One Year No Beer | Hack Your Healthy Lifestyle

The One Year No Beer Podcast is the show created to inspire you to take the steps needed to Finally Transform Your Relationship With Alcohol.  This podcast will help you to kick start your healthy habits and reconnect with your true self by taking you on the journey of becoming the most productive, present and healthiest version of yourself.  You’ll hear the inspiring, motivating and thought-provoking stories of some of the 80,000+ OYNB members who have changed their lives and now enjoy improved sleep, being more productive, reducing anxiety levels, losing weight and feeling noticeably better just by taking a break from booze.  If you are thinking about changing your relationship with alcohol, or you are alcohol-free, then this podcast will not only give you top tips, ideas, strategies and support but also motivate and inspire you to totally transform your life! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you ever get hung up on perfection, black and white thinking, and the feeling that you must choose between all and nothing? That’s the kind of thing that today’s guest deals with on a regular basis. Listen in to Jessica Seeley Jennings to find out about her work with wellpower and accepting yourself. Jessica is the wife of Jeff Jennings, of Relationship Remastery. You can hear his interview in an earlier episode. In today’s episode of One Year No Beer, Jessica discusses some of the things that she’s learned in over 20 years of working with mental health disorders, eating disorders, and couples therapy. She’s also a certified alcohol and drug rehab counselor.  “I think we as human beings get stuck in polarizing opposites. We feel we have to be perfect and push and push ourselves to unrealistic extremes.” Jessica talks about the common all or nothing attitudes that she hears about in counseling and therapeutic settings. She discusses how people can let go of that way of thinking and find a balance that’s

Changing your relationship with alcohol is a huge and important journey. But humans are complex, and they can go through more than one huge and important journey in their lives, and maybe even during the same time period. In today’s episode, you’ll hear from Seth Staggs about his childhood in the Bible Belt of America, coming out as a member of the LGBT community, and making his OYNB journey. As of this recording, Seth Staggs is on day 388 with no alcohol, making him a OYNB success story. Seth has had a lot of interesting things happen in his life, however, and giving up alcohol is just one of them.  “Looking back, I was looking forward to my 30s and was just kind of okay, what am I going to do to make my 30s better?” In today’s interview, Seth talks about what it was like for him to grow up in the Bible Belt among a religious family and community that did not accept LGBT people at the time. Seth understood that he was different, understood that he was gay, and even faced homophobia at school and in the co

One Year No Beer is about something much bigger than changing an individual’s relationship with alcohol. It’s about changing society’s relationship with alcohol. And often, when one person makes a significant change, they find a way to share that change with a broader group of people. That’s what today’s guest did. In today’s episode, Johnny Johnson discusses the drinking culture that he was a part of. He didn’t consider himself an alcoholic or think of his drinking as anything over the top – it was just normal. It was normal to go out for drinks on weeknights with colleagues and go out on the weekends with old school friends. It was normal to work through hangovers. It was normal to spend Sundays recovering so that the cycle could start over again with the next work week. “I looked back at my life and I started thinking, I'm just on this hamster wheel and I'm not enjoying life.” Johnny decided after his wedding that he was tired of this version of normal – tired of having hangovers, tired of worrying abou

Sometimes, in the wake of a tragedy or difficult life event, people find themselves turning to alcohol to numb the pain. But today’s guest is proof that it’s possible to overcome tragedy and difficult life circumstances and to give up alcohol. It takes work and commitment, but it can be done. Chris Hemming is a man with a dramatic life story. In today’s episode, he frankly discusses how his little brother began experimenting with alcohol, and how that experimentation culminated in a fatal car crash on Halloween. Chris says that you might assume that after such a tragic event, he wouldn’t allow alcohol to be a problem in his own life. But of course, things don’t always work out the way that you might assume they would. “It's not easy. If somebody says it is, they're not telling you the truth. I think the answer is, is this is a daily battle.” Chris goes on to explain how, as an adult, he ended up getting pulled over, arrested, and charged with a DUI. And further, he relates how, while he was waiting for sen

Dr. Alan Desmond is a returning guest to the One Year No Beer podcast. Alan is a gastroenterologist and a passionate advocate of plant-based diets.  In today’s episode, Alan discusses his own One Year No Beer journey. He talks about how he would give up drinking when he was training for Spartan races and why he finally decided to give up alcohol for good. He was training for a Spartan Ultra, and he decided to begin a challenge 90 days before a race. Like many people who try the One Year No Beer challenges, he found that he slept better, woke up fresher, and was generally more productive without the alcohol.  “For me, it's been a real gamechanger. It's like you discover all this extra time in the day.” Alan also discusses his interest in plant-based diets. As a gastroenterologist, he explains, he frequently gets questions from patients about what they should be eating, what they should be avoiding, what types of foods will make them feel better and improve their diagnoses. Alan’s interest in giving his pati

The One Year No Beer Podcast has a new co-host! Kristine Laping will be joining host Chris Laping to bring you guests, stories, and insights on the One Year No Beer Podcast. In today’s episode, Chris and Kristine talk with Rakale Hannah. Rakale is a one-to-one coach in the ONYB community, but that’s not her only important role. Rakale is also a gifted musician who has just released an album entitled Other Side of Blue. Rakale has a moving personal story to share, and in today’s episode, she discusses her own journey and how she ended up in a position to help others in their journeys. Music has always been part of Rakale Hannah’s life. She grew up as the daughter of a Baptist preacher and both of her parents were singers, so Rakale has been singing since she was very young. But there was also a darker side to Rakale’s upbringing. She reveals that as a child, she experienced a lot of religious control as well as physical and verbal abuse at home. She talks about experiencing shame and feeling as if she had to

Over the past few weeks, the One Year No Beer Podcast has had several great guests who have discussed things like how relationships change when you stop drinking, the importance of finding self-love and self-worth, and the exhilaration of taking a major leap, like quitting a day job to follow your passion. Today’s episode combines elements from all of those themes in one show.  In today’s podcast, you’ll hear from host Chris Laping and his wife Kristine Laping about their experiences with giving up alcohol together, as a couple. Chris and Kristine have reached their two-year anniversary of changing their relationships with alcohol together, and they have a lot to say about what the journey has been like for them.  “The reality is, when you do a lookback, now that we’ve hit our 2-year milestone there are some really interesting insights from who we were as a couple when we were drinking, vs. now, when we don’t drink.” Chris and Kristine discuss the difference in how they handle the kinds of common disagreem

Does making one big change make other changes easier to make? For example, can changing your relationship with alcohol also make it easier to make other healthy lifestyle choices? Can it give you the confidence to follow your passions professionally or personally? In today’s episode, you’ll hear from Clare Freeman. Clare has reached 775 days entirely without alcohol at the time of this podcast recording. She’s also built a successful business and hosts a popular podcast of her own.   In today’s interview, Clare talks about where she was just three or four years ago. She describes herself as just drifting and existing amid a turmoil of stress, grief, heartbreak, and exhaustion. While she outwardly looked like she was doing well as an award-winning BBC producer, but internally, she was making unhealthy choices like drinking excessively and overeating to avoid her feelings. She’d even begun to ask herself if she was an alcoholic. “What I was stuck with was I knew I wasn’t an alcoholic, but I knew there wasn’t

One Year No Beer is all about changing your relationship with alcohol. But when you do that, you might find yourself dealing with changes in your other relationships as well. How do you maintain a relationship with a friend when the foundation of that relationship is meeting up for drinks – and you’ve stopped drinking? What about your romantic relationships? Is your relationship with a spouse or partner doomed if you stop drinking and they don’t? What’s the best way to get your partner to support you? Is it fair to ask them to stop drinking just because you do?  Relationship struggles are a commonly discussed problem in the One Year No Beer forums. In today’s episode of the ONYB podcast, you’ll hear from Jeff Jennings, a clinical psychologist who specializes in educating and coaching individuals and couples as they work on connecting and maintaining relationships.  “Be firm in your commitment, and if you are committing to an alcohol-free life, you want to communicate that commitment to people.” In today’s

Everybody experiences dark times in their lives. Many people are experiencing those dark times right now, for a variety of reasons. Sometimes it requires a significant change in order to see you through the darkness and into a brighter future. Today’s guest has some experience with that sort of change.  Dr. Dominika Uhrikova was on day number 273 of her alcohol-free journey at the time when this podcast was recorded. A year ago, Dominika says that she was very depressed, in such a dark place that she wasn’t sure that she would be able to go on for another year. But now, in 2020, despite all of the unique challenges of this year, she says that she’s experiencing her best year yet.  “I am doing great. I am doing amazing. I know it may sound fake. But this is actually how I feel, and I didn’t always feel this way.” In today’s episode, Dominika explains that alcohol was always a part of her life. She came from a culture that normalized social drinking to a large extent, and she was influenced by that culture.

Today’s episode of the One Year No Beer podcast is hosted by a guest host, Chris Laping. Chris is sitting in for Ruari and Jen Fairburns as they take some time to mourn the recent loss of Ruari’s father. In this episode, you’ll hear Chris interview his wife, Kristine Laping, about her One Year No Beer journey. Chris and Kristine begin the discussion by talking about the reasons why Kristine decided to make a change in her relationship with alcohol. As Kristine explains, an outside observer may have questioned why she wanted to make that kind of change in her lifestyle in the first place. She was doing well outwardly – she’d achieved professional success, was in a stable relationship, and was a loving parent. She was active and maintained a healthy diet. Although drinking was an everyday occurrence for Kristine, she also maintained boundaries, like not drinking before dinner time. But Kristine also had some health issues – that disappeared after she stopped drinking – and was starting to experience severe han

Drew Schapper leads an interesting life. He’s a musician who plays with a band, and an academic who’s currently working on writing a book. And on top of that, he’s a dad and a husband. He’s also a One Year No Beer member who’s joining today’s podcast to discuss what his alcohol-free journey has been like.  Drew joined One Year No Beer in September 2018 and has about 520 days alcohol-free as of this recording. In today’s interview, he explains that he’d been a binge drinker since he was about 13 years old. He found himself struggling with binge drinking as time went on, and he found himself doing things that were putting his marriage in jeopardy.  “Initially, I was so worried about what people would think and all this kind of stuff, but then I realized they’re wrapped up in their own things, problems, and whatever.” Drew talks about what it was like for him to find One Year No Beer and start his alcohol-free journey. He initially looked into AA but found that it wasn’t the right fit for him. However, he lik

As the idea of creating spaces for people who want to change their relationship with alcohol continues to grow, it’s only natural that people will start to create spaces for those who want to change their relationship with alcohol and also have life experiences and perspectives that are outside of the majority. That’s what today’s guest, Scott Pearson, is doing with Proud and Sober, an online social platform geared toward supporting those in the LGBT+ community who have decided to change their relationships with alcohol.  In today’s episode, Scott describes his own experiences with getting sober. He explains that he knew when he was 25 that he needed to stop drinking, but he grappled with the decision for a couple of years before finally giving the alcohol up for good. He talks about the specific challenges faced by people in their 20s who want to give up drinking in an alcohol-soaked youth culture.  “I just woke up one morning after way too many drinks the night before and I knew that that was it.” Scott

One Year No Beer can change your relationship with alcohol. But it can also open the door for you to change your life on even more fundamental levels, and that’s what you’ll hear discussed in today’s episode.  In today’s show, Ruari speaks with Chris Laping, Jen, and Damien about the MasterMind program. Chris begins by sharing his One Year No Beer journey and how he got involved in the leadership of the MasterMind program. He explains how he was drawn to the MasterMind program in the first place and what it was like to jump into it. He describes what happens during the MasterMind program and what parts of the program he was most affected by. He also talks about the changes and reactions that he sees from others who are going through the MasterMind program.  “Sometimes, the smallest tweaks in our life create a breakthrough.” Jen joins the group to talk about her own experiences with OYNB and joining the MasterMind program. Jen is a 365, One Year No Beer Legend and she also participated during every single d

Dani Stevens is a motivational speaker and a social media powerhouse. She runs a lifestyle website with a focus on health, wellness, and nutrition and has amassed a large following on platforms like Instagram and Facebook. She’s also a mom to four children. She joins the podcast today to talk about her life and her own personal journey with alcohol.  Dani is originally from Melbourne, Australia, and currently lives between Byron Bay and Gold Coast where, she explains, the sun shines 300 days a year. In today’s interview, Dani describes where it all started – how she had four children under the age of six, and how her life changed when she began using a hashtag on Instagram to talk about making healthy choices for her family.  “We’re here to really guide these humans because, in today’s world, there are just so many lost children because parents are lost.” Dani describes what it was like to suddenly have that recognition and what her goals are for posting about healthy lifestyle choices and nutrition. She t

Thanks to the tragic killing of a black man by a white police officer in Minnesota, the world is experiencing a period of unrest – and perhaps of enlightenment as well. People around the world are questioning their own beliefs about race and the way that their institutions handle racial issues and conflict. The conversations that have sprung up from this incident and the subsequent outcry of protests and demonstrations are often difficult, but they’re necessary. Today’s guest, Andre Norman, has his own story to tell and an important perspective to contribute.  Andre Norman’s story isn’t what most people would expect. Andre grew up in poverty, underachieved in school, and started down a path of criminality in middle school. As a young man, Andre was sentenced to over a hundred years in prison, and there he became known as one of the top gang leaders in his state. It looked as though that was going to be his life for the rest of his life, however long that happened to be. But then something changed.  “I got a

It’s always interesting to hear the stories of regular people who change their relationship with alcohol and end up changing their lives in the process. What can you do when you’re not being held back by alcohol? Could you have amazing adventures and achieve physical feats that you previously didn’t believe you were capable of? Today’s guest did.  When Athena Simpson decided to give One Year No Beer a try, she was remembering a time in the past when she’d given up drinking for a significant period of time. She remembered what she felt like during that period, and she wanted to see if she could achieve that feeling again. She knew that she was drinking too much, so she decided to sign up for a One Year No Beer challenge and give that a try.  “I just remembered feeling superhuman and I wanted that feeling back.” The experience wasn’t without its difficulties. Athena says that she didn’t do much over the first month without alcohol, other than sleep. She recalls seeing others in the group who were further alo

Changing your relationship with alcohol is a process, and the more you understand about how your body works, how alcohol works, and what the interactions between alcohol and your body actually do, the more tools you’ll have available to you to make the adjustments that you need to make. Today’s guest, William Porter, has not only learned a lot about alcohol and how it works, but he’s also written a book on the subject to share the information.  William is the author of Alcohol Explained, and he joins the podcast today to talk about his own journey with alcohol and the process of writing the book, as well as answer some questions from the community about alcohol.  “I think if you understand something, you got a far better chance of getting to grips with it.” During today’s podcast, William talks about how he began drinking at a young age and how it impacted his life. He explains how he kept drinking even after he managed to quit smoking, and how the resources that helped him quit smoking weren’t quite as ef

If you’ve ever tried to get rid of a bad habit – or even develop a new good habit, you know how difficult it can be to change your behavior. Today’s guest has a lot to share about the real keys to success when it comes to changing behavior – and they’re not what you think.  BJ Fogg is the person behind the Fogg Behavior Model. If you’re not familiar with it, the Fogg Behavior Model is built around a simple formula: behavior change = (motivation)(ability)(prompts). Essentially, behavior happens when these three things come together at the same time: motivation, ability, and a prompt.  “If you wanted to play the guitar, for example, you wouldn’t sit down and try to play the hardest song. You would start with easier songs, develop skills, and then step up to something more challenging.” In today’s episode, BJ talks about changing behavior generally, and also about how his concepts of changing behavior can be applied to people who are trying to change their behavior as it pertains to alcohol. He also talks abo