Crazy to think I went from late nights taking shots to genuinely relishing in the idea of early morning yoga followed by matcha and smoothies. What once sounded boring now feels like bliss.
I’d like to preface that for the most part I don’t regret my youth. Sure, if I could go back, I’d probably drink less, but to say I wouldn’t have touched alcohol would be a lie. I don’t know what could have been said to stop me from partaking in the typical American college/20-something lifestyle. It was normal, even expected. Especially living in a so called “party town” (Charleston, SC).
During my healing journey, I once had a functional medicine coach basically berate me for my college drinking days. He would not let it go. I thought, “Yea, dude, I drank too much. Can’t change that so freaking help me now!”
Shaming someone for choices they made 10-15+ years ago does nothing to support their healing. All we can do is our best NOW.
And truthfully, I had a lot of fun. College in Charleston [1] during the mid to late 2000s? Pure magic. Was drinking a contributor to the health issues I later faced? Perhaps. It certainly didn’t help but it wasn’t the only factor. Healing is always multifaceted. That being said, alcohol does our bodies no favors, and as we age, it gets harder to process those toxins. Alcohol not only burdens the liver but also disrupts gut health, sleep, and hormone balance, all key pillars of true healing. Sometimes the biggest transformations come from the simplest (though not always easiest) changes.
Through my own healing journey, I learned just how much our habits, environment, and mindset impact our well-being. Now, I help others do the same through my holistic coaching [2], supporting clients as they reconnect with their bodies, clean up their routines, and rediscover what truly feels good.
Being (mostly)* alcohol free has become one of the greatest gifts. It’s easier today than ever before, with so many beautiful alternatives. I’ll take a morning filled with yoga, fresh air, and love over a late-night bar hop any day.
*I say mostly because I have about 4-5 drinks per year. Why? Because that’s just the way it is. But offer me a good mocktail and I’ll choose that every time.
Click the image below to download my 6 page Conscious Mocktail Guide! Happy sipping!