In this episode of Recovery Elevator, Paul Churchill and Kristopher Oyen chat with Leah from Akron, Ohio, who shares her journey of quitting alcohol. Leah took her last drink on September 4th, 2022, and opens up about the challenges and triumphs she has faced since then. From losing her wedding ring to waking up barefoot by a river, Leah's story is filled with raw honesty and relatable moments.

She discusses the pivotal moment that made her decide to stop drinking and how her life has transformed since then. Leah's tale is not just about quitting alcohol but also about finding joy in simple pleasures like singing and spending time with her newborn daughter. The episode also touches on the importance of self-forgiveness and the role of mindfulness in recovery.

You'll find yourself nodding along as Leah talks about the ups and downs of her journey, including how she navigates social situations where alcohol is present. Whether you're on your own path to sobriety or supporting someone who is, Leah's story offers valuable insights and a dose of inspiration. Don't miss out on this heartfelt conversation that reminds us all that it takes what it takes to find your way to a better life.

Leah from Akron, Ohio, shares her raw and inspiring journey of quitting alcohol and finding joy in sobriety on Recovery Elevator.

Finding Joy in Sobriety: Leah's Journey

Episode 503 – It Takes What It Takes   Today we have Leah from Akron, OH. She took her last drink on September 4th, 2022.   Sponsors mentioned in this episode:   <a href= "https://www.betterhelp.com/get-started/?go=true&slug=elevator&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=2687&utm_term=elevator&promo_code=elevator&landing_page_img=https%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FqYHezjI.jpg&aff_channel=podcast&discount_rate=10&discount_period=P1M&date_interval=P1M&percentage_off=10&amount=1&amount_spelled_out=one&unit=month&gor=start"> Better Help</a>  - code ELEVATOR   Tonight is our first session of our Ditching the Booze Mindfulness course. It will be on Monday nights at 7:30 EST for the next five weeks. This course will teach you the basics of mindfulness and mediation. It is included with Café RE membership. Visit <a href= "https://www.cafe-re.org/alcohol-free-community/"> Café RE</a> to sign up if you aren’t already a member.   Speaking of Café RE, our community is no longer on Facebook. We have found a new home that is off social media, and it now has an app that you can find in the app stores.   [03:28] Thoughts from Paul:   The only thing harder than forgiveness is the opposite – resentments. It is important that we begin with forgiving ourselves.   It takes what it takes for you to get sober and quit drinking. There is no set pathway into and out of a drinking problem. Paul believes this is one of the reasons why alcohol-free communities are so non-judgmental, loving and accepting. Those who have quit drinking know that it takes what it takes.   Paul shares some “it takes what it takes” stories from himself and others working on their alcohol-free journey. Never quit quitting and you will find your way. It takes what it takes.   [08:20] Paul introduces Leah:   At the time of recording, Leah is celebrating 2 years alcohol-free. She grew up in Akron Ohio, she is 36 and just got married, they have a 3-month-old daughter. For fun Leah enjoys hiking, singing, hanging out with friends and spending time with her baby.   Leah shares the story of what drove her to make the decision to quit drinking. After waking up on a bench next to a river and realizing that she was barefoot and had walked over a mile in a blackout, she feared what might happen next if she continued to drink.   Leah began drinking in high school and felt that it gave her courage to be herself. She says she was always addicted to that feeling. After leaving a bad relationship to an alcoholic, Leah started dating her now-husband. He is a normal drinker and Leah felt safe with him.   Leah says over time her drinking increased and the blackouts started. She says she isn’t the same person when she drinks and would often get angry and start fights with her partner. Waking up feeling regret and shame and promising she wouldn’t do it again became commonplace for Leah.   It was Leah’s therapist through Betterhelp that suggested she check out some podcasts and that’s how Leah stumbled upon RE. She says she just started listening from the beginning and found the interviews with others very helpful and she no longer felt alone in this battle.   Leah says since quitting drinking, she has lost weight and feels better overall. The first year she struggled with boredom since drinking was her hobby. She has been working on her unresolved childhood trauma and learning how to be herself without drinking. Leah’s emotions have leveled out and she no longer gets angry as often as she used to. Leah and her husband are still able to share the same hobbies, and she now drinks NA beers. Cravings have not been a big issue for her, she remembers how bad the following days were when she would drink, and it helps her stay grounded.   In the future, Leah would like to have another child, but she is comfortable where she is right now.   Leah’s parting piece of guidance: one day at a time.   Recovery Elevator Go big, because eventually we all go home I love you guys     <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 503: It Takes What It Takes

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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 Leah from Akron, Ohio, who shares her journey of quitting alcohol. Leah took her last drink on September 4th, 2022, and opens up about the challenges and triumphs she has faced since then. From losing her wedding ring to waking up barefoot by a river, Leah's story is filled with raw honesty and relatable moments.She discusses the pivotal moment that made her decide to stop drinking and how her life has transformed since then. Leah's tale is not just about quitting alcohol but also about finding joy in simple pleasures like singing and spending time with her newborn daughter. The episode also touches on the importance of self-forgiveness and the role of mindfulness in recovery.You'll find yourself nodding along as Leah talks about the ups and downs of her journey, including how she navigates social situations where alcohol is present. Whether you're on your own path to sobriety or supporting someone who is, Leah's story offers valuable insights and a dose of inspiration. Don't miss out on this heartfelt conversation that reminds us all that it takes what it takes to find your way to a better life.

Paul Churchill

Paul Churchill

RE 503: It Takes What It Takes

RE 503: It Takes What It Takes

RE 503: It Takes What It Takes

Monday 7th October 2024

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Recovery Elevator

Finding Joy in Sobriety: Leah's Journey

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