Ever thought laughter could be a key ingredient in your sobriety journey? In this episode of Recovery Elevator, hosts Paul Churchill and Kristopher Oyen chat with Renee, who took her last drink on January 2, 2020. Renee, a 40-year-old hair stylist from Greendale, WI, opens up about her life, her family, and her love for outdoor activities like hiking and paddleboarding.

But more importantly, she dives into her struggles with alcohol and the pivotal moments that led her to quit drinking for good. One of the standout points of this episode is the discussion around Rule 22: Lighten up. Don’t take yourself too seriously. Renee shares how embracing humor and not letting life’s challenges weigh her down has been crucial in her recovery.

She emphasizes that laughter really is the best medicine and that maintaining a sense of humor has helped her navigate tough times, especially in her relationship with her husband. The episode also covers practical tips for staying sober while traveling and looking forward to a brighter, alcohol-free future. If you're curious about how humor can play a role in recovery or looking for some light-hearted yet profound insights into sobriety, this episode is a must-listen.

Tune into Recovery Elevator as Renee shares her story of sobriety and how humor and Rule 22 have helped her overcome addiction.

Renee's Sobriety: Embracing Humor and Rule 22

Renee took her last drink January 2, 2020.  This is her story. If you have ever wanted to attend a Recovery Elevator event you should get yourself to Denver in June for the <a href= "https://www.recoveryelevator.com/denver-2020/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Recovery Elevator LIVE: Dancing with the Mind</a> - June 11-14th, 2020.  This event will be, essentially, the closeout event for Recovery Elevator.  You can find more information about our event <a href= "https://www.recoveryelevator.com/events/" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">here.</a> On today’s episode Paul talks about Rule 22.  What it is.  Why it is important to make this rule a part of your life ASAP.  Rule 22 = Lighten up.  Don’t take yourself too seriously.  Laughter really is the best medicine.  Life is never as serious as the mind wants us to believe.    [12:00] Paul introduces Renee.    Renee is 40 years old and live in Greendale, WI.  She is a hair stylist and is currently working at a children’s hair salon.  She is married and they have 2 kids, a 10-year-old and a 7-year-old.  Renee also has a 20-year-old son from a previous relationship.  For fun Renee likes to hike, camp, go on vacations, paddleboard and jigsaw puzzles.    [17:25] Give us a background on your drinking.   Renee started drinking as a teenager, around the age of 15.  She says she did it to fit in and have fun.  She met her husband, in a bar, in her early 20s and they pretty much drank together every weekend.  It wasn’t until 2007 that Renee started drinking more than just on the weekends.  After getting married they were drinking 3-4 days out of the week.  Renee got pregnant early on and while she couldn’t drink due to being pregnant, her husband continued to drink.  That made Renee mad because she wanted to drink.  Renee did start drinking again, in the hospital, after giving birth to her children.      [20:30] Was drinking again, as soon as you had your baby, something that you had pre-planned?    Renee said she could not wait to drink after her baby was born.    She did the same exact thing during and after her 2nd pregnancy a few years later.       [24:18] Why do you think your husband came clean about his drinking?       Renee said he told her because he couldn’t do it anymore.               [24:40] What was your response?   Renee was pissed off when he first told her.                  [28:35] When did you both recognize that alcohol was almost the driving divider?   Renee says it was in October of 2019 when her husband told her about his drinking.  They started to put all the pieces together and realized that everything bad that had happened between them was caused by alcohol, in some way, or somehow.       [30:40] Has there been a moment when one of you was about to drink and you had that conversation where you lean on each other, and you both made it through?   Renee said yes, that there had been a couple of those moments.    [30:05] Was January 2 a planned date?   Renee said yes, it was a planned date.  She went to work that day and was cutting hair with shaky hands.    [35:40] How did you get through the last 45 days?    Renee says that they bought a new treadmill, have been binge watching Netflix, just finding things to keep their minds off of it.  But that it was really hard at first.    [38:53] How has working with a counselor helped with your anxiety and depression?   Renee says it helped a lot.  She didn’t have any anxiety after the first couple weeks.  It just started to get a little better and better until now, when she says she has none.         [40:40] Rapid Fire Round   <ol> <li>What’s a lightbulb moment you’ve had on this journey?</li> </ol>   I realized that alcohol has basically affected everything in my life.    <ol start="2"> <li>What is a memorable moment that a life without alcohol has provided you?</li> </ol>   Recently we got a lot of snow here and we took the kids sledding.    <ol start="3"> <li>What is some advice you’d give to your younger self?</li> </ol>   To try and surround myself with people who aren’t party people.    <ol start="4"> <li>What are some of your favorite resources?</li> </ol>   Well definitely your podcast, lots of reading.    <ol start="5"> <li>What is on your bucket list in a life without alcohol?</li> </ol>   We want to do a lot more traveling.    <ol start="6"> <li>What parting piece of guidance can you give to listeners?</li> </ol>   If you are thinking about drinking, or if you are thinking that you drink too much, you probably do.    You might need to ditch the booze if...             You do a drunken cartwheel and wake up in the morning to find your whole hand is black and blue because you broke your middle finger.      Upcoming Events and Retreats.  <a href="https://www.recoveryelevator.com/denver-2020/" target= "_blank" rel="noopener">Recovery Elevator LIVE: Dancing with the Mind</a> - in Colorado – June 11-14th, 2020 You can find more information about our event <a href= "https://www.recoveryelevator.com/events/" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">here.</a>   The book, Alcohol is Sh!t, is out.  Pick up your paperback copy on Amazon <a href= "https://www.amazon.com/Alcohol-SH-Re-ignite-Recover-Person/dp/1086176545/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr="> here</a>!  You can get the Audible version <a href= "https://www.audible.com/pd/Alcohol-is-Sht-Audiobook/B07XGDMXQF?qid=1569247192&sr=1-2&pf_rd_p=e81b7c27-6880-467a-b5a7-13cef5d729fe&pf_rd_r=TY51EJJZJ0XQDPRMN0MA&ref=a_search_c3_lProduct_1_2"> here</a>!   Resources mentioned in this episode:   <a href= "https://www.recoveryelevator.com/cafere/">Connect with Cafe RE</a>- Use the promo code OPPORTUNITY for your first month free <a href="https://appsto.re/us/z8w_5.i">Sobriety Tracker iTunes</a> <a href= "https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.recovery.sam.sobrietycalculatorPro"> Sobriety Tracker Android</a> Sober Selfies! - Send your Sober Selfie and your Success Story to info@recoveryelevator.com   “Recovery Elevator – You took the elevator down, you have to take the stairs back up.  You can do this.”

RE 266: Rule 22

Recovery

Sobriety

Alcohol

Personal Recovery Stories

Relationships

Self-Help

Mental Health

Society and Culture

Interviews

Faith-Based Recovery

Alcohol, Addiction & Recovery

Creativity & Innovation

Sexual Health & Wellbeing

Substance Abuse & Drug Recovery

Health & Wellness

Financial Empowerment

Family & Relationships

Comedy & Culture

It isn't a NO to alcohol, but a YES to a better life!  Best selling author Paul Churchill, along with Kristopher Oyen interview people who have stepped away from alcohol in their own lives. Each week this podcast does a deep dive into an exploration of what a booze free life might look like from various perspectives and opinions. 

If you are sick and tired of alcohol making you sick and tired, we invite you to listen to Recovery Elevator. Check out what an alcohol free life can look like as others share their own stories of sobriety. If you are sober curious, newly sober, supporting a loved one or living your best life already in recovery, then you are in the right place.

This podcast addresses what to do if you’re addicted to alcohol, or if you think you’re an alcoholic. Other topics include, does moderate drinking work, does addiction serve a purpose, what happens to the brain when we quit drinking, should you track sobriety time, is A.A. right for you, spirituality, and more. 

Similar to other recovery podcasts like This Naked Mind, the Shair Podcast, and the Recovered Podcast, Paul and Kris discuss a topic and then interview someone who has ditched the booze.

Recovery Elevator

Ever thought laughter could be a key ingredient in your sobriety journey? In this episode of Recovery Elevator, hosts Paul Churchill and Kristopher Oyen chat with Renee, who took her last drink on January 2, 2020. Renee, a 40-year-old hair stylist from Greendale, WI, opens up about her life, her family, and her love for outdoor activities like hiking and paddleboarding.But more importantly, she dives into her struggles with alcohol and the pivotal moments that led her to quit drinking for good. One of the standout points of this episode is the discussion around Rule 22: Lighten up. Don’t take yourself too seriously. Renee shares how embracing humor and not letting life’s challenges weigh her down has been crucial in her recovery.She emphasizes that laughter really is the best medicine and that maintaining a sense of humor has helped her navigate tough times, especially in her relationship with her husband. The episode also covers practical tips for staying sober while traveling and looking forward to a brighter, alcohol-free future. If you're curious about how humor can play a role in recovery or looking for some light-hearted yet profound insights into sobriety, this episode is a must-listen.

Paul Churchill

Paul Churchill

RE 266: Rule 22

RE 266: Rule 22

RE 266: Rule 22

Monday 23rd March 2020

About this podcast

Recovery Elevator

Renee's Sobriety: Embracing Humor and Rule 22