EP 42: The ADHD-Addiction Connection You Need to Know with Jheri South
Could your struggle with alcohol actually be your brain's cry for dopamine?
In this eye-opening episode, I sit down with Jheri South, certified ADHD specialist and neurodivergent woman, to uncover the shocking connection between undiagnosed ADHD and addiction.
If you've ever felt like your emotions are too big, your reactions too intense, or wondered why willpower never seems to stick, this conversation might change everything.
What You'll Discover:
Why people with ADHD are 3-4 times more likely to struggle with addiction.
The real story behind "rejection sensitivity dysphoria" (RSD) and emotional overwhelm.
How dopamine depletion drives the constant search for stimulation.
Why boredom feels unbearable for ADHD brains—and leads to self-medication.
The truth about ADHD medication and addiction (it's not what you think).
Practical strategies for managing ADHD without numbing out.
About Today's Guest: Jheri South is a certified ADHD specialist, parent and teen coach, and neurodivergent woman who wasn't diagnosed until age 40. After navigating addiction herself and watching her family struggle, she became passionate about helping others understand the connection between brain wiring and behavior. Jheri has interviewed top ADHD specialists like Dr. William Dodson and believes that understanding your neurodivergence can be life-saving.
Visit Jheri's website
Jheri's FREE ADHD Quiz
Jheri's Instagram
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Am I Drinking Too Much Quiz
Six-Week Alcohol Reset
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52:18
EP 41: The Cool Side of Sobriety with Katie Scott & Megan Poakeart
In this episode, I'm joined by Katie Scott and Megan Poakeart, the creators of The Sober Empath. They join me for a conversation that flips the script on sobriety. Instead of viewing alcohol-free living as an ending, they show us how it’s truly “the beginning of everything.”
They share insights from their new book—part playful throwback to 80s Highlights magazines, part powerful mirror of the drinking culture so many of us grew up in. From “spot the difference” illustrations that reveal the truth behind social drinking to hilarious but painfully relatable depictions of hangovers, Katie and Megan remind us that sobriety doesn’t have to be doom and gloom.
Together, we talk about:
Why sobriety is something to celebrate, not fear.
The myths we were sold about alcohol and connection.
How humor and creativity can help us process what we’ve been through.
The shift from numbing out to fully engaging with life.
Whether you’re sober-curious, rethinking your relationship with alcohol, or already walking the alcohol-free path, this conversation is a reminder that living without alcohol isn’t boring; it’s freedom, joy, and possibility.
Get your copy of The Sober Empath here 📚
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Claire Morales Illustration
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EP: 40 The Hidden Costs of ‘Functioning’ Drinking with Toni Will
In this episode of Sober Fit Life, I sit down with Toni, whose story proves that even when life throws you curveballs, you can still step into your power and create lasting change. Toni Will is a powerhouse in professional sports and the first female general manager and governor in the East Coast Hockey League, where she leads the Kalamazoo Wings.
Toni opens up about her journey from living in a constant state of overwhelm to finding freedom and peace in sobriety. She shares the pivotal moments that made her rethink her relationship with alcohol, the challenges she faced in early recovery, and the tools she uses to stay grounded when life gets hard.
We talk about the hidden costs of “functioning” drinking, why so many women feel trapped by societal expectations, and how ditching booze can open the door to deeper self-trust and connection. Toni’s transformation is a reminder that it’s never too late to rewrite your story—and that the person you become on the other side of alcohol may just surprise you.
In This Episode, We Cover:
The subtle ways alcohol kept Toni stuck
Why self-trust is the real superpower in sobriety
The role of curiosity in making lasting changes
How friendships and relationships evolve after you quit drinking
Practical tools to navigate the “messy middle” of transformation
Toni also tells us what it was like to participate in an iron man while drinking and then again while sober
Connect with Toni:
Toni's Website
Toni's Instagram
💬 Want to learn more about the tools I offer? 👇
Am I Drinking Too Much Quiz
Six-Week Alcohol Reset
Drink Less By Monday
Book a FREE Discovery Call
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47:55
EP 39: Choosing Courage Over Comfort: Hearon on Life After Alcohol
This episode of Sober Fit Life is filled with wisdom, truth, and inspiration from my conversation with Hearon. We talked about his powerful journey toward sobriety, how his faith has guided him, and the ways he’s learned to embrace a life of freedom and purpose without alcohol.
Hearon shared what it was like to live in the tension between who he was and who he wanted to be. He spoke honestly about the challenges of letting go of old habits, the influence of his spiritual life, and how he has turned his experiences into a mission to help others.
His story is a testament to what happens when you choose courage over comfort, and how leaning into faith and community can make all the difference.
In this episode, we talk about:
Hearon’s journey to sobriety and the moment he knew he had to change
How faith and spiritual growth shaped his recovery
Letting go of habits that no longer serve you
Finding identity and joy outside of alcohol
Using personal experience to inspire and support others
Connect with Hearon
Hearon's website
Follow Hearon on Instagram
💬 Want to learn more about the tools I offer? 👇
Join me for Sober October
Am I Drinking Too Much Quiz
Six-Week Alcohol Reset
Drink Less By Monday
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EP 38: How Sobriety Transformed Mo’s Life and Career
Mo and I dove deep into her journey with alcohol, from the moments where drinking seemed like just part of life to the realization that it was holding her back from the life she truly wanted. She opened up about the personal and professional shifts she’s experienced since choosing sobriety, and how that decision has rippled into every corner of her life.
We explored how social expectations around drinking can make it hard to imagine life without it, the identity changes that come with sobriety, and the surprising ways her relationships have evolved since letting alcohol go.
This episode is an honest, powerful look at what happens when you decide to stop numbing and start living fully awake.
In this episode, we talk about:
Mo’s turning point and what made her rethink alcohol
The role of social pressure in keeping drinking normalized
How sobriety has impacted her career and personal relationships
Navigating the identity shift that comes with an alcohol-free lifestyle
The joy and clarity she’s found on the other side
Here are the drinks she mentions in the episode:
Ghia – a non-alcoholic aperitif
Kin Euphorics – adaptogenic, mood-boosting alcohol-free beverages
Surely – non-alcoholic wine
Athletic Brewing Co. – non-alcoholic craft beer
🔗 Connect with Mo
Mocktail Mo's Website
Watch on YouTube
Follow on Instagram
💬 Want to learn more about the tools I offer? 👇
Join me for Sober October
Am I Drinking Too Much Quiz
Six-Week Alcohol Reset
Drink Less By Monday
Book a FREE Discovery Call
Follow me on Instagram
Sober Fit Life is the podcast for anyone caught in the cycle of drinking more than they want to, swearing it off, and ending up right back where they started—sometimes in the same day. If you're tired of the bloating, brain fog, shame, and mental tug-of-war over alcohol, you're not alone—and you're in the right place.
Hosted by Maureen Benkovich, a former weekend binge drinker turned alcohol freedom coach, the show features real conversations with health pros, wellness experts, and people who’ve broken free from the cycle and reclaimed their health, clarity, and confidence.
This isn’t about perfection—it’s about alignment. About finally living like the version of you that’s been buried under regret, excuses, and habits that don’t match your values. Expect honest stories, science-backed insight, and the kind of support that helps you feel proud of your choices—and strong enough to make new ones.
New Zealand