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Health & Fitness

It’s Not About the Alcohol

Would you like to reduce your alcohol consumption by about 80 percent? Become the version of you who can just “take it or leave it” so that you can enjoy drinking socially without relying on alcohol to manage your stress, anxiety, loneliness and boredom when you’re by yourself?

Most high achieving women assume over-drinking is caused by a lack of willpower–or worse, the incurable disease of “alcoholism.” So they beat themselves up and avoid asking for help because they feel ashamed and out of control.

Whether you’re a daily drinker who can’t break the habit, or you’re still going to sobriety meetings even though you don’t drink anymore, the real problem is that you don’t trust yourself.

Which means it’s not about the alcohol. It’s about your relationship with yourself.

Colleen Freeland is a a mindful drinking coach helping professional women learn how drinking less (or not at all) is actually a superpower, even when the idea of giving up the only thing that helps them quiet their mind feels impossible.

The solution to alcohol use disorder is a FEELING. If you felt comfortable in your own skin and at ease in your life, you would drink like someone who is comfortable and at ease!

Join me each week for holistic, evidence-based strategies to fix your dopamine deficit, regulate your nervous system, cure imposter syndrome, manage sugar cravings, improve your sleep and reclaim your mental health so you no longer have the urge to escape your own body.

Get happy, not sober. Because happy people don’t drink themselves into a stupor.

Latest Episodes:

Ep97: The real reason you can't sleep through the night (and how to become "well-rested") with Dr. Bijoy John Jan 09, 2024

Show notes

Are you tired of being tired all of the time?

Most of us think that insomnia is something we have to live with. We blame stress, hormones and snoring spouses… and then rely on caffeine and under-eye concealer to drag ourselves through the day.

But living in a persistent sleep deficit leads to burnout and overwhelm, and eventually chronic physical and mental health problems. The quality of your life will continue to degrade in the absence of high-quality rest.

In this day and age, being "well-rested" isn't normal. But it also isn't normal to be healthy. Fortunately, you get to choose. Do you want to feel like you're barely surviving…or wake up with energy and purpose so you can actually enjoy the life you've created?

Dr. Bijoy John is a distinguished board-certified sleep specialist and the author of the new book Nobody's Sleeping. He's here to share his seven steps to S.L.E.E.P. N.O.W.

In this episode, you'll learn:

The top reason why Nobody's Sleeping
The long term consequences of operating in a sleep deficit
Why good sleep starts when you wake up, not when you go to bed
How to use caffeine and alcohol in a way that doesn't ruin the quality of your rest.
Dr. John's 7 steps to S.L.E.E.P. N.O.W.

Find Dr. Bijoy John's book and more at SleepFixAcademy.com.

Click here for the link to my new SECRET podcast....get the complete audio course for Foundations of Emotional Sobriety delivered right to your phone!

Do you drink 10 or more drinks per week and have a high tolerance that undermines your willpower? Register for Thursday's Free Live Training for to learn how to stop over-thinking your relationship with alcohol. Get the roadmap, timeline and tools for my Accelerated Recovery Process© so you focus on what really matters and just drink like a normal person.

Get on my insider's email list to receive weekly insights that will accelerate your recovery and also early-bird access to monthly workshops and events like recovery storytelling and breathwork.

Ep96: What smart-ass women need to know about ADHD with Tracy Otsuka Jan 02, 2024

Show notes

Have you struggled with anxiety, depression, disordered eating and drinking, and a lack of purpose-driven joy in your life?

The mistake most of us make is to assume that our inability to function like a "normal person" means that something is wrong…like dysfunctional brain chemistry, a screwed-up personality or a lack of motivation and discipline..

And so we do our best to fix, hide, cope and pretend to be normal…all the while feeling like an outsider looking in…wondering why life seems less complicated for everyone else.

My guest today is Tracy Otsuka…author of the new best-selling book, ADHD for Smart Ass Women. Tracy teaches ADHD women how to use their brilliant minds to build the life they want by embracing their too-muchness and focusing on their strengths.

By the end of our conversation, you'll learn

Why ADHD is often misdiagnosed as anxiety, depression and other personality disorders in women
ADHD is not a disorder you need to recover from…it's a tool you can learn to use to your advantage
How to know if you have a neurotypical or neurodivergent brain…without asking your doctor.
How to cross the bridge between knowing who you really are and actually living the life of your dreams

When you're finished listening, I'd love to hear your biggest takeaway. Share the episode (or take a screenshot) and post on FB/IG. Tag me @recoverwithcolleen and I'll be sure to personally respond.

Find Tracy Otsuka and her book at https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/

Do you drink 10 or more drinks per week and have a high tolerance that undermines your willpower? Register for Thursday's Free Live Training for Moderate Drinking so you can stop obsessing about alcohol. Get the roadmap, timeline and tools for my Accelerated Recovery Process© so you focus on what really matters and just drink like a normal person.

Get on my insider's email list to receive weekly insights that will accelerate your recovery and also early-bird access to monthly workshops and events like recovery storytelling and breathwork.

Ep95: 7 Steps to transform stagnant emotions into positive energy and create the life you deserve (part 2) with Sherianna Boyle Dec 26, 2023

Show notes

What if the primary reason you feel tired and stuck is that you're leaking energy due to overthinking and emotional distress?

Most of us assume that stagnancy means something is either wrong in our body or in our life (or both).

So we load up on coffee, rely on alcohol to reduce stress and binge-watch Netflix…hoping we'll bounce back as soon as whatever's wrong gets figured out.

We discuss menopause, stress, the problems in our relationships and our general lack of well-being with our friends, doctors and Google.

But even when we catch a break…a new medication or habit or perspective seems to help…it doesn't last long. There's an impending sense of doom as we wait for the other shoe to drop. Our relationship status with life is officially "complicated and hard."

The solution is to learn how to C.L.E.A.N.S.E. your emotional energy so that you can cultivate an inner space for discernment, insight, intuition and levelheadedness.

Sherianna Boyle is the author of ten best selling books, including Emotional Detox Now and Energy in Motion. She's here to share her 7-step process for changing the emotional habits that are keeping you stuck so you can step into your own personal power.

In Part 1 (Episode 94) of this episode you'll learn…

What most people get wrong about emotional intelligence
Why focusing on what you want does not make you happy and what to do instead
The difference between raw emotions and emotional reactions
How to bypass the story you're telling yourself about why you feel the way you feel and simply process the energy of emotional distress
The seven steps of the C.L.E.A.N.S.E. process for emotional detox

In Part 2 (Episode 95) of this episode, you'll learn…

The connection between addiction and emotional attachments (to things, money, relationships and trauma-drama )
Why unprocessed emotions make you tired and how the practice of detachment can restore your energy
How to align your goals with the spiritual laws of the universe so you can live in balance and harmony
The small actions you can take to increase emotional intelligence that don't require a huge investment of time and energy.
The radical transformation that happens when you shift your focus from "willpower" to "free will."

When you're finished listening, I'd love to hear your biggest takeaway. Share the episode (or take a screenshot) and post on FB/IG. Tag me @recoverwithcolleen and I'll be sure to respond.

Click here to get Sherianna's FREE realignment kit.

Get on my insider's email list to receive weekly insights that will accelerate your recovery and also early-bird access to monthly workshops and events like recovery storytelling and breathwork.

Do you drink 10 or more drinks per week and have a high tolerance that undermines your willpower? Register for Thursday's Free Live Brain Training for Moderate Drinking so you can stop obsessing about alcohol. Get the roadmap, timeline and tools for my Accelerated Recovery Process© so you focus on what really matters and just drink like a normal person.

Ep94: 7 Steps to transform stagnant emotions into positive energy and create the life you deserve (part 1) with Sherianna Boyle Dec 26, 2023

Show notes

What if the primary reason you feel tired and stuck is that you're leaking energy due to overthinking and emotional distress?

Most of us assume that stagnancy means something is either wrong in our body or in our life (or both).

So we load up on coffee, rely on alcohol to reduce stress and binge-watch Netflix…hoping we'll bounce back as soon as whatever's wrong gets figured out.

We discuss menopause, stress, the problems in our relationships and our general lack of well-being with our friends, doctors and Google.

But even when we catch a break…a new medication or habit or perspective seems to help…it doesn't last long. There's an impending sense of doom as we wait for the other shoe to drop. Our relationship status with life is officially "complicated and hard."

The solution is to learn how to C.L.E.A.N.S.E. your emotional energy so that you can cultivate an inner space for discernment, insight, intuition and levelheadedness.

Sherianna Boyle is the author of ten best selling books, including Emotional Detox Now and Energy in Motion. She's here to share her 7-step process for changing the emotional habits that are keeping you stuck so you can step into your own personal power.

In Part 1 (Episode 94) of this episode you'll learn…

What most people get wrong about emotional intelligence
Why focusing on what you want does not make you happy and what to do instead
The difference between raw emotions and emotional reactions
How to bypass the story you're telling yourself about why you feel the way you feel and simply process the energy of emotional distress
The seven steps of the C.L.E.A.N.S.E. process for emotional detox

In Part 2 (Episode 95) of this episode, you'll learn…

The connection between addiction and emotional attachments (to things, money, relationships and trauma-drama )
Why unprocessed emotions make you tired and how the practice of detachment can restore your energy
How to align your goals with the spiritual laws of the universe so you can live in balance and harmony
The small actions you can take to increase emotional intelligence that don't require a huge investment of time and energy.
The radical transformation that happens when you shift your focus from "willpower" to "free will."

When you're finished listening, I'd love to hear your biggest takeaway. Share the episode (or take a screenshot) and post on FB/IG. Tag me @recoverwithcolleen and I'll be sure to respond.

Click here to get Sherianna's FREE realignment kit.

Get on my insider's email list to receive weekly insights that will accelerate your recovery and also early-bird access to monthly workshops and events like recovery storytelling and breathwork.

Do you drink 10 or more drinks per week and have a high tolerance that undermines your willpower? Register for Thursday's Free Live Brain Training for Moderate Drinking so you can stop obsessing about alcohol. Get the roadmap, timeline and tools for my Accelerated Recovery Process© so you focus on what really matters and just drink like a normal person.

Ep93 What you're getting wrong about being "healthy" (Part 2) with Sheryl Carroll Dec 19, 2023

Show notes

Are you doing the best you can to stay healthy and be happy, but your body (and maybe your whole life) seems to be falling apart anyway?

We search for information about our symptoms. And go from doctor to doctor looking for a diagnosis. Because we need to feel validated…to know we're not crazy. And we think the answer is to give our experience a name…a label…so we can understand exactly what's wrong with our body.

But the best you can hope for in that scenario is that you'll be able to afford whatever medication you're prescribed. And then you'll have to figure out how to deal with the side effects, loss of vitality and lower quality of life.

The alternative is to realize that (at least) 90 percent of your health is a product of your own thoughts and subsequent behaviors.

Yes, you need to eat better, exercise more and reduce your toxic load. But you already know that's hard to do when your mind has decided that you're a victim of circumstances (genetics, upbringing, geography, career, finances and family dynamics).

My guest today is Sheryl Carroll, an integrative health practitioner and coach. Our conversation today is strategically designed to help you connect the dots on what's really holding you back from living in radiant energy, and feeling strong and sexy in both mind and body.

In Episode 92 (part 1) you'll learn:

Why the absence of joy in your life is the canary in the coal mine when it comes to future health problems
The surprising mistakes that cause you to over-drink, over-eat and procrastinate
Why a holistic approach to wellness is the only way to exponentially expand what is possible for you

In Episode 93 (part 2), you'll learn:

The three conditions that predict autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis, Hashimoto's and IBS
Why bad moods and lack of energy and motivation are symptoms, not causes, of the problem.
The simple lifestyle changes that trigger a domino effect of healing, clarity and growth

Please DM me on IG/FB @recoverwithcolleen and let me know your takeaways from this episode. I love hearing from you. Send me any questions you have and I'll respond personally (though my auto-bot loves to chat too, but we'll work around her)

Find Sheryl on Instagram @your_tiny_voice and on Facebook @ytvhealthcoaching and get her Midlife Woman's Nutrition Toolkit (4 week holistic nutrition course) and SOS thyroid small group coaching program on her website.

Get on my insider's email list to receive weekly insights that will accelerate your recovery and also early-bird access to monthly workshops and events like recovery storytelling and breathwork.

Still drinking 10 or more drinks per week and want to know how to drink more moderately BEFORE it becomes a problem? Register for Thursday's Free Live Brain Training for Mindful Drinking with Colleen and learn the Accelerated Recovery Process© to Stop Over-Drinking without committing to sobriety or worrying you won't have the willpower to stick with it.

Ep92: What you're getting wrong about being healthy Dec 19, 2023

Show notes

Are you doing the best you can to stay healthy and be happy, but your body (and maybe your whole life) seems to be falling apart anyway?

We search for information about our symptoms. And go from doctor to doctor looking for a diagnosis. Because we need to feel validated…to know we're not crazy. And we think the answer is to give our experience a name…a label…so we can understand exactly what's wrong with our body.

But the best you can hope for in that scenario is that you'll be able to afford whatever medication you're prescribed. And then you'll have to figure out how to deal with the side effects, loss of vitality and lower quality of life.

The alternative is to realize that (at least) 90 percent of your health is a product of your own thoughts and subsequent behaviors.

Yes, you need to eat better, exercise more and reduce your toxic load. But you already know that's hard to do when your mind has decided that you're a victim of circumstances (genetics, upbringing, geography, career, finances and family dynamics).

My guest today is Sheryl Carroll, an integrative health practitioner and coach. Our conversation today is strategically designed to help you connect the dots on what's really holding you back from living in radiant energy, and feeling strong and sexy in both mind and body.

In Episode 92 (part 1) you'll learn:

Why the absence of joy in your life is the canary in the coal mine when it comes to future health problems
The surprising mistakes that cause you to over-drink, over-eat and procrastinate
Why a holistic approach to wellness is the only way to exponentially expand what is possible for you

In Episode 93 (part 2), you'll learn:

The three conditions that predict autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis, Hashimoto's and IBS
Why bad moods and lack of energy and motivation are symptoms, not causes, of the problem.
The simple lifestyle changes that trigger a domino effect of healing, clarity and growth

Please DM me on IG/FB @recoverwithcolleen and let me know your takeaways from this episode. I love hearing from you. Send me any questions you have and I'll respond personally (though my auto-bot loves to chat too, but we'll work around her)

Find Sheryl on Instagram @your_tiny_voice and on Facebook @ytvhealthcoaching and get her Midlife Woman's Nutrition Toolkit (4 week holistic nutrition course) and SOS thyroid small group coaching program on her website.

Get on my insider's email list to receive weekly insights that will accelerate your recovery and also early-bird access to monthly workshops and events like recovery storytelling and breathwork.

Still drinking 10 or more drinks per week and want to know how to drink more moderately BEFORE it becomes a problem? Register for Thursday's Free Live Brain Training for Mindful Drinking with Colleen and learn the Accelerated Recovery Process© to Stop Over-Drinking without committing to sobriety or worrying you won't have the willpower to stick with it.

Ep91: How to heal (instead of cope with) emotional triggers (Part 2) with Ruth Fearnow Dec 12, 2023

Show notes

How do you cope with panic attacks, mood swings, eruptions of rage or other illogical reactions that feel out of proportion to the situation?

Many of us think the antidote to emotional reactivity is to distract ourselves with positivity. We take a breath, try to walk it off or visualize a basket of puppies on the beach at sunset.

We tell ourselves to just let it go and to stop letting it bother us. Which sounds great. But HOW do you actually do that? Especially when it keeps happening?

It starts with knowing the difference between coping and healing. Because managing your behavior and maintaining a respectable demeanor doesn't resolve past traumas. You will continue to be triggered until you heal the subconscious emotional wound.

Managing your emotions can feel like a full time job and rob you of peace, joy and the forward-facing perspective that is required to achieve your goals.

My guest today is Ruth Fearnow, a speaker and trauma therapist certified in EMDR therapy who developed a structured process (and wrote the book) for quickly releasing suppressed emotions called Therapeutic Mindfulness.

In part 1 (see episode 90), you'll learn:

Why positive thinking can work against you
How to quickly neutralize anxiety at the energetic level without having to figure out why you're upset
How to use your brain to heal your mind (instead of letting it drive you crazy)

In this episode (part 2), you'll learn

How to apply the five steps of therapeutic mindfulness to fear and uncertainty by listening in real time as Ruth guides Colleen to face her fears about a major upcoming change.
Where to begin when you're dealing with ALL the emotions of a heavy and complicated situation.
Why therapeutic mindfulness helps you stop overthinking and even eliminate the need for regular talk therapy
The difference between thinking about your feelings and actually feeling them

When you finish listening, please DM me your takeaways. I'd love to hear from you and I'm happy to answer any questions you have. Find me on Instagram @RecoverwithColleen and Facebook at Recover with Colleen

👉🏼Click here to get Ruth's free downloads so you can start practicing therapeutic mindfulness.

Want to try recovery storytelling or a breathwork class? Get on my insider's email list to receive weekly insights that will accelerate your recovery and also early-bird access to monthly workshops and events.

Still drinking 10 or more drinks per week? Register for Thursday's Free Live Brain Training for Mindful Drinking with Colleen and learn the Accelerated Recovery Process© to Stop Over-Drinking without committing to sobriety or worrying you won't have the willpower to stick with it.

Ep 90: How to heal (instead of cope with) emotional triggers (Part 1) with Ruth Fearnow Dec 12, 2023

Show notes

How do you cope with panic attacks, mood swings, eruptions of rage and other illogical reactions that feel out of proportion to the situation?

Many of us think the antidote to emotional reactivity is to distract ourselves with positivity. We take a breath, try to walk it off or visualize a basket of puppies on the beach at sunset.

We tell ourselves to just let it go and to stop letting it bother us. Which sounds great. But HOW do you actually do that? Especially when it keeps happening?

It starts with knowing the difference between coping and healing. Because managing your behavior and maintaining a respectable demeanor doesn't resolve past traumas. You will continue to be triggered until you heal the subconscious emotional wound.

Managing your emotions can feel like a full time job and rob you of peace, joy and the forward-facing perspective that is required to achieve your goals.

My guest today is Ruth Fearnow, a speaker and trauma therapist certified in EMDR therapy who developed a structured process (and wrote the book) for quickly releasing suppressed emotions called Therapeutic Mindfulness.

In part 1 (see episode 90), you'll learn:

Why positive thinking can work against you
How to quickly neutralize anxiety at the energetic level without having to figure out why you're upset
How to use your brain to heal your mind (instead of letting it drive you crazy)

In this episode (part 2), you'll learn

How to apply the five steps of therapeutic mindfulness to fear and uncertainty by listening in real time as Ruth guides Colleen to face her fears about a major upcoming change.
Where to begin when you're dealing with ALL the emotions of a heavy and complicated situation.
Why therapeutic mindfulness helps you stop overthinking and even eliminate the need for regular talk therapy
The difference between thinking about your feelings and actually feeling them

When you finish listening, please DM me your takeaways. I'd love to hear from you and I'm happy to answer any questions you have. Find me on Instagram @RecoverwithColleen and Facebook at Recover with Colleen

👉🏼Click here to get Ruth's free downloads so you can start practicing therapeutic mindfulness.

Want to try recovery storytelling or a breathwork class? Get on my insider's email list to receive weekly insights that will accelerate your recovery and also early-bird access to monthly workshops and events.

Still drinking 10 or more drinks per week? Register for Thursday's Free Live Brain Training for Mindful Drinking with Colleen and learn the Accelerated Recovery Process© to Stop Over-Drinking without committing to sobriety or worrying you won't have the willpower to stick with it.

Ep 89: The link between gut health and alcohol use disorder (Part 2) with Josh Dech Dec 05, 2023

Show notes

Have you ever noticed that the more medications you take, the more you seem to need?

We were given antibiotics as kids. Allergy and acne medications in our teens. Birth control in our twenties. Antidepressants in our thirties. And now, we take pills for autoimmune disorders, migraines, irritable bowel, arthritis and thyroid problems.

It's not normal to be healthy.

Meanwhile, life feels more and more stressful. We struggle with depression, anxiety, exhaustion and burnout. And since we were raised to believe in "better living through chemistry," is it any wonder we turn to alcohol to take the edge off?

Most of us have no idea that the root cause of nearly every symptom we experience is an imbalanced gut microbiome. Or that every attempt you make to suppress those symptoms only makes things worse.

My guest today is Josh Dech, a holistic nutritionist specializing in gut health. He educates functional medicine physicians in reversing chronic inflammatory conditions and autoimmune diseases. In this episode, you'll:

Uncover the complexity of the gut microbiome and its impact on your daily health.
Understand the consequences of daily drinking…taking a probiotic does not counteract the regular consumption of the active ingredient in hand sanitizer.
Learn how to heal your gut with whole foods, lifestyle changes and reducing toxic exposure.
Discover how to personalize your approach to gut health before you do an elimination diet with GI mapping.

When you finish listening, please DM me your takeaways. I'd love to hear from you and I'm happy to answer any questions you have. Find me on Instagram @RecoverwithColleen and Facebook at Recover with Colleen

Find Josh @joshdech.health on Facebook and Instagram. Check out his ReverseABLE podcast.

Want to try recovery storytelling or a breathwork class? Get on my insider's email list to receive weekly insights that will accelerate your recovery and also early-bird access to monthly workshops and events.

Still drinking 10 or more drinks per week? Register for Thursday's Free Live Training with Colleen and learn the Accelerated Recovery Process© to Stop Over-Drinking without committing to sobriety or worrying you won't have the willpower to stick with it.

Ep 88: The link between gut health and alcohol use disorder (part 1) with Josh Dech Dec 05, 2023

Show notes

Have you ever noticed that the more medications you take, the more you seem to need?

We were given antibiotics as kids. Allergy and acne medications in our teens. Birth control in our twenties. Antidepressants in our thirties. And now, we take pills for autoimmune disorders, migraines, irritable bowel, arthritis and thyroid problems.

It's not normal to be healthy.

Meanwhile, life feels more and more stressful. We struggle with depression, anxiety, exhaustion and burnout. And since we were raised to believe in "better living through chemistry," is it any wonder we turn to alcohol to take the edge off?

Most of us have no idea that the root cause of nearly every symptom we experience is an imbalanced gut microbiome. Or that every attempt you make to suppress those symptoms only makes things worse.

My guest today is Josh Dech, a holistic nutritionist specializing in gut health. He educates functional medicine physicians in reversing chronic inflammatory conditions and autoimmune diseases. In this episode, you'll:

Uncover the complexity of the gut microbiome and its impact on your daily health.
Understand the consequences of daily drinking…taking a probiotic does not counteract the regular consumption of the active ingredient in hand sanitizer.
Learn how to heal your gut with whole foods, lifestyle changes and reducing toxic exposure.
Discover how to personalize your approach to gut health before you do an elimination diet with GI mapping.

When you finish listening, please DM me your takeaways. I'd love to hear from you and I'm happy to answer any questions you have. Find me on Instagram @RecoverwithColleen and Facebook at Recover with Colleen

Find Josh @joshdech.health on Facebook and Instagram. Check out his ReverseABLE podcast.

Want to try recovery storytelling or a breathwork class? Get on my insider's email list to receive weekly insights that will accelerate your recovery and also early-bird access to monthly workshops and events.

Still drinking 10 or more drinks per week? Register for Thursday's Free Live Training with Colleen and learn the Accelerated Recovery Process© to Stop Over-Drinking without committing to sobriety or worrying you won't have the willpower to stick with it.

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