What happens when “just one drink” becomes a way of life? In this episode of Mindfully Sober, Claire Riley - author, coach, content creator, and recovering perfectionist - opens up about the moment she realised she’d had enough. From the nagging fears of not fitting in and the fear of failure, to the bold decision to circle a date on the calendar and never look back, Claire shares a fun and empowering way to let go of alcohol.
💬 “I wasn’t in crisis. I just knew if I didn’t change, I’d end up in the doctor’s office a year later, beating myself up because I saw the problem and did nothing.”
Whether you’re sober-curious, ready to quit, or simply questioning your habits, this episode will show you how to reframe fear into empowerment and a bit of a game.
🌿 Key Takeaways
- Why “enough” became Claire’s most life-changing mantra.
-The hidden fear behind stopping drinking—and how to face it.
The power of choosing a quit date (and looking forward to it).
Interesting facts about the younger generations’ consumption of alcohol. (I love this!!)
Connect with Claire Riley:
Website: www.claireriley.co
Instagram and Facebook: @claireriley
Book: The Recovering Perfectionist https://www.claireriley.co/therecoveringperfectionist

Connect with Sophie Anderson

🌐 ⁠www.sophieanderson.au⁠💌 ⁠hello@sophieanderson.au

Cravings can feel overwhelming — but science says they usually last only 90 seconds if we don’t give in to them. That means you don’t need to fight cravings forever, just ride the wave with the right tools.
In this episode, I share 5 common alcohol triggers and simple, mindful alternatives that actually work. These aren’t about “white-knuckling” it — they’re about finding what your body and mind are really asking for, whether that’s calm, joy, stimulation, or connection.
If you can build this go-to toolkit, cravings lose their power — and you gain your freedom.

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What other topic, tricks and ideas would you like me to share?

Contact me!

www.sophieanderson.au | hello@sophieanderson.au

Today I am joined by my passionate and inspiring sister Caroline Dusseault, who also stopped drinking in 2020. When daily drinking started making her feel uncomfortable, Caroline began to ask the hard question: “What if I wouldn't drink at all?”

In this honest conversation, Caroline traces how family history, small daily habits and a relentless inner craving nearly stole her spark — and how choosing sobriety ignited her creativity and clarity.

She talks about “that little monster telling me I’m gonna die if you don’t drink!” and points listeners toward the hard work of going deeper (the real healing) rather than staying on the surface. This episode gives you practical, no-fluff insight into how to notice the patterns that numb you, and how to choose freedom instead.

Top Highlights:

• How to spot the small, everyday slide into dependency

• Practical mindset shifts that protect wellbeing

• What craving might sound and feel like — and how to respond with humour

Here’s a simple invitation for you: ask yourself, What if I wouldn’t drink at all?

Note: Teal Swan is the woman we are talking about in this episode – one of her related videos is https://youtube.com/shorts/vofAZ60rCpk?si=219BYVm0K2Wn5_yF

Connect with Caroline Dusseault: https://www.youtube.com/@ladusso

Connect with Sophie Anderson 🌐 ⁠www.sophieanderson.au⁠💌 ⁠hello@sophieanderson.au

Tune in for a raw and powerful conversation with Lesley Buckman, certified coach, about the real work of sobriety.

Lesley shares that quitting alcohol wasn’t about discipline or restriction; it was about creating a compelling future and stepping into self-love.

“If you are constantly counting days, you’re telling yourself that drinking was the normal.”

This episode challenges the way even I think about sobriety, cravings, and emotions. She also offers heaps of practical takeaways for anyone rethinking their relationship with alcohol.

What you’re in for:
• Why a “compelling future” matters more than willpower in sobriety.
• How counting days could keep you stuck instead of free.
• What happens when you try to force feelings instead of processing them.
• Practical shifts to build a sober life you don’t want to escape from.

Connect with Lesley Buckman:
Socials: @LesleyBuckmanCoaching
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesleybuckman/
Website: https://www.inspiredcoaching.au/

Connect with Sophie Anderson 🌐 ⁠www.sophieanderson.au⁠💌 ⁠hello@sophieanderson.au

Quitting alcohol can feel isolating, like you’re the only one not joining in. But is it really loneliness, or something else? In this episode, I share the mindset shifts and practical strategies that helped me move through those wobbly early moments without going back to drinking.
“Loneliness is just a feeling—it’s not the truth. You can feel lonely in a crowd, or even sitting right next to someone you love.”
This episode is about:
- Why quitting drinking can feel so uncomfortable in social settings
- The difference between feeling lonely and being alone
- How to navigate self-doubt when you stand out by choosing differently
- Practical steps to rebuild confidence and connection without alcohol
This episode is about finding freedom in your own truth, even while it feels uncomfortable.
Reach out for coaching and support:

hello@sophieanderson.au | www.sophieanderson.au

What if the glass of wine you thought was helping you unwind was actually stealing your power and your freedom? In this episode of Mindfully Sober, hypnotherapist, NLP practitioner, and coach Helen Rowe shares her bumpy journey of giving up alcohol between January and October 2024, and why sobriety has been the bravest act of self-love in her life.
“Alcohol stole my freedom, but quitting gave me myself back.” – Helen Rowe
You’ll discover:
- Why wine became a trap disguised as relaxation.
- The casual comment that made her decide to quit drinking.
- How hypnotherapy and mindset work helped her break free.
- Why sobriety isn’t about missing out, it’s about finally showing up.
Connect with Helen Rowe:
Website: https://conscioushealinghypnotherapy.com.au/
Instagram: @conscioushealinghypnotherapy
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565705455182
Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/612865298292848
Connect with Sophie Anderson 🌐 ⁠www.sophieanderson.au⁠ 💌 ⁠hello@sophieanderson.au

Today I chat with fellow Cairns businesswoman, Nikki, owner of Sober Alchemy. Nikki, a proud mother and registered nurse, shares er story; another inspiring example of choosing to stop drinking without hitting "rock bottom". Nikki's story is about a quiet but powerful realisation that alcohol no longer aligned with her values or who she was.

You'll hear Nikki's raw truth about what it's like to build a social life and a business without alcohol and what she does when cravings hit. She shares the simple yet profound moment that led her to pour out her last glass of wine.

You’ll hear

- How noticing small costs can becometipping points.

- Why values and identity can make alcoholfeel no longer “you.”

- The power of a simple choice withoutover-planning.

- What happens when you are the firstamong friends to quit.

Connect with Nikki and find and order delicious, award-winning non-alcoholic drinks from Sober Alchemy:

🌐 https://www.soberalchemy.com.au

Socials: @Sober Alchemy

Connect with Sophie Anderson 🌐 ⁠www.sophieanderson.au⁠💌 ⁠hello@sophieanderson.au

Let’s talk about the common fears around quitting: missing out, not being able to relax, awkward social stuff, and, most importantly, how to reframe it all and keep going with your journey to sobriety. It's a mindset game!