Ep 44:Holiday Drinking: Simple Tools to Help You Drink Less
In this episode, I’m walking you through the exact strategies I teach my clients when the holidays start holiday-ing a little too hard. Think: bottomless drinks, unending invitations, and that tiny inner voice that whispers, “We’ll deal with this in January.” (Fun fact: "January You" strongly disagrees.)
We cover the tools and mindset shifts that help you move through this season with more clarity and less autopilot drinking. These are the same practices my clients use to feel better in their bodies, protect their sleep, stay connected to themselves, and truly enjoy the holidays — without slipping into habits that leave them feeling wiped out or disappointed.
Here’s a snapshot of what we explore:
• Why the holidays turn so many of us into “default drinkers.” • Why your sleep will thank you for drinking less • The HALT method and how it helps you pause before you pour • My Three P’s: Partner, Plan, Path — a simple strategy that removes pressure at parties • How to enter social events with more confidence and less anxiety
Listen for more tools on boundaries, nervous system support, and noticing your patterns with compassion instead of self-judgment.
If you enjoy having something festive in your glass, I share one of my favorites: Prima Pavé Blanc de Blancs, an alcohol-free sparkling wine handcrafted in Italy. It comes in a beautiful bottle and feels celebratory without the after-effects. You can find it at BetterRhodes.com.
Ready to start 2026 feeling clearer and more grounded?
Join my 6-Week Alcohol Reset with Group Coaching.We keep the group small, so you get meaningful support, weekly live coaching, access to my FOUR “R” Method inside the course, and a connection with others who are walking the same path.
👉 Register here: https://www.soberfitchick.com/alcohol-reset
Let me know if today’s tools help you — I love hearing what shifts for you, even the small wins.
Wishing you a holiday season that supports your body, your health, and your peace.
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EP 43: Rock Bottom: It's How You Feel, Not What Happened
In this episode, Maureen sits down with Becca Stahl, the editor behind Sober Fit Life. What started as a casual conversation about sobriety turned into a powerful story of transformation that needed to be shared.
Becca opens up about quitting drinking in her late twenties while working in the alcohol industry, how she discovered the concept of sober curiosity before she even knew what it was called, and why her version of "rock bottom" didn't look like what most people expect. She shares candidly about managing OCD and trauma, and why she's grateful she made this change before becoming a mom.
This is a story about curiosity, self-honesty, and the courage to question everything you thought was normal.
In This Episode, We Cover:
Working in alcohol sales while secretly questioning her relationship with drinking
The moment her boss said quitting was "bad for business"
Why tracking her spending and drinking habits changed everything
The harsh reality of moderate drinking: "This isn't fun when you're not blacking out"
How she and her husband quit together (and the awkward kitchen island habit they had to break)
Managing OCD and trauma after removing alcohol as a coping mechanism
The difference between drinking buddies and real friends
Parenting sober and modeling a different way of life for her daughter
Why curiosity was the key to her entire transformation
💬 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
Follow me on Instagram
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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
💬 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
Follow me on Instagram
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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 📚
Follow Megan on Instagram
Follow Katie on Instagram
Claire Morales Illustration
💬 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
Follow me on Instagram
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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
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.