Trigger Warning: This episode includes conversations about grief, loss of loved ones, family estrangement, trauma, and depression.
Have you ever been in so much pain that reaching for a drink just felt like the most human thing to do? That is exactly where today's two guests have been, and this episode will meet you right there. First up is Cathy, 87 days alcohol-free, who joins Coach Cole to work through something she has been quietly carrying for years: a sibling estrangement that started when her family fell apart after her mom passed. She reached out. They pulled away. The hurt stuck around. Then there is Mike, 65 days alcohol-free, who opens up to Coach Zoe about a grief timeline that unfolded faster than he could process: his mom, his estranged brother, a DNR call made from behind the wheel of his car. Drinking to deal with loss became the only language he had for a while, and the depression that came with it crept in so quietly he did not even see it happening. What both of them found inside The Path is what this whole community is built on: a place where someone finally asks the real question, and you finally get to answer it.
In Cathy’s Session:
The sibling estrangement that started with her mom's estate and the grief that stayed long after
Why the hurt lingered even when she thought she had mostly moved on
The realization that joy and grief can exist at the same time without canceling each other out
Coach Cole's reframe: releasing expectations of others is one of the most loving things you can do for yourself
How approaching old pain with curiosity and playfulness changes what feels possible
In Mike’s Session:
Losing his mom to brain cancer, then his brother, and carrying all of it without telling a soul
A DNR decision made alone over the phone and the guilt that moved in quietly afterward
Drinking to deal with loss when there was no framework for grief and no space to speak it out loud
The coaching reframe that shifted his guilt into something that actually felt like grace
What 65 days alcohol-free looks like in the body: sleep, mornings, energy, and presence
The "forever" moment at a family party, said out loud for the very first time
And more on grief, identity, repair, and what it looks like to actually come back to yourself...
Cole Harvey is a certified Naked Mind Senior Coach. For years, he felt lost and used alcohol as a way to cope, until he decided to go alcohol-free and focus on finding his purpose. Through curiosity, self-compassion, and adventure, he transformed his life. As a habit change and mindset coach, Cole helps young men understand themselves, build better habits, and find meaning.
Learn more about Coach Cole: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/cole-harvey/
Zoe Ewart is a Certified Naked Mind Senior Coach who brings her experience and understanding to help with the tricky parts of life’s big changes. Her coaching gives you an enjoyable, light-hearted, and safe environment to effortlessly take back control of alcohol so you can feel better physically, mentally, and spiritually. Zoe taught Pilates for 15 years. She has four adult children and more animals than the Ark ever had.
Learn more about Coach Zoe: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/zoe-ewart/
Episode links: nakedmindpath.com
Related Episodes:
How do I deal with death and grief without alcohol? | Reader Question | EP 262 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-262-reader-question-grief-without-alcohol/
Alcohol and Grief with Pam McRae | Coaching Questions | EP 382 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-382-coaching-questions-with-scott-pinyard/
How do you deal with stress without alcohol? | Reader Question | EP 158 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-158-how-do-you-deal-with-stress-without-alcohol/
Ready to take the next step on your journey? Visit https://learn.thisnakedmind.com/podcast-resources for free resources, programs, and more. Until next week, stay curious!
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp, Green Chef, OSEA, Quince, and Shopify. BetterHelp: BetterHelp is offering our listeners 10% off at betterhelp.com/nakedmind Green Chef: Green Chef is offering 50% off your first month, then 20% off for two months at greenchef.com/nakedmind use code NAKEDMIND. OSEA: Get 10% off of your first order sitewide with code NAKEDMIND at OSEAMalibu.com Quince: get free shipping and 365-day returns at quince.com/naked Shopify: Sign up for $1 month trial at shopify.com/mind
