Podcast · Health

Sober Motivation: Sharing Sobriety Stories

by Brad McLeod · English · Health

The Sober Motivation Podcast – Real Stories. Real Change. Welcome to The Sober Motivation Podcast , the top-rated recovery podcast inspiring people to quit drinking, stay sober, and build a life they’re proud of. Hosted by Brad McLeod , founder of the Sober Motivation Community, each episode fe

New episodes: Several times a week
Typical length: 1 hr 7 min
Latest: 11 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

11 Oct 2026 · 1 hr 12 min

He Was Dying From Alcohol but Still Couldn’t Stop Drinking | Alcohol Addiction Story

What happens when you’re told you might only have weeks to live, but you’re still not ready to stop drinking? For Tom, what started as weekend partying eventually became a daily dependence on nearly 30 ounces of vodka. He was drinking from the moment he woke up until he passed out at night, all while trying to keep his struggles hidden from the people closest to him. After a devastating car accident, multiple hospital stays, and a diagnosis of end-stage liver cirrhosis, Tom was faced with a terrifying reality. Even after doctors warned him that he could die within weeks, the thought of…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

S6 · E309 · 9 Oct 2026 · 53 min
I Blacked Out, Woke Up in an Ambulance, and Still Didn’t Quit Drinking
Have you ever promised yourself you’d never drink like that again, only to find yourself doing the exact same thing a few weeks later? For years, Sam struggled with binge drinking, alcohol blackouts, and the anxiety that followed. He was the life of the party, had a successful career, and was surrounded by friends, but his drinking was becoming increasingly difficult to control. After blacking out on his birthday, Sam woke up in an ambulance with serious injuries. He was taken to the hospital, but instead of going home, he left and continued drinking at another party. Even that wasn’t enough…
S6 · E308 · 9 Oct 2026 · 12 min
Staying Sober: Why the Small Wins Matter Most
What really changes when you stop drinking, and what are some of the biggest benefits of sobriety that nobody talks about? When we think about quitting alcohol and getting sober, we often focus on the big milestones: 30 days sober, 90 days sober, one year sober, or even hitting rock bottom and turning our lives around. But some of the most powerful changes in recovery happen quietly, in the everyday moments nobody sees. In this episode of the Sober Motivation Podcast, Brad explores the often-overlooked benefits of sobriety and the small daily victories that help build a meaningful life…
S6 · E307 · 6 Oct 2026 · 56 min
Robyn Ottolini on Sobriety, Creativity & Finding Her Spark Again
Country artist Robyn Ottolini didn’t lose everything because of alcohol. She had a career she loved, close friends, a supportive family, and plenty to be grateful for. But behind the scenes, drinking was contributing to anxiety, sadness, shame, and a growing feeling that something needed to change. In this episode of the Sober Motivation Podcast, Robyn opens up about her decision to stop drinking, why the first few months surprised her, and the fear that sobriety might take away her creativity, personality, or “spark.” Instead, nearly one year later, she says she feels clearer, more…
S6 · E306 · 2 Oct 2026 · 1 hr 19 min
Alcohol Addiction Cost Him Everything. Why Couldn’t He Stay Sober?
Feel like you’ll never get sober? Maybe you’ve tried again and again, but nothing seems to stick. Mike knows that feeling well. Mike’s alcohol addiction eventually cost him his marriage, his business, his relationship with his kids, and nearly everything he had. He went through treatment multiple times, tried AA, and even put together years of sobriety, only to find himself drinking again. Mike knew a lot about recovery. The problem wasn’t knowing what to do. It was putting what he knew into action. In this episode, Mike shares what finally changed, why community became such an important…
S6 · E305 · 29 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 12 min
Amanda Thought Getting Sober Would Cost Her Everything. She Was Wrong
Amanda built much of her identity around partying. Drinking, drugs, festivals, relationships, and a large social circle weren’t just things she did—they had become part of who she believed she was. Even when a doctor warned her that continuing to use drugs could kill her, Amanda couldn’t imagine stopping. In her mind, getting sober meant losing her friends, her relationship, her social life, and everything she considered fun. As things progressed, Amanda began experiencing seizures. Then, after taking 30 days away from alcohol and drugs, she suffered another seizure while driving, crashed…
S6 · E304 · 23 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 20 min
She Looked Like She Had It All Together While Secretly Struggling With Alcohol | Kori’s Sober Story
No one knew how much Kori was really drinking. From the outside, she was a wife, mom, and hard worker who seemed to have everything together. Behind the scenes, she was secretly taking shots, hiding her alcohol use, and questioning whether she had a drinking problem. After years working in the bar and restaurant industry, drinking had become part of Kori’s everyday life. She could still show up for work and her family, but privately she was struggling with anxiety, shame, secret drinking, and a growing dependence on alcohol. At just 29, a doctor warned Kori about elevated liver enzymes.…
S6 · E303 · 18 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 35 min
After 7 Years Sober, Anthony Relapsed and Found Himself Back in Addiction
After more than seven years sober, Anthony never imagined he would find himself back in active addiction. In this episode of the Sober Motivation Podcast , Anthony shares his powerful story of drug addiction, cocaine addiction, sobriety, relapse, and addiction recovery . He opens up about his early struggles with cocaine, going to treatment, getting sober, and eventually building a life he was proud of in long-term sobriety. But as life got better, Anthony began letting go of some of the things that had helped him stay sober. Secrets, ego, and small justifications eventually opened the door…
S6 · E302 · 16 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 8 min
Alcohol Addiction Led to Liver Failure at 35 | Will’s Story Part 2
Will returns for Part 2 of his story. After 125 days sober, Will returned to drinking. His alcohol addiction progressed until he was facing end-stage liver cirrhosis, kidney failure, and doctors telling his family he could have just weeks left to live. Will shares what it was like receiving a liver transplant, nearly dying again after his colon ruptured and his family was given a 4% chance that he would survive the night , and eventually receiving a kidney transplant as well. But this story is about much more than survival. Will talks about relapse, shame, self-forgiveness, losing his…
S6 · E301 · 11 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 21 min
He Thought He Would Die Drinking: Sober Dave’s Story of Alcohol Addiction and Recovery
David Wilson, better known as Sober Dave, spent decades drinking before alcohol slowly took over nearly every part of his life. What began with drinking socially eventually progressed from beer to cider, wine and finally vodka — at his worst, Dave was drinking around a litre of vodka every night. He would wake up at 3 or 4 in the morning still drunk, go to work hours later, spend entire weekends drinking alone and regularly black out. Looking back, Dave says he remembers very little of his 40s. But on January 7, 2019, something changed. A friend reached out and simply asked Dave if he wanted…
S6 · E300 · 1 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 14 min
From Alcohol Addiction and Liver Failure to Sobriety: Will's Sober Story
Will Gordon’s alcohol addiction progressed to drinking as much as 1.75 liters of vodka every two days. His health deteriorated, he was diagnosed with alcoholic hepatitis and cirrhosis, and eventually his organs began shutting down. In this episode of the Sober Motivation Podcast, Will shares the reality of alcohol addiction, secret drinking, blackouts, trying to quit drinking, liver failure, transplant, and the moment doctors told him he may have only weeks to live. Now more than 1,200 days sober, Will reflects on what finally changed, the fight to survive, and what recovery and sobriety…
S6 · E299 · 28 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 22 min
Stage 4 Cirrhosis From Alcohol: Chelsea’s Sobriety Story
Chelsea was diagnosed with stage 4 liver cirrhosis after nearly a decade of heavy alcohol use, but even being told she could die wasn’t enough to immediately make her stop drinking. She shares the progression of her alcohol addiction, liver failure, ascites and the moment she finally got sober on September 29, 2024. Chelsea eventually received a liver transplant and today shares what recovery, sobriety and a second chance at life look like. Chelsea on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chelseablake_85/ Sober Motivation App on Apple App Store HERE Sober Motivation App on Google Play Store…
S6 · E298 · 25 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 38 min
From Daily Vodka to Sobriety: How Shelby Quit Drinking
Have you ever promised yourself you would stop drinking tomorrow, only to find yourself doing the exact same thing the next day? For Shelby, weekend drinking eventually progressed into daily vodka, blackouts, hidden bottles, and trying desperately to control her relationship with alcohol. She knew she needed to quit drinking, but even after getting months of sobriety, she found herself returning to alcohol and quickly ending up back where she started. In this episode, Shelby shares the experiences that shaped her relationship with alcohol, the reality of being a mom struggling with drinking,…
S6 · E297 · 20 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 5 min
10 Years of Trying to Quit Drinking: Andy’s Sobriety Story
What happens when you know alcohol is hurting your family, but you still can’t stop drinking? Andy returns to the Sober Motivation Podcast to share his journey from years of secret drinking and failed attempts to quit alcohol to reaching 18 months sober. For nearly a decade, Andy knew his relationship with alcohol needed to change. He would wake up hungover, promise himself he was done, and eventually find himself drinking again. As his drinking progressed, he began hiding alcohol from his wife and family. When his son found one of the bottles, Andy realized he was risking the people and…
S6 · E296 · 17 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 10 min
Alcohol Addiction Led to Liver and Kidney Failure at 29. Christine’s Sobriety Story
At 29 years old, Christine’s alcohol addiction led to liver and kidney failure. Her brain was swelling, she had lost the ability to walk, and doctors told her family she may have only 48 hours to live. Christine survived, but that still wasn’t the end of her drinking. In this episode of the Sober Motivation Podcast, Christine shares how drinking progressed from teenage experimentation to physical alcohol dependence, withdrawal and eventually drinking nearly a bottle of vodka a day. She opens up about the denial that kept her stuck, the devastating health consequences of alcohol addiction,…
S5 · E295 · 30 Jul 2026
The Drinking Problem He Couldn’t See | Mike & Kristen’s Quit Drinking Story
Mike never thought he had a drinking problem. He was working, providing for his family, and convinced himself he was still functioning. But behind closed doors, alcohol was quietly changing everything. In this powerful quit drinking story, Mike and his wife Kristen share both sides of their journey through alcohol addiction, denial, marriage struggles, and recovery. You’ll hear how daily drinking slowly took over their lives, the difficult decisions that followed, and how they rebuilt trust after choosing sobriety. If you’ve ever questioned your own drinking, wondered whether you’re a…
S5 · E294 · 24 Jul 2026 · 1 hr 12 min
From World Cup Success to Alcohol Addiction | David Correy's Story
David Correy had reached the kind of success most people only dream about. He was performing around the world, creating music, and achieving goals he had worked toward for years. But behind the scenes, he was carrying unimaginable grief. After losing both of his parents within a short period of time, alcohol slowly became more than something to unwind with. What began as an occasional escape turned into a daily battle that eventually led to rehab, jail, failed attempts at sobriety, and nearly losing everything. In this episode, David shares the moments that shaped his addiction, why…
S5 · E293 · 21 Jul 2026 · 52 min
She Thought She Was Stronger Than Alcohol | From Relapse to Recovery
Trisha never thought alcohol would take over her life. She survived three brain surgeries, built a successful barber shop, and raised two daughters as a single mom. When life became overwhelming, alcohol started as a way to cope with stress. Within months, she was physically dependent—drinking before work just to stop her hands from shaking. In this honest conversation, Trisha shares how alcohol slowly took control, the guilt of losing her daughters’ trust, rehab, relapse, and the moment she realized there was no such thing as moderation for her. Today, she’s rebuilding her life one day at a…
S5 · E292 · 17 Jul 2026 · 1 hr 20 min
The Hidden Cost of Shame | Jason’s Quit Drinking Story
Jason spent decades believing he had everything under control. He built a successful career, became known as the guy who could outdrink almost anyone, and convinced himself that because he was still functioning, he didn’t really have a problem. But behind the scenes, alcohol—and eventually cocaine—had quietly become the solution to every uncomfortable feeling. Anxiety. Loneliness. Shame. Divorce. The pressure to keep it all together. After watching his mother die from alcohol-related liver failure, Jason knew he had to change. He quit drinking… but discovered that removing alcohol alone…
S5 · E291 · 16 Jul 2026 · 15 min
I Interviewed 280 People About Sobriety. These 12 Lessons Changed Everything.
For the past several years, I’ve had one of the greatest privileges imaginable—sitting across from hundreds of people willing to tell the truth about addiction and recovery. As we approach 300 episodes of Sober Motivation, I wanted to step back and answer one question: What have all these conversations taught me? In this solo episode, I share 12+1 lessons that show up over and over again—from why shame keeps people stuck to why motivation is overrated, and why the people who stay sober aren’t necessarily stronger than everyone else. These lessons come from 290 recovery stories, 15 years…
S5 · E290 · 15 Jul 2026 · 52 min
He Drank Until His Liver Failed | Aaron’s Sobriety Story
Aaron never believed alcohol would nearly cost him his life. Like many people, drinking started as a way to fit in, cope with anxiety, and numb painful experiences. After losing his father at a young age, finding his brother after a fatal overdose, and carrying years of grief and trauma, alcohol slowly became his answer to everything. By his early 40s, he was drinking from the moment he woke up just to stop the withdrawals. His skin turned yellow, his body began shutting down, and after collapsing at home he was rushed to the hospital, where doctors weren’t sure he would survive. Today,…
S5 · E289 · 13 Jul 2026 · 1 hr 4 min
Alcohol Addiction, Blackouts and Relapse: How Jess Finally Got Sober
Jess never imagined alcohol would take her here. After years of trying to stop drinking, repeated relapses, multiple detoxes, inpatient treatment, and three-day blackouts, she found herself waking up to police after her truck became stranded on train tracks. She thought she had destroyed her life—and that she would never be able to stay sober. In this powerful episode of the Sober Motivation Podcast, Jess shares how alcohol slowly took over, the shame of living a double life while working alongside law enforcement, how addiction impacted her relationship with her son, and what finally helped…
S5 · E288 · 3 Jul 2026 · 1 hr 1 min
Do You Really Need Rock Bottom to Quit Drinking? | Matt’s Sober Story
Many people believe they have to lose everything before they quit drinking. Matt’s story proves otherwise. From the outside, he looked like he had it all—a successful career, a loving wife, three boys, and a normal suburban life. But behind the scenes, alcohol slowly became the center of everything. Weekend binge drinking turned into nightly drinking, blackouts became more common, and he found himself living at only 40% of the husband and father he wanted to be. In this conversation, Matt shares how anxiety, social drinking, parenting, and years of justifying alcohol kept him stuck until he…
S5 · E287 · 30 Jun 2026 · 1 hr 7 min
How Alcohol Almost Killed Me Before I Got Sober | Marty's Story
Alcohol didn’t almost take Marty’s life overnight—it happened one drink at a time. What started as partying with friends slowly became drinking alone, daily alcohol use, multiple ER visits, and eventually liver damage so severe his skin turned yellow. Doctors warned him that another drink could send him back into liver failure. In this powerful conversation, Marty shares: Why drinking alone was the turning point The warning signs he ignored for years Living with liver damage caused by alcohol Why he quit drinking without rehab What early sobriety really felt like Building a new identity…
S5 · E286 · 26 Jun 2026 · 1 hr 1 min
The Hidden Cost of Alcohol | Mike’s Sobriety Story
What is alcohol really costing you? In this episode of the Sober Motivation Podcast, Mike shares how alcohol slowly became part of his daily life without obvious warning signs. He kept his job, raised a family, and looked successful on the outside—but after quitting drinking, he realized alcohol had quietly taken far more from him than he ever imagined. We talk about growing up as a preacher’s kid, chasing acceptance, becoming a functioning daily drinker, and why you don’t have to hit rock bottom to question your relationship with alcohol. Mike also opens up about the moment he finally…
S5 · E285 · 24 Jun 2026 · 46 min
She Drank 4 Liters of Vodka a Day | Mailinn’s Sobriety Story
At 28 years old, Mailinn was preparing to die. She was drinking up to 4 liters of vodka a day, vomiting blood daily, and losing the ability to walk. Doctors had run out of answers. Her family was bracing for the worst. Then her body shut down. In 2020, Mailinn was placed into a coma with multi-organ failure and given little chance of survival. What happened next would completely change the course of her life. Today, Mailinn is six years sober. In this episode of Sober Motivation, Mailinn shares her powerful recovery story, from early drinking and alcohol addiction to waking up from a coma,…
S5 · E284 · 19 Jun 2026 · 1 hr 2 min
How I Got Sober After Drinking Alcohol for 30 Years | Elisa’s Sober Story
Elisa drank alcohol for 30 years. What started as relief from childhood trauma slowly turned into alcohol addiction, DUIs, broken relationships, and a life she says she barely remembers. At eight years old, Elisa testified in court against someone in her own family. Growing up afraid and feeling like she didn’t belong, alcohol became the thing that finally quieted the fear. In this episode of the Sober Motivation Podcast, Elisa shares her recovery story—how childhood trauma shaped her addiction, why alcohol felt like the answer, her struggles with alcoholism, and the spiritual and emotional…
S5 · E283 · 17 Jun 2026 · 56 min
He Thought Addiction Had Won | Gio’s Sobriety Story
“I genuinely thought I was a hopeless alcoholic addict with no chance of return.” That’s where Gio found himself. After years of success as a hockey player—including a Division I scholarship and a professional career—addiction slowly took over. What started as drinking and partying became something much darker, leading Gio to a gas station parking lot where he finally called his dad and admitted: “I can’t stop using.” In this episode, Gio shares his journey through hockey culture, addiction, opiates, losing his identity after hockey, multiple treatment stays, relapse, and how he found hope…
S5 · E282 · 12 Jun 2026 · 1 hr 8 min
High-Functioning Alcoholism Almost Destroyed Him: Manny’s Road to Sobriety
Manny grew up in New Orleans surrounded by alcohol, but after watching the damage drinking caused in his own family, he wanted nothing to do with it. That changed later in life. After marriage, business success, cocaine, alcohol, Hurricane Katrina, divorce, depression, day drinking, and eventually drinking four to five bottles of wine a day, Manny found himself isolated, physically broken, and barely able to walk. What started as social drinking became full-blown alcohol addiction. In this episode of the Sober Motivation Podcast, Manny shares his powerful story of addiction, rehab, relapse,…
S5 · E281 · 10 Jun 2026 · 1 hr 4 min
I Was Drinking at 7 A.M. and Hating My Life | Gary's Sobriety Story
He had a loving family, a private school education, great friends, and every opportunity in front of him. Yet by age 33, Gary was drinking in 7 a.m. bars in Spain, waking up in hostels with no money, and wondering how his life had fallen apart. In this episode of Sober Motivation, Gary Mairs shares how alcohol slowly took over despite what many would consider the perfect childhood. From teenage binge drinking in England to years of anxiety, financial chaos, broken relationships, and undiagnosed ADHD, Gary opens up about the reality of alcohol addiction and the moment he finally decided…

About Sober Motivation: Sharing Sobriety Stories

Sober Motivation: Sharing Sobriety Stories is a English health podcast from Brad McLeod. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Brad McLeod
Language: English
Category: Health
New episodes: Several times a week
Typical length: 1 hr 7 min
Latest episode: 11 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1650658049

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