Henry ~ 550 days

“For 20 years, I lived for the weekend: booze, wild nights, and waking up in places I barely remembered. At 12, I had my first real drink. By 14, I was sneaking vodka on a school ski trip. At 16, I made sure every party was stocked with alcohol. Drinking became part of my identity. I was the guy who could handle it, the life of the party, the one making sure everyone had a wild time. But every weekend followed the same pattern: regret, anxiety, and exhaustion.

Mondays were spent recovering, not growing.

At 33, I’d had enough. In October 2023, I walked away from alcohol, my corporate job of 17 years, and the version of myself that no longer felt right. What began as a short break turned into a life changing decision. I flew to Thailand for a fitness retreat, pushed my limits, and came back with a new mindset. The clarity I found was like nothing I’d ever felt. I finally saw how much I had been holding myself back.

Now, over a year alcohol-free, my life looks completely different. I’ve lost over 7 stone, saved over £10,000 by cutting out drinking and smoking, and trained consistently for more than a year. I’ve run a 5K, 10K, half marathon, and completed a sprint triathlon. I even climbed Scafell Pike. Right now, I’m training for the Berlin Marathon in 2025 to raise money for Alcohol Change UK.

I’ve started building something bigger than myself. I created a local sober community, invested in an alcohol-free beer company called Veto, and launched my own sobriety coaching business to help others take back control of their lives.

Sobriety hasn’t just changed my body, it’s given me clarity, confidence, and a sense of purpose. I no longer need alcohol to feel like the life of the party. I am fully alive. No more blackouts. No more regrets. Just real, meaningful experiences.”