What’s up, sober owners? Mike III here, we’ve finally reached February. Did you own the month of January or did the month own you? Maybe a bit of both? Good news, there’s still 11 more months to make this year your best year ever.

Want one surefire way to have a better year? Give less fucks. I’ll explain…

Last week, I mentioned that I was listening to The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins. Released just last month, it has been #1 on Amazon Charts ever since. Totally worth the read/listen.

In this issue, I’ll explain the basic concepts behind The Let Them Theory and how we can apply them to our sober lifestyles for giving less fucks about what the outside world thinks and more about our own overall peace and confidence.

Now let’s get to it and, as always, thank you all for your support! 🙏

If you’re anything like me, sobriety has brought a sense of peace to your life that you used to crave. And you’re probably learning how to protect it at any cost. Because, if like me, anything that upsets your sense of peace can become a trigger — and you can go from serenity prayer to crime scene cleanup in three seconds flat.

As men, we don’t usually like to admit that other people affect how we feel and act. However, we’re still human beings and things outside of our control can get to us. How often do you catch yourself stewing over something someone said to you? Or, the way they did something? Maybe, it’s what they didn’t do?

The solution is to just stop caring what other people think and do, right?

Well, that’s fine but we don’t come with a switch that magically stops us from caring. It’s human nature to desire to be liked and accepted. So how do we actually get to not letting it affect us?

“Let Them.”

The first step of the two-part process is to simply say to yourself, “Let them.” Let them think, say, and feel however they’re going to because that’s not your responsibility. Your life is your responsibility. You have to focus on what you can control.

Give people the freedom to think whatever they want. Let them judge, let them have negative thoughts, let them not be okay with it. The way they process their feelings is not your responsibility.

“Let Me.”

The second and equally important step is to then say to yourself, “Let me.” Let me remind myself to focus on what I can control… which is how I process the situation and how I react to it. Let me take responsibility for how I’m going to respond to this.

Give yourself the freedom to think, say, and feel what makes you proud. Because when you’re proud of yourself you’re not going to care what other people think.

It may sound simplistic, but it’s actually a powerful mindset.

“Let them” is more powerful than “Let it go” because it comes from a position of self-control. You’re giving them permission in your mind to let them be an idiot and do what they do. You’re not rendering yourself helpless and telling yourself there’s nothing you can do about it.

Meanwhile, you’re making an empowering decision to not let it derail your mood.

“Let me” brings you back to what you can control. You’re choosing to think, act, and feel how you choose to without allowing someone else’s thoughts, actions, or feelings to kill your vibe.

Like any change in behavior or mindset, it takes conscious effort and practice in the beginning but will eventually become automatic thinking. Just don’t forget, it’s a two-step process:

“Let them do them and let me do me.”

🔊 Recovery and Sobriety: The Difference Between Them

I recently returned to the Through the Glass Recovery podcast where we chatted about the difference between sobriety and recovery.

What I like about this podcast is its roundtable format where hosts Steve and Julie invite three guests to share their experiences, so you get multiple perspectives on the topic.

In this episode:

• “Sober is a state of mind”

• How to find your why

• Using therapy, journaling, internet support systems to aid in self-discovery

• Letting go of the identity of “drinker”

• The unseen dangers of the functioning alcoholic

• Post Traumatic Stress vs. Post Traumatic Growth

• How a 30-day commitment could be your answer

Listen to E125: Recovery and Sobriety: The Difference Between Them

📰 Sober Lifestyle Resources

Mel Robbins

Mel Robbins' mission with The Mel Robbins Podcast is simple: to share proven tools that empower you to create a better life. Jump into Mel's podcast and you'll laugh with her, learn from her and create your new life — your better life — step by step.

melrobbins.com

The Let Them Theory

The Let Them Theory: A Life-Changing Tool That Millions of People Can't Stop Talking About [Robbins, Mel] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers.

amazon.com

Jay Shetty

Jay Shetty, bestselling author, award-winning podcast host of On Purpose, and purpose-driven entrepreneur, inspiring hearts and minds globally.

jayshetty.me

Sobriety Podcast - Through the Glass Recovery

A sobriety podcast that hosts a roundtable discussion about the challenges of sobriety, and how to overcome them.

throughtheglassrecovery.com

TheWillpowerPodcast

THE WILLPOWER PODCAST: Real Recovery, Real Stories, Real Hope

linktr.ee/thewillpowerpodcast

_{Sponsored by: RARE BREW}

Try my friends at RARE BREW's non-alcoholic selections—a vibrant journey for the senses, specially crafted for the sober lifestyle and wellness enthusiasts. Their non-alcoholic brews are the perfect toast to life's moments, offering a sophisticated, guilt-free alternative to traditional beverages. Embrace the uplift with RARE BREW, where each bubble brings you closer to a world of mindful enjoyment.

Cheers to vibrant health and sparkling connections, without a drop of compromise.

🏷️ Use promo code MIKE for 15% off any order.

What’s up, sober owners? Mike III here, if you’re doing Dry January, I hope it’s still going strong! If you’ve slipped, there’s still time to pick back up. I can’t count the number of times I had to restart my sobriety before it finally stuck. It’s all about learning, growing, and getting stronger as you go!

In this issue, I’m sharing my personal insights on what I’ve learned over the course of my sobriety journey. If you can relate to any of it, hit reply and let me know!

Now let’s get to it and, as always, thank you all for your support! 🙏

On Friday, I celebrated 7 years of continuous sobriety and reflected on my biggest takeaways from my sober journey:

1. Confidence is everything.

   Sobriety unlocked a new level of confidence that I didn’t know I had. After all the hell I’d been through in my drinking days and then the multiple failed attempts to get sober, things were put into perspective in sobriety, and I feel like there’s nothing I can’t do. Also, I’ve always been pretty introverted and kind of shy. That hasn’t changed completely, but I’m much more confident than I used to be in who I am and my interactions with others. Getting sober empowered me.

2. Life still happens.

   It may be cliche, but life doesn’t just magically start going your way in sobriety. What it does is become manageable. I’ve had shitty days, I’ve lost loved ones, I’ve had relationships not work out. Life is still tough. The difference is that now I’m participating in all the things, being there for others, and handling it responsibly. Avoiding life is a shitty way to live. Even on the worst days, it still feels better to be present and do what you need to do to get through.

3. Keep evolving.

   Early on in my sober journey, it was all about just being sober. I was satisfied with just getting through the days without drinking. But eventually, I started wanting more. It’s a natural process of growth. I wanted a purpose and identity beyond just being sober. A job and side venture with purpose, relationships with meaning, life milestones and goals that are fulfilling. Creating the life I want excites and energizes me. Sure, not everything works out the way I want, but I learn something valuable from every experience. Seeing growth in myself and my life keeps me going and helps me keep sobriety in perspective because I know that without being sober no growth happens.

4. Emotions are human.

   Emotions can be a son of a bitch. The saying, “Good news is I got my emotions back. Bad news is I got my emotions back,” is so true. Some emotions are uncomfortable. Fully experiencing our emotions though, is the most human thing we do. Seven years in, there are still times it’d be nice to not feel a certain way. The thing is, I experience the most growth by processing those emotions in a healthy way. Negative emotions can be much more powerful for growth if I take the time to step back and think about why I’m experiencing the emotion and what I can learn from it.

5. Prioritize mental health.

   This is true for everyone, but as an introvert I internalize everything. I easily get caught up in my own head in an analytical cycle. If I don’t practice self-care and good mental health habits, the chaos in my head just builds up. I was also diagnosed with Adult ADHD at about a year sober. Taking the alcohol out of the equation allowed me and my doctor to have a true baseline from which to measure my health, both mentally and physically. It’s not a perfect science, but I try to protect my mental health as closely as I protect my sobriety because the two are so closely intertwined.

6. It’s still okay to ask for help.

   We tend to think that asking for help in getting sober was such a big ask that we have to do everything beyond that ourselves. It took a bit of time struggling to move forward in sobriety for me realize that it was still okay to ask for help and rely on others to get to the next level. Working through all the aftermath with a licensed substance abuse counselor and a case manager saved my sobriety and I even believe it saved my life. Beyond that I regularly lean on other sober folks and my circle of support for advice and help throughout my life journey to this day. I believe you’re never too old or too successful to ask for help.

7. Gratitude every day.

   I got that gratitude attitude going on every day. The further I get from my sobriety date, the harder it can be to remember my why. Gratitude keeps me connected to my sobriety and enables me to help others. It’s usually just the basic things, like waking up, staying sober, having great relationships, and being responsible that top my list. But we all know that without sobriety even those basics can be gone. Life is an amazing journey and I’m grateful that I get to live it to the best of my ability every day.

📰 Sober Lifestyle Resources

The Sober Curator

Visit The Sober Curator to access a curated resource guide for those living a sober lifestyle - because drunk never looks good.

thesobercurator.com

11 best sobriety books for Dry January or to help you quit alcohol for good

These sobriety books will help you stop drinking

www.hellomagazine.com

40 celebrities who have been open about their sobriety

Bradley Cooper, Ben Affleck, Eminem, and Tom Holland are among the celebrities who have spoken about being sober.

www.businessinsider.com

_{Sponsored by: Rare Brew}

Dive into the effervescence of Rare Brew's sparkling selections—a vibrant journey for the senses, specially crafted for the sober lifestyle and wellness enthusiasts. Our non-alcoholic concoctions are the perfect toast to life's moments, offering a sophisticated, guilt-free alternative to traditional beverages. Embrace the uplift with Rare Brew, where each bubble brings you closer to a world of pure, mindful enjoyment. Cheers to vibrant health and sparkling connections, without a drop of compromise.

🏷️ Use promo code MIKE for 15% off any order.

What’s up, sober owners? Mike III here, hope your Dry January is off to a great start! Even if you’ve been sober for a while and it’s just another month, January is a great time to reflect and re-connect with your sobriety. Take some time to check in with yourself and assess how your sober lifestyle is going. Are you thriving or just going through the motions?

This issue explores how sobriety and alcohol-free choices continued to progress and transform throughout 2024.

Now let’s get to it and, as always, thank you all for your support! 🙏

In 2024, sobriety and sober lifestyles continued to gain momentum, driven by several key trends:

• Rise of "sober-curious" and mindful drinking: More people are questioning their relationship with alcohol and embracing mindful drinking habits. This includes exploring non-alcoholic beverages, participating in "dry" challenges like Sober October, and generally being more intentional about when and how much they drink.

• Gen Z leading the way: Younger generations, particularly Gen Z, are driving a shift away from traditional drinking culture. They're more likely to prioritize their health and well-being and are less likely to see alcohol as a necessary part of socializing.

• Increased availability of non-alcoholic options: The market for non-alcoholic beverages has exploded, offering a wide variety of sophisticated and delicious alternatives to traditional alcoholic drinks. This makes it easier for people to enjoy social gatherings without feeling pressured to drink alcohol.

• Focus on holistic well-being: Sobriety is increasingly viewed as part of a holistic approach to wellness, encompassing physical, mental, and emotional health. People are recognizing the benefits of sobriety for reducing stress, improving sleep, and boosting overall well-being.

• Social media and community support: Online platforms and social media have played a significant role in normalizing sobriety and connecting people in recovery. This has helped to reduce stigma and create a sense of community for those embracing sober lifestyles.

Overall, the trends in sobriety and sober lifestyles in 2024 reflect a growing awareness of the impact of alcohol on health and well-being, a desire for more mindful and intentional living, and a shift away from traditional drinking culture.

💥 The Non-Alcoholic Beverage Market is Booming

Here are some key stats highlighting its growth in 2024:

Overall Market Growth:

• Market value: Reached approximately $987.3 billion in 2024.

• Projected growth: Expected to reach $1,889.42 billion by 2034.

• Compound annual growth rate (CAGR): A steady 6.7% CAGR is predicted from 2024 to 2034.

Specific Categories:

• Sports and energy drinks: Showed significant growth, with sports drinks sales increasing by 14.3% and energy drinks by 20.3%. This outpaced the overall beverage category growth of 7.7%.

• Non-alcoholic beer and wine: These are significant contributors to the market's expansion.

Regional Insights:

While specific 2024 regional data might be limited, it's helpful to know that North America is a major market, valued at $214.25 billion in 2024. South Korea is predicted to see strong growth with a 7.3% CAGR from 2024 to 2034.

Key Drivers:

• Evolving consumer preferences: People are increasingly seeking healthier options and are more open to trying new and innovative beverages.

• Changing consumer spending habits: Consumers are willing to spend more on premium non-alcoholic beverages that offer unique flavors and health benefits.

• Increased availability: A wider variety of non-alcoholic options are available in stores and online, making it easier for consumers to find what they're looking for.

These statistics clearly demonstrate the continued growth and potential of the non-alcoholic beverage market. It's a trend driven by health consciousness, evolving tastes, and a desire for more mindful consumption.

📰 Sober Lifestyle Resources

The Sober Curator

Visit The Sober Curator to access a curated resource guide for those living a sober lifestyle - because drunk never looks good.

thesobercurator.com

Athletic Brewing raises $50 million as non-alcoholic wave sweeps beer making

Athletic holds over 19% market share within non-alcoholic beer and is driving 32% of total nonalcoholic beer category growth, according to NielsenIQ data.

cnbc.com

The business of selling booze is under pressure

The surgeon general wants Americans to drink less alcohol — but we didn’t even need the nudge....

sherwood.news

_{Sponsored by: Rare Brew}

Dive into the effervescence of Rare Brew's sparkling selections—a vibrant journey for the senses, specially crafted for the sober lifestyle and wellness enthusiasts. Our non-alcoholic concoctions are the perfect toast to life's moments, offering a sophisticated, guilt-free alternative to traditional beverages. Embrace the uplift with Rare Brew, where each bubble brings you closer to a world of pure, mindful enjoyment. Cheers to vibrant health and sparkling connections, without a drop of compromise.

🏷️ Use promo code MIKE for 15% off any order.

What’s up, sober owners? Mike III here, hope this finds you kickin’ ass in the sober life. Do you realize that we’re nearly a month into spring already?? I’d love to hear what kind of spring projects and goals you have... hit reply to this email and give me the scoop!

This issue features a spotlight on a man many of you may know or recognize… Mike Ferrer, a stalwart in the sobriety community and founder of SoberPress. I wanted to share Mike’s full responses to my questions here because his story is captivating and relatable. Plus, he’s allowed so many people to share their stories on SoberPress… it’s time to shine the spotlight on his story for a change.

Now let’s get to it and, as always, thank you all for your support! 🙏

What is your name & sobriety date?

My name is Mike. My sober date is April 9, 2019.

Give us a glimpse of what life looked like in active addiction…

I started my career in advertising in December 1992 in Portland, OR. Before that, I finished College and Art School in Atlanta and lived at home with my folks. My parents were very supportive and I excelled in school. I was very dedicated and I rarely drank or used marijuana.

When I took the leap and moved to start my career in Portland, I found myself completely out of place and on my own. The anxiety I experienced as a kid fitting in kicked in as I navigated my way into a new career. I started right off as an Art Director. So I also experienced the high pressures of that job right off—deadlines, creating, photoshoots, etc.

Real life was hitting me hard. I was so young. I struggled to get respect from some of the professionals I was supposed to be directing. Often, I would come home after a shoot for instance, and have an anxiety attack about what I just shot with a well-established, well-known photographer. I felt beat up and disrespected sometimes along the way.

Back then, the industry was so unforgiving and a bit brutal. However, I got better at it and my confidence grew. I earned the Bill Bernbach Award after my first year. It was an honor to be recognized as the best young creative in the Northwest. But more, I won other awards that year.

Along with that, I celebrated with my colleagues. Yes, we all got wasted together. It was trial by fire and then baptized by fire water. It was the free-flowing of drugs and alcohol at any time, at any occasion that fueled my thirst and affirmed my confidence.

Later, the depression of living in the Northwest got to me. SADS is very much a thing. The long winters meant short days of sun and 40° of pissing rain. Days were always dark and depressing. Like 9 months out of the year. About 2 years in, I started drinking heavily in the evenings.

After 7 years of that, I moved to Austin where I got recruited by a very high profile Ad Agency. By then, I had built a reputation as a hard-working, award-winning creative. The culture was the same but on a grander scale. It’s like I switched to a bigger high school with even more money.

I found myself working incredibly long hours and traveling all the time. At first, it was fun being wined and dined on someone else’s money. I used to get blackout drunk sometimes and I would get to hear about our shenanigans the next morning with clients and coworkers in tow. It was always a celebratory laugh at first. But when it came time to film the commercials, tensions got super high because so much money was at stake. My anxiety went through the roof.

At the end, we’d wrap and do it all again the next day. It was an insane cycle that would follow me throughout my career.

Sometimes, it would mean weeks of shooting overseas. That quickly got to be a grind. I drowned in alcohol and weed every night. I smuggled weed on airplanes everywhere. I never got busted.

I worked like this for almost 20 more years. I never got laid off, but it was also a fear that it would catch up. I was driven by working even harder. I lost my identity completely. I was depressed again. In my final years, it finally did catch up, I found myself having to be hospitalized sometimes for my hard drinking. I still got away with it. But I ran out of excuses and lies.

I had to go to rehab when I finally had enough and wound up in ICU for quitting booze abruptly. I experienced DT’s for the first time. It was bad.

I got a sponsor, went to meetings, and worked the steps. I spent about a year sober from booze but still got high every day. I had committed to be transparent about it all to my peers at work to stay sober. Everyone knew.

However, after a while, everything fell by the wayside again and it got way worse. I started drinking heavily again. This time I was drinking in the mornings to just get rid of the shakes. I had also been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. That only made things even more complicated. My health deteriorated. I started having seizures. I lost a lot of weight. I spent more time in the hospital, but somehow managed to hide it by just calling in sick.

I did this for about 2 years and slid by unnoticed until I started ghosting at work.

Finally, HR got ahold of my best friend to do a welfare check on me as I had missed an important client presentation. Luckily, it was during a major remodel and the contractor let him in the house. He discovered me passed out on the bed.

He urged me to go to the ER with him. So I did. A lot happened that night. I remember telling the Doctor after asking me why I was drinking, I responded; “I hate my life” Before I knew it, I was being interviewed by the APD Suicide Squad, a Social Worker, a Counselor, and another doctor. It got real. I never really thought of suicide. I learned that it was all a precaution.

I promised to seek help and go to detox the next day, then start rehab again. I knew then, that I wanted to be well again. Sober. It was a defining, pivotal moment for me.

While in IOP, I was urged by my counselor, a social worker at rehab and another counselor at rehab to quit my job. My sponsor did not agree. He told me not to make any serious life changes while newly sober. I did it anyway. I knew what I needed to do. He was just looking out for me.

What does living a sober lifestyle mean for you?

Living in freedom, peace, and clarity allows me to work through my troubles and feel them for what they are without having to numb them down. I have learned, reflecting on my addiction, that numbing the pain only postpones it and makes it worse.

I have also found grace for myself. Acceptance, allows me to forward freely and make improvements along the way. None of us are without fault, however, it’s our choice to be a better person and do the next right thing.

If I catch myself doing otherwise, I try to make amends, or if I have a resentment happening, I take inventory, find my fault, and make a correction. I know now that we are only in control of ourselves–how we react, how we act, and how we resolve. It makes easier to carry on with life and all of its difficulties. Self-evaluation is key for me. I am a work in progress, and I know how to forgive myself and others. That is where our power and freedom develop.

These are basic principles that working the steps in AA helped me. I feel strongly about find your path to fit your unique personality and preference. AA is not the end all be all. However, I do recommend starting there. You owe it to yourself to start somewhere.

What do you do to maintain your sober lifestyle?

Connection is key for me. I have found my tribe in real life and online. I check in and interact as much as I can every day. I try to maintain balance. I try not to work as much as I used to, but it’s not always possible. I maintain a healthy routine. My goal is to go to bed early so I can wake early and feel refreshed. I love my mornings and coffee. I need quiet to time to ease into my day. I am at my most productive this way.

I go try to go to AA meetings weekly. Either online or in person. It affirms and reinforces my dedication to sobriety. This is an additional connection I make for myself. It helps to hear how others deal with their own struggles. It gives me much-needed perspective.

I try to avoid stress. I create boundaries if I need to. We must realize that, sometimes, certain people do not mesh well. They can affect our energy by presenting chaos or expecting way too much. They simply take up too much space in our lives. We need to understand that you can only give so much before it becomes a liability to yourself and others.

Tell us about SoberPress & why you started it…

I started SoberPress during the pandemic. I was new to sobriety at the time. It was purely a coping mechanism I created to help me pass the time while in isolation. I needed something constructive, positive, and rewarding to do other than start drinking again.

It started with an idea to build a website where I could feature stories of recovery, but in the process, I was also accumulating inspirational quotes, things I would write, and little designs that inspired me. Somehow it all came together after my girlfriend at the time suggested I start an Instagram page for the website. That’s when inspiration rained upon me. I serendipitously found an amazing sober community on Instagram. I launched my page in August 2020. Launched the website in October of 2020 and launched my Facebook page in November of 2020.

Where can folks follow & contact you?

My Instagram:
@soberpress (Please DM me here)

My Facebook:
SoberPress
SoberHope

🎙️ Improving Communication Skills

I was recently a guest on the Through The Glass Recovery Podcast. Three other guests and I joined hosts Steve & Julie in a roundtable discussion on improving communication skills in recovery.

Give it a listen or add it to your playlist on your favorite podcast platform. And, be sure to check out the Through The Glass Recovery website for more recovery resources & services including coaching & online zoom meetings.

▶️ Sober Lifestyle Resources

SoberPress

Sober Press is place where people can go at whatever stage in their addiction and get a hopeful feeling.

www.soberpress.org

Through the Glass Recovery

Create a life so full there's no space left for alcohol. Sharing recovery from alcohol addiction through meaningful conversation.

throughtheglassrecovery.com

Higgy 2.0 Survivor Series

Higgy 2.0 Survivor Series | Spreading the Message of Recovery, with our Survivor Series throughout the United States of America.

hig20.com

Men’s Health - First Steps

Guys share their physical, mental, and emotional transformations, and the first steps they took to get there.

www.menshealth.com/first-steps

Zero Proof Nation

Your hub for all the juicy non-alc content out there. From beverages and bottle shops to booze-free bars and more. Changing the world one non-alcoholic sip at a time.

www.zeroproofnation.com

_{Sponsored by: Rare Brew}

Dive into the effervescence of Rare Brew's sparkling selections—a vibrant journey for the senses, specially crafted for the sober lifestyle and wellness enthusiasts. Our non-alcoholic concoctions are the perfect toast to life's moments, offering a sophisticated, guilt-free alternative to traditional beverages. Embrace the uplift with Rare Brew, where each bubble brings you closer to a world of pure, mindful enjoyment. Cheers to vibrant health and sparkling connections, without a drop of compromise.

🏷️ Use promo code MIKE for 15% off any order.

🏈 Sober Game Day

I’ll be honest, I mostly avoided watching sports altogether the first couple years of my sobriety. Avoiding hangouts to watch a game was intentional early on but I was so busy rebuilding my life that it wasn’t nearly the issue I anticipated. Plus like I mentioned, I eventually picked up other interests that I chose to spend my time on.

Nowadays, it’s more balanced and being a sports fan has found its place in my sober lifestyle. I’m a Miami Dolphins fan so it’s been a rough couple of decades, but I’m no longer triggered by watching a game or the outcome of it. Let’s face it, the outcome was the same regardless of the game… I was going to be drunk.

The point is that you may need to change your routine around sports, especially early in sobriety, but it does get easier and can eventually become a non-issue. If sports are a trigger for you, here are some tips…

• Avoid the past routine that drinking is engrained in. Gatherings with family or friends are tough to skip at first if that was your thing. Be intentional about having something new that you enjoy to replace game days. That also gives you an excuse if you’re not open to telling folks the real reason you’re skipping. You may even develop an interest or passion that sticks long-term and becomes part of your sober lifestyle.

• Reframe your mindset to minimize FOMO. Fear of missing out has wiped out many sober superheroes. Focus those thoughts on the bigger picture, what you’re becoming, and remind yourself what’ll happen if you give into temptation. Watching the game likely just gave you an excuse to drink more and the feeling of fitting in.

• Find an alternative way of being a fan. If you don’t want to avoid sports entirely, connect with it differently. We live in a world of technology — use it to alter how you express yourself. Find an online fan community for your fave team, join a Facebook fan group, check the team’s official website for fan clubs or fan zones, collect digital trading cards on sites like NFL ALL DAY or NBA Top Shot. You can find a ton of ways to connect as a fan online, just do a search.

🚧 Sports Betting Addiction

Men’s Health just released results from their survey on sports betting habits among American men and the numbers expose the growing problem of gambling addiction…

• Of the 3,800 men surveyed, 1,500 admitted placing a bet on sports in the past year — that’s about 40%

• 44% say it’s difficult to watch sports without feeling the urge to bet

• 51% would be willing to wager $10,000 if it meant the chance to potentially win $1 million

• 1 in 5 allot a quarter of their paycheck to gambling on sports

• 1 in 5 also are in debt or have been in debt due to gambling on sports

• 58% say sports betting has affected their mental health

Those are just a few of the concerning stats they highlight. The survey is part of an entire series Men’s Health has on sports betting and gambling addiction.

▶️ Athletes Battle Alcohol Too

Alcohol isn’t just engrained in watching sports, it can also become engrained in the lifestyle of the athletes themselves. There are many inspiring stories of athletes overcoming addictions.

There’s something powerful about hearing these guys who play at a high level and are idolized tell their stories that are painfully so relatable. It gets me every time, but isn’t it great that they are able to use their platform to share that inspiration? Those three videos have over half a million views on YouTube combined. 👏

Use promo code MIKE for an additional 15% off any already discounted prices.

HAVE A STRONG DAY is a mindset club. Wear the message with hoodies, crewnecks, long sleeves, short sleeves, accessories & headwear. It seriously puts a little swagger in my step on days I’m wearing this message.

Get it for yourself at a 15% discount by entering code MIKE at checkout.

For every purchase you make, they donate 10% to non-profit organizations that help communities and children flourish.

🏷️ PRO TIP: They regularly offer discounts in their newsletter… you can stack that deal with an additional 15% off by using promo code MIKE.

Share this issue to grow our community for modern men living a sober lifestyle…

Now, let’s do this thing…

💪 Build Habits

• Building habits instead of resolutions: Habits are automatic routines that are easier to maintain and can help you achieve your goals without relying on motivation. You can learn the skill of building habits by starting small, linking them to your values, and removing obstacles.

• Tracking your progress and feedback: You can use various tools and methods to track your progress and get feedback on your performance, such as journals, apps, dashboards, mentors, coaches, or peers. Tracking and feedback can help you stay focused, motivated, and accountable, as well as identify areas for improvement.

• Celebrating your wins and learning from your losses: Success is not only about reaching the final outcome, but also about enjoying the journey and learning from the challenges. You can measure your success by celebrating your wins, no matter how big or small, and by learning from your losses, no matter how painful or disappointing. Celebrating and learning can help you boost your confidence, resilience, and growth mindset.

🚧 Overcome Obstacles

There are many ways to overcome challenges in obtaining your goals and having a successful year. Here are some of the most common and effective ones:

• Connect your goals to a “why”: Achieving goals becomes easier when they are meaningful and connected to a reason and purpose. When you understand the “why” behind your efforts, you can eliminate distractions or other tasks that are not in alignment with your desired outcome.

• Start small and start now: A new goal may require you to make changes to your daily routine, and it can take anywhere between 18 to 66 days to change a habit or create a new one. You are far more likely to succeed if you start by making small behavioral changes now to set you on the right path — as opposed to jumping in all at once and expecting to do things perfectly.

• Break down the goals: When you are looking at one major goal, you tend to see it as one action. This can be overwhelming and cause you to put it off until a later date. Instead, break that one major goal down into smaller pieces and do one thing every day that gets you closer to it. It will feel much more manageable.

• Remove obstacles before you begin: Ask yourself, “What could prevent me from accomplishing this goal?” Identify and write down your potential obstacles, excuses, fears, or barriers, and how you will navigate them. Doing this will eliminate much of the power they have on you by making them something you are aware of and can create a plan to prevent.

• Focus on the positive consequences: Focusing on the positive outcomes of achieving your goals can help you stay motivated and overcome challenges. Think of how you will feel, what you will gain, and how your life will improve when you reach your goals.

📂 Helpful Resources

Way of Life - An Elegant Habit Tracker

Way of Life can help you improve your self-discipline and achieve your goals by providing a simple and convenient way to track your daily habits.

wayoflifeapp.com

Habitica - Gamify Your Life

Habitica is a free habit and productivity app that treats your real life like a game. Habitica can help you achieve your goals to become healthy and happy.

habitica.com

Atomic Habits by James Clear

An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones

www.amazon.com

Your Best Year Ever by Michael Hyatt

A 5-Step Plan for Achieving Your Most Important Goals

www.amazon.com

The TPH Podcast with Dan Harris

Tune in to the Ten Percent Happier podcast with Dan Harris for interviews with meditators, scientists, and authors on meditating, mental health, and much more.

www.tenpercent.com

HAVE A STRONG DAY is one of my favorite brands. I love the message and have a couple shirts plus several wrist bands & stickers posted around my workspace. Owner Lloyd Sarte has coined it as “mindset club,” check out the website for more about the values they represent.

For every purchase you make, they donate 10% to non-profit organizations that help communities and children flourish.

🏷️ TIP: They just extended their New Year Sale for 25% off sitewide until Jan. 8… you can stack that deal with an additional 15% off by using promo code MIKE.

Use promo code MIKE for an additional 15% off the already discounted prices.

Buy me a $5 coffee

Now, let’s do this thing…

💪 Manly Mental Health Resources

No candles & incense here, these resources can help you put a manly thump on your mental health woes including substance abuse, anxiety, depression, trauma, anger, sleep issues and more…

Man Therapy

A place where men can come to be men. So here, we won't be whining, complaining or moping about. No, we'll be getting off our keisters and form tackling feelings head-on.

mantherapy.org

HeadsUpGuys

A resource that provides guys with information and practical tips to manage and prevent depression.

headsupguys.org

Movember

Changing the face of men's health. Unite to take on mental health, suicide, prostate and testicular cancers.

movember.com

Men's Minds Matter

Specialists in suicide intervention & prevention. Male suicide rates are unacceptably high, but we will change this.

mensmindsmatter.org

MENTalk

A community on a mission to break down the stigma attached to men’s mental health. We want you to know… #ItsOkNotToBeOk

www.mentalk.online

🧔‍♂️ Self-Care Isn’t Just for Women

Dudefluencer has thrown down the gauntlet on men’s self-care in this guide packed with tips and resources for pretty much every type of dude. Even if you’re not sold on the idea of self-care, it’s still worth a visit to check out some of the cool men’s products & services they link to in each section.

The Manly Man's Guide to Men's Self-Care

We know a thing or two about men's self-care and want to tell you that there's nothing more manly than taking care of your mind and body.

dudefluencer.com/mens-self-care

🖊️ Journaling as a Tool

I’ve always liked to write (hence the newsletter) but didn’t start journaling about myself & my life until early sobriety. It flowed pretty easily once I got started. There is something very therapeutic about writing out your thoughts. Even just scribbling down a few words can validate and help process them. Here are a couple of journals created by men…

MindJournal

With 100,000+ copies sold, MindJournal is the no.1 bestselling journal for men. Discover the power of journaling and form happier, healthier, habits.

www.mindjournals.com

Bullet Journal

Meet the analog method for the digital age that will help you track the past, order the present, and design your future.

bulletjournal.com

Need some motivation & inspiration to get started? Each of these journals provide great resources to help you get going with using them most effectively…

• MindJournal - How to keep a journal plus FREE template

• Bullet Journal - Basics & Beyond

🤝 Contribute to Own Sobriety

Would you like to contribute to an upcoming edition of the Own Sobriety newsletter? I’d love to talk with you about it, simply reply to this email and let’s chat!

Buy me a $5 coffee

Now, let’s get this thing started…

The idea of my sobriety being rented is something I can’t get behind. Especially when owning my sobriety is how I’ve stayed sober for so long. The traditional way of anonymity, powerlessness, and playing the victim never worked for me. It took owning all my shit and working my ass off to get and stay sober.

I get that one of the sentiments here is to put in work every day, which is valid. But the rent analogy falls short. I earned every bit of my sobriety, and in my book, that means I own it outright. 💯

I should say I came up with the name “Own Sobriety” during my first month sober back in January of 2018. Not sure if the meme existed yet, but I hadn’t seen it. It’s pure coincidence that the name contradicts the meme. But it’s a perfect example of perspective…

Even in my first month, I knew I needed to treat this time differently. I was tired of the process, the stopping & starting, the relapsing harder than before — everything. So while sitting in my room in a detox facility in Northeast Indiana, I promised myself I’d do whatever it took to make this time different.

During that detox, I was in bad shape. Despite being medicated, I was shaking uncontrollably and withdrawing hard. But this time had to be different. So a couple days in, I forced myself to leave my room and sit in the community area of our detox wing. I socialized with other patients and got involved in card games. ♠️

Over the next few days, a group of 4 of us became regulars in the community room playing Spades, chatting about life & what led us there. It made the time much more bearable. Instead of staying in my room and agonizing through the withdrawals, I let it all be seen. I was clearly shaking & sweating more than anyone, but I figured no one else could judge, so why not just own my condition while making the best of it?

During our daily “recreation time,” I even got out on the court to play some volleyball — still shaking so badly I could barely stand still. Later, my buddy from our card playing group asked, “How do you get out there and play ball while shaking like that?” “Just own it,” I replied. And that became my motto for my recovery & sobriety.

Own Sobriety was created around that idea of “just own it.” That means taking responsibility for all aspects of your sobriety — including your past. It doesn’t matter which program you use or how you got sober. It only matters that you be accountable for it and have a desire to keep growing.

To own your sobriety means to stop making excuses and start changing the things you can control. It means to acknowledge your fuck-ups, but also that you celebrate your wins. It means to tell it like it is, but to know that you’re not perfect. It means to rock your style and be who you are, but also to be open-minded and adaptable. 👍

Owning your sobriety is about confidence and mindset. You’re not afraid to say “this is how I was.” You’re also not afraid to say “this is how I am now.”

With an ownership mindset, sobriety isn’t a weakness but a sign of success in overcoming an obstacle. It’s not a burden, sacrifice, or about what we can’t do. It’s a chance to experience a more fulfilling life and show what we can do now.

Michael also makes custom Instagram graphics to promote your story on the @soberpress page and shares those with you to use as well. Like I said, super simple. Whether you decide to share your own story or not, I highly recommend reading through the stories already up at soberpress.org. There are a lot of great ones and who doesn’t love a good, inspiring recovery story?

➡️ Plus, I’m going to be turning the table on Michael to share his story and that of SoberPress in an upcoming issue of this newsletter. Looking forward to that!

You can read my story on SoberPress here:

Crossing A Line

“I remember very vividly when I began day-drinking by myself and knowing that I was crossing a line…”

Read the full story on SoberPress…

🔊 Latest Podcast Episodes

The addiction, recovery & sobriety podcast genre has become increasingly popular and even a bit crowded lately. Here are three recent episodes worth giving a listen to…

That Sober Guy Podcast: Celebrate Your Wins

Today we are going to be talking about celebrating your wins, why it’s so important to celebrate your wins, and what it looks like to celebrate your wins.

thatsoberguy.libsyn.com/celebrate-your-wins

Facing Self Doubt in Recovery - Through the Glass Recovery

We are rereleasing our favorite episodes from Season 1! We talk about facing self doubt and how we find purpose after addiction.

throughtheglassrecovery.com/podcast/42-self-doubt

Chandler Rogers - The Addicted Mind Podcast

In this fascinating episode, Duane had the pleasure of speaking with Chandler Rogers, CEO & co-founder of Relay, a digital group-based program for finding healing from addiction.

theaddictedmind.com/episode-237-from-struggle-to-support-chandler-rogers-transformation-and-relays-role

✏️ Contribute to Own Sobriety

Would you like to be a featured contributor to an upcoming edition of the Own Sobriety newsletter? I’d love to talk with you about it! Submit any of the following by replying to this newsletter or using the button below to send me an email…

• Personal story

• Original content

• New content idea

• Useful links or resources

Buy me a $5 coffee

What’s up sober owners? Mike III here, founder & publisher of Own Sobriety.

In 2018, Own Sobriety began as a personal blog about my sobriety journey. It has long been my goal to turn it into something more, and I’m excited to announce the new Own Sobriety newsletter!

📢 Here’s what is in store…

In addition to more frequent updates on the social media feeds most of you have been following:

📰 A full, regularly published newsletter featuring content about living a sober lifestyle.
👥 Content, contributions & insight from other men & familiar faces who are actively living the sober lifestyle.
📘 Sobriety-related tools & resources for living your best alcohol-free life.

Sobriety has come of age over the past few years and there is now a plethora of programs & resources to help get sober. But not so much on staying sober for the long haul and living a sober lifestyle. 💯

👣 Follow along with the journey…

With all that, I have decided to build in public. I’ve created a Substack, called Unwasted, where I will write about turning Own Sobriety into its own brand as the process unfolds.

➕ More about me…

I recently shared a bit of my personal journey though addiction & recovery with SoberPress.org, check it out along with other stories here.