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Thinking about doing Sober October? Before you rely on willpower and hope for the best, there are a few things that can make the month a whole lot easier. In this episode, I share 5 practical ways to set yourself up for a successful alcohol-free month, including how to plan for your usual drinking window, handle the inevitable mental negotiations, replace the rituals alcohol used to fill, and start paying attention to what you're gaining instead of simply counting the days. Sober October isn't about proving you can survive 31 days without drinking. It's an opportunity to get curious about your relationship with alcohol and discover what changes when you give yourself some space from it. 👉👉 Grab the FREE Sober October Starter Kit, including a 31-day tracker, prep checklist, and curated podcast playlist, at nomorewasteddays.co/october.   Support the Podcast: If you love the No More Wasted Days podcast, please take a moment to leave a review on Apple Podcasts or rate and comment on Spotify. It helps more people find the show and begin their own alcohol-free journey.   ***************************************   Follow the podcast on Social Media: IG: @nomorewasteddays.pod   Follow Sara on Social Media: IG: @no_more_wasted_days TikTok: @no_more_wasted_days Facebook: www.facebook.com/NoMoreWastedDaysOfficial

What happens after the first 30 days without alcohol, when the excitement wears off and alcohol-free life starts to feel a little more real? In this episode, Sara breaks down what can happen between days 30 and 100, including sneaky cravings, boredom, the urge to try moderation, brain recovery, and the identity shift that comes with learning who you are without alcohol. Plus, she explains why 100 days can give you a much clearer picture of what life without alcohol actually feels like. Join the PUSH to 100 Ready to try it for yourself? Enrollment for PUSH to 100 is open now. Use code PODCAST50 to save $50 on your enrollment. https://nomorewasteddays.co/push-to-100/ Remember, the PUSH to 100 starts September 24th. Enrollment closes September 23rd at midnight.   Support the Podcast: If you love the No More Wasted Days podcast, please take a moment to leave a review on Apple Podcasts or rate and comment on Spotify. It helps more people find the show and begin their own alcohol-free journey.   ***************************************   Follow the podcast on Social Media: IG: @nomorewasteddays.pod   Follow Sara on Social Media: IG: @no_more_wasted_days TikTok: @no_more_wasted_days Facebook: www.facebook.com/NoMoreWastedDaysOfficial

Chelsea Stueve is back on the podcast, and this conversation goes even deeper into what life can look like on the other side of drinking. Follow Chelsea on Instagram: @yogini.chels CLICK HERE to register for Chelsea’s Wellness Unruled Retreat.   Join the PUSH to 100 Ready to try it for yourself? Enrollment for PUSH to 100 is open now. Use code PODCAST50 to save $50 on your enrollment. https://nomorewasteddays.co/push-to-100/   Support the Podcast: If you love the No More Wasted Days podcast, please take a moment to leave a review on Apple Podcasts or rate and comment on Spotify. It helps more people find the show and begin their own alcohol-free journey. ***************************************   Follow the podcast on Social Media: IG: @nomorewasteddays.pod   Follow Sara on Social Media: IG: @no_more_wasted_days TikTok: @no_more_wasted_days Facebook: www.facebook.com/NoMoreWastedDaysOfficial

What can change when you give yourself 100 alcohol-free days? In this episode, Sara talks with Leah, a former PUSH to 100 member, about going from daily drinking and constant fatigue to feeling more present, empowered, and free. Leah shares how she navigated vacations, holidays, cravings, and a partner who still drank, plus the unexpected ways her life began to open up without alcohol. Ready to see what 100 alcohol-free days could do for you? Join the PUSH to 100 waiting list for early enrollment and the discounted waitlist rate:  nomorewasteddays.co/100waitinglist Support the Podcast: If you love the No More Wasted Days podcast, please take a moment to leave a review on Apple Podcasts or rate and comment on Spotify. It helps more people find the show and begin their own alcohol-free journey.   ***************************************   Follow the podcast on Social Media: IG: @nomorewasteddays.pod   Follow Sara on Social Media: IG: @no_more_wasted_days TikTok: @no_more_wasted_days Facebook: www.facebook.com/NoMoreWastedDaysOfficial

Your first 30 days without alcohol might not look like the highlight reels you see on social media, and that doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong. In this episode, I’m breaking down five things nobody tells you about your first month alcohol-free, including why sleep and energy may take time to improve, how much of drinking is actually habit, why boredom and big emotions can show up, and how every alcohol-free experience helps build confidence. Plus, we’ll talk about why Day 30 doesn’t have to be the finish line. It might actually be where things start getting really interesting. Ready to see what 100 alcohol-free days could do for you? Join the PUSH to 100 waiting list for early enrollment and the discounted waitlist rate:  nomorewasteddays.co/100waitinglist Support the Podcast: If you love the No More Wasted Days podcast, please take a moment to leave a review on Apple Podcasts or rate and comment on Spotify. It helps more people find the show and begin their own alcohol-free journey.   ***************************************   Follow the podcast on Social Media: IG: @nomorewasteddays.pod   Follow Sara on Social Media: IG: @no_more_wasted_days TikTok: @no_more_wasted_days Facebook: www.facebook.com/NoMoreWastedDaysOfficial

In this episode, I’m walking you through what to realistically expect during your first seven days alcohol-free, from cravings and sleep changes to that sneaky voice that starts negotiating with you after a few successful days. You’ll learn simple strategies to make that first week easier, how to handle your usual drinking window, and why you shouldn’t judge alcohol-free life based on how you feel on day three. Most importantly, you’ll start gathering evidence that you really can do this. 👉👉 Ready to see what 100 alcohol-free days could do for you? Join the PUSH to 100 waiting list for early enrollment and the discounted waitlist rate:  nomorewasteddays.co/100waitinglist   Support the Podcast: If you love the No More Wasted Days podcast, please take a moment to leave a review on Apple Podcasts or rate and comment on Spotify. It helps more people find the show and begin their own alcohol-free journey. ***************************************   Follow the podcast on Social Media: IG: @nomorewasteddays.pod   Follow Sara on Social Media: IG: @no_more_wasted_days TikTok: @no_more_wasted_days Facebook: www.facebook.com/NoMoreWastedDaysOfficial

If summer left you feeling like alcohol took up more space than you wanted, this episode is your reminder that you don’t have to wait until January to reset. We’re talking about using fall as a fresh start, setting a clear alcohol-free goal, focusing on what you’ll gain instead of what you’re giving up, and giving yourself permission to try alcohol-free life without deciding what “forever” looks like. Ready to see what 100 alcohol-free days could do for you? Join the PUSH to 100 waiting list for early enrollment and the discounted waitlist rate:  nomorewasteddays.co/100waitinglist Support the Podcast: If you love the No More Wasted Days podcast, please take a moment to leave a review on Apple Podcasts or rate and comment on Spotify. It helps more people find the show and begin their own alcohol-free journey. *************************************** Follow the podcast on Social Media: IG: @nomorewasteddays.pod Follow Sara on Social Media: IG: @no_more_wasted_days TikTok: @no_more_wasted_days Facebook: www.facebook.com/NoMoreWastedDaysOfficial

Quitting drinking doesn’t have to feel like deprivation. In this episode, Sara shares six simple strategies to help you feel more confident, supported, and joyful in your alcohol-free life. You’ll learn how to manage cravings without shame, strengthen your reason for quitting, navigate social situations with more confidence, tune out drinking culture, focus on what you’re gaining, and create real moments of joy without alcohol. Whether you’re just starting to question your drinking or you’re already on an alcohol-free journey, these strategies can help you build a life that feels bigger, not smaller, without alcohol. 👉👉 Ready for more support? Join the waiting list for the next round of PUSH to 100, Sara’s 100-day alcohol-free challenge: nomorewasteddays.co/100waitinglist Support the Podcast: If you love the No More Wasted Days podcast, please take a moment to leave a review on Apple Podcasts or rate and comment on Spotify. It helps more people find the show and begin their own alcohol-free journey. ***************************************   Follow the podcast on Social Media: IG: @nomorewasteddays.pod   Follow Sara on Social Media: IG: @no_more_wasted_days TikTok: @no_more_wasted_days Facebook: www.facebook.com/NoMoreWastedDaysOfficial

In this episode, I’m joined by Christine Reed, author of Alone in Wonderland, for a conversation about sobriety, grief, independence, and the healing power of the outdoors. Christine shares how hiking the Appalachian Trail after losing her mother changed the direction of her life, why she decided alcohol was no longer serving her, and how becoming alcohol-free created space for a bigger and more intentional life. We also talk about solo adventure, van life, living with POTS, and what it means to trust your body while continuing to challenge yourself. 🏕️🥾Follow Christine (www.ruggedoutdoorswoman.com) on Instagram @ruggedoutdoorswoman and Substack at Rugged Outdoors Woman, check out her podcast and book club, Outdoorsy Women, and pick up a copy of Alone in Wonderland.   👉👉 Looking for support on your alcohol-free journey? Try your first two weeks inside the Day Makers community for just $7. https://nomorewasteddays.co/day-makers-community/   Support the Podcast: If you love the No More Wasted Days podcast, please take a moment to leave a review on Apple Podcasts or rate and comment on Spotify. It helps more people find the show and begin their own alcohol-free journey. ***************************************   Follow the podcast on Social Media: IG: @nomorewasteddays.pod   Follow Sara on Social Media: IG: @no_more_wasted_days TikTok: @no_more_wasted_days Facebook: www.facebook.com/NoMoreWastedDaysOfficial

When you quit drinking, you expect the hard part to be over, but sometimes, the brain finds a new outlet for the same addictive patterns. In this episode, Sara opens up about her personal experience with transfer addictions - how her addictive tendencies shifted from alcohol to food tracking, sugar, and weed, and what she learned about herself in the process. Through stories, science, and self-compassion, Sara breaks down: What transfer addiction (or cross-addiction) actually is Why our brains latch onto new sources of dopamine when we remove alcohol How dopamine depletion and reward substitution keep us chasing “the buzz” Why it’s normal to experience new compulsions in early sobriety and how to move through them 7 powerful ways to heal the void and rebuild balance in recovery You’ll also hear Sara share research-backed insights on dopamine regulation, neuroplasticity, and the incentive sensitization theory, explaining why we crave even when we no longer enjoy the thing we’re craving. Whether your new obsession is sugar, scrolling, or staying “in control,” this episode reminds you that awareness is the first step toward freedom. 00:00 Introduction and Personal Journey 01:16 Understanding Transfer Addictions 03:36 Promoting the 30-Day Alcohol-Free Challenge 04:43 Realizing Transfer Addictions 07:40 Defining Transfer Addiction 10:40 The Science Behind Addiction 20:27 Recognizing and Managing Transfer Addictions 22:06 Practical Tools for Overcoming Addictions 26:02 Conclusion and Final Thoughts   📚 Resources & Further Reading: Transfer Addictions, Dopamine, and Recovery National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) — Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction Volkow, N.D. et al. (2019). The Neuroscience of Drug Reward and Addiction. Annual Review of Psychology, 70, 373–397. Martinez, D. et al. (2005). Dopamine D2 Receptors in Addiction: Imaging Findings. JAMA Neurology, 62(4), 444–452. Koob, G.F. & Volkow, N.D. (2016). Neurobiology of Addiction: A Neurocircuitry Analysis. The Lancet Psychiatry, 3(8), 760–773. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) — The Brain, Addiction, and Recovery Pettinati, H.M. et al. (2021). A Systematic Review of Addiction Substitution in Recovery: Clinical Lore or Empirically-Based? Harm Reduction Journal (2024). Exploring Cannabis Substitution After Substance Recovery. Robinson, T.E. & Berridge, K.C. (2008). The Incentive Sensitization Theory of Addiction: Some Current Issues. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B, 363(1507), 3137–3146. Avena, N.M. et al. (2008). Evidence for Sugar Addiction: Behavioral and Neurochemical Effects of Intermittent, Excessive Sugar Intake. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 32(1), 20–39. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. What Is Transfer Addiction? Psychology Today. From One Addiction to the Next PubMed Central (2018). Structural and Functional Brain Recovery After Abstinence from Substance Use. 🧘‍♀️Books to Read to Further Your Knowledge on this Topic Gabor Maté. In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters with Addiction. Judson Brewer, MD, PhD. The Craving Mind. 💬 If this episode resonated with you: Leave a rating or review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It's one of the easiest ways to support the show! ************************************************ 🌟 Want deeper support on your alcohol-free journey? Come join us inside the Day Makers Community — my private coaching space where you’ll find weekly group calls, book clubs, reflection prompts, and real connection with people who get it. Whether you’re just starting out or years into your sobriety, this is where you’ll find the tools, strategies, and support to keep moving forward. 👉 Learn more and join us here: https://nomorewasteddays.co/day-makers-community/ ************************************************   Follow the podcast on Social Media: IG: @nomorewasteddays.pod   Follow Sara on Social Media: IG: @no_more_wasted_days TikTok: @no_more_wasted_days Facebook: www.facebook.com/NoMoreWastedDaysOfficial

What happens when sobriety feels awkward, uncomfortable, or like more work than you expected? In this episode, I’m sharing the parts of being completely sober that I don’t always love, from making new friends without alcohol to setting harder boundaries, managing stress without checking out, and accepting that my house may be a little messier. I also explain why I’m still choosing sobriety every time. Because discomfort passes, but the clarity, self-trust, and freedom that come from facing life fully present are always worth it.  Need sober friends who truly understand? Try the Day Makers community for two weeks for just $7. https://nomorewasteddays.co/day-makers-community/ Resources and Links: Join the Day Makers Community Looking for alcohol-free support, weekly group coaching calls, and a private community of like-minded alcohol-free badasses? Come join us inside Day Makers. You can try your first two weeks for just $7. CLICK HERE to join. Sara’s Favorite Things: https://nomorewasteddays.co/favorites/   Support the Podcast: If you love the No More Wasted Days podcast, please take a moment to leave a review on Apple Podcasts or rate and comment on Spotify. It helps more people find the show and begin their own alcohol-free journey. ***************************************   Follow the podcast on Social Media: IG: @nomorewasteddays.pod   Follow Sara on Social Media: IG: @no_more_wasted_days TikTok: @no_more_wasted_days Facebook: www.facebook.com/NoMoreWastedDaysOfficial

In this episode, Sara sits down with Beth Feraco of Beth Feraco Fitness to talk about quitting drinking, rebuilding her identity, and creating a sustainable approach to fitness and weight loss. They discuss the connection between alcohol and disordered eating, why extreme diets fail, and how simple habits like sleep, walking, strength training, and consistent nutrition can change your life. Beth also shares why your health plan should fit your actual life, not the life of a fitness influencer, and how sobriety helped her stop wasting days and start building a life she truly loves. Follow Beth on Instagram and TikTok at @bethferacofitness or learn more about her coaching at bethferacofitness.com 👉👉 Looking for support on your alcohol-free journey? Try your first two weeks inside the Day Makers community for just $7. https://nomorewasteddays.co/day-makers-community/   Support the Podcast: If you love the No More Wasted Days podcast, please take a moment to leave a review on Apple Podcasts or rate and comment on Spotify. It helps more people find the show and begin their own alcohol-free journey. ***************************************   Follow the podcast on Social Media: IG: @nomorewasteddays.pod   Follow Sara on Social Media: IG: @no_more_wasted_days TikTok: @no_more_wasted_days Facebook: www.facebook.com/NoMoreWastedDaysOfficial

Sara sits down with her friend Chelsea Bohnstedt, a yoga instructor and certified sound healer, to talk about her powerful alcohol-free journey. At the time of recording, Chelsea is 562 days sober, but her path to get here was far from linear. Chelsea opens up about: Hitting rock bottom after repeated starts and stops, and how a medical crisis finally became her turning point. The kindling effect. A dangerous neurological response that makes withdrawal symptoms worse each time you quit and start drinking again. Finding recovery through SMART Recovery and Y12SR (Yoga for 12-Step Recovery) after struggling to connect with traditional AA. Healing anxiety, rediscovering peace, and embracing the beauty of a “boring life.” How yoga, meditation, and sound baths helped her reconnect with her body and spirit, and why spirituality doesn’t have to look “religious.” Sara and Chelsea also share stories from their time together at the Sober Tahoe Adventure Retreat and reflect on how sound healing and self-care practices can unlock powerful emotional healing. 🧘‍♀️ Key Takeaways Kindling is real. If you've started and stopped many times, it can make withdrawals more severe and even life-threatening. Always consult a doctor for support when quitting. Peace is the new thrill. Sobriety gives you back your time, energy, and clarity. Spirituality can be simple. Connection, mindfulness, and presence count just as much as prayer or religion. Self-care is rebellion. Taking care of yourself and living with intention isn’t boring, it’s revolutionary. 🔗 Resources Mentioned SMART Recovery Meetings Y12SR – Yoga for 12-Step Recovery Follow Chelsea on Instagram @yogini.chels CLICK HERE to Join Chelsea’s hybrid yoga classes online through her studio (link in show notes). 💖 Favorite Quote “Taking care of yourself is the most rebellious thing you can do. Especially as a woman.” – Chelsea Bohnstedt If you loved this episode, please rate and review the show! Your support helps the No More Wasted Days Podcast reach more people who are ready to live free, present, and fully alive.   ************************************************ 🌟 Want deeper support on your alcohol-free journey? Come join us inside the Day Makers Community — my private coaching space where you’ll find weekly group calls, book clubs, reflection prompts, and real connection with people who get it. Whether you’re just starting out or years into your sobriety, this is where you’ll find the tools, strategies, and support to keep moving forward. 👉 Learn more and join us here: https://nomorewasteddays.co/day-makers-community/ ************************************************ Follow the podcast on Social Media: IG: @nomorewasteddays.pod   Follow Sara on Social Media: IG: @no_more_wasted_days TikTok: @no_more_wasted_days Facebook: www.facebook.com/NoMoreWastedDaysOfficial

Ready for a real reset this summer? Join the Dry July Challenge, a 30-day alcohol-free challenge with daily support, coaching, mindset tools, and community. Stop white-knuckling, break the start-stop drinking cycle, and see how good you can feel without alcohol. Click the link to sign up today. www.nomorewasteddays.co/dryjuly In this episode, Sara talks with sober content creator and author Hadley Sorensen about quitting drinking, blackout drinking, moderation, mommy wine culture, and the pressure to make alcohol part of a “healthy” lifestyle. They also unpack their complicated pasts as Beachbody coaches, including the ways alcohol, fitness culture, and MLM-style marketing became intertwined. Hadley shares why she chose an alcohol-free life without identifying as an alcoholic, what socializing looks like now, and why none can be easier than trying to moderate. Follow Hadley on Instagram: @hadley_sorensen Get her book: The Dirty Truth on Social Drinking: Everything in Moderation and Other BS   Sara’s Favorite Things: https://nomorewasteddays.co/favorites/   Support the Podcast: If you love the No More Wasted Days podcast, please take a moment to leave a review on Apple Podcasts or rate and comment on Spotify. It helps more people find the show and begin their own alcohol-free journey.   ***************************************   Follow the podcast on Social Media: IG: @nomorewasteddays.pod   Follow Sara on Social Media: IG: @no_more_wasted_days TikTok: @no_more_wasted_days Facebook: www.facebook.com/NoMoreWastedDaysOfficial

Let's stop wasting our summers to hangovers! Get early access to the Dry July challenge. --> https://nomorewasteddays.co/waitinglist Sara discusses the mindset shift that helped her quit drinking effortlessly. She shares strategies from her personal journey, including writing daily affirmations, developing an unwavering commitment to sobriety, and adopting new identities.   00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview 00:29 Early Days: Building Momentum 00:54 The Game Changer: 100 to 150 Days 01:09 Mindset Shift: Practical Steps 02:52 The Power of Affirmations 05:18 Deciding to Quit Forever 11:22 Identity and Willpower 12:52 Planning for Success 20:27 Creating a Support System 24:08 Final Thoughts and Encouragement   🎧 Mentioned in this episode: 10 Mantras for the Beginning of Your Alcohol Free Journey - CLICK HERE to download the 10 Mantras that Sara used at the beginning of her alcohol free journey. Dry July Challenge - CLICK HERE to get early access to the Dry July Challenge. 🧠 Sources & Further Reading If you want to dig deeper into what’s really happening in your body during a hangover — from dehydration to acetaldehyde toxicity — here are the research-based resources referenced in this episode: Patrick, V. M., & Hagtvedt, H. “I Don’t vs. I Can’t: When Empowered Refusal Motivates Goal-Directed Behavior,” Journal of Consumer Research, 2012. Pignatiello, G. A., et al. “Decision Fatigue: A Conceptual Analysis,” Nursing Outlook, 2018. Evans, D. R., et al. “The nature of self-regulatory fatigue and ‘ego depletion’,” Personality and Social Psychology Review, 2016. Cooke, R., et al. “The effect of forming implementation intentions on alcohol consumption,” Health Psychology Review, 2022; see also 2023 update. Malaguti, A., et al. “Effectiveness of implementation intentions on substance use,” 2020 review. Milyavskaya, M., et al. “Saying No to Temptation: Want-to Motivation Improves Self-Regulation,” Journal of Personality, 2015. Larimer, M. E., & Marlatt, G. A. “Relapse Prevention and the Abstinence Violation Effect,” overview. 💬 If this episode resonated with you: Leave a rating or review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It's one of the easiest ways to support the show!   ************************************************   🌟 Want deeper support on your alcohol-free journey? Come join us inside the Day Makers Community — my private coaching space where you’ll find weekly group calls, book clubs, reflection prompts, and real connection with people who get it. Whether you’re just starting out or years into your sobriety, this is where you’ll find the tools, strategies, and support to keep moving forward. 👉 Learn more and join us here: https://nomorewasteddays.co/day-makers-community/   ************************************************ Follow the podcast on Social Media: IG: @nomorewasteddays.pod   Follow Sara on Social Media: IG: @no_more_wasted_days TikTok: @no_more_wasted_days Facebook: www.facebook.com/NoMoreWastedDaysOfficial