Tribe Sober - inspiring an alcohol free life!

How I Stopped Drinking - and changed my life - Sue

Tribe Sober - Your guide to alcohol-free living!
After running Tribe Sober for 5 years and helping hundreds of people to ditch the drink and embrace alcohol-free living I've learned a thing or two. My biggest insight has been that sharing our stories around alcohol is the most powerful way we can help others - that's why the heart of this podcast is recovery stories.
In this episode I interview Sue McLeod. A couple of years ago she contacted me offering her help. She had got sober with AA and liked the look of our approach. Sue helped me set up our Membership Program and has been invaluable helping me to develop it further.
In this Episode
Sue didn't really feel she had a problem with alcohol until March 2014 - when she started drinking every day
She could feel it getting worse so started putting "rules" in place - and then promptly broke them all!
Sue went to AA in 2016 because she didn't know where else to go - it worked for her
We agreed that "finding your tribe" is essential - we understand each other - almost impossible to do this alone
She never had a "rock bottom" but had a walking, talking blackout and an argument she couldn't even remember
Sue never went back to Day 1 - she felt that she had reached the point where she was "done" with alcohol
She prefers Tribe Sober's approach to AA as she doesn't agree with labelling herself as an "alcoholic"
She loves our tribe - and has discovered that ex-drinkers are really interesting people!
When she was younger Sue always felt she had to be "perfect" - now she is happy to be "good enough"
She agrees with our approach that we need to ditch the drink - and then create an alcohol free life that we love
Her main benefit of alcohol free life is that she feels "at peace" with life - she's not looking for anything anymore
We are both thrilled that people who have got sober with Tribe Sober are now helping the newbies via our Sober Buddy program
With annual subs at £30 for a Brit and $38 for US we are getting a lot of international members and connecting via ZoomMore infoTo access our website click HERE and to read about subscription membership click HERE.
Episode Sponsor
This episode is sponsored by the Tribe Sober Membership Program. If you want to change your relationship with alcohol then sign up today. Read more about our 8-step program and subscribe HERE.
Help us to spread the word!
We made this podcast so that we can reach more people who need our help. Please subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts which will result in more people hearing the podcast.
We will release a podcast episode every Saturday morning.
You can follow Tribe Sober on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
You can join our private Facebook group HERE
Thank you for listening!
Till Next Week
Janet x

How I Stopped Drinking - and changed my life - Marietje

Tribe Sober - Your guide to alcohol-free living!
After running Tribe Sober for 5 years and helping hundreds of people to ditch the drink and embrace alcohol-free living I've learned a thing or two.  My biggest insight has been that sharing our stories around alcohol is the most powerful way we can help others - that's why the heart of this podcast is recovery stories.
In this episode I interview Marietjie Tame.   She came along to a workshop with a few months sobriety under her belt.  She was feeling a bit low and wanted to meet other people on the journey and get inspired about alcohol free living.  It worked and she is now 2+ years sober.
In this Episode
Like many of us alcohol gradually crept up on her over the years and she gradually became dependent
Marietjie knew she was in trouble when she felt the need to drink shots after a night of drinking beer - to chase the buzz
She once did 14 alcohol free months and then had one shooter on her birthday and decided she could moderate
That's how she learned the hard lesson that there was no such thing as moderation for her - only escalation
Her wake up call came when she heard that her daughter was in hospital and felt irritated because she had to stop drinking
She went through a "low" a few months into sobriety - but realised that this "void" was a golden moment of discovery
Alcohol had put a wall between herself - and herself - she was determined to tear that wall down in spite of her pain
She used "The Sober Diaries" as a reference book as she progressed towards sobriety
Tribe Sober opened a whole new world for her - connecting with the tribe and discovering QuitLit, podcasts and AF drinks.
Marietjie's top 3 benefits are a life without regrets, being available to the people to need her - and getting her mind backMore infoTo access our website click HERE and to read about subscription membership click HERE.  
Episode Sponsor
This episode is sponsored by the Tribe Sober Membership Program.  If you want to change your relationship with alcohol then sign up today.  Read more about our 8-step program and subscribe HERE.
Help us to spread the word!
We made this podcast so that we can reach more people who need our help.  Please subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts which will result in more people hearing the podcast.
We will release a podcast episode every Saturday morning.
You can follow Tribe Sober on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 
You can join our private Facebook group HERE
Thank you for listening! 
Till Next Week
Janet x

How Sobriety Gave me an Edge - Kgothatso

Tribe Sober - Your guide to alcohol-free living!
After running Tribe Sober for 5 years and helping hundreds of people to ditch the drink and embrace alcohol-free living I've learned a thing or two.  My biggest insight has been that sharing our stories around alcohol is the most powerful way we can help others - that's why the heart of this podcast is recovery stories.
In this episode I interview Kgothatso Meka.   He came along to a workshop with a very specific goal in mind - he was ambitious and knew he would be more likely to succeed in his career if he avoided the heavy drinking culture in his workplace.
In this Episode
Kgothatso came along to a workshop at the tender age of 32
His colleagues in banking were binge drinking at the week-ends and although he joined in at first he could see the dangers
He wanted to learn more about his relationship with alcohol as he wanted to avoid the pitfalls
AA definitely didn't appeal but he felt that Tribe Sober was for "normal" people who wanted to cut down so came to a workshop
The workshop was exactly right for him - lots of information and left him feeling motivated to make some changes
After the workshop he committed to 100 sober days - but then decided to carry on and put his health first
He felt incredible and didn't want to spoil it so he actually did 6 months alcohol free
The break has made him much more aware - and given him confidence to turn down drinks when pressured.More infoTo access our website click HERE and to read about subscription membership click HERE.  
Episode Sponsor
This episode is sponsored by the Tribe Sober Membership Program.  If you want to change your relationship with alcohol then sign up today.  Read more about our 8-step program and subscribe HERE.
Help us to spread the word!
We made this podcast so that we can reach more people who need our help.  Please subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts which will result in more people hearing the podcast.
We will release a podcast episode every Saturday morning.
You can follow Tribe Sober on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 
You can join our private Facebook group HERE
Thank you for listening! 
Till Next Week
Janet x

How Alcohol took my Parents - Vuyo

Tribe Sober - Your guide to alcohol-free living!
After running Tribe Sober for 5 years and helping hundreds of people to ditch the drink and embrace alcohol-free living I've learned a thing or two.  My biggest insight has been that sharing our stories around alcohol is the most powerful way we can help others - that's why the heart of this podcast is recovery stories.
In this episode I interview Vuyo.  She came along to a workshop a few years ago and has been a valuable member of our community ever since.  Vuyo has been an inspiration to so many.
In this Episode
Vuyo explains that she started to worry about her alcohol consumption about 5 years ago
She began to have a niggling feeling that all was not well - although she was functioning normally
It finally reached a point where there were just too many signals she could no longer ignore
Vuyo's health was suffering and her daughter was noticing
She tried to stop in 2017 - and failed - that's when she realised there was a problem
She came to a workshop with the idea that she could learn to handle her drinking - abstinence was just too frightening
After the workshop she committed to 100 sober days - but then decided she could have just one glass
That worked for a while but then she reverted to old ways - the decline was swift
Vuyo finally reached the point when she accepted that she would have to stop and is now approaching 2 years sober
She counted the milestones - the events she attended sober - the "Sober Firsts" - eventually she could enjoy those events!
She feels great - she feels like she can do anything she puts her mind to - she can cope with challenges that come her way
We agreed that Sobriety is a Superpower!
Useful Links
To access our website click HERE and to read about subscription membership click HERE.  You can find Vuyo's inspirational Goodbye to Alcohol letter HERE.
Episode Sponsor
This episode is sponsored by the Tribe Sober Membership Program.  If you want to change your relationship with alcohol then sign up today.  Read more about our 8-step program and subscribe HERE.
Help us to spread the word!
We made this podcast so that we can reach more people who need our help.  Please subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts which will result in more people hearing the podcast.
We will release a podcast episode every Saturday morning.
You can follow Tribe Sober on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 
You can join our private Facebook group HERE
Thank you for listening! 
Till Next Week
Janet x

The Normalisation of Alcohol - Activists Corner - with Jen

Tribe Sober - Your guide to alcohol-free living!
After running Tribe Sober for 5 years and helping hundreds of people to ditch the drink and embrace alcohol-free living I've learned a thing or two.  My biggest insight has been that sharing our stories around alcohol is the most powerful way we can help others - that's why the heart of this podcast is recovery stories.
In this episode I interview an important member of our Tribe Sober team - Jen Luiz.  She came along to a workshop a few years ago, ditched the drink and then became our resident "Activist". Jen is very vocal on Twitter (@JenLuiz) which she uses to call out people who are misrepresenting alcohol in the media.
In this Episode
Jen talks about her personal struggles with alcohol
She describes how her world had shrunk until her wine was the only thing that interested her
She explains how she felt like an utter failure - as a wife and as a mum
Jen heard Janet on the radio, booked a workshop and recently celebrated 3 years sober!
She explains how important journalling has been (and still is) to get (and stay) on track
As someone who went back to "Day 1" many times she urges people to be tough on themselves and power through
Once Jen got to 100 alcohol free days and started experiencing the benefits of sobriety she found it easier
She is experiencing so many benefits - clarity of thought particularly - she feels she is living her best life
Jen still misses wine occasionally but is go grateful for the benefits of sobriety she will never drink again
We discussed the "normalisation" of alcohol and how apparent this becomes when you stop drinking
Alcohol has become the "only drug you have to justify not taking" due to constant glamorisation by the media
She hates the "mommy juice" culture and the fact that the wine industry targets women
Ironically "Women's Health" magazine are always pushing alcohol and Jen has written to them several times
Useful Links
To access our website click HERE and to read about subscription membership click HERE.  To read some of Jen's awesome letters check out our Activists Corner HERE
Episode Sponsor
This episode is sponsored by the Tribe Sober Membership Program.  If you want to change your relationship with alcohol then sign up today.  Read more about our 8-step program and subscribe HERE.
Help us to spread the word!
We made this podcast so that we can reach more people who need our help.  Please subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts which will result in more people hearing the podcast.
We will release a podcast episode every Saturday morning.
You can follow Tribe Sober on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 
Thank you for listening! 
Till Next Week
Janet x

How I Stopped Drinking - and changed my life - Jane‘s Story

Tribe Sober - Your guide to alcohol-free living!
After running Tribe Sober for 5 years and helping hundreds of people to ditch the drink and embrace alcohol-free living I've learned a thing or two.  My biggest insight has been that sharing our stories around alcohol is the most powerful way we can help others - that's why the heart of this podcast is recovery stories.
In this episode I interview an important member of our Tribe Sober team - Jane Rivera.  She came along to a workshop a few years ago, ditched the drink and then became a workshop facilitator so she could help others change their relationship with alcohol.  
In this Episode
Jane tells her how her mindset has gone from "wanting to die" to "can't get enough of life"
She was introduced to alcohol at an early age as her parents bought a pub in the UK
She moved to Joburg as a teenager but struggled to settle and went off the rails
A happy marriage and two beautiful children still didn't stop her from hitting the wine
Jane finally realised that she would have to make a change when she felt her husband and kids pulling away from her
She heard Janet on the radio and booked a workshop 
She left the workshop thinking she would stay alcohol free for a while and then start drinking moderately
After a few months of AF living Jane was feeling great and accepted that she would never be able to have "just one glass"
She now loves her AF life, is close to her family again - and loves helping people in our community
She has recently relocated to Norway - an adventure she could never have coped with back in her drinking days!
Useful Links
To access our website click HERE and to read about subscription membership click HERE.  To read more about Jane check out her guest blog HERE.
Episode Sponsor
This episode is sponsored by the Tribe Sober Membership Program.  If you want to change your relationship with alcohol then sign up today.  Read more about our 8-step program and subscribe HERE.
Help us to spread the word!
We made this podcast so that we can reach more people who need our help.  Please subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts which will result in more people hearing the podcast.
We will release a podcast episode every Saturday morning.
You can follow Tribe Sober on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 
Thank you for listening! 
Till Next Week
Janet x

How I Stopped Drinking - and Started Coaching - Lynette Le Roux

Tribe Sober - Your guide to alcohol-free living!
After running Tribe Sober for 5 years and helping hundreds of people to ditch the drink and embrace alcohol-free living I've learned a thing or two. My biggest insight has been that sharing our stories around alcohol is the most powerful way we can help others - that's why the heart of this podcast is recovery stories.
In this episode I interview an important member of our Tribe Sober team - Lynette Le Roux. She came along to a workshop a few years ago, ditched the drink and then qualified as a coach so she could help others change their relationship with alcohol.
In this Episode
Lynette explains how her drinking gradually became problematic for her due to stress at work
The workshop enabled her to stop drinking for 3 months but then she decided she could have "a glass of wine"
She talks to us about how that "glass of wine" escalated to vodka drinking
In spite of returning to drinking she kept connected to Tribe Sober and eventually got back on track and stayed alcohol free.
Benefits of sobriety for Lynette included getting her energy back, feeling alive again - and full of joy.
We then talked about coaching - a thinking space to clarify our needs and purpose - your coach is your thinking partner
She believes that everything we do in life (or don't do) is because of how we feel
She recommends journalling as well as coaching to get in touch with how we are really feeling
Lynette asks us to get curious about our cravings - what do we really want? what else would make us feel better?
"Don't lose yourself looking for that buzz" - she says "what you are really looking for is connection"
She recommends that people use journalling and coaching to help them apply the techniques they learnt on the workshop
Useful Links
To access our website click HERE and to read about subscription membership click HERE. To read Lynette's views on relapsing click HERE. Read more about Coaching HERE - Lynette is offering a complimentary coaching session to podcast listeners so please write to janet@tribesober.com to connect with her.
Episode Sponsor
This episode is sponsored by the Tribe Sober Membership Program. If you want to change your relationship with alcohol then sign up today. Read more about our 8-step program and subscribe HERE.
Help us to spread the word!
We made this podcast so that we can reach more people who need our help. Please subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts which will result in more people hearing the podcast.
We will release a podcast episode every Saturday morning.
You can follow Tribe Sober on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Thank you for listening!
Till Next Week
Janet x

Alcohol and Covid 19 - Dr Judy

Tribe Sober - Your guide to alcohol-free living!
After running Tribe Sober for 5 years and helping hundreds of people to ditch the drink and embrace alcohol-free living I've learned a thing or two. My biggest insight has been that sharing our stories around alcohol is the most powerful way we can help others - that's why the heart of this podcast is recovery stories.
In this episode I interview an important member of our Tribe Sober team - Dr Judy. She did our Sober Spring Challenge and then came along to a workshop. She now advises our Subscription Members on all matters relating to alcohol and health.
In this Episode
Judy shares her personal relationship with alcohol and explains how she would never be able to "moderate"
She explains how the group support of our tribe was so important to her
We all know that alcohol is a drug - but do you why it's a drug?
I ask Dr Judy if SA has any chance of "flattening the curve" of Covid 19
She explains how our bodies treat alcohol as if it was an "infection" - firing up our immune system
If we do contract the virus then we have a better chance of survival if we are not drinking - Judy explains why
We explore the fascinating (if scary) phenomena of the Cytokine Storm
Both Judy and I have had breast cancer - as have many of our community - is that because we were heavy drinkers?
Early sobriety is tough and we chat about the depression that we both felt in those early months
Useful Links
To access our website click HERE, to access the Goodbye to Alcohol letters click HERE and to read about subscription membership click HERE. To read Judy's guest blog click HERE. If you need a bit of support to get you through an alcohol free lockdown then you can access our free Lockdown Challenge HERE.
Episode Sponsor
This episode is sponsored by the Tribe Sober Membership Program. If you want to change your relationship with alcohol then sign up today. Read more about our 8-step program and subscribe HERE.
Help us to spread the word!
We made this podcast so that we can reach more people who need our help. Please subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts which will result in more people hearing the podcast.
We will release a podcast episode every Saturday morning.
You can follow Tribe Sober on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Thank you for listening!
Till Next Week
Janet x

How I Stopped Drinking - and Changed my Life - Nick

Tribe Sober - Your guide to alcohol-free living!
After running Tribe Sober for 5 years and helping hundreds of people to ditch the drink and embrace alcohol-free living I've learned a lot. My biggest insight has been that sharing our stories around alcohol is the most powerful way we can help others - that's why the heart of this podcast is recovery stories.
In this episode I interview an important member of our Tribe Sober team - my workshop co-facilitator Nick Stevenson. He came along to an early workshop, got sober and now helps other people to do the same.
In this Episode
Nick knew he was drinking too much - but had no idea HOW to make the change.
Although Nick was hoping to be able to "cut down" rather than stop drinking completely - he finally accepted that it was much harder to moderate than to stop - that realisation was a game changer for him
Nick takes us through the fabulous benefits he has experienced since he ditched the drink
He explains the satisfaction he gains from "giving back" as he helps others in our Tribe Sober community
Nick tells us why he thinks our workshop survey got such great results!
His only regret is that he didn't give up drinking sooner
Nick ends our conversation by sharing his Goodbye to Alcohol letter
Useful Links
To access our website click HERE, to access the Goodbye to Alcohol letters click HERE and to read about subscription membership click HERE. To read Nick's Story click HERE.
Episode Sponsor
This episode is sponsored by the Tribe Sober Membership Program. If you want to change your relationship with alcohol then sign up today. Read more about our 8-step program and subscribe HERE.
Help us to spread the word!
We made this podcast so that we can reach more people who need help. Please subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts which will result in more people hearing the podcast.
You can follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Thank you for listening!

How I Quit Drinking and Started a Tribe - Janet Gourand

Tribe Sober - Your guide to alcohol-free living!
After running Tribe Sober for 5 years and helping hundreds of people to ditch the drink and embrace alcohol-free living I've learned a lot.  My biggest insight has been that sharing our stories around our problems with alcohol is the most powerful way we can help others - that's why the heart of this new podcast will be recovery stories.
That's why I'm starting this podcast by sharing my story.
In this Episode
How I got hooked on the booze - and nearly drowned
How I got breast cancer - and carried on drinking
How a "walking, talking blackout" made me (finally) ditch the drink
How Tribe Sober was born
My Goodbye to Alcohol Letter
The biggest secret you should know - if you want to quit
Useful Links
To access our website click HERE, to access the Goodbye to Alcohol letters click HERE and to read about subscription membership click HERE.
Episode Sponsor
This episode is sponsored by the Tribe Sober Membership Program.  If you want to change your relationship with alcohol then sign up today.  Read more about our 8-step program and subscribe HERE.
Help us to spread the word!
We made this podcast so that we can reach more people who need help.  Please subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts.
You can follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.