Alcohol was at the center of the world that Gillian grew up in, and the things she witnessed made her feel very unsafe. That lack of safety stayed with her into adulthood and ultimately became the main driver of her own drinking. Gillian’s first drink at 13 gave her a sense of cozy warm peace that she desperately craved, and from that moment she was hooked.
After over a decade of being the life of the party, Gillian’s first break from alcohol came during pregnancy. That taste of sobriety felt so surprisingly good that she fleetingly considered quitting after she gave birth. It was a thought that only lasted two hours into the birth of her son when someone brought champagne to her hospital room.
For years, Gillian was able to push aside any thought that her drinking was problematic. She ‘didn’t have a problem’. She could still show up for her life, her fitness and her family! Yet, as she aged, these things started to change. Hangovers and blackouts upended her once easy lifestyle, and with it cracks began to appear in her work and her family.
One day, Gillian accidentally listened to a podcast about being alcohol-free, and she had a shocking epiphany: Alcohol was the source of all of her problems. Yet, sobriety felt terrifying.
She didn’t know who she was without alcohol. It seemed central to her entire personality. Despite it all, though, she found the courage to try.
Gillian is now 9 ½ months sober and she has experienced a full transformation. She doesn’t even recognize the person that she was anymore. She is now out and proud about her sobriety. She’s found so much meaning in influencing others (including her mom!) to stop drinking. She encourages you to share your sobriety journey too!
Enrollment for the next Sober Mom Retreat is now live, and you’re invited! We’ll be gathering at the Mountain Shadows Resort in Arizona from Feb 27-Mar 2, 2025. If you’re looking for community and self care in sobriety, this retreat is for you! Book your spot here.
LISTEN TO THE EPISODE
FIND COMMUNITY IN SOBRIETY
Are you searching for a community to support you in your sobriety? Join us in the The Sober Mom Life Cafe! For just $40/month, you get access to 8 weekly peer support meetings, the exclusive Cafe social feed (like Facebook, but better!), our monthly book club, the monthly Q+A, the ability to join the retreat, and the chance to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and merch discounts! For a limited time, get one week free!
We also have The Sober Mom Life Community for just $5.95/month – In the Community, you’ll receive access to the exclusive Community social feed (like Facebook, but better!), the exclusive community chat, our monthly book club, and one free weekly meeting.
DIVE INTO MOCKTAILS
My mocktail recipe book, ‘No Ethanol Needed’ is finally here! Grab your copy here
