Picture this: you're enjoying a summer day, but without the haze of alcohol. In this episode of 'Recovery Elevator', Paul Churchill and Kristopher Oyen sit down with Ronnie Marmo, an actor and director who's been sober for 25 years. Ronnie's story isn't just about quitting alcohol; it's about reclaiming a vibrant, fulfilling life. He opens up about his rocky path to sobriety, including the moments that brought him to his knees and the strength it took to get back up.

His candid reflections are both raw and inspiring. The highlight of this episode? A lively discussion on 50 creative ways to stay sober during the summer. From indulging in a new hobby to having a water balloon fight, Ronnie shares practical tips that go beyond the usual advice. He emphasizes the importance of staying connected through sobriety meetings and offers heartfelt advice for anyone looking to quit drinking.

His insights aren't just theoretical; they come from a place of lived experience and hard-earned wisdom. Ronnie also touches on how sobriety has simplified his life and brought him peace. His journey underscores the idea that a booze-free life isn't about deprivation; it's about finding joy in new, unexpected places. Whether you're newly sober, sober-curious, or supporting someone on their journey, this episode offers a refreshing take on living your best life without alcohol.

To top it off, Ronnie invites listeners to check out his theatre company in North Hollywood, adding a personal touch that makes his story even more relatable. Tune in for a mix of practical advice, personal anecdotes, and a dash of humor that makes tackling sobriety seem not just possible, but enjoyable.

Join Ronnie Marmo on 'Recovery Elevator' as he shares his sobriety journey and 50 creative ways to stay sober this summer.

Ronnie Marmo's Journey: 50 Creative Ways to Stay Sober This Summer

Ronnie, with 25 years of sobriety shares how he did it. We also discuss 50 ways to stay sober this summer.   Ronnie Marmo Ronnie got sober a few times throughout his life, once at age 17 and again at age 20. At age 20, he found himself smoking crack on the sidewalk after 3 years of sobriety… One drink of alcohol was his gateway drug.   Ronnie’s background: Lives in L.A. and works as an actor and director, running two theater companies. Check out <a href= "http://theatre68.com/">68 Theatre Company</a>. Ronnie is 45 and married with a dear family… For more information on Ronnie and his work - <a href= "http://ronniemarmo.com/">ronniemarmo.com</a>.   Take us back to age 20... Was that your bottom? For me, “I was out of control ever since I started drinking. I always drank and got high in the same way. I was never a social drinker, I had no interest in drinking socially.”   It went something like this - one gallon of vodka, one quart of Yukon Jack, and then I found myself waking up at a sober picnic. My sponsor asked me if I was humble enough… I said yes, and went back to rehab for the 3rd time.   What is it like being sober in your industry? It’s like anything, many people are sober, once you start talking “our” language. Those who do drink and get high, it’s never an issue, but I tend to gravitate towards people who are sober.   Let’s talk rules: Did you ever try to put rules into place? “I thought alcohol was a problem, but I didn’t think it was my biggest problem. I constantly negotiated with myself. Normal people don’t hide bottles. Normal people don’t wake up needing a drink.”   People have gone on retreats and think that anxiety is the issue, or depression is the issues, when underneath it is really the alcohol.   Literally, every day of my life I spent my day trying to figure out how to get more booze.   Do you remember your first intensive rehab? “I hadn’t even seen the STEPS on the wall!”   Now, I have a healthy fear of booze.   Talk to me more about this healthy fear, I’m terrified of this stuff… When I look at it, it’s rare that I glorify a drink. When I see booze, I get nervous. If I ever take a second to glorify it. I immediately think I could destroy my life. It happens quickly.   That thought is so fleeting, it’s not even an option.   Bill W. and Dr. Bob: <a href= "http://theatre68.com/">http://theatre68.com/</a> Playing in north Hollywood, CA   Soon to star in the movie, Back in the Day.   Walk me through a day in your sobriety: I don’t go to as many meetings as I should, but I never miss my Wednesday home meeting. If I do these things daily:   <ul> <li>Give thanks</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Reach out to a newcomer</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Walk with love and grace</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Attend a meeting</li> </ul>   If I don’t do these things, life is just harder...   What are your thoughts on relapse: It’s a weird disease because you have to self-diagnose it. It’s 2:30 in L.A. right now, if I had a drink right now, I’d be smoking crack by 7:30pm… Relapse doesn’t have to happen, but if it does, hopefully you can choose sobriety again quickly.   What would you say to your younger Ronnie: “The sooner you can get past being so dependent on the drink or the drug the sooner you can get on with your life, doing what you really want to do.” “No matter where you go or what you do, drink a lot of water and walk slow.”   What’s still on your bucketlist: <ul> <li>Doing what I love</li> <li>Helping others</li> <li>Shoot a movie in Italy for a summer...</li> </ul> All these items are attainable with sobriety.   Rapid Fire Round: 1.What was your worst memory from drinking? Stealing my mother’s pocket book. 2.Did you ever have an oh-shit moment? I had a spiritual awakening in the courtroom, asking the judge for help. The things that came out of my mouth were nothing that I had intended to say when I walked in. 3.What is your plan for sobriety moving forward? Keep showing up and trying to be graceful, reaching out to others, and trying my best on a daily basis to stay with a formula that works. Keeping it super simple! <ol start="4"> <li>Favorite resources?</li> </ol> Meetings <ol start="5"> <li>Best advice you’ve ever received?</li> </ol> Drink a lot of water and walk slow <ol start="6"> <li>What parting piece of guidance can you give?</li> </ol> If you are thinking about it (getting sober) and it’s on your mind, there’s a really good chance that you should be doing it. Give it a really strong 90 days.   “You might be an alcoholic if…” You might be an alcoholic if you steal from someone you love just to get a drink or a drug. You might be an alcoholic if after 2 years of sobriety you take a drink and later you end up smoking crack.   Connect with Ronnie: Facebook: <a href= "https://www.facebook.com/ronnie.marmo">https://www.facebook.com/ronnie.marmo</a> Twitter: <a href= "https://twitter.com/Ronniemo22">@Ronniemo22</a>   50 Ways to stay sober this summer   <ol> <li>Wear sun screen – Lots of sunscreen</li> <li>La Croix Soda water. Drink lots of soda water</li> <li>Enjoy time in a hot tub / spring or sauna</li> <li>Beach trip: The small stream behind your neighbor’s house even has a beach</li> <li>Movie Day: The Anonymous People</li> <li>Scroll through your phone contacts and call someone you did wrong in the past. Don’t tell them what they did wrong, but what you did wrong</li> <li>Binge watch old TV episodes: Prefably not Mad Men, they drink like fish</li> <li>Yoga / Meditation</li> <li>Create a new sober drink concoction. Watermelon and milk is one I stumbled upon</li> <li>Do that fitness thing: Biking, swimming, whiffle ball, golf etc.</li> <li>Join a Book Club that actually reads the book</li> <li>Adopt-A-Pet, dog, cat, gecko</li> <li>Think of the most pressing issue in your life right now… and then write down what your part of it is.</li> <li>Go to a museum</li> <li>Pinterest - find new recipes or a DIY project on Diypete.com</li> <li>Google Mindfulness and what that really means</li> <li>Buy a new car; one that you have never drank in</li> <li>Learn how to shoot a bow and arrow</li> <li>Find something like Jolly Ranchers to subside cravings</li> <li>Build a pergola or Sauna at your house</li> <li>Gauge your emotional sobriety (in the future) by purposefully removing the staples out of your stapler</li> <li>Volunteer – be of service (This is a big one)</li> <li>Acceptance is the answer - period</li> <li>Take a look in the mirror and observe what you see. Get REal with yourself</li> <li>New Hobbies- Painting / Coloring</li> <li>Travel - take photos of you wearing your RE shirt</li> <li>Fundraise for the Recovery Elevator trip to Peru in April 2017</li> <li>Go to an outing wearing a shirt that says something like “sober as shit” so no one offers you a drink</li> <li>Listen to the RE Podcast episode 52 – one of my favorites</li> <li>Play a good natured joke someone</li> <li>Pay for the person’s order behind you – Regardless of what line you find yourself in</li> <li>Attend a 12 step meeting on the other side of town that speaks a different language</li> <li>Enjoy NA Drinks such as a virgin a piña colada</li> <li>Announce to the world you’re an Alcoholic via facebook and become accountable – the results will pleasantly surprise you</li> <li>Read page 471 in the big blue book: daily</li> <li>Once again, tell yourself acceptance is the answer</li> <li>Put your forehead on a baseball bat, spin around 15 times, and give the person closest to you a hug</li> <li>Google CBT - Charlie Beta Typhoid</li> <li>Jump rope – I’ve never heard of a relapse while jump roping</li> <li>We all know someone who should probably think about giving the bottle a rest. Invite them to Dairy Queen for their lunch specials from 11:30pm - 2pm and then take them to an AA meeting. They will most likely thank you later</li> <li>Water balloon fight - freezing balloons the night before is optional</li> <li>Watch the movie dodgeball with Ben Stiller, and then watch it again</li> <li>Third Eye Blind – All of it - #bestbandever</li> <li>Check out your local events calendar and go to an event you’re not interested in attending</li> <li>Laser Tag</li> <li>Take a sober road trip with another sober buddy of at least 100 miles each way. On your way, stop and say hello to me in Bozeman MT</li> <li>Get flowers or a gift card for someone you absolutely cannot stand to be around</li> <li>Ask yourself if you’re where you want to be in life at this very moment. If the answer is now, ask yourself if you’re willing to something about it</li> <li>Sunscreen – wear Lots of sunscreen</li> <li>Go get a natural high – sky diving, jump off the high dive at the local pool, go carts etc.</li> <li>Don’t Drink</li> </ol>   Let me know at info@recoveryelevator.com how many of these you tried this summer! Don’t forget to support the Recovery Elevator Podcast by shopping at <a href= "http://www.recoveryelevator.com/amazon/">Amazon</a> with the Recovery Elevator link: <a href= "http://www.recoveryelevator.com/amazon/">www.recoveryelevator.com/amazon/</a> This episode was brought to you by <a href= "http://www.recoveryelevator.com/community/">Cafe RE</a> and get your <a href="http://www.transitionsdaily.org/subscribe.html">daily AA email here!</a>

RE 74: 50 Ways To Stay Sober This Summer

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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

Picture this: you're enjoying a summer day, but without the haze of alcohol. In this episode of 'Recovery Elevator', Paul Churchill and Kristopher Oyen sit down with Ronnie Marmo, an actor and director who's been sober for 25 years. Ronnie's story isn't just about quitting alcohol; it's about reclaiming a vibrant, fulfilling life. He opens up about his rocky path to sobriety, including the moments that brought him to his knees and the strength it took to get back up.His candid reflections are both raw and inspiring. The highlight of this episode? A lively discussion on 50 creative ways to stay sober during the summer. From indulging in a new hobby to having a water balloon fight, Ronnie shares practical tips that go beyond the usual advice. He emphasizes the importance of staying connected through sobriety meetings and offers heartfelt advice for anyone looking to quit drinking.His insights aren't just theoretical; they come from a place of lived experience and hard-earned wisdom. Ronnie also touches on how sobriety has simplified his life and brought him peace. His journey underscores the idea that a booze-free life isn't about deprivation; it's about finding joy in new, unexpected places. Whether you're newly sober, sober-curious, or supporting someone on their journey, this episode offers a refreshing take on living your best life without alcohol.To top it off, Ronnie invites listeners to check out his theatre company in North Hollywood, adding a personal touch that makes his story even more relatable. Tune in for a mix of practical advice, personal anecdotes, and a dash of humor that makes tackling sobriety seem not just possible, but enjoyable.

Paul Churchill

Paul Churchill

RE 74: 50 Ways To Stay Sober This Summer

RE 74: 50 Ways To Stay Sober This Summer

RE 74: 50 Ways To Stay Sober This Summer

Monday 18th July 2016

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Recovery Elevator

Ronnie Marmo's Journey: 50 Creative Ways to Stay Sober This Summer