Welcome back y’all! Coming to you live from a quaint little coffee shop in Snoqualmie, Washington. It’s freaking gorgeous here.

My heart’s been craving the mountains and a gorgeous walk this morning reminded me how beautifully simple life can be:

Nature, natural light, movement, and fresh air.

Today’s newsletter is the final segment of a 3-part series on my journey from a DUI to transformation, and now eight years without alcohol.

In case you missed them:

Part 1: The DUI That Changed Everything
Part 2: The Deeper the Fear, the Greater the Freedom

And now Part 3: 8 Lessons from 8 Years Without Alcohol

Let’s get into it ⬇️

Lesson 1: I have the power to choose my response.

When I got my DUI, I adopted the mindset that this happened for me, not to me.

Mistakes can haunt us, or help us.
I chose the latter.
Key word - chose.

That response is in my power.

So I decided to see challenges as opportunities to grow:

Which brings me to the second lesson…

Lesson 2: There is a direct correlation between fear and freedom.

The more uncomfortable the step work, the more liberation I experienced.
The deeper I went sharing my fears, shame, guilt, and insecurities… the greater the relief and liberation I experienced.

By honestly confronting these things with myself and vulnerably sharing them with my sponsor, I removed the darkness that was holding me back and created space for the light.

Lesson 3: I found more of myself, my interests, and my curiosities.

While at first uncomfortable, I learned I can still have fun and enjoy my life.
Even more than I ever had.

A lot of my past life (8+ years ago) revolved around partying to have fun.

But I’ve learned that I can still be the last person out on the dance floor.
Sober.

Or attend weddings and social gatherings, making genuine connections and loving the event for what it is.
Sober.

And wake up feeling great, ready for a workout, and excited for the day ahead.

I also learned that I love yoga, which I only found because of the DUI.

I loved sales and business, discovering legends like Zig Ziglar, Jim Rohn, and Dan Martell - diving deep into their teachings and interjecting my learnings into my career.

I started a podcast and a newsletter - things I always dreamed about but never actually did anything about.

I found a love for the outdoors, trail running, and spending weekends climbing mountains instead of drinking.

Removing alcohol didn’t hinder my life.
It expanded my life.
It expanded me.

Getting back to the core of Little Colin.

The curious kid who, deep down, wants to explore, learn, create, and connect with the world around him.

Lesson 4: My environments have a strong influence on my life and the person I have become.

After quitting alcohol, I intentionally removed myself from specific environments: parties, bars, alcohol-heavy spaces.

Instead, I went to yoga, the gym, started running, and surrounded myself with people who were challenging me in healthy ways.

My habits changed and my career also started taking off.

It was imperative for me to intentionally place myself in environments that supported the personal growth and life I was pursuing.

Lesson 5: My relationships deepened.

I spent more quality time with my family.
Connected more deeply with friends.
And I began naturally seeking conversations that had depth.

I understand this comes with age and life experience, but for me, removing alcohol expedited that process.

Removing alcohol also served as a relationship filter - wanting to be around people who had a positive influence on my life, and removing myself from relationships that did not support the new path I was choosing.

This was, and still is, a daily choice.

Lesson 6: I became more present.

In conversations.
Activities.
Work.
And daily living.

Being where my feet are.
Enjoying each moment.

My mind was no longer consumed with “When’s the next party, the next drink, the next smoke.”

Instead, I created the mental space to clearly be in each moment.

It’s like I got my brain back.

Lesson 7: I became maniacally focused on my priorities.

I gave myself the gift of focus. All in on my career, health, growth, and development.

My life started expanding.
I saw a vision of where I wanted to take it.

Career aspirations.
Deeper relationships.
Healthy living.
Travel.
Adventures.

And here’s the kicker - I now had the mental and emotional freedom to stay on track.

Not to mention the financial freedom to make these things happen.

I truly believe I was able to buy my first rental property simply from not spending money on alcohol.

Have you ever added up the amount of money you spend on alcohol - and all the expenses that come with it?

Maybe it isn’t a crazy amount for you.
But for me, it was a lot.

Enough to make a down payment on a house.
By simply not drinking alcohol.

Wild.

Lesson 8: The little things became the big things.

Morning coffee.
Journaling.
Quality conversations.
Sunrises.
Sunsets.
Walks outside.
Reading.
Chatting with a neighbor.

Things that I overlooked in the past became, once again, beautifully simple.

Like walking Jackson this morning.

What a gift to wake up early, refreshed, and energized by the little things.

Me being me, I had to throw in one more:
I learned I could trust myself again.

No more questioning if I would work out in the morning.
Or if I would be in control going out with friends.
Or follow through on writing this newsletter.

It’s now what I do.
It’s who I became.

It’s not always perfect.
But it’s 100% better than it ever used to be.

And that, to me, is worth all the growing pains of the last 8+ years.

There are plenty more lessons, each powerful in their own ways, but these were top of mind.

To close things out, sometimes I wonder…

If I was still drinking, would I have achieved some of my greatest accomplishments in life?

Excelling in my career, climbing Mount Rainier, traveling the world, investing in real estate, becoming a yoga teacher, and having the relationships I have today?

I’m not sure.
Maybe.
Maybe not.

Either way - I wouldn’t change a thing.
Nor would I take the gamble.

Instead, I’ll grab a Heineken 0.0 and wake up tomorrow morning ready to get after it.

Let me be clear - I’m not telling you whether you should drink or not.

If you love your glass of wine to wind down or want to let loose with the boys on a Friday night - freaking go for it.

Do you.

I’m simply encouraging you to intentionally choose the life you want and be who you want to be.

Smile often.
Laugh hard.
Love freely.
And share your light with the world.

Because I believe if there’s anything this world needs, it’s more people simply being their true, genuine, authentic selves.

Just be you.
Everyone else is taken.

Tip: Last week I encouraged you to make a searching and fearless moral inventory of fears in your life. This week, it’s time for shame and guilt.

Action: Write down 5-10 guilts/shames you are currently facing in your life.

Why it matters:

Extra credit - take action on one of those fears.

💻 Recent Newsletter Posts

🎙️Seeds of Success Podcast (Spotify)

🎙️Seeds of Success Podcast (Apple Podcasts)

🎬 YouTube | 📸 Instagram | 📱TikTok | ✍️ LinkedIn | 📈 Substack

✍️ Goal 1: Write 49 Newsletters
Realized: 28/49

🌎 Goal 2: Travel to 34 countries by age 34
Realized: 25/34

💰Goal 3: Earn $50k in self-generated revenue
Realized: $12,182

Got this far? Hit reply and let me know something that stood out to you.

I love hearing from you and always respond.

Lastly, can you please send this to one person you think might enjoy it?

Sharing the newsletter is the #1 way that will help it grow.

Thanks for supporting the mission 🚀

See you next week 😎