DiscoverAlcohol-Free Lifestyle
Alcohol-Free Lifestyle
Claim Ownership

Alcohol-Free Lifestyle

Author: James Swanwick

Subscribed: 302Played: 14,862
Share

Description

Helping high performers feel & perform better by reducing or quitting alcohol.

Maybe you're considering quitting alcohol and going completely sober. Or maybe you wish to change your relationship with alcohol and stop drinking. Maybe you wish to do moderation.

Whichever way you choose, this podcast will give you the process to succeed.

Alcohol-Free Lifestyle is for high performers, including entrepreneurs, executives, investors, athletes, and top professionals.
659 Episodes
Reverse
Are you trying to "bulldog" your way to an alcohol-free life through sheer willpower? Coaches Matt and Jason reveal why attitude, not aptitude, determines your success. Discover the "Four Funny Blessings" of an alcohol-free lifestyle, including the "gift" of losing shallow drinking buddies and rediscovering childlike wonder at concerts and theme parks.  Learn how to overcome the trap of hyper-independence by embracing coachability and finding a mentor who has already "run the four-minute mile" of sobriety. This episode explores the Hero's Journey and the neuroscience of "Rosy Retrospection," giving you the tools to stop being a victim of your circumstances and start becoming the leader of your future.   Download my FREE guide: The Alcohol Freedom Formula For Over 30s Entrepreneurs & High Performers: https://social.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/podcast ★ - Learn more about Project 90: www.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/Project90 ★ - (Accountability & Support) Speak verbally to a certified Alcohol-Free Lifestyle coach to see if, or how, we could support you having a better relationship with alcohol: https://www.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/schedule ★ - The wait is over – My new book "CLEAR" is now available. Get your copy here: https://www.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/clear
Are your thoughts about alcohol driving you into a spiral of anxiety? Coach Matt reveals the critical difference between spontaneous thoughts and the active process of thinking. Learn how engaging with uncomfortable thoughts creates unnecessary suffering and activates the brain's Default Mode Network, leading to chronic rumination. Discover the neuroscience of "Rosy Retrospection" and why 90% of what we fear never actually occurs. This episode provides practical tools for mindful awareness and logical detachment, helping you realize that "thoughts are not facts" so you can navigate your alcohol-free journey with peace, clarity, and self-trust.   Download my FREE guide: The Alcohol Freedom Formula For Over 30s Entrepreneurs & High Performers: https://social.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/podcast ★ - Learn more about Project 90: www.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/Project90 ★ - (Accountability & Support) Speak verbally to a certified Alcohol-Free Lifestyle coach to see if, or how, we could support you having a better relationship with alcohol: https://www.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/schedule ★ - The wait is over – My new book "CLEAR" is now available. Get your copy here: https://www.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/clear
Is the fear of being "no fun" or "losing your edge" keeping you stuck in old habits? Coach Matt dives into the neuroscience of social connection, explaining how our "lizard brain" views exclusion as a threat to survival. Discover why your worry about other people's opinions is often based on false evidence appearing real (FEAR) and how to trade tribal conformity for decisive leadership. This episode reveals the "Power of One", the psychological effect where being the first to choose an alcohol-free life often empowers those around you to follow. Learn how to silence the noise, firm up your new identity, and live on your own terms with confidence and authenticity.   Download my FREE guide: The Alcohol Freedom Formula For Over 30s Entrepreneurs & High Performers: https://social.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/podcast ★ - Learn more about Project 90: www.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/Project90 ★ - (Accountability & Support) Speak verbally to a certified Alcohol-Free Lifestyle coach to see if, or how, we could support you having a better relationship with alcohol: https://www.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/schedule ★ - The wait is over – My new book "CLEAR" is now available. Get your copy here: https://www.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/clear
Are "incomplete thoughts" and mental clutter keeping your brain in a loop of stress? Coach Matt reveals why your brain treats suppressed emotions as unfinished work and how a simple 5-minute journaling sequence can act as neurological repair. Discover the science of affect labeling, labeling emotions to discharge their power, and learn three specific methods to shift from an overwhelmed amygdala to a rational prefrontal cortex. This episode provides a structured toolkit to turn your recent challenges into empowering feedback, helping you build the neuroplasticity required for a high-performance, alcohol-free life.   Download my FREE guide: The Alcohol Freedom Formula For Over 30s Entrepreneurs & High Performers: https://social.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/podcast ★ - Learn more about Project 90: www.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/Project90 ★ - (Accountability & Support) Speak verbally to a certified Alcohol-Free Lifestyle coach to see if, or how, we could support you having a better relationship with alcohol: https://www.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/schedule ★ - The wait is over – My new book "CLEAR" is now available. Get your copy here: https://www.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/clear
Suddenly feeling a "short fuse" now that you've stopped drinking? Coach Matt reveals why anger is a common gateway emotion in the early alcohol-free days and how to navigate the neurological "glutamate rebound" that causes irritability . Discover why anger is often a self-protective mask for underlying grief or shame and how to distinguish between healthy, acute anger and a toxic angry state . Learn practical grounding techniques and boundary-setting strategies to transform your frustration into a powerful compass for identifying unmet needs and reclaiming your emotional freedom .   Download my FREE guide: The Alcohol Freedom Formula For Over 30s Entrepreneurs & High Performers: https://social.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/podcast ★ - Learn more about Project 90: www.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/Project90 ★ - (Accountability & Support) Speak verbally to a certified Alcohol-Free Lifestyle coach to see if, or how, we could support you having a better relationship with alcohol: https://www.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/schedule ★ - The wait is over – My new book "CLEAR" is now available. Get your copy here: https://www.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/clear
Think your drinking habits are a matter of discipline? Victoria English reveals they may actually be a result of sophisticated influence. Discover how Big Alcohol spends billions to frame a Class 1 carcinogen as a tool for "sophistication" and "wellness." Learn the science of the "neurochemical rebound", how alcohol doesn't relax you, but sedates you before triggering a spike in cortisol and glutamate. This episode breaks down the truth behind modern meta-analyses that debunk "heart-healthy" myths, inviting you to trade industry-backed ambiguity for the data-driven clarity of an alcohol-free lifestyle.   Download my FREE guide: The Alcohol Freedom Formula For Over 30s Entrepreneurs & High Performers: https://social.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/podcast ★ - Learn more about Project 90: www.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/Project90 ★ - (Accountability & Support) Speak verbally to a certified Alcohol-Free Lifestyle coach to see if, or how, we could support you having a better relationship with alcohol: https://www.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/schedule ★ - The wait is over – My new book "CLEAR" is now available. Get your copy here: https://www.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/clear
Think quitting alcohol is all about sacrifice? Coaches Jason and Matt reveal the "Four Funny Blessings" that high achievers discover on the other side of the bottle . From the "blessing" of losing shallow drinking buddies to rediscovering genuine fun at concerts and theme parks without a drop of "liquid courage," this episode explores the profound ROI of an alcohol-free life . Learn how to transform your relationships from "black and white sketches" into three-dimensional connections and why internalizing your happiness is the ultimate leadership skill . It's time to stop chasing the "dangling carrot" and start enjoying an alcohol-free journey defined by integrity, clarity, and true intimacy .   Download my FREE guide: The Alcohol Freedom Formula For Over 30s Entrepreneurs & High Performers: https://social.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/podcast ★ - Learn more about Project 90: www.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/Project90 ★ - (Accountability & Support) Speak verbally to a certified Alcohol-Free Lifestyle coach to see if, or how, we could support you having a better relationship with alcohol: https://www.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/schedule ★ - The wait is over – My new book "CLEAR" is now available. Get your copy here: https://www.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/clear
Is the new food pyramid protecting your health or industry profits? Victoria English breaks down the "historic reset" of nutritional guidelines and the startling lack of clarity regarding alcohol.  While sugar is finally being named as a physiological risk, alcohol guidance has become strategically vague, trading specific drink counts for undefined "small amounts." Learn why the term "responsible drinking" is a strategic marketing tool designed to individualize risk while ignoring that alcohol is a Class 1 carcinogen. This episode invites you to drown out the noise of big alcohol lobbying and listen to your own "internal compass" to reclaim your health and mental clarity.   Download my FREE guide: The Alcohol Freedom Formula For Over 30s Entrepreneurs & High Performers: https://social.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/podcast ★ - Learn more about Project 90: www.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/Project90 ★ - (Accountability & Support) Speak verbally to a certified Alcohol-Free Lifestyle coach to see if, or how, we could support you having a better relationship with alcohol: https://www.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/schedule ★ - The wait is over – My new book "CLEAR" is now available. Get your copy here: https://www.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/clear
Think journaling is just "dear diary"? Coaches Matt and Jason reveal the neuroscience that makes it a vital tool for high-performing, alcohol-free living. Learn how the physical act of pen-to-paper pulls your attention and your brain's reward circuits into the same moment, tagging your wins as "real" and important to hardwire. Discover how to use journaling to offload the "busy brain," transform a victim mentality into agency, and find the courage to embrace uncertainty in 2026. Whether it's a "breakup letter" to alcohol or a daily "G20" gratitude practice, discover how writing reveals the road ahead with clarity.   Download my FREE guide: The Alcohol Freedom Formula For Over 30s Entrepreneurs & High Performers: https://social.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/podcast ★ - Learn more about Project 90: www.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/Project90 ★ - (Accountability & Support) Speak verbally to a certified Alcohol-Free Lifestyle coach to see if, or how, we could support you having a better relationship with alcohol: https://www.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/schedule ★ - The wait is over – My new book "CLEAR" is now available. Get your copy here: https://www.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/clear
Does intimacy feel scary without "liquid courage"? Coaches Jason and Matt dive into the multi-layered world of alcohol-free intimacy, moving beyond the physical to explore conversational and emotional connection. Learn how alcohol offlines your prefrontal cortex, causing you to rely on reflex rather than genuine attraction. Discover practical strategies for navigating the dating scene with boundaries, identifying underlying needs versus impulsive wants, and using vulnerable communication to build a relationship that is authentic, healthy, and deeply fulfilling.   Download my FREE guide: The Alcohol Freedom Formula For Over 30s Entrepreneurs & High Performers: https://social.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/podcast ★ - Learn more about Project 90: www.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/Project90 ★ - (Accountability & Support) Speak verbally to a certified Alcohol-Free Lifestyle coach to see if, or how, we could support you having a better relationship with alcohol: https://www.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/schedule ★ - The wait is over – My new book "CLEAR" is now available. Get your copy here: https://www.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/clear
Does staying alcohol-free feel like an obligation or a constant battle? Coach Jason reveals a surprisingly simple yet scientifically measurable mindset tool: the shift from "I have to" to "I get to." Discover how this reframe moves you out of your survival-based limbic system and activates your prefrontal cortex, the seat of discipline and self-control. Learn why "I have to" reinforces resistance while "I get to" naturally boosts dopamine, turning your alcohol-free journey from a punishment into an empowering life of possibility and mental clarity.   Download my FREE guide: The Alcohol Freedom Formula For Over 30s Entrepreneurs & High Performers: https://social.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/podcast ★ - Learn more about Project 90: www.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/Project90 ★ - (Accountability & Support) Speak verbally to a certified Alcohol-Free Lifestyle coach to see if, or how, we could support you having a better relationship with alcohol: https://www.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/schedule ★ - The wait is over – My new book "CLEAR" is now available. Get your copy here: https://www.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/clear
Shame doesn't mean you're broken, it means you're waking up . Coach Jason dives into the neuroscience of shame, explaining how your brain's "alarm system", the insula and anterior cingulate cortex, signals a conflict between your actions and your true values . Learn the critical difference between toxic shame, which keeps you stuck in isolation, and healthy shame, which acts as a powerful motivator for course correction and making amends .  This episode provides a framework for replacing judgment with curiosity, reclaiming your power, and using your internal compass to build an emotionally resilient, alcohol-free life .   Download my FREE guide: The Alcohol Freedom Formula For Over 30s Entrepreneurs & High Performers: https://social.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/podcast ★ - Learn more about Project 90: www.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/Project90 ★ - (Accountability & Support) Speak verbally to a certified Alcohol-Free Lifestyle coach to see if, or how, we could support you having a better relationship with alcohol: https://www.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/schedule ★ - The wait is over – My new book "CLEAR" is now available. Get your copy here: https://www.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/clear
Do you rely on alcohol to quickly "change your state" after a long day? Coach Jason reveals why alcohol is a false state changer and how you can achieve more powerful, sustainable shifts naturally . This episode breaks down the neuroscience of state shifts and provides a comprehensive toolkit using bottom-up strategies (like Box Breathing and cold exposure) and top-down techniques (like visualization and "I get to" language) . Learn how to send an immediate safety signal to your nervous system, boost your dopamine and serotonin naturally, and build the confidence to control your experience without external chemicals .   Download my FREE guide: The Alcohol Freedom Formula For Over 30s Entrepreneurs & High Performers: https://social.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/podcast ★ - Learn more about Project 90: www.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/Project90 ★ - (Accountability & Support) Speak verbally to a certified Alcohol-Free Lifestyle coach to see if, or how, we could support you having a better relationship with alcohol: https://www.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/schedule ★ - The wait is over – My new book "CLEAR" is now available. Get your copy here: https://www.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/clear
Are you bulldogging through your day only to crash by 3:00 PM? Coaches Matt and Jason reveal why high achievers must stop obsessing over time and start managing energy. Learn how to identify your natural daily energy dips and why taking a simple 15-minute unplugged break can actually make you more productive. Discover practical strategies for priming your brain with a morning gratitude practice, managing screen-time boundaries, and utilizing a "brain dump" at night to end decision fatigue. It's time to trade the "grinder culture" for a lifestyle of integrity, clarity, and sustained energy.   Download my FREE guide: The Alcohol Freedom Formula For Over 30s Entrepreneurs & High Performers: https://social.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/podcast ★ - Learn more about Project 90: www.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/Project90 ★ - (Accountability & Support) Speak verbally to a certified Alcohol-Free Lifestyle coach to see if, or how, we could support you having a better relationship with alcohol: https://www.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/schedule ★ - The wait is over – My new book "CLEAR" is now available. Get your copy here: https://www.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/clear
Tired of the "New Year, New Me" cycle that ends by February? Coaches Matt and Jason reveal why only 8% of resolutions actually succeed and how high achievers can beat the odds in 2026. Discover the science of the "pendulum swing" and why you must trade massive leaps for the minimum effective dose and consistent tracking. Learn how to utilize mentorship and group accountability to move past the "Dry January" plateau and build a lifestyle that thrives on consistency rather than fleeting motivation or convenience.   Download my FREE guide: The Alcohol Freedom Formula For Over 30s Entrepreneurs & High Performers: https://social.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/podcast ★ - Learn more about Project 90: www.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/Project90 ★ - (Accountability & Support) Speak verbally to a certified Alcohol-Free Lifestyle coach to see if, or how, we could support you having a better relationship with alcohol: https://www.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/schedule ★ - The wait is over – My new book "CLEAR" is now available. Get your copy here: https://www.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/clear
Are you using "toxic positivity" to step around the negative obstacles in your life? Client Stosh shares his 100-day success story of moving from a life of shame, regret, and "living a lie" to embracing the clarity of an alcohol-free world. Discover how he moved beyond using alcohol as a crutch for insecurities and found the courage to get comfortable being uncomfortable. Learn why Stosh believes that self-trust and heartfelt community connection are the keys to a high-performance life, and how his blood pressure returned to normal once he decided to stop hiding and start "keeping it real."   Download my FREE guide: The Alcohol Freedom Formula For Over 30s Entrepreneurs & High Performers: https://social.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/podcast ★ - Learn more about Project 90: www.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/Project90 ★ - (Accountability & Support) Speak verbally to a certified Alcohol-Free Lifestyle coach to see if, or how, we could support you having a better relationship with alcohol: https://www.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/schedule ★ - The wait is over – My new book "CLEAR" is now available. Get your copy here: https://www.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/clear
High-achievers often use alcohol to mask deep-seated grief and life transitions. Chelsea shares her powerful journey of moving from a "dark spot" of hiding and isolation to celebrating 100 days alcohol-free . Discover how she rejected traditional rehab for a community-based approach, resulting in 30 pounds lost, a booming business, and restored relationships with her husband and children .  Learn why Chelsea believes the "Daily 20" gratitude practice and the science of dopamine were the keys to her evolution from shame to boundless joy .   Download my FREE guide: The Alcohol Freedom Formula For Over 30s Entrepreneurs & High Performers: https://social.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/podcast ★ - Learn more about Project 90: www.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/Project90 ★ - (Accountability & Support) Speak verbally to a certified Alcohol-Free Lifestyle coach to see if, or how, we could support you having a better relationship with alcohol: https://www.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/schedule ★ - The wait is over – My new book "CLEAR" is now available. Get your copy here: https://www.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/clear
High-achievers often use alcohol to "change their state" quickly, but there is a more powerful, natural alternative: Breathwork. Coach Matt reveals why stress-related complaints drive 90% of doctor visits and how you can use your breath to send an immediate safety signal to your nervous system. Learn four science-backed techniques, including Box Breathing for transitions and the 4-8-8 method for sleep, to activate your Vagus Nerve, boost dopamine and serotonin, and put yourself back in the driver's seat of your alcohol-free journey.   Download my FREE guide: The Alcohol Freedom Formula For Over 30s Entrepreneurs & High Performers: https://social.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/podcast ★ - Learn more about Project 90: www.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/Project90 ★ - (Accountability & Support) Speak verbally to a certified Alcohol-Free Lifestyle coach to see if, or how, we could support you having a better relationship with alcohol: https://www.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/schedule ★ - The wait is over – My new book "CLEAR" is now available. Get your copy here: https://www.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/clear
Why does drinking feel like "the good old days" even when the reality was painful? Coach Matt dives into the neuroscience of romanticization and the Fading Effect Bias, your brain's trick of favoring euphoric memories while minimizing negative consequences . Learn why high-achieving drinkers are prone to "Rosy Retrospection" and how to break collapsed distinctions that couple alcohol with holidays, sports, or stress relief . This episode provides powerful tools like "Scene Two" visualization to help you combat nostalgia and see the "attractively packaged poison" for what it truly is .   Download my FREE guide: The Alcohol Freedom Formula For Over 30s Entrepreneurs & High Performers: https://social.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/podcast ★ - Learn more about Project 90: www.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/Project90 ★ - (Accountability & Support) Speak verbally to a certified Alcohol-Free Lifestyle coach to see if, or how, we could support you having a better relationship with alcohol: https://www.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/schedule ★ - The wait is over – My new book "CLEAR" is now available. Get your copy here: https://www.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/clear
Think your brain is protected from everything you ingest? Coach Matt reveals the truth about the blood-brain barrier, your brain's fortress that alcohol easily infiltrates because it is fat-soluble . Discover how chronic drinking weakens this barrier, leading to inflammation and that persistent "brain fog" .  This episode provides a hopeful recovery roadmap, explaining how the barrier begins to repair itself in just 90 days, with full restoration possible within two years . Learn the four lifestyle pillars, nutrition, exercise, hydration, and rest, that act as the repair crew to rebuild your brain's security system and reclaim your mental clarity .   Download my FREE guide: The Alcohol Freedom Formula For Over 30s Entrepreneurs & High Performers: https://social.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/podcast ★ - Learn more about Project 90: www.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/Project90 ★ - (Accountability & Support) Speak verbally to a certified Alcohol-Free Lifestyle coach to see if, or how, we could support you having a better relationship with alcohol: https://www.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/schedule ★ - The wait is over – My new book "CLEAR" is now available. Get your copy here: https://www.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/clear
loading
Comments (2)

Daniellollopik Djd

If you’ve ever noticed a lingering sense of brain fog after a night of drinking, you’re not alone. This experience, where thinking feels cloudy or slowed, is something many people report. This article sheds light on the causes and possible ways to manage brain fog after drinking https://unitedrecoveryproject.com/rehab-blog/brain-fog-after-drinking/ . Alcohol can interfere with mental clarity, sometimes lasting well beyond the effects of the hangover itself. Understanding why this happens and how to address it can be helpful if it’s impacting daily life. It's an insightful read for anyone looking to take back mental sharpness and minimize the effects of alcohol on their cognitive health

Oct 25th
Reply

Gail Fosbrook

Really enjoying the podcast, listen to it at work for most of the day. alcohol free for 62 days and feeling great. love the stories about different people on the programme and the guidance from James and coaches. Thank you

Aug 3rd
Reply
loading