Sober Motivation: Sharing Sobriety Stories

Have you ever promised yourself you would stop drinking tomorrow, only to find yourself doing the exact same thing the next day?For Shelby, weekend drinking eventually progressed into daily vodka, blackouts, hidden bottles, and trying desperately to control her relationship with alcohol. She knew she needed to quit drinking, but even after getting months of sobriety, she found herself returning to alcohol and quickly ending up back where she started.In this episode, Shelby shares the experiences that shaped her relationship with alcohol, the reality of being a mom struggling with drinking, and why accepting that she could no longer drink normally became a turning point in her recovery.She also shares how listening to sober stories, finding community, and finally asking for help changed everything.Now more than one year sober, Shelby’s story is a powerful reminder that struggling to quit drinking doesn’t mean you stop trying. Recovery is possible, and you don’t have to do it alone.Connect with Shelby Here: https://www.instagram.com/shelbyyy.cook/

What happens when you know alcohol is hurting your family, but you still can’t stop drinking?Andy returns to the Sober Motivation Podcast to share his journey from years of secret drinking and failed attempts to quit alcohol to reaching 18 months sober.For nearly a decade, Andy knew his relationship with alcohol needed to change. He would wake up hungover, promise himself he was done, and eventually find himself drinking again. As his drinking progressed, he began hiding alcohol from his wife and family. When his son found one of the bottles, Andy realized he was risking the people and life that mattered most to him.In this honest conversation, Andy talks about alcohol addiction, quitting drinking, fatherhood, rebuilding trust, relapse prevention, and finding lasting sobriety through community. He also shares why trying to get sober alone never worked and how connecting with other sober people finally helped him make the change stick.For anyone questioning their drinking, trying to quit alcohol, exploring an alcohol-free life, or looking for real stories of addiction and recovery, Andy’s story is a reminder that you don’t have to hit rock bottom before choosing a different life.Andy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aaernie/

At 29 years old, Christine’s alcohol addiction led to liver and kidney failure. Her brain was swelling, she had lost the ability to walk, and doctors told her family she may have only 48 hours to live.Christine survived, but that still wasn’t the end of her drinking.In this episode of the Sober Motivation Podcast, Christine shares how drinking progressed from teenage experimentation to physical alcohol dependence, withdrawal and eventually drinking nearly a bottle of vodka a day. She opens up about the denial that kept her stuck, the devastating health consequences of alcohol addiction, her relapse after nearly dying and the mental health crisis that followed.Christine eventually reached a point where she knew something had to change. On December 15, 2021, she decided to give sobriety another chance.Today, she shares how community, self-compassion and doing the deeper work helped her build a life in recovery that she once couldn’t imagine.If you are struggling to quit drinking, have experienced relapse, or are wondering if it’s possible to rebuild your life after alcohol addiction, Christine’s story is a powerful reminder to keep going.Connect with Christine: https://www.instagram.com/she_thrived/

Mike never thought he had a drinking problem. He was working, providing for his family, and convinced himself he was still functioning. But behind closed doors, alcohol was quietly changing everything.In this powerful quit drinking story, Mike and his wife Kristen share both sides of their journey through alcohol addiction, denial, marriage struggles, and recovery. You’ll hear how daily drinking slowly took over their lives, the difficult decisions that followed, and how they rebuilt trust after choosing sobriety.If you’ve ever questioned your own drinking, wondered whether you’re a “functional alcoholic,” or you’re looking for hope in recovery, this honest conversation is for you.In this episode we discuss:• Functional alcoholism• Daily drinking and denial• Alcohol addiction recovery• Marriage and addiction• Choosing sobriety• Rebuilding trust after addiction• Life after quitting alcoholWhether you’re trying to quit drinking, supporting someone you love, or have years of sobriety, we hope Mike and Kristen’s story reminds you that recovery is possible.Mike and Kristen on IG: The Book: Everyone Gets a Seat 

David Correy had reached the kind of success most people only dream about. He was performing around the world, creating music, and achieving goals he had worked toward for years. But behind the scenes, he was carrying unimaginable grief.After losing both of his parents within a short period of time, alcohol slowly became more than something to unwind with. What began as an occasional escape turned into a daily battle that eventually led to rehab, jail, failed attempts at sobriety, and nearly losing everything.In this episode, David shares the moments that shaped his addiction, why high-functioning alcoholism can be so difficult to recognize, what finally broke through after years of trying to quit, and how faith, family, purpose, and recovery helped him rebuild his life.This is an honest conversation about grief, identity, relapse, shame, forgiveness, and the hope that recovery is possible—even after years of believing it wasn’t.If you’re struggling with alcohol or supporting someone who is, we hope David’s story reminds you that you’re not alone, and that change is always possible.David on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidcorrey/

Trisha never thought alcohol would take over her life.She survived three brain surgeries, built a successful barber shop, and raised two daughters as a single mom. When life became overwhelming, alcohol started as a way to cope with stress. Within months, she was physically dependent—drinking before work just to stop her hands from shaking.In this honest conversation, Trisha shares how alcohol slowly took control, the guilt of losing her daughters’ trust, rehab, relapse, and the moment she realized there was no such thing as moderation for her.Today, she’s rebuilding her life one day at a time through recovery, AA, faith, community, and a commitment to becoming the mom her daughters remember.If you’ve ever wondered how someone can go from managing life to needing alcohol just to function—or you’re trying to quit drinking yourself—this episode is a powerful reminder that recovery is possible, no matter how far you’ve fallen.In this episode: • Growing up in a military family in Okinawa, Japan • Surviving three brain surgeries and overcoming prescription opioid dependence • How stress, divorce, and business ownership fueled alcohol addiction • High-functioning alcoholism and morning withdrawals • Rehab, relapse, and starting over • Rebuilding trust with family after addiction • Finding hope through AA, faith, meditation, and communityRecovery isn’t about never falling. It’s about choosing to get back up.If this episode helped you, please follow the podcast, leave a rating or review, and share it with someone who needs to hear that they’re not alone.Trisha on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steez.finebarbering/

Jason spent decades believing he had everything under control.He built a successful career, became known as the guy who could outdrink almost anyone, and convinced himself that because he was still functioning, he didn’t really have a problem.But behind the scenes, alcohol—and eventually cocaine—had quietly become the solution to every uncomfortable feeling. Anxiety. Loneliness. Shame. Divorce. The pressure to keep it all together.After watching his mother die from alcohol-related liver failure, Jason knew he had to change. He quit drinking… but discovered that removing alcohol alone wasn’t enough. Recovery didn’t truly begin until he found honesty, connection, and a community where he no longer had to hide.In this episode, Jason shares:Growing up between divorced parents and constantly starting overCollege drinking, drugs, and the rave sceneBuilding an identity around being “the party guy”What it really means to be a functional alcoholicWhy quitting alcohol didn’t solve everythingThe shame of hiding addiction while appearing “sober”How connection finally broke the cycle of relapseWhy he now believes sobriety is a superpowerWhether you’re trying to quit drinking, coming back after another relapse, or supporting someone you love, Jason’s story is a reminder that recovery isn’t about perfection—it’s about finding the courage to keep showing up.If this episode resonates with you, please follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs to hear it today.Jason on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasondlyman/

For the past several years, I’ve had one of the greatest privileges imaginable—sitting across from hundreds of people willing to tell the truth about addiction and recovery.As we approach 300 episodes of Sober Motivation, I wanted to step back and answer one question:What have all these conversations taught me?In this solo episode, I share 12+1 lessons that show up over and over again—from why shame keeps people stuck to why motivation is overrated, and why the people who stay sober aren’t necessarily stronger than everyone else.These lessons come from 290 recovery stories, 15 years working in addiction recovery, and my own journey.If you’re trying to quit drinking, staying sober, or supporting someone you love, I hope this episode gives you hope and something practical to take with you today.

Aaron never believed alcohol would nearly cost him his life.Like many people, drinking started as a way to fit in, cope with anxiety, and numb painful experiences. After losing his father at a young age, finding his brother after a fatal overdose, and carrying years of grief and trauma, alcohol slowly became his answer to everything.By his early 40s, he was drinking from the moment he woke up just to stop the withdrawals. His skin turned yellow, his body began shutting down, and after collapsing at home he was rushed to the hospital, where doctors weren’t sure he would survive.Today, Aaron is living with liver cirrhosis and waiting for a liver transplant.In this episode, we discuss:• Growing up around alcoholism and loss • How denial keeps alcohol addiction alive • The progression from social drinking to physical dependence • Living through liver failure and a coma • What it’s like waiting for a liver transplant • The guilt, shame, and hope that come with recovery • Why it’s never too early to ask for helpIf you’ve ever wondered whether your drinking is becoming dangerous—or you know someone who is struggling—this conversation is one you won’t forget.If this episode resonates with you, please follow the podcast, leave a rating and review, and share it with someone who needs to hear it.Recovery is possible, and you don’t have to do it alone.