About this episode
Chris took his last drink about 6 years ago. This is his story of living alcohol free (AF). Odette's weekly installment of: Finding Your Better You A few weeks ago, Elle published an article titled " The Year of Drinking Dangerously " which explored how alcohol in 2020 was front and center. Alcohol effects everything in our society and it's time we got serious and brought these issues to light. Alcohol is a drug that has been glamorized. 2020 taught Odette that she has grit, that she can speak up about things that matter to her, that she doesn't have to be a people pleaser, to name a few. She is pledging to make 2021 the year where Recovery Elevator changes even more lives through unmasking alcohol. As more and more people are questioning their relationship with alcohol… LETS KEEP GOING. [7:10] Odette introduces Chris. Chris is 33 years old, originally from New Jersey and right now lives in Savannah, GA. His career began in finance, as he quit drinking, he transitioned to being a personal trainer. He also began a blog, writing the articles he wished he could have read when questioning his own drinking. This became his website and he now is a alcohol recovery coach and has a podcast related to sobriety. He likes to be physically active. Chris also has two dogs he rescued in 2020. [16:57] Can you give listeners some background on your story? Chris started drinking in high school but wasn't really a partier. He was mostly into swimming and studying. However, when he did go out, he realized he could out drink all his friends. As he moved into an unhealthy relationship with alcohol, he felt like he was living a double life. Alcohol was the opposite of everything he stood for. Looking back he can see that he would have withdrawal symptoms at the age of 20 when he didn't drink. When he left college and began working, the drinking was now just martinis and more expensive. When he did finally quit, he had to go to detox. Through his research he learned that he had been out of balance with his nutrients which alcohol only exacerbated. [25:21] How aware were you that alcohol was the problem? Chris said he was in deep denial, with outbursts of honesty. A story he tells is standing outside a liquor store one morning waiting for it to open while drinking from a bottle of water he had filled with vodka. He thought to himself "this isn't normal." Chris felt he was special because of that he needed to drink to deal with people and jobs. Alcohol to him was a performance enhancing drug. [30:47] Tell me about those first couple months. Chris said once he admitted to others that alcohol was a problem, he felt some inner peace and relief. He also felt the tug of war in his brain, would this be purgatory and him having to be a saint the rest of his life? Chris took the leap of faith that he would figure out what needed to be done. In rehab he began doing meditation and that opened his eyes to the fact that you can have a fulfilled life away from alcohol. Fueling his body helped him see the world in full color. [39:35] What are simple tips help you restore your body balance? Chris said there are two main factors: Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and deficiencies in neurotransmitters. Start with a daily multivitamin and look into amino acid therapy. L Glutamine can be helpful in repairing muscles and gut health. It also turned into glucose in the brain without a spike in blood sugar. * always speak to your doctor before beginning any regiment. [44:52] Sleep Chris said he's recently read Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker. Chris had always had trouble sleeping and he's now trying to optimize his sleep. He tracks his sleep and tries to get to the bottom of why his sleep pattern might have changed. Chris recommends the power of tea and drinking tea to find a blissed-out state. There's a whole universe of benign things that can help with the psychological distraction. [50:39] Rapid Fire Round What would you say to your younger self? Don't drink alcohol. What has recovery made possible? Deeper relationships and be present with people. What's your favorite ice cream flavour? Talenti Mediterranean Mint What book are you reading right now? Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art by James Nestor What parting piece of guidance would you give to listeners thinking about ditching the booze? Try to solidify your support system and figure out how you can confide in. Don't assume you will feel as bad as you think you will without the alcohol. You may have to say adios to booze if... you find yourself outside a liquor store before it opens with a bottle of water refilled with vodka. Odette's weekly challenge: Did you reflect on who you are trying to become? Please don't shy away from what your heart is telling you that you deserve. 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