The stereotypical “alcoholic” is seen as selfish. Always focused on their own gain, getting their needs met, and using other people to make that happen. 

But… it’s actually far more common for people struggling with alcohol misuse to be people pleasers. They bend over backward, taking care of everyone, keeping everyone happy, to the point where they find themselves exhausted, empty, and full of resentment. People pleasing can be a huge pitfall in maintaining lasting sobriety. Today we’re joined by Robbie, co-host of Golden Hour Adventures podcast; Leah, sober yoga instructor; and Daph, recovery coach and sober companion, to chat about what people pleasing looks like in our lives, how it affects us, and how we’ve found the courage to say no more often.

Leah currently resides with her husband “Cheese” in Corona del Mar, California. After living in Kansas and Colorado for most of her life, the ocean is a warm welcome. Leah retired from teaching elementary music and is now a certified yoga instructor. She has been alcohol free for over two months and marijuana free for one. Leah tried to get sober on her own a handful of times with sheer willpower and epically failed. Battling depression, anxiety and c-PTSD she knew she needed more support. With the help of sober coach Julie Miller, the communities of Through the Glass and I Am Sober, she is well on her way in recovery and not looking back, except to see how far she’s come!

Leah is known as “brown dog crew” and loves her mini Labradoodle Coral after raising chocolate labs throughout the years. You can find Leah on her mat practicing yoga, meditation, breath work and calming the nervous system with sound baths. These tools have been key in her recovery. In the early days of sobriety, a loaded toolkit and community is a necessity. We are stronger together.

I have been sober since July of 2018, after 6 days of detox then door to door intensive inpatient treatment for 90 days. I use a personal recovery path which includes AA & Refuge Recovery. I recover out loud trying being the voice I never heard but needed.

After covid hit, to fill my spare time, I decided to learn all I could about this disease.I enrolled in online virtual classes and I am now a Nationally Certified Sober Coach, Sober Companion, Safe Transport, Relapse Prevention Professional. I share my experience, strength and hope with everyone to show that recovery is possible. I put the same effort and time into recovery as I did my drinking. 

Robbie started his sobriety journey due to being sick of the same old story he would put himself though. He found his cannabis and alcohol use getting worse as the years went on. He used them to cope with everything and anything. Robbie is now over a year sober, and couldn’t be happier with his decision to take on this new journey. Robbie co-hosts Golden Hour Adventures podcast and can be found on Instagram @runshills605.