TRIGGER WARNING: This episode discusses childhood trauma, parental abandonment, domestic abuse, substance use, and mental health topics. Have you ever realized you're doing to someone you love exactly what hurt you most as a child? That gut-wrenching moment hit Heather hard when she recognized she was neglecting her son the same way her alcohol dependent father neglected her. Growing up, she watched her dad drink every night, becoming hostile and unavailable while she desperately needed connection. Her mother had already left, and the bullying at school made her feel even more alone. By her twenties, Heather was chasing belonging through party drugs and alcohol, convinced that being the life of the party meant she'd finally be accepted. Fast forward to her divorce, and she was drinking two bottles of wine alone every night, passing out in front of Netflix, unable to be present for her son. But the real wake-up call came when her child witnessed her having a trauma response while intoxicated. That's when Heather joined The Path and discovered what finding connection without alcohol actually means. Through coaching calls, self-compassion, and community support, she learned that genuine connection starts with being safe within yourself—not performing for others or numbing your pain. Heather and Coach Cole discuss: Heather’s early memories of an unpredictable, drinking parent and the “Sunday blues” that still linger How childhood bullying and self-sabotage formed a template for chasing approval and bracing for criticism Becoming the designated driver, then later stepping into party culture, drugs, and chasing acceptance at any cost Motherhood, isolation, and week-on/week-off parenting that turned wine into a nightly coping strategy The breaking point meltdown that led Heather to seek real help instead of trying to “just stop” on her own How The Path showed her that finding connection without alcohol is possible through safety, shared stories, and unconditional support Rewriting generational patterns by parenting her son with emotional language, nervous-system tools, and open conversations about alcohol Feeling “me is okay, me is cool” and stepping into a new season of confidence, self-trust, and genuine belonging How Heather now seeks out like-minded people, creates connections from the inside out, and has more insights, reflections, and ah-ha moments Episode links:nakedmindpath.com Related Episodes: One Year No Beer – Andy’s Naked Life – E57 – https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-57-naked-life-story-andy-ramage/ Can I Just Take a Break From Alcohol? – Reader Question – E378 – https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-378-reader-question-can-i-just-take-a-break-from-alcohol/ Finding Your True Self and Building Genuine Connections Without Alcohol – Alcohol Freedom Coaching – E821 – https://thisnakedmind.com/building-genuine-connections-without-alcohol-e821/ Ready to take the next step on your journey? Visit https://learn.thisnakedmind.com/podcast-resources for free resources, programs, and more. Until next week, stay curious! Hungryroot: Get 40% off your first box + a free item for life at Hungryroot.com/nakedmind with code nakedmind Shopify:Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at Shopify.com/mind Quince:Go to Quince.com/naked for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns BetterHelp:BetterHelp makes it easy to get matched online with a qualified therapist. Sign up and get 10% off at BetterHelp.com/nakedmind
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