No More Booze - The Podcast

This week on No More Booze, I’m joined by Karl Elliott @thekarlelliott, who’s coming up on 10 years alcohol-free and living near Ascot in the UK. Carl takes us right back to drinking at 13, the daily pub routine and the moment he realised he couldn’t keep rolling the dice—especially when he became a dad. We talk about One Year No Beer, why community and accountability can change everything and what the first 90 days really felt like: withdrawals, sugar cravings, deep sleep, and life coming back in colour. Karl also shares the story behind his book, I Believe in You and the advice he’d give his younger self: give yourself a hug and let that little child out.Karl Elliott is an alcohol-free coach, mentor and author who helps men and women over 35 not only quit drinking, but redefine who they become afterwards. Growing up working-class in Yorkshire, Karl spent years driving lorries and drinking every day. In June 2016, he stopped drinking and has been alcohol-free ever since. The biggest lesson he learned was that stopping isn’t the finish line. Many people remove alcohol but still feel stuck, waiting for the happier, healthier version of themselves to appear. Karl calls this the “identity lag”. Through Press Pause 90, Karl helps people navigate their first 90 days alcohol-free. Through Redefine 90, he helps them close the identity gap, rebuilding confidence, purpose and a sense of who they are beyond alcohol. His memoir, I Believe In You: A Father’s Journey From Daily Drinker to Redefining Himself, is due for release later this year and tells the story behind his own transformation.If you are interested in Alcohol Free Coaching go to www.greyareadrinker.ie, email olivia@greyareadrinker.ie or simply send a DM over on instagram @greyareadrinker

This week on No More Booze, I’m chatting with my beautiful pal Joanne McCarthy-Colbert @jomccointeriors about what it looks like to quit drinking without a rock bottom and how finding the words grey area drinker was the switch that finally changed it all. Joanne shares her story of starting young, having no off switch and the years of trying to figure out where she fit (not dependant on alcohol but not able to moderate either). We talk fertility treatment, motherhood, anxiety, identity, perimenopause brain fog and why alcohol just stopped matching her values. We also chat about dopamine swaps, manifestation and the power of being fully present even in grief. Joanne is an interior designer, entrepreneur and creative visionary based in Ireland. Known for blending practical design with soul and intention, she helps clients transform their spaces into homes that truly reflect who they are. One year alcohol-free, Joanne also speaks openly about personal growth, discipline and building a life and business with clarity, focus and purpose. Enjoy!Find Joanne on Instagram: @jomccointeriorsTo find out more about me, my work as an Alcohol-Free Coach & Mentor visit www.greyareadrinker.ie or find me on instagram @greyareadrinker

This week on No More Booze, I’m joined by the dynamic duo, Sandra Healy and Sarah Mills, co-founders of the TABB platform, dedicated to helping women take a break from booze. We talk about their personal journeys with alcohol, touching on the good, the bad and the moments of realisation that led them to an alcohol-free life.Sandra shares her experience as a mother navigating her relationship with wine, while Sarah recounts how she transformed her drinking habits after seeking clarity during tough times. Together, they shed light on the challenges women face when re-evaluating their drinking, the power of community and the liberation found in sobriety. Discover how their platform, TABB, is providing a safe space for women to share their stories and support one another on the journey to sobriety. Enjoy!For more information visit: https://tabbforwomen.comSandra Healy is the co-founder of TABB and has been alcohol-free since February 2023. After years of questioning her drinking and several attempts to quit, finding the right support and community changed everything.With almost 30 years’ experience as a nurse and now training as a recovery coach, Sandra brings deep compassion, care and understanding to her work. Originally from Ireland and now living in Barcelona, she’s passionate about helping women do the inner work, reconnect with themselves and experience the freedom and joy of an alcohol-free life.Sarah Mills is the co-founder of TABB for Women and a Recovery Coach Professional, based in Manchester where she lives with her dogs & family. A former teacher, she’s passionate about learning, personal growth, and building a supportive community where women can feel safe, seen and empowered. When she’s not working on TABB, you’ll find her walking her dogs, jogging or line dancing… enthusiastically (despite 2½ years of practice, she suggests she should be a lot better by now!). 

This week I sit down with Conor Pope @conorpope who has recently documented how a dry January turned into a dry forever, but insists he is not a judgemental Holy Joe. Conor shares how this began rather casually but evolved into a significant lifestyle change over the years. Conor Pope is a journalist, author and broadcaster. As The Irish Times Consumer Affairs Correspondent he writes about everything from the cost of living crisis to travel chaos and frequently comes to the aid of wronged readers. He’s a regular on RTE radio and television, Virgin Media and Newstalk and once appeared on Celebrity Masterchef but was sent home after inexplicably adding a field of lavender to an otherwise lovely dessert. In this episode, we talk about the cultural perceptions surrounding alcohol, exploring how our societal norms influence our drinking habits. Conor reflects on the unexpected joys and benefits he discovered after giving up the booze like his improved health metrics. His story is a great example of how a Dry January can change everything. Enjoy!

In this episode of No More Booze, I welcome Kelly Cooney, founder of Alcohol Uncensored @alcohol_uncensored to discuss, among other things Dry January. Alcohol Uncensored is a warm and inclusive space for anyone rethinking their relationship with alcohol borne out of Kelly’s experience of community in various stages of her sobriety journey.Kelly shares her personal recovery journey, including relapses, resilience and the powerful connections with others she met through the alcohol free community Over the Influence. We talk prevention over intervention, why you don’t need a rock-bottom moment to choose change, and the benefits of alcohol-free living, from improved health, emotional regulation and the deep sense of support that comes from community. Enjoy!https://alcoholuncensored.co.uk