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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:

Ep77 | What you don't know about alcohol and stress Nov 06, 2023

Show notes

Do you associate alcohol with stress reduction?

We often think of alcohol as medicinal... drinking is a socially acceptable way to "take the edge off." We use it to relax in stressful situations.

And sometimes, that seems to be true. Especially if you're a daily drinker. Just the sound of a cork being popped or a beer being cracked can feel like a huge relief.

But if alcohol objectively reduces stress, why do drunk people fight, cry, complain and freak out if things don't go their way? And why do we wake up in the middle of the night full of anxiety?

Over-drinking is fueled by unrealistic expectations about the magical powers of alcohol. And the desire to over-drink can't go away until the biases in your brain have been neutralized with the truth.

In this episode, learn:

Why your reasons for drinking actually matter
What having a "high tolerance" really means
How drinking to relieve stress creates a cycle of stress.

JOIN THE PODSQUAD and help launch It's Not About the Alcohol on Tuesday November 14.

Are you sick of the yo-yo sobriety diet? Register for my free masterclass to get the Accelerated Recovery Process© to resolve alcohol use disorder without committing to sobriety or worrying you won't have the willpower to stick with it.

Follow me on Instagram @RecoverwithColleen

Are you my people? Nov 04, 2023

Show notes

Do you have a Boozie Barbie living in your head who stays up too late drinking because she wants ME time ... and then complains all day about being exhausted, lonely and unfulfilled?

I work with high achieving women who want to stop relying on alcohol to relieve the stress of their hectic lives, but giving up the only thing that takes the edge off feels impossible.

It's Not About the Alcohol will give you the holistic and evidenced-based coping strategies that make drinking less (or not at all) feel like a superpower.

Is your addiction really doing push-ups in the parking lot? With Allison Marie Conway Oct 30, 2023

Show notes

Do you believe that a "healthy fear" of alcohol will keep you safe from future screw-ups?

Fear elicits a stress response. And when your nervous system perceives a threat, you feel anxious and distracted by intrusive thoughts. Your brain starts predicting worse-case scenarios.

The idea of "fighting" this forever is overwhelming. It's like trying to not cough. You can do it…for a while. But you know that at some point, a spasm could override your willpower.

We assume the fear of relapse means there's something wrong. It must be true!--we really are an alcoholic.

But the temptation to drink is a perfectly normal (albeit misinformed) desire to relieve your stress. But the stress is coming from fear, not alcohol.

The threat you feel to your sense of safety and security is actually coming from the scary story you're telling yourself that alcohol has the power to bypass your self-control. And as long as you believe that story is true, the fear cannot go away. Because it's there to protect you.

The Sober Gurus tell us that too much confidence in our ability to heal, grow and change is a fast-pass to living in a van down by the river drinking mouthwash out of a paper bag.

But what if you reject the idea that you need to be protected from yourself?

Allison Marie Conway is a recovery coach and writer exploring what it means to recover from alcohol use disorder. She joins me for a raw and candid conversation to discuss:

How the cultural narratives of addiction and sobriety impact long-term recovery
Alternatives to nurturing a "healthy fear" of relapse
How overcoming an addiction makes you MORE resilient, not less.
Why allowing your story to evolve beyond alcohol leads to unexpected joy, freedom and mental health

JOIN THE PODSQUAD and help launch It's Not About the Alcohol on November 13.

Find Allison Marie Conway on Substack as Dry Humor Me and on Instagram as @allisonmarieconway

Ready to stop over-drinking? Register for my free masterclass to get the Accelerated Recovery Process© to resolve alcohol use disorder without committing to sobriety or worrying you won't have the willpower to stick with it.

Follow me on Instagram @RecoverwithColleen

Don't miss the free gifts and prizes for my Podsquad Oct 25, 2023

Show notes

Do you think more people need to listen to this podcast?

On November 13th, I'm relaunching as It's Not About the Alcohol: Holistic Recovery & Emotional Sobriety.

Join my podsquad as an act of rebellion against the status quo. Because over-drinking is NOT about the alcohol. And people who are struggling need to know that!

To show my appreciation for your support, you'll get immediate access to my new Foundations of Emotional Sobriety course. It won't be available for sale until January for $99. But it's yours NOW for free when you join the podsquad.

Joining the podsquad just means you'll get an email and text reminder from me on November 13th. I need everyone to download the episodes (and listen for at least 3 minutes) and leave a review on Apple or rate on Spotify. Mass engagement will boost me to the top of the charts.

People need to know that addiction is not a disease. It's an adaptation to a toxic culture. Our nervous systems weren't built to thrive in this post modern world.

It's Not About the Alcohol is dedicated to providing you with holistic, evidence-based strategies to fix your dopamine deficit, regulate your nervous system, deal with post acute withdrawal syndrome, manage sugar cravings, improve your sleep and reclaim your mental health so you no longer have the urge to escape your own life.

Click here to join the podsquad.

Get your Plan B for Square One Oct 23, 2023

Show notes

What's the first thought in your head when you wake up and realize you "did it again?"

Beating yourself up and thinking that you're back at "square one" only amplifies the hangover. And you probably think that's exactly what needs to happen. Because you believe in punishment. Feeling bad is what motivates you to get your sh!t together.

And the problem is, that can work. For a while. You tuck your tail between your legs and wait for the anxiety to pass.

But shame-based motivation is a short-term solution. The better you do, the better you feel. And when your confidence returns, your commitment to the plan recedes. Because if failure must be punished, then success deserves a reward.

Welcome back to Square One. What the hell is wrong with you and why can't you just stick to the plan?

Would you like to hear Plan B?

In this episode, discover:

The mistakes you're making that perpetuate the cycle of self-sabotage.
The counterintuitive strategy for loving yourself through a hangover
How to avoid waking up at Square One, even when you over-drink

PLEASE NOTE: On November 13, the title of this podcast will change to It's Not About the Alcohol.

CLICK HERE TO JOIN MY PODSQUAD for the relaunch of the It's Not About the Alcohol podcast. You'll be eligible to win a $100 Amazon gift card, a private coaching call with me ($300 value) OR a 12-week membership in The Next Chapter ($3000 value).

Register for my free masterclass to Stop Over-Drinking to learn my Accelerated Recovery Process@ to permanently resolve alcohol use disorder.

Is your subconscious sabotaging your ability to change?--with Megan Blacksmith Oct 16, 2023

Show notes

Did you have a (mostly) normal childhood and now feel frustated because you have no explanation as to why you ended up with an addictive personality that keeps you on a hamster wheel of bad habits?

If you identify as a high-achieving perfectionist who comes from a good family, you may assume that struggling to control yourself (with anything) means there's something wrong with you.

Most of us try to shame ourselves into better behavior. And hope we can fix whatever's wrong before anyone finds out. We're constantly looking for new strategies and a fresh start.

If you're in the habit of beating yourself up after a setback, there are invisible barriers in your mind that are undermining your willpower, integrity and motivation, and keeping you stuck in a cycle of self-defeat.

But it's one thing to see the black and white, perfectionistic thought patterns that fuel self-sabotage. It's quite another to actually change the way you think.

My guest this week is Megan Blacksmith. We dig deep into the root causes of dysfunction and explain how to make sustainable and life-transforming changes to your overall well being.

By the time you finish listening, you'll know:

What's involved in the process of reprogramming your subconscious mind.
How to see patterns that reinforce your "shadow" identity.
Tools to integrate new belief systems into your daily reality.

Find Megan Blacksmith on Instagram @BecomingZesty and her website (link to sign up for her upcoming Habit Transformation Accelerator).

When you finish listening, I'd love to hear your takeaways. Take a screenshot of you listening on your device and share it to your Instagram stories. Tag me @RecoverwithColleen

Register for me FREE masterclass to learn how to Stop Over-Drinking.

Get on my email list to receive weekly insight to accelerate your recovery and get early bird access to my upcoming recovery storytelling workshop.

TAKE THE QUIZ! Take my quick, 9-question quiz to find out how much your beliefs about drinking are causing FEAR that you'll go back to drinking. Oh, and then exactly how you can change those beliefs...

Use this Jedi mind-trick to deal with the fear of "going back" to over-drinking Oct 09, 2023

Show notes

Do you have a secret fear that no matter how good it feels to stay sober, you won't stick with it?

The fear may arise with a random alcohol craving that comes out of nowhere–a mysterious thirst that feels like a bottomless pit.

Or you might remember how it feels to watch the sunset with a bottle of wine and start thinking, "OMG…I can't ever do that again!"

Or the fear comes with that dark cloud of depression that sucks the breath out of your chest and leaves you feeling hopeless and paralyzed.

Here's the bottom line: you can't prevent fear. But you can learn how to deal with it so that a bad moment doesn't spiral into a bad week, month or year.

By the time you finish listening to this episode, you'll:

Have a Jedi mind-trick for exactly how to process fear in real-time so it doesn't overwhelm you.
Understand why labeling yourself as an alcoholic (or someone with a drinking problem) perpetuates fear of over-drinking
See fear as an invitation to correct subconscious assumptions and rebuild your identity as a resilient, confident badass in complete control.

When you finish listening, I'd love to hear your takeaways. Take a screenshot of you listening on your device and share it to your Instagram stories. Tag me @RecoverwithColleen

Register for me FREE masterclass to learn how to Control Your Thinking About Drinking.

Get on my email list to receive weekly insight to accelerate your recovery and get early bird access to my upcoming recovery storytelling workshop.

TAKE THE QUIZ! Take my quick, 9-question quiz to find out how much your beliefs about drinking are causing FEAR that you'll go back to drinking. Oh, and then exactly how you can change those beliefs...

The secret to maintain muscle mass and metabolism in menopause–with Cam Allen Oct 02, 2023

Show notes

What do you think is required to maintain your fitness after fifty?

If you struggle to stay consistent with a strict workout routine, don't assume that you're just lazy and unmotivated. You'll start feeling older than your age and lose confidence in your ability to go for hikes, run for the plane and hit the dance floor when Jessie's Girl comes on.

The reason staying in shape feels so hard is the rules have changed. The strategies that once kept you in the best shape of your life are now working against you. Crossfit style workouts and hours of cardio lead to injuries and burnout.

The good news is staying fit is so much easier than you think.

Cam Allen is a post-menopausal fitness expert with simple solutions that do not require long hours in the gym, restrictive food rules or boring and repetitive routines. She explains how to shift from outdated strategies that don't work (which is why you're not doing them) into easy actions that take minutes to implement.

Find Cam @heymomma_cam on Instagram and Tik Tok. Her website is camoyler.com. Tune into her Midlife Momma's podcast.

Follow me on Instagram @RecoverwithColleen

Register for my FREE TRAINING to reclaim your power over alcohol by changing the way you think about drinking. Become a mindset master who can trust yourself with or without a drink in your hand because you're focused on bigger and better things. Get the exact steps you need to restore control over your life. Pursuing happiness (instead of sobriety) is the only way to feel passionate, purposeful and powerful again.

TAKE THE QUIZ! Take my quick, 9-question quiz to find out how much your beliefs about drinking are impacting your ability to self-correct. Oh, and then exactly how you can change those beliefs...

Turn procrastination into progress with Dr. Christine Li Sep 25, 2023

Show notes

Do you tell yourself things will be different as soon as you get "caught up?"

The root cause of procrastination is the perception that you don't have enough time. Feeling "behind" is a threat to your nervous system that keeps you stuck in a chronic state of stress.

Which means you're sitting on the sidelines watching life pass you by. Feeling disgusted with yourself. Because if you'd just taken action months ago, you wouldn't be so far behind…

You may not realize that procrastination is a thought loop. And trying to enforce new behaviors without addressing the subconscious beliefs that motivate you is WHY you feel trapped.

Dr. Christine Li is a clinical psychologist and the @ProcrastinationCoach. She joins the show to explain how to change your perception of time so that you can move forward with simple and small actions.

Dr. Christine reveals her SMACK strategy…the five mindset shifts that turn procrastination into progress.

Get a free 7-day trial with Dr. Christine Li's Success Lab and follow her on Instagram @procrastinationcoach

Register for my FREE TRAINING to reclaim your power over alcohol. Become a mindset master who can trust yourself with or without a drink in your hand because you're focused on bigger and better things. Get the exact steps you need to restore control over your life. Pursuing happiness (instead of sobriety) is the only way to feel passionate, purposeful and powerful again.

TAKE THE QUIZ! Take my quick, 9-question quiz to find out how much your beliefs about drinking are impacting your ability to self-correct. Oh, and then exactly how you can change those beliefs...

Ep68: What contempt really means about your marriage Sep 18, 2023

Show notes

In 2020, fierce contempt for my selfish jackass of a husband motivated me to quit drinking. I wanted to be above reproach when I filed for divorce.

Today, I genuinely respect and admire the generous and sexy man who is (still) my husband.

Contempt is not fueled by the flaws of your spouse. Your experience is a reflection of your attitude, not reality. And even if you divorce, you'll get full custody of your own mind--which is the REAL source of your unhappiness.

Contempt is a YOU problem. And unmet needs, unrealistic expectations and ineffective communication skills will follow you into the next relationship--even if you remain single. Because wherever you go, there you are.

Heal your relationship with yourself so the decision to stay or leave your marriage comes from a place of POWER.

TAKE THE QUIZ! Take my quick, 9-question quiz to find out how much your beliefs about drinking are impacting your ability to self-correct. Oh, and then exactly how you can change those beliefs...

Click here for my FREE masterclass on how to stop over drinking without getting "sober." If you're feeling trapped by the idea of complete abstinence, get the exact steps you'll need to take to reclaim control over your life. Because the core tenets of AA are not based on science. Pursuing happiness instead of sobriety is the only way to feel passionate, purposeful and powerful again.

Looking for friends, support and guidance? Join our tribe in the Bitch Free Recovery Zone on Circle.

Follow me on Instagram Recover with Colleen

Subscribe to my email list...I send one email every Monday related to the podcast and a monthly invite to my workshops (like how to improve your sleep, fix your dopamine deficit, reintroduce alcohol after a period of sobriety and more!) Click here.

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