Ever felt like the need to be perfect is holding you back? In this episode of Recovery Elevator, Brandon shares his story of stepping away from alcohol and the surprising role perfectionism played in his addiction. Brandon, who took his last drink on October 28, 2018, opens up about his journey to sobriety and how letting go of perfectionism has been key to his recovery.

Hosted by Odette, the episode also delves into the importance of self-compassion and kindness, especially in challenging times. Brandon, a social media manager from Orlando, Florida, talks about how he started drinking at 21 despite a youth focused on sports and friends who didn’t drink. He reflects on how alcohol began to impact his relationships and career, leading him to seek a way out.

The episode emphasizes that striving for perfection often leads to guilt, shame, and isolation rather than success. By joining supportive communities and practicing self-kindness, Brandon found the strength to stay sober, even during the pandemic. His story highlights the power of community and the importance of giving oneself grace. For those looking to understand how perfectionism can affect addiction and recovery, Brandon’s insights offer a valuable perspective.

Brandon reveals how abandoning perfectionism aided his sobriety journey. Learn about the role of self-compassion and community support in Recovery Elevator.

Breaking Free from Perfectionism: Brandon's Sobriety Journey

Brandon took his last drink October 28, 2018. With 645 days away from alcohol, (at the time of recording) this is his story of living alcohol free (AF).   Odette’s weekly installment of: Finding the Better You….. Now more than ever we need to stay rooted in kindness and live with the belief that people are just doing the best they can. In sobriety Odette has found she can give more grace to others because she is giving herself more grace and compassion. Looking at perfectionism, it doesn’t actually yield perfect results. It instead creates feelings of guilt, shame, stress, addiction, loneliness and isolation. Unsubscribe from perfectionism and just be yourself. Take care of yourself and everything else will take care of itself. And that’s the real gift.     [7:08] Odette introduces Brandon.   Brandon lives in Orlando, Florida with his wife and son. He’s a social media manager. For fun he likes to go on adventures with his son, he plays music and enjoys being creative.   [10:42] Can you give listeners some background on your drinking?   Brandon said he started drinking at the age of 21, he wasn’t interested in drinking while growing up. He was focused on sports and playing in bands. His first couple years of drinking he didn’t suffer the usual repercussions. At about 3 years in he began to experience hangovers. College drinking helped him deal with his anxiety. Brandon noticed the years after college he was using alcohol as a crutch. He found himself turning to alcohol for to handle anything that life threw at him. He was trying to show a front of perfectionism while internally struggling so much.   [19:24] Did your wife every approach you about your drinking?   Brandon said his wife would question sometimes the beer(s) he would have with dinner. He could tell she knew something was wrong. His rock bottom was a Halloween party in 2018 where he drank too much and they had a fight. She was 7 months pregnant and expressed concern about having to do the next stage of life alone. That was enough for him.   [29:11] Talk to me more about the time right after you stopped drinking.   Brandon said he was prepared for it to be hell but didn’t consider all the other things that go into it. He was open with his wife and friends. He turned to fitness to keep his mind moving. He took things hour by hour and focused just on the moment he was in. Brandon discovered a confidence in himself he didn’t know was there.   [35:18] Do you still get cravings?   Brandon said no, but there are times where it sounds good to take the edge off with alcohol.   [36:27] What’s in your toolbox?   Brandon said his wife is his biggest support. The <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/stopdrinking">/r/stopdrinking</a> Reddit page. The idea of sharing with others gives him motivation.   [39:32] Do you ever get push back from people?   Brandon said yes, he does. He feels because he dealt with it silently for so many years, people had a hard time understanding the level of drinking he had come to achieve.   [44:57] Rapid Fire Round    <ol class="ol1"> <li class="li1">If you could talk to younger Brandon what would you say?</li> </ol>   Listen to your parents, don’t try it.   <ol class="ol1"> <li class="li1">What is your go to NA beverage?</li> </ol>   Sparkling water.   <ol class="ol1"> <li class="li1">What parting piece of guidance can you give listeners who are thinking about ditching the booze?</li> </ol>   Listen to your gut. What’s in your mind is the truth. There’s no better time than now.   You may have to say adios to booze...    If you’re in a meeting at 2pm and you’re thinking about what you’re going to drink tonight.   Odette’s challenge this week:   Try to see yourself differently this week. Be more compassionate when you make a mistake. Give people in your life the benefit of the doubt. Be nice to strangers.   Affiliate Link for Endourage: For 10% off your first CBD order with Endourage visit this <a href= "https://endourage.com/affiliate-partner/recoveryelevator">link</a> and use the promo code elevator at checkout.    Affiliate Link for Amazon: Shop via Amazon using this <a href= "https://www.recoveryelevator.com/amazon">link</a>.   Upcoming events, retreats and courses: <ul class="ul1"> <li class="li1">Recovery Elevator’s first ever REgionals! Join us for our online zoom conference this October 23-24th. This event is FREE for Café RE Members only. Not a member yet?! Sign up <a href= "https://recovery-elevator-sandbox.chargifypay.com/subscribe/yqhq6p9gmrr2"> here</a> and use the promo code OPPORTUNITY to waive the set-up fee.</li> <li class="li1">Ditching the Booze - The What, the Why and the How. The new course will start 11/10/20. It’s FREE for Café RE members. Not a Café Re member? Sign up <a href= "https://recovery-elevator-sandbox.chargifypay.com/subscribe/yqhq6p9gmrr2"> here</a> and use the code OPPORTUNITY for waive the set-up fee.</li> <li class="li1">You can find more information about our events <a href= "https://www.recoveryelevator.com/events/">here.</a>  </li> </ul>   The book, Alcohol is SH!T, is out. Pick up your paperback copy on Amazon <a href= "https://www.amazon.com/Alcohol-is-Sht-Paul-Churchill-audiobook/dp/B07XFGVMQ9/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=alcohol+is+shit&qid=1590430998&sr=8-1"> 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>!     Resources:  <a href= "https://www.recoveryelevator.com/cafere/">Connect with Cafe RE</a> - Use the promo code OPPORTUNITY to waive the set-up fee. <a href= "https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuWac9dxkn3J93xJOka3L2g">Recovery Elevator YouTube</a> - Subscribe here! <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  -<a href= "mailto:info@recoveryelevator.com%2520?subject=You%2520don't%2520have%2520to%2520quit%2520drinking%2520to%2520quit%2520drinking">info@recoveryelevator.com</a>   “Recovery Elevator – “Believing we are all doing the best we can, can make the world a better place – I love you guys”

RE 295: Perfectionism Sucks

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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 felt like the need to be perfect is holding you back? In this episode of Recovery Elevator, Brandon shares his story of stepping away from alcohol and the surprising role perfectionism played in his addiction. Brandon, who took his last drink on October 28, 2018, opens up about his journey to sobriety and how letting go of perfectionism has been key to his recovery.Hosted by Odette, the episode also delves into the importance of self-compassion and kindness, especially in challenging times. Brandon, a social media manager from Orlando, Florida, talks about how he started drinking at 21 despite a youth focused on sports and friends who didn’t drink. He reflects on how alcohol began to impact his relationships and career, leading him to seek a way out.The episode emphasizes that striving for perfection often leads to guilt, shame, and isolation rather than success. By joining supportive communities and practicing self-kindness, Brandon found the strength to stay sober, even during the pandemic. His story highlights the power of community and the importance of giving oneself grace. For those looking to understand how perfectionism can affect addiction and recovery, Brandon’s insights offer a valuable perspective.

Paul Churchill

Paul Churchill

RE 295: Perfectionism Sucks

RE 295: Perfectionism Sucks

RE 295: Perfectionism Sucks

Monday 12th October 2020

About this podcast

Recovery Elevator

Breaking Free from Perfectionism: Brandon's Sobriety Journey