In this episode of Recovery Elevator, Paul Churchill and Kristopher Oyen chat with Jim, a 44-year-old from Silicon Valley, who shares his journey to sobriety. Jim's story is both relatable and inspiring as he talks about his last drink on February 20th, 2024, and the challenges he's faced since then. Paul also reflects on his upcoming ten-year milestone of being alcohol-free, discussing the astonishment people express when they find out he doesn't drink.

The episode dives into the mental and physical health benefits of quitting alcohol and how it can lead to a better life. Jim's background in the tech industry and his struggles with work-related drinking culture provide a unique perspective on the pressures many face in high-stress jobs. The conversation also touches on the importance of support systems, whether through therapy, family, or community groups like Recovery Elevator.

If you're looking for a dose of motivation and practical advice on living an alcohol-free life, this episode is a must-listen.

Jim shares his inspiring journey to sobriety from Silicon Valley's tech scene. Discover practical advice and motivation for living an alcohol-free life.

Jim's Journey: From Silicon Valley to Sobriety

Episode 477 – It Can Be Done   Today we have Jim. He is 44 and lives in Silicon Valley, CA. He took his last drink on February 20th, 2024.   Better Help:  <a href="https://www.betterhelp.com/elevator">www.betterhelp.com/elevator</a> - 10% off your first month. #sponsored   [02:27] Thoughts from Paul:   Paul is coming up on ten years without a drink. He has attended many social situations without consuming any alcohol. When he told people he wasn’t drinking, the question he got was “Wait, you’re not drinking?” said as more of a statement of astonishment than anything. As in the impossible was happening right before their eyes and they were surprised someone could still have a good time without drinking.   A major factor of why ditching the booze can be so hard is that the thinking mind will tell you it can’t be done. The biggest reason for this is that an alcohol-free life lies in the unknown. The mind and the ego crave the known.   But it can be done. If you are on day one, a series of day ones, Paul reminds us that yes, it can be done. But for how long? A morning, an afternoon? A week? A month? A year? We are only ditching the booze one day at a time. Addiction forces us to confront the thinking mind. Addiction forces us to tease out who is who in the thinking mind. It forces us to locate and meet ourselves.   <a href= "https://www.soberlink.com/partners/recovery-elevator">Sober Link</a>.  You can find some tips and can sign up for a $50 off promo code.   [08:55] Paul introduces Jim:   Jim lives in Silicon Valley and is a software engineering manager for a large tech firm. He is 44 and happily married for 21 years with three young kids. He enjoys skiing, learning woodworking, and completing task lists.   Alcohol was a non-issue for much of Jim’s life. He tried it a few times when he was in his early teens, but he didn’t enjoy it much. He didn’t drink in high school or college and then drank very sporadically throughout his 20’s.   In his 30’s, the company he worked for would have gatherings at the end of the week where alcohol was provided. Jim says this was where he started enjoying drinking. Over time it progressed and there were some negative consequences for Jim at work and he started suffering with anxiety and depression. At the time, Jim felt like he was living multiple lives.   COVID era was a difficult time for Jim. He was working from home and had little to do so he found himself drinking more. When work became busy again, the distractions at home drove Jim to rent an office where he was more isolated and drinking earlier and earlier in the day.   On the way to a bible meeting one day after having a few drinks, Jim realized this wasn’t a great idea and decided to check out an AA meeting instead. He says that he went to several different types of meetings over the course of the year before anything really stuck for him.   Jim feared telling his wife about his problem, but knew he had to do it. Her initial response was not believing that Jim really had an issue with alcohol but started to feel betrayed when she realized how much he was hiding from her. Jim was determined to tackle the addiction and created his own path. This includes listening to podcasts and journalling every day. He has had a series of stops and starts in his recovery but feels that was part of the learning process and utilizes past journal entries to remind him of why quitting is the best thing for him.   After a recent relapse he started to feel very hopeless and knew he couldn’t continue on this path. Jim has leaned into his faith and scripture in addition to his own past journal entries to help him gain the resolve to try sobriety again. He is a member of Café RE and has an accountability partner which has helped him a lot.   Jim’s best sober moment: when his wife told him how proud she is of how far he is come.   Jim’s parting piece of guidance: if you get stuck, it’s ok, but you just can’t stay there.     <a href= "https://www.recoveryelevator.com/cafere/">Café RE</a> – promo code OPPORTUNITY waives set up fee. <a href= "https://www.recoveryelevator.com/merch/">RE merch</a> <a href= "https://www.ione-year.com/recoveryelevator/">Instagram</a>   <a href= "https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuWac9dxkn3J93xJOka3L2g"> Recovery Elevator YouTube</a> <a href= "https://appsto.re/us/z8w_5.i">Sobriety Tracker iTunes </a>     Recovery Elevator We all go home so we might as well go big. I love you guys.

RE 477: It Can Be Done

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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

In this episode of Recovery Elevator, Paul Churchill and Kristopher Oyen chat with Jim, a 44-year-old from Silicon Valley, who shares his journey to sobriety. Jim's story is both relatable and inspiring as he talks about his last drink on February 20th, 2024, and the challenges he's faced since then. Paul also reflects on his upcoming ten-year milestone of being alcohol-free, discussing the astonishment people express when they find out he doesn't drink.The episode dives into the mental and physical health benefits of quitting alcohol and how it can lead to a better life. Jim's background in the tech industry and his struggles with work-related drinking culture provide a unique perspective on the pressures many face in high-stress jobs. The conversation also touches on the importance of support systems, whether through therapy, family, or community groups like Recovery Elevator.If you're looking for a dose of motivation and practical advice on living an alcohol-free life, this episode is a must-listen.

Paul Churchill

Paul Churchill

RE 477: It Can Be Done

RE 477: It Can Be Done

RE 477: It Can Be Done

Monday 8th April 2024

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Recovery Elevator

Jim's Journey: From Silicon Valley to Sobriety

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