In this episode of Recovery Elevator, host Paul Churchill welcomes Maggie, a 42-year-old from Switzerland who has been alcohol-free since February 24th, 2024. Maggie shares her journey of quitting alcohol, highlighting the physical and emotional changes she experienced during her first year of sobriety. She talks about the initial withdrawal symptoms, the healing process, and the concept of the 'pink cloud' that many experience as they begin to recover.

Maggie's story is a testament to the resilience and determination needed to overcome addiction. She also discusses how she found new passions and hobbies, such as trading options and creating art, which have helped her maintain a fulfilling life without alcohol. Maggie's story is both inspiring and relatable, offering hope to those struggling with addiction. Tune in to hear more about her journey and the positive changes that come with an alcohol-free life.

Maggie shares her inspiring journey of overcoming alcohol addiction and finding new passions in life. A must-listen for anyone seeking hope and motivation.

Maggie's Journey to Sobriety: A Year of Healing and New Beginnings

Today we have Maggie. She is 42 years old, from Switzerland, and she took her last drink on February 24th, 2024.   Sponsors for this episode include: <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> – 10% off of your first month <a name="_Hlk195860230" id= "_Hlk195860230"></a><a href="https://www.cafe-re.org/">Café RE</a> – the social app for sober people     Registration for our annual alcohol-free retreat in <a href= "https://www.recoveryelevator.com/bozeman/">Bozeman</a> is now open. From August 6th through 10th, we will be spending lots of time in nature, doing breathwork, a lakeside hangout, laser tag and more.   In October of this year, we are going to <a href= "https://www.recoveryelevator.com/peru-2025">Peru</a>!  There are still spots available for this 11-day 12-night journey throughout Cusco, Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley.   [02:43] Thoughts from Paul:   A question Paul hears and sees frequently is what to expect when we put the bottle down. He shares that the destruction of alcohol happens in three steps. First the spiritual component, then mental and finally physical. Healing tends to happen in the reverse order. There will be overlap and the transition is not quite linear, nor does the healing ever stop.   Paul expands on what to expect when healing begins and how it can look for our bodies and minds in the first week, month, six months to a year.   [12:06] Paul introduces Maggie:   Maggie is from Switzerland but lives in Hong Kong with her husband Chris and their four dogs. They enjoy spending time on the beach, stand up paddling and triathlons.  Professionally, Maggie was the head of IT in investment banking but has recently changed careers and now is an options equity trader.   Maggie says she had her first drink when she was 13 and instantly felt relief from her anxiety. During her teen years, she says she and her friends spent a lot of time going out to bars and she discovered clubbing and cocaine when she was 18.   Maggie did well in school and started working with hedge funds after graduating. She says the workdays ended at 4pm and everyone would go out to have drinks afterwards. Her drinking wasn’t concerning to her at this point in time.   Maggie moved to Hong Kong when she was 24 and this is when she began to realize that she didn’t have an off switch when it came to alcohol. Everyone else would be ready to go home and Maggie says she was just getting started.   From the age of 20 to around 30, Maggie says things got progressively worse. While everything looked successful and stable on the outside, inside she was falling apart. Maggie would compare herself with people that were worse off than her as a way to justify her drinking. Moderation entered the picture, and she would sign up for a lot of physical activities as a way to force herself to be sober.   Maggie moved to Singapore before COVID but then lost her job and was there for a year without her husband. That is when she went from binge drinking to daily drinking. Upon her return to Hong Kong, her husband told her she needed to go to AA.   After four years of stops and starts while trying to make AA work, Maggie knew she needed to try something different. Addicted to multiple substances, Maggie checked herself into rehab but relapsed as soon as she left. After her return to Hong Kong, Maggie tried another location where they used EMDR therapy which helped her find the root causes of her addiction issues.   Maggie was given Antabuse after leaving rehab and that has helped alcohol become a non-negotiable for her. In sobriety she learned that she couldn’t return to her old job. She has made a career change that allows her to work less hours and find a new hobby creating and selling her art.   Maggie feels peaceful now. Her goals are to continue to do sports and be a better athlete, continue to travel and maintain her current peaceful lifestyle.   Maggie’s parting piece of guidance: hang in there and you will eventually get there. Never give up and maybe also explore the root cause of what is causing the drinking in the first place.   Recovery Elevator This isn’t a no to alcohol but a yes to a better life. 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 531: What to Expect When We Put the Bottle Down

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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, host Paul Churchill welcomes Maggie, a 42-year-old from Switzerland who has been alcohol-free since February 24th, 2024. Maggie shares her journey of quitting alcohol, highlighting the physical and emotional changes she experienced during her first year of sobriety. She talks about the initial withdrawal symptoms, the healing process, and the concept of the 'pink cloud' that many experience as they begin to recover.Maggie's story is a testament to the resilience and determination needed to overcome addiction. She also discusses how she found new passions and hobbies, such as trading options and creating art, which have helped her maintain a fulfilling life without alcohol. Maggie's story is both inspiring and relatable, offering hope to those struggling with addiction. Tune in to hear more about her journey and the positive changes that come with an alcohol-free life.

Paul Churchill

Paul Churchill

RE 531: What to Expect When We Put the Bottle Down

RE 531: What to Expect When We Put the Bottle Down

RE 531: What to Expect When We Put the Bottle Down

Monday 21st April 2025

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Recovery Elevator

Maggie's Journey to Sobriety: A Year of Healing and New Beginnings

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