My Story, My Mission & the Missing Piece in Mindful Drinking
Welcome to The Alcohol Reset, the podcast that helps you reset your habits, health, and relationship with alcohol without judgment or extremes. If you're looking to cut back, take a break, or just understand how drinking can affect your body and mind, you're in the right place. Each episode brings you science backed insights on neuroscience, nutrition, and habit change to help you feel better, sleep deeper, and take control on your terms. I'm Mike Hardenbrook, best selling author, neuroscience enthusiast, and habit change expert. I've helped thousands through my book and podcast to rethink their drinking, and now I'm here to help you do the same.
Speaker 1:Let's get started. Thanks for joining me for, something a little different today. You know, usually we dive into research and expert interviews and all that good stuff. But, today, I wanted to get kinda personal and share my own story about alcohol. It's kind of the story behind my book, No Willpower Required.
Speaker 1:And, honestly, the whole mission behind the alcohol reset. I'm sharing this not because I think my experience is it was that special or anything. It's more because I know a lot of you out there have felt that tension, that tension between wanting to change your relationship with alcohol, but kind of feeling trapped, like trapped in those old habits and patterns and all that. So if that's you or maybe some of what I share today will resonate with you. And listen, this isn't about guilt trips or labels or anything like that.
Speaker 1:It's really about understanding, you know, how these habits form in the first place, and more importantly, how we can shift them without having to rely on just willpower. Because let's be honest, willpower can be pretty darn frustrating sometimes. Right? For years, honestly, alcohol was just a regular part of my life. You know?
Speaker 1:It was there at social events. It was my go to for unwinding after work. But gradually and, I mean, really gradually, it shifted from being a conscious choice to more of an automatic habit. And that's kinda when I started to feel like something wasn't quite right. These days, my life looks pretty different.
Speaker 1:My wife, Priscilla, and our three kids were living this kind of crazy adventure as digital nomads over in Spain. It's a life we built intentionally, you know, one that's focused on freedom growth and experiences. But this didn't just happen overnight. It was a result of an internal shift really, a fundamental shift in how I approach my habits. And, honestly, a big part of that was changing my relationship with alcohol.
Speaker 1:It wasn't always like this, though. If I look back, my drinking kinda evolved slowly. It started out like most people, you know, social drink here and there, glass of wine with dinner. But as my work moved more online, the structure of my day really changed. The lines between work and free time got all blurry.
Speaker 1:And before I knew it, every evening felt like an opportunity to relax with a drink. That one evening glass of wine turned into two. Then it was a bottle, and, eventually, I was drinking close to two bottles most nights. Now this wasn't like some crazy out of control thing. It was just a steady nightly pattern.
Speaker 1:It wasn't during the day. You know? I was still functioning at all. But it's a deeply ingrained habit. And deep down, I knew it wasn't serving the person I wanted to be.
Speaker 1:That first drink at the end of work day that never really seemed to end, well, it became almost like a Pavlovian response. So, of course, I tried to stop. I tried many times. I would just grit my teeth and white knuckle it relying on what I thought was pure willpower. I'd have periods of abstinence, you know, weeks, sometimes even a couple months.
Speaker 1:And at first, I feel the sense of accomplishment. You know? But inevitably, I'd find myself back in that same old routine. And every time that happened, the shame and the guilt would just wash over me. It felt like I was keeping this secret, like I was constantly failing myself.
Speaker 1:You know, there was this real internal conflict going on between this image of the healthy present father and husband I wanted to be and the reality of my drinking habit. It felt like I was fighting a losing battle. What I've learned through a lot of trial and error and honestly digging into the science is that willpower by itself just isn't a sustainable solution. There's this concept called ego depletion. Basically, think of your willpower like a muscle that gets tired.
Speaker 1:You know, you're constantly trying to restrict yourself. You're fighting these ingrained habits, and that takes a lot of mental energy. And when that energy runs out well, those old habits tend to creep back in. When I would slip up, it was easy to just think I was somehow flawed. Like I just didn't have the strength to change.
Speaker 1:But the truth is, our brains are wired to seek pleasure and avoid discomfort. And these habits become like these deeply grooved pathways in our brains. Relying only on willpower is like trying to pave over a dirt road. Eventually, that old road is gonna reappear. This realization was a real turning point for me.
Speaker 1:It made me realize that I needed a totally different approach. One that wasn't about fighting myself all the time, but about working with my brain understanding it. So I started to consciously shift my focus. Instead of dwelling on what I felt like I was giving up by cutting back, I started to really tune into what I could gain. I pictured myself waking up feeling refreshed, having energy throughout the day, experiencing that mental clarity that had become kinda rare.
Speaker 1:I imagined being more present with my kids, you know, really being there for them. This shift in perspective was powerful. It wasn't about deprivation. It was about what I could gain. It gave me a sense of control and, honestly, some optimism.
Speaker 1:The opposite of that shame and guilt I've been carrying around. This reframing idea became a key part of my approach to change. I dove deep into the science behind all of it, the neuroscience of habits, the physiological effects of alcohol in our bodies and minds. I even connected with a friend of mine, doctor Terranella, a naturopathic doctor, And we started exploring how nutritional support could help ease cravings and support my body. My initial goal wasn't necessarily completely quit drinking.
Speaker 1:It was more about feeling better, being more present. And that's pretty much where I am today. Most of the time I choose not to drink. There have been times where I've gone months, even a year without it. And sometimes I'll have a drink or two socially, but the big difference is it's a conscious intentional choice now.
Speaker 1:I'm not stuck in that automatic cycle anymore. Breaking that daily habit was huge for me. And I've learned that progress isn't always a straight line. I don't believe in rigid rules because what feels right can change over time. It's about moving forward, not about being perfect.
Speaker 1:Now I wanna be really clear about something. I'm not a coach. And no, the alcohol reset isn't some program that tells you exactly how to quit. My mission is to share information to educate, and to give you the tools and resources to make your own decisions about alcohol. Everyone's relationship with alcohol is different.
Speaker 1:What worked for me might not be right for you, and that's totally okay. My goal is to share my experience, the lessons I've learned, and the resources I found helpful so you can navigate your own path, whether that's quitting, complete cutting back, or just be more mindful. If you're curious about my story and all that, you can check out my website at hardenbrook.com. People always ask me, so do you still drink at all? And to be honest, yeah, occasionally.
Speaker 1:Like I said, most time, I don't I can go long stretches without it, But I don't believe in that all or nothing mindset. What's important now is that drinking is a deliberate choice, not an automatic reaction to the end of the day or being in a social situation. Breaking that daily habit was a huge win. And I think it's important to acknowledge those milestones, those steps in the right direction. I'm a big believer in harm reduction and meeting yourself where you are.
Speaker 1:It's about focusing on positive changes that you can actually stick with. So if you're listening and you're thinking about your own drinking, just know that there's no one right way to do this. Focus on making progress even if it seems small. Don't get caught up trying to be perfect. One of the most important things I realized is that changing my drinking wasn't just about mindset or willpower.
Speaker 1:There's a big biological piece to this puzzle that often gets ignored. We tend to think of alcohol as a psychological or emotional habit. And it is, but what we forget is how regular drinking actually changes your brain chemistry over time. It messes with your sleep and can even create physical dependence. So when you try to cut back or stop, your body can actually rebel, and that makes the whole process feel way harder than it needs to be.
Speaker 1:I didn't just wanna stop drinking. I wanted to feel good while I was doing it. I wanted my body and mind to be working together. That's why I reached out to doctor Terranella. He had a lot of experience using targeted nutrition that help people change their relationship with all sorts of substances, including alcohol.
Speaker 1:The problem was that doctor Terranella's protocols were pretty complex and could be pricey. Lots of supplements, specific timings, all that. We realized that if we could simplify things, make sure we were using top notch ingredients, and make it more affordable, we can help a lot more people. That's how the idea for Cloud Nine was born. We brought in doctor Brooke Scheller, doctor of clinical nutrition.
Speaker 1:She's an expert in the connection between diet, brain, health, and alcohol. She was instrumental in refining the formulas, making sure they not only help people cut back on alcohol, but also supported long term health. Gut health, nervous system balance all those foundational things that get ignored when we just focus on willpower. Cloud nine is all about giving your body that biological support. So you're not just relying on willpower to make these changes.
Speaker 1:We create a product like Daily Restore. It's designed to help your body recover and stay balanced even if you're still drinking moderately. And our Rise and Unwind formulas are made to support your mood, reduce cravings, and improve sleep. Those are the things that often make changing your drinking habits so tough. It's about giving your body the tools it needs so it doesn't feel like such an uphill battle.
Speaker 1:And that leads me to the Alcohol Reset podcast itself. My goal with this podcast is to really dig into the science behind our relationship with alcohol and the whole process of changing habits. It's a place where we can explore the latest research, talk to experts, and really unpack all the complicated stuff around our individual relationships with alcohol. And we do all of this without judgment, guilt, or shame. As I look ahead, my biggest mission is to help normalize the conversation around changing your relationship with alcohol.
Speaker 1:You don't have to be in crisis mode to want something different. You don't have to hit rock bottom to explore a life with less alcohol. If you're even just questioning your drinking habits, if you're curious about what life could be like with less booze, that's enough. You don't need a label or a diagnosis to explore that curiosity. My aim is to provide the kind of practical tools and understanding that I wish I had when I started this journey.
Speaker 1:To make mindful drinking feel doable, to get rid of the stigma and shame around this topic, and to empower you to make lasting changes in a way that feels right for you. At the end of the day, it's all about taking those next steps forward, whatever they look like for you. So thank you for taking this little personal journey with me today. I hope sharing my experiences giving you some hope and maybe a new way of looking at your own relationship with alcohol. Remember, real change is possible, and it doesn't have to be this constant battle of willpower.
Speaker 1:Here's something to think about. What's one small gentle way you could shift your perspective on your relationship with alcohol? Instead of focusing on what you think you might be giving up, what's one positive thing, even a small one, that you could gain by making a little adjustment? For more tools and insights and all that, keep checking out the alcohol reset. Thanks again for listening.
Speaker 1:That's a wrap for today's episode. If you got something out of this, do me a quick favor. Leave a rating and review on whatever podcast platform you're listening on. It helps keep the show going and would mean the world to me. Got ideas, comments, or questions?
Speaker 1:Shoot me an email at mike@trycloud9.com. I'd love to hear from you. And if you're looking for extra support, check out Cloud Nine, makers of Daily Restore, a once a day supplement to support your body from alcohol's effects, and Rise and Unwind AMPM, PM, a twenty four hour combo to curb cravings, balance mood, and improve sleep when taking a break. Go to trycloud9.com and use the code podcast to save 15% on your next order. Thanks for listening, and I'll catch you next time.