The Sober Connection

In this episode, I'm joined by Paddy Gower for a really honest conversation about drinking, culture, and what actually drives change.
We talk about how easy it is for drinking to feel “normal”, especially in New Zealand, and why that can make it so hard to recognise when something isn’t quite right.
Paddy shares his experience of what shifted things for him, including the moment someone close to him had the courage to say something, and why that can be so powerful.
We also explore:
 why high-functioning drinking is often the hardest to change
 why so many people struggle to ask for help
 and what actually improves when you step away from alcohol
If you’ve ever found yourself thinking “it’s not that bad” but are also starting to wonder if something needs to change, this conversation will resonate.
Get in touch:
Paddy
Instagram @patrickgowernz
Abi
30 Days to Freedom - A Gentle Reset
Available here - www.levelupsobrietycoaching.com/30-days-to-freedom-reset/
Instagram @levelup.withabi
Email [email protected]
Affiliate links: 
Terps & Co. www.drinkterps.co.nz - enter code ABI20 for 20% off storewide
I use Riverside.fm for my podcast editing software. Click the link below to find out more!
https://www.riverside.fm/?utm_campaign=campaign_5&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=rewardful&via=abi
My podcast episodes are hosted and distributed by Buzzsprout. Click the link below for a $20 Refer a Friend voucher (T&Cs apply)
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Music from #Uppbeat
https://uppbeat.io/t/tatami/in-motion
License code: N5GLWPT8QQSRU7D2

There’s a moment that doesn’t get talked about enough - the one when everything still looks fine on the outside but deep down, you know something isn’t working anymore.
In this episode, I’m talking about that quiet turning point. The awareness that your drinking isn’t quite where you want it to be, even if it doesn’t look like a “problem” from the outside.
If you’ve ever found yourself stuck in that in-between space - not bad enough to change, but not feeling good enough to stay the same - this one’s for you.
This is the first episode in a new series where I’ll be walking you through:
– why you keep going back
– what’s actually driving the habit
– why moderation can feel so exhausting
– and what starts to change when you do things differently
So if this episode resonates and you’ve had that moment of thinking “this isn’t really working anymore” - stay with me.
Get in touch:
Abi
30 Days to Freedom - A Gentle Reset
Available here - www.levelupsobrietycoaching.com/30-days-to-freedom-reset/
Instagram @levelup.withabi
Email [email protected]
Affiliate links: 
Terps & Co. www.drinkterps.co.nz - enter code ABI20 for 20% off storewide
I use Riverside.fm for my podcast editing software. Click the link below to find out more!
https://www.riverside.fm/?utm_campaign=campaign_5&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=rewardful&via=abi
My podcast episodes are hosted and distributed by Buzzsprout. Click the link below for a $20 Refer a Friend voucher (T&Cs apply)
https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=2404910
Music from #Uppbeat
https://uppbeat.io/t/tatami/in-motion
License code: N5GLWPT8QQSRU7D2

In today’s episode, I am joined by Ryan — also known as The Sober Kiwi — to talk about his journey with alcohol, what led him to make a change, and what life looks like on the other side.
What I love about this conversation is how real and grounded it is. There’s no big dramatic story here — just honest reflections on mindset, habits, and the quiet shifts that can completely change the direction of your life.
We talk about:
 What his relationship with alcohol used to look like 
 The moment things started to shift 
 The realisation that it's the first drink that often gets us into trouble
 What early sobriety was actually like for him 
 How his identity, health, and daily life have changed since going alcohol-free 
 And what it’s like choosing sobriety in a culture where drinking is still so normalised 
Ryan also shares his perspective as someone who’s experienced different drinking cultures, and how that’s shaped his journey.
If you’ve ever found yourself questioning your relationship with alcohol — but not quite sure where you fit — this episode will feel very relatable.
Get in touch:
Ryan
Instagram @ryanthesoberkiwi
Abi
30 Days to Freedom - A Gentle Reset
Available here - www.levelupsobrietycoaching.com/30-days-to-freedom-reset/
Instagram @levelup.withabi
Email [email protected]
Affiliate links: 
Terps & Co. www.drinkterps.co.nz - enter code ABI20 for 20% off storewide
I use Riverside.fm for my podcast editing software. Click the link below to find out more!
https://www.riverside.fm/?utm_campaign=campaign_5&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=rewardful&via=abi
My podcast episodes are hosted and distributed by Buzzsprout. Click the link below for a $20 Refer a Friend voucher (T&Cs apply)
https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=2404910
Music from #Uppbeat
https://uppbeat.io/t/tatami/in-motion
License code: N5GLWPT8QQSRU7D2

If you feel like you’re constantly starting over when it comes to drinking… you’re not alone.
Taking a break. Cutting back. Telling yourself “this time will be different.”
And for a while, it works… until it doesn’t.
In this episode, Abi talks about why that keeps happening — and why starting again isn’t actually the problem.
After recently losing her Instagram accounts and being forced to rebuild from scratch, Abi found herself facing a very familiar thought:
“Do I really want to start again?”
And it made her realise just how similar this is to the stop-start cycle so many people experience with alcohol.
In this episode, Abi explores:
 Why the “starting again” cycle feels so frustrating 
 What’s actually keeping you stuck (it’s not what you think) 
 Why willpower isn’t the issue 
 And what needs to change if you want something more sustainable 
If you’re tired of resetting, restarting, and wondering why it’s not sticking… this one’s for you.
And if you’re ready to take the next step:
✨ 30 Days to Freedom – a gentle reset for sober curious women
✨ Steady & Strong – a longer-term coaching partnership for lasting change
Links are in the show notes below.
You don’t have to keep starting over. 💛
Get in touch:
Abi
30 Days to Freedom - A Gentle Reset
Available here - www.levelupsobrietycoaching.com/30-days-to-freedom-reset/
Steady & Strong - 6-month partnership
More information available here - www.levelupsobrietycoaching.com/coaching-options/
Instagram @levelup.withabi
Email [email protected]
Affiliate links: 
Terps & Co. www.drinkterps.co.nz - enter code ABI20 for 20% off storewide
I use Riverside.fm for my podcast editing software. Click the link below to find out more!
https://www.riverside.fm/?utm_campaign=campaign_5&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=rewardful&via=abi
My podcast episodes are hosted and distributed by Buzzsprout. Click the link below for a $20 Refer a Friend voucher (T&Cs apply)
https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=2404910
Music from #Uppbeat
https://uppbeat.io/t/tatami/in-motion
License code: N5GLWPT8QQSRU7D2

In this episode, I sat down with Ian Fee, who lived the “work hard, play harder” lifestyle while building his business… until it caught up with him.
What followed wasn’t just about getting sober - Ian rebuilt his life, his relationships, and his sense of purpose from the ground up.
This is a really honest conversation about:
high-functioning drinking
business culture & alcohol
the moment things have to change
and what life actually looks like on the other side
If you’ve ever wondered whether alcohol might be holding you back — even just a little — this one’s for you.
Get in touch:
Ian
Wild Ride to Sobriety by Ian Fee
Available here - https://www.amazon.com.au/s?k=wild+ride+to+sobriety+ian+fee&crid=1GCLS4JB8XDA3&sprefix=wild+ride+to+sobriety+ian+fee%2Caps%2C258&ref=nb_sb_noss
Instagram @ian.fee
Website - www.ianfee.com
Abi
30 Days to Freedom - A Gentle Reset
Available here - www.levelupsobrietycoaching.com/30-days-to-freedom-reset/
Instagram @levelup.withabi
Email [email protected]
Affiliate links: 
Terps & Co. www.drinkterps.co.nz - enter code ABI20 for 20% off storewide
I use Riverside.fm for my podcast editing software. Click the link below to find out more!
https://www.riverside.fm/?utm_campaign=campaign_5&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=rewardful&via=abi
My podcast episodes are hosted and distributed by Buzzsprout. Click the link below for a $20 Refer a Friend voucher (T&Cs apply)
https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=2404910
Music from #Uppbeat
https://uppbeat.io/t/tatami/in-motion
License code: N5GLWPT8QQSRU7D2