and its effects, helping many people redefine their relationship with drinking.

2. "The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober" by Catherine Gray: This memoir and guide explores the personal benefits of sobriety with wit and wisdom, offering an eye-opening account of what life can be like without alcohol.

3. Rich Roll Podcast: Explore various episodes where Rich Roll talks about his journey of transformation through sobriety, wellness, and endurance sports, inspiring many to rethink their own lifestyles.

Weekly Question:

What role has alcohol played in your life, and how has your perception of it changed over time? If you're considering sobriety, what changes are you hoping to see?

Let us know your answer by hitting reply, or write it down in your notes app on your phone.

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