Ever find yourself stuck in a loop of worry about what’s next? Wendy, who took her last drink on June 4, 2017, knows this all too well. In this episode of Recovery Elevator, hosts Paul Churchill and Kristopher Oyen chat with Wendy about her battle with 'future tripping'—the habit of constantly thinking ahead and the stress it brings. Wendy, a 57-year-old critical care nurse from Florida, shares how this mindset affected her brain, memory, and overall life.

She opens up about her journey to sobriety and the tools she used to break free from this mental trap. From meditation to recognizing trigger moments, Wendy provides practical tips for staying present. She talks about achieving internal coherence and theta states, which played a crucial role in her recovery. Wendy's story is a powerful reminder of the importance of living in the moment and finding new ways to cope with stress and anxiety.

Tune in to hear how she built her sobriety toolbox and stepped into the unknown to embrace a new, sober life. Her journey offers inspiration and valuable guidance for anyone struggling with addiction or looking to live a healthier, more fulfilling life.

Join Paul Churchill and Kris Oyen on Recovery Elevator as Wendy shares her journey to sobriety and overcoming future tripping.

Wendy's Story: Breaking Free from Future Tripping on Recovery Elevator

Wendy took her last drink on June 4, 2017.  This is her story. Update on the Alcohol is Sh!t book!  The book is out!  Pick up your paperback copy on Amazon <a href= "https://www.amazon.com/Alcohol-SH-Re-ignite-Recover-Person/dp/1086176545/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr="> here</a>!  You can get the Audible version <a href= "https://www.audible.com/pd/Alcohol-is-Sht-Audiobook/B07XGDMXQF?qid=1569247192&sr=1-2&pf_rd_p=e81b7c27-6880-467a-b5a7-13cef5d729fe&pf_rd_r=TY51EJJZJ0XQDPRMN0MA&ref=a_search_c3_lProduct_1_2"> here</a>! 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 <a href= "mailto:info@recoveryelevator.com">info@recoveryelevator.com</a>.  On today’s episode Paul talks about incessantly thinking in the future, why we do that, what that leads to, and how to put that thinking beast back into the cage.  When we are living in the future, we start to feel stress.  Once we recognize, and become aware of how often we are future tripping, we can no longer ignore it and the deprograming has already begun.  We deprogram first, then we reprogram.    [13:45] Paul introduces Wendy.    Wendy is 57 years old, married and lives in Sun City Center, Florida.  She has two sons and one grandson.  She works as a critical care nurse which she loves.  For fun Wendy loves to be out in nature, exercise, walk, and do yoga.  She also has a corgi and participates in dog shows.    [21:45] Give us a background on your drinking.   Wendy took her first drink at the age of 13.  After her parents split up, she became her dad’s drinking buddy.  She went from using food to stuff down her feelings, to using beer.  This continued through her teens, twenties and into her thirties.  But it was escalating and she was needing more and more to catch that buzz.    [24:20] Was there a moment that you recognized it was ramping up?   Wendy says she definitely knew that it was getting problematic and that she was having side effects from it.  She says that although she didn’t get anything like a DUI, alcohol was taking up too much real estate in her mind.      [25:55] When did you realize it was ramping up?   Wendy says it was in her early 50s.  She didn’t really have a rock bottom moment but says she woke up one day and said, “I am done.”  She says it was almost like she flipped a switch in her head.       [39:00] What techniques work for you when you are feeling anxiety?       When Wendy first quit drinking she started going to a phycologist, who really helped her in the beginning.  One of the things she taught her was HALT, and to never let herself get too Hungry, Angry, Lonely or Tired.  Wendy says she still follows that to this day.    [42:20] How did you get through the first few months?   Wendy says she read a whole lot of quit lit.  She joined a support group on Facebook.  She has a sobriety tool box and she keeps full.         [47:00] What are the differences between year one and year two?   Wendy says that year one really felt like survival, in a lot of ways, and how to be this new person.  Learning how to deal with things without alcohol as a buffer.    Wendy says that the cool thing about year two is that so many of those triggers start to fall away.  She says she doesn’t have the voices whispering to her, telling her how great it would be to drink.    [51:15] Rapid Fire Round   <ol> <li>What’s a lightbulb moment you’ve had on this journey?</li> </ol>   That there is an entire world that doesn’t revolve around alcohol.    <ol start="2"> <li>What is a memorable moment that a life without alcohol has given you?</li> </ol>   The sunrises, being up with the sun and making that connection that life can be a beautiful thing without alcohol.    <ol start="3"> <li>What is your favorite alcohol-free drink?</li> </ol>   LaCroix sparkling water.    <ol start="4"> <li>What are some of your favorite resources on this journey?</li> </ol>   Journaling as I mentioned before, I like coloring, artwork and gardening.  Having that tool box available in my mind.         <ol start="5"> <li>What is on your bucket list in an alcohol-free life?</li> </ol>   Definitely more traveling.    <ol start="6"> <li>And what parting piece of guidance can you give to listeners?</li> </ol>   If you think you have a problem, you probably do.    You might need to ditch the booze if...   You pee down your leg, at a gala, at a fancy hotel, because you’re so drunk you can’t wait to get up to the room, and you just act like nothing is wrong.         Upcoming retreats: <div class="">Upcoming Events and Retreats. </div> <div class=""> <p class="" style= "caret-color: #000000; color: #000000; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: none;"> <a class="" href= "https://www.recoveryelevator.com/thailand-retreat-2020/">Asia Adventure</a> – January 20-31, 2020 <p class="" style= "caret-color: #000000; color: #000000; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: none;"> <a class="" href= "https://www.recoveryelevator.com/denver-2020/">Recovery Elevator LIVE: Dancing With the Mind</a> -  in Colorado – June 11-14th, 2020 <div class="" style= "caret-color: #000000; color: #000000; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: none;"> <a class="" href= "https://www.recoveryelevator.com/costarica/">Recovery Elevator in Costa Rica: From Jungle to the Beach</a> -  October 8 - 18th, 2020</div> <p class="" style= "caret-color: #000000; color: #000000; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: none;"> You can find more information about our events <a class="" href="https://www.recoveryelevator.com/events/">here.</a> </div>   Resources mentioned in this episode:   This episode is brought to you by the smart shopping assistant Honey. Get Honey for free at <a href= "http://www.joinhoney.com/elevator">www.joinhoney.com/elevator</a> . Honey, the smart shopping assistant that saves you time and money when you're shopping online     <a href= "https://www.recoveryelevator.com/cafere/">Connect with Cafe RE</a>- Use the promo code OPPORTUNITY for your first month free <a href="https://appsto.re/us/z8w_5.i">Sobriety Tracker iTunes</a> <a href= "https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.recovery.sam.sobrietycalculatorPro"> Sobriety Tracker Android</a> 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.”

RE 252: Future Tripping

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It isn't a NO to alcohol, but a YES to a better life!  Best selling author Paul Churchill, along with Kristopher Oyen interview people who have stepped away from alcohol in their own lives. Each week this podcast does a deep dive into an exploration of what a booze free life might look like from various perspectives and opinions. 

If you are sick and tired of alcohol making you sick and tired, we invite you to listen to Recovery Elevator. Check out what an alcohol free life can look like as others share their own stories of sobriety. If you are sober curious, newly sober, supporting a loved one or living your best life already in recovery, then you are in the right place.

This podcast addresses what to do if you’re addicted to alcohol, or if you think you’re an alcoholic. Other topics include, does moderate drinking work, does addiction serve a purpose, what happens to the brain when we quit drinking, should you track sobriety time, is A.A. right for you, spirituality, and more. 

Similar to other recovery podcasts like This Naked Mind, the Shair Podcast, and the Recovered Podcast, Paul and Kris discuss a topic and then interview someone who has ditched the booze.

Recovery Elevator

Ever find yourself stuck in a loop of worry about what’s next? Wendy, who took her last drink on June 4, 2017, knows this all too well. In this episode of Recovery Elevator, hosts Paul Churchill and Kristopher Oyen chat with Wendy about her battle with 'future tripping'—the habit of constantly thinking ahead and the stress it brings. Wendy, a 57-year-old critical care nurse from Florida, shares how this mindset affected her brain, memory, and overall life.She opens up about her journey to sobriety and the tools she used to break free from this mental trap. From meditation to recognizing trigger moments, Wendy provides practical tips for staying present. She talks about achieving internal coherence and theta states, which played a crucial role in her recovery. Wendy's story is a powerful reminder of the importance of living in the moment and finding new ways to cope with stress and anxiety.Tune in to hear how she built her sobriety toolbox and stepped into the unknown to embrace a new, sober life. Her journey offers inspiration and valuable guidance for anyone struggling with addiction or looking to live a healthier, more fulfilling life.

Paul Churchill

Paul Churchill

RE 252: Future Tripping

RE 252: Future Tripping

RE 252: Future Tripping

Monday 16th December 2019

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Recovery Elevator

Wendy's Story: Breaking Free from Future Tripping on Recovery Elevator