Ep. 52 Live Naked with Annie Grace: Transforming Your Life by Rethinking Alcohol

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🧡 Annie Grace is my mentor! 🧡

Unmasking Alcohol Myths: Insights from Annie Grace on the Feel Lit Alcohol Free Podcast

Episode 52 of the Feel Lit Alcohol Free Podcast features a special guest, Annie Grace, author and founder of "This Naked Mind". Hosts Coach Ruby and Coach Susan delve into the transformative insights that helped them and countless others navigate the challenging path of breaking free from alcohol.

Understanding "Normies" and Perceptions of Alcohol Consumption

One of the enlightening discussions in this episode revolves around the concept of "normies". As explained by Annie Grace, “normies” are individuals who have a typical relationship with alcohol. This concept starkly contrasts with the depiction from Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), which historically characterizes those who don't drink "normally" as "unfortunate."

Coach Ruby underscores how media often plays a significant role in portraying alcohol consumption as normal. However, this portrayal masks the internal struggles many people face, revealing a gap between public perception and private pain. Coach Ruby’s reflection on her own experience in a corporate job while denying her internal suffering is a powerful testimony to the silent battles fought by many.

The Science Behind Addiction

A fascinating segment of the episode is dedicated to understanding the science behind addiction. Coach Susan highlights the critical role of the subconscious brain, which often reacts faster than the conscious mind. Annie Grace delves into Hebb's law—"neurons that fire together, wire together"—to illustrate how habitual actions, such as consuming alcohol, become ingrained in the brain.

Cravings and their impact on the human brain are also discussed. Cravings can hijack the prefrontal cortex, the area responsible for decision-making and self-control. Recognizing these brain processes can provide a crucial first step towards managing and overcoming cravings.

Shifting the Focus: Empowerment Through Awareness

Empowerment, through understanding automatic brain processes, emerges as a recurring theme. Knowing how the brain chemically signals a survival need for alcohol during cravings can create an opportunity for individuals to take control. Methods like mindfulness and seeking support are recommended as effective techniques to navigate through cravings.

A practical example is shared by Coach Susan, who discusses a client’s struggle with controlling cravings in a grocery store. Strategies such as self-talk and opting for alternative treats were suggested to manage these tough moments.

Personal Experiments and Mindful Drinking

A highlight of the episode is Annie Grace’s personal alcohol experiment. This experiment, wherein she recorded herself getting drunk, proved to be a turning point. By confronting the negative experience and watching the footage, Annie managed to break her association with alcohol.

Mindful drinking exercises are routines used by the hosts with their clients to foster awareness and promote change. These exercises, such as journaling about feelings and recording oneself, can provide powerful insights into one's relationship with alcohol.

Alternative Joys and the Power of Self-Compassion

Annie Grace shares her newfound joys in reading and engaging in thoughtful conversations, highlighting the importance of discovering alternative sources of joy to replace drinking. Both Annie and the hosts emphasize the critical role of self-compassion on this journey.

A significant message from Annie is that change should start with grace. Judging oneself based on behavior can lead to negative emotions and perpetuate harmful cycles. Instead, adopting an attitude of curiosity and understanding can drive meaningful behavior change.

Transformational Order of Operations

Annie discusses the traditional focus on behavior modification which she critiques as ineffective. Instead, her proposed order—grace, understanding, and then behavior change—offers a more compassionate and effective path. Traditional methods sometimes fail due to their emphasis on behavior while neglecting the underlying reasons.

Celebrating Milestones and Emotional Growth

Celebration and positive reinforcement play a critical role in emotional growth as discussed by the hosts and Annie. They stress that self-criticism is counterproductive and that a positive mindset cannot be achieved through self-punishment—the journey to sobriety should be embraced with positivity and self-love.

Looking Ahead: New Projects and Aspirations

Annie Grace excitedly shares her upcoming projects. Her latest book, "Live Naked AF," focuses on living alcohol-free and navigating life's emotional complexities. Additionally, Annie offers the first nine chapters of her new book for free and announces a "Control Alcohol in 2025" challenge scheduled for January 2025. 
🎉📚 Annie has a gift for you! Here's the first 9 chapters of her new book: Live Naked AF.

Conclusion: Continuing the Journey

As this episode marks the one-year anniversary of the Feel Lit Alcohol Free Podcast, the hosts express gratitude for Annie’s inspiring insights. 

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Ruby Williams at Freedom Renegade Coaching https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/

Follow Coach Ruby: @rubywilliamscoaching
Email: [email protected]