In this episode of Recovery Elevator, you'll meet Shelby, a 38-year-old from Windsor, Ontario, who took her last drink on December 23rd, 2023. Shelby shares her journey from high hopes of becoming an Olympic athlete to battling alcohol addiction and finding her way to sobriety. She opens up about the challenges she faced, including losing her self-confidence and struggling with life after sports. Shelby's story is a testament to resilience and the power of self-discovery.

Paul Churchill, the host, simplifies the first three steps of AA to make them more approachable for newcomers. He also touches on the changing cultural attitudes towards alcohol, illustrated by an amusing anecdote about Olympic rowers rejecting champagne. Shelby’s candid reflections and Paul's insightful commentary make this episode both relatable and inspiring. If you're looking for a dose of motivation and practical advice on living an alcohol-free life, this episode is a must-listen.

Will Shelby's story resonate with your own journey towards sobriety?

Shelby shares her inspiring journey from aspiring Olympian to overcoming alcohol addiction in this heartfelt episode of Recovery Elevator.

Shelby's Journey: From Olympic Dreams to Sobriety

Episode 497 – I Can’t – You Can – Take It   Today we have Shelby. She is 38 years old and from Windsor Ontario. She took her last drink on December 23rd, 2023.   Sponsors for this episode:   Visit <a href= "https://www.betterhelp.com/elevator" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">Better Help </a>today to get 10% off your first month   Visit <a href="https://exactnature.com">Exact</a> Nature use code RE20 to save 20% off of your order   [04:10] Thoughts from Paul:   Paul seeks to soften the entry point to AA and simplify the first three steps.  For many the steps are intimidating. They are nebulous, part dogmatic and for some there are simply too many God or higher power references. But the do make it clear many times that this God (higher power) is of your understanding. You can even use a red stapler as your higher power – they will fully support you.   The first three steps of AA: 1)    We admitted we are powerless over alcohol 2)    We came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity 3)    We decided to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood him.   Which can be broken down to: 1)    I can’t 2)    You can 3)    Take it   Paul says he feels the most powerful part of AA isn’t the God stuff, it’s the group. The group is always stronger than the individual.   I can’t, the group can. Here you go. I’ll see you all again tomorrow.   [10:18] Paul introduces Shelby:   Shelby is 38 years old, lives in Windsor Ontario and works for a car manufacturer on the assembly line. For fun Shelby enjoys all sports, camping and hiking.   In high school Shelby was very athletic. When she was 15, she decided to focus on hockey and made it onto a junior team. She learned about hockey culture and part of that is drinking and partying. Due to traveling and playing hockey Shelby didn’t have time to drink much during high school. While attending a development camp for hockey, Shelby had an injury that put her on the side lines. Throughout her time at Ohio State, doctors would tell her she was fine as she continued to suffer injuries that eventually required surgery. Shelby had dreamed of going to the Olympics and never considered she might not be able to.   She left school early and felt like a failure. Shelby knew her drinking was already an issue, and she needed a change of scenery. Shelby says she didn’t have an identity outside of being an athlete. Alcohol and being social became a distraction for her and she avoided playing hockey for a long time.   The older she got; the more Shelby didn’t feel like she had accomplished anything. Life after being an athlete was tough for her. Around 30 years old she realized she needed to make some healthy changes. She accepted an offer to play hockey with some friends and ended up getting coaching opportunities afterwards. She decided to do it and since she was getting back in shape, she decided to quit drinking for three months which led to almost two years.   After losing a close uncle, Shelby drank after his funeral. She continued to drink for a few years and tried using moderation techniques. At an alumni game, she was not able to play due to an unhealed injury. She showed up drunk and ended up losing her coaching job. After this she decided to quit drinking again.    Since quitting this time around, Shelby has started attending therapy. This has helped her uncover some of her issues. She does not care for AA and says in the beginning it was hard doing things that she used to do while drinking. Shelby deals with cravings by going for walks, listening to podcasts and using her quit drinking app. She enjoys doing things that she missed out on when she was younger. Shelby also looks forward to trying new things and traveling. Her clarity is so much better, and she loves that she knows she can make plans and keep them.   Shelby’s parting piece of guidance: start today and start small and take it slow.   Recovery Elevator We took the elevator down; we have to take the stairs back up. I love you guys. We can do this.   <a href= "https://www.instagram.com/recoveryelevator/?hl=en"> RE on Instagram</a> <a href= "https://www.recoveryelevator.com/merch/">RE merch</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>

RE 497: I Can’t - You Can - Take it

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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, you'll meet Shelby, a 38-year-old from Windsor, Ontario, who took her last drink on December 23rd, 2023. Shelby shares her journey from high hopes of becoming an Olympic athlete to battling alcohol addiction and finding her way to sobriety. She opens up about the challenges she faced, including losing her self-confidence and struggling with life after sports. Shelby's story is a testament to resilience and the power of self-discovery.Paul Churchill, the host, simplifies the first three steps of AA to make them more approachable for newcomers. He also touches on the changing cultural attitudes towards alcohol, illustrated by an amusing anecdote about Olympic rowers rejecting champagne. Shelby’s candid reflections and Paul's insightful commentary make this episode both relatable and inspiring. If you're looking for a dose of motivation and practical advice on living an alcohol-free life, this episode is a must-listen.Will Shelby's story resonate with your own journey towards sobriety?

Paul Churchill

Paul Churchill

RE 497: I Can’t - You Can - Take it

RE 497: I Can’t - You Can - Take it

RE 497: I Can’t - You Can - Take it

Monday 26th August 2024

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Recovery Elevator

Shelby's Journey: From Olympic Dreams to Sobriety

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