DiscoverAlcohol-Free Lifestyle
Alcohol-Free Lifestyle
Claim Ownership

Alcohol-Free Lifestyle

Author: James Swanwick

Subscribed: 298Played: 14,552
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.
644 Episodes
Reverse
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
Is stress always the enemy? Not according to Coach Matt. Discover the upside of stress by understanding the difference between overwhelming distress and motivating eustress. Learn how eustress stimulates BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor) to support memory and adaptability while activating your Prefrontal Cortex for better decision-making. This episode reveals five practical ways to harness "good stress", from cold plunges and fitness challenges to public commitments, to sharpen your cognitive function, build resilience, and fuel 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
Why did drinking feel so motivating? The answer lies in anticipation. Coach Matt explains the neuroscience: Dopamine peaks when a reward is anticipated, not when you take the first sip. This episode reveals how alcohol spikes dopamine up to 4X your normal level, leading to a huge deficit and the "hamster wheel" of drinking. Learn how to consciously cultivate the anticipation of healthier rewards (hobbies, connection, goals) to effectively reprogram your brain, boost your emotional regulation, and move past white-knuckling into effortless 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 alcohol helped you be your "authentic self"? Head Coach Matt reveals the truth: Alcohol use disorder actively disrupts the brain circuits (like the Insula and Prefrontal Cortex) necessary for genuine self-expression. Learn why authenticity is defined as the alignment of your values, beliefs, and actions, and how living out of alignment leads to painful cognitive dissonance. This episode provides probing questions to help you clarify your core values and shows how finding supportive community builds the self-trust needed to live authentically and confidently.   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 you're doing it all alone? You're missing the Mentorship Multiplier. Coaches Jason and Matt discuss how to stop being a passive observer and start actively seeking guidance. Learn how their own growth accelerated when they sought indirect mentors (authors like Brene Brown, podcasters) and then found direct coaches to unlock their potential. This episode is about recognizing that your transformation is an evolution, you must abandon the fixed mindset about your worth, embrace being coachable, and let trusted guides accelerate you to the best version of yourself.   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 stuck in the "all-or-nothing" cycle? Coach Matt reveals Kaizen (continuous improvement), the Japanese philosophy that replaces destructive perfectionism with sustainable growth. Learn the neuroscience behind atomic habits and why aiming for the minimum effective dose (like 1% or 10 minutes of effort a day) is far more effective than trying to overhaul your life all at once. Discover the core principles, including elimination of triggers and community support, that keep dopamine flowing and help you maintain momentum effortlessly.   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 30 days is enough to quit drinking? That's the 30-Day Myth. Head Coach Victoria English reveals the truth about your brain's recovery timeline and explains why most people quit too soon. Learn exactly what changes happen at each milestone: 30 Days: A physical reset, but your reward pathways are still healing. 30-60 Days: The messy middle, where neuroplasticity is active but mental clarity is inconsistent. 90 Days: The psychological breakthrough, dopamine stabilizes, emotional regulation begins, and your identity shifts. Stop waiting for January 1st and start your real transformation now to enter the New Year resolved.   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
The physical hangover is easy to manage, but the emotional hangover is the invisible thief of joy that keeps high achievers trapped in the drinking cycle . Head Coach Victoria English breaks down the neurochemistry: your anxiety, shame, and irritability are not personal weakness, but a predictable biochemical phenomenon . Learn about dopamine debt, the glutamate rebound, and the cortisol surge that leaves you depleted for days . The greatest holiday gift you can give yourself is emotional stability.   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
The holidays are a perfect storm where your ego whispers the six most famous last words of every drinker: "I can handle it." Head Coach Victoria English explains the Illusion of Control Bias, the competence that makes you successful also makes you dangerously underestimate alcohol. Learn how holiday stress raises cortisol by 20-25% , amplifying the need to "handle" everything. The key shift is trading the egoic question ("Can I handle it?") for the truthful one: "What does it cost me?" Choose clarity and peace this holiday season .   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
Everything else in your life is leveling up, so why do you keep returning to the bottle? The answer lies in the upper limit problem, a subconscious belief that you don't deserve or can't sustain success. Coach Matt breaks down the biopsychosocial factors that drive self-sabotage, from the quick reward hits of dopamine to core fears of success or failure. Learn why overcoming cognitive distortions, replacing the inner critic with self-compassion, and committing to small, realistic goals are the only way to align your behavior with your conscious desire for 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
The holiday season presents unique social challenges. This episode offers essential survival strategies for navigating gatherings without compromise.  Coaches Jason and Matt dive into the critical nature of pre-planning: setting clear boundaries (even with family members who try to trigger you), having a guaranteed exit strategy, and ensuring you have your non-alcoholic placebo drinks prepared. Learn how to overcome the people-pleasing pattern and consciously align your behavior with your values, even when faced with the social pressure of bringing the "attractively packaged poison" as a gift.   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 your "busy brain" full of creative energy, great ideas, and a powerful sense of flow? Coach Matt and Coach Jason explore the unique challenge high-achievers face: the temptation to use alcohol to enhance positive, highly-aroused states or guarantee a "soft landing." Learn why holding your breath during intense focus puts you into a sympathetic (fight/flight) state. Discover the immediate power of conscious, low and slow belly breathing to self-regulate, recenter the busy mind, and maintain your flow state without needing an external release.   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
The holidays bring cheer, but they also bring emotional pressures and shifting family dynamics. Coaches Matt and Jason discuss the challenges of staying alcohol-free when surrounded by loved ones. Learn why clear communication and devising a pre-formulated plan (including exit strategies and setting limits on hosting) are essential for protecting your progress. This episode is a guide for both the individual and their loved ones, emphasizing that the individual's calmer, authentic presence creates a safer and more joyful experience for everyone.   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
Did you know your brain acts just like Google? Whatever question you ask, your brain is wired to find evidence to support it . Coach Terri Patterson reveals how constantly asking disempowering questions (like "Why can't I stop drinking?") reinforces old neural pathways, leading to self-doubt and shame . Learn how to leverage Hebb's Law and cultivate curiosity to ask better, solution-oriented questions (using "How" or "What") that literally reshape your brain and create a path to lasting 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
For high-achievers, profound isolation and self-hatred can hide behind a "normal" exterior.  Recent graduate Talli shares her raw story of overcoming a lifelong anxiety disorder and navigating multiple life crises that were compounded by isolation during the pandemic. Discover why white-knuckling it failed, and how the "connection piece" provided by community was the key missing ingredient she needed to stop talking "so mean" to herself.  Tally proves you can conquer loneliness, embrace the "fun messy" of life, and find genuine self-love after 90 days.   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