Eleven years ago, I stopped drinking…

No, it wasn’t some grand, noble decision. I didn’t have a ‘rock-bottom’ moment or a spiritual awakening. 

It was less about the alcohol itself and more about what it represented: an unintentional drift away from integrity, away from the man I wanted to be.

At the time, my life was a paradox. 

On the outside, I was the picture of success—training clients, running a business, showing up at every social event with a drink in hand and a laugh on my lips. 

But inside? I was a walking contradiction. 

I was a physique coach back then, helping clients become their best selves while showing up to 6 a.m. sessions dehydrated and sleep-deprived. I was building a business but eroding my own foundations—my energy, my focus, my character.

I also know it’s a bit of a fad now, which I think is a good thing, but being contraration for the sake of being contrarian is not being a contrarian. So I only share this because I’ve been asked “Why I don’t drink?” so many times.

The turning point came one champagne-soaked night at the Dubai World Cup.

If you’ve never been, let me paint the picture for you.

The place is dripping with luxury. Think high heels clicking on marble floors, designer suits, and champagne flowing like water. It’s loud, it’s chaotic, and everyone’s there to be seen. 

The horses? Yeah, they’re technically the main event, but let’s be honest—no one’s paying attention to them.

And I was right there in the middle of it. Suit on, drink in hand, trying to convince myself I was living the dream. 

But the truth? I wasn’t watching the races or enjoying the moment—I was chasing something I couldn’t even name.

Another drink.

Another laugh.

Another round of whatever it took to feel like I belonged.

By the end of the night, I was exhausted. My voice was hoarse from shouting over the music, my head was already starting to pound, and my body felt like it was running on fumes.

I got home with just two hours to spare before I had to train clients at the gym. Two hours. And as I collapsed onto my bed, fully dressed, one thought hit me like a freight train:

‘What the hell am I doing?’

Not just with the drinking—but with my life.

I had clients who were counting on me to show up in just a few hours. People who trusted me to help them be their best selves. I was charging $250 an hour to train clients. And there I was, lying in bed, dizzy and dehydrated, knowing full well I wasn’t even close to being my own best self.

That moment? 

It wasn’t dramatic. No tears, no yelling at the mirror. 

Just this quiet realization: 

I’m better than this. 

I have to be better than this. 

I was disappointed in myself.

That night in Dubai was the last time I ever drank.

When I stopped drinking, I thought it would just mean fewer hangovers and more energy. 

What I didn’t expect was how much it would force me to face myself. Without the haze of alcohol, every choice became clearer—and harder. 

It wasn’t about saying no to beer or wine; it was about saying yes to the man I wanted to become.

At its core, integrity isn’t about perfection. It’s about alignment—living in a way that matches your values. 

For years, I had been breaking promises to myself: “I’ll go easy tonight,” “I’ll make it to the gym tomorrow,” “I’ll cut back next week.” 

Quitting drinking forced me to rebuild that trust, one decision at a time. And let me tell you, there’s no confidence boost like finally keeping your word—to yourself.

Now, if you grew up in Australia, you’ll understand this: drinking isn’t just a pastime; it’s practically a national identity. 

Friday beers aren’t optional; they’re a rite of passage. 

Rejecting a drink feels like rejecting the very fabric of Aussie mateship.

At first, saying “no” felt like social treason. 

I’d get the usual questions: “Are you sick?” “Pregnant?” “What do you mean, no?” 

But the deeper challenge wasn’t their questions—it was mine. 

Am I still fun without a drink? Am I enough?

My realization was that alcohol gives you permission to let go. 

But once I stopped drinking, I realized it wasn’t the booze that made me fun or confident. It was me all along. Alcohol had just been the training wheels, and without it, I had to learn how to ride the bike.

The decision to quit drinking didn’t just change my weekends; it changed everything. 

It set off a domino effect in my life. Without the fog of hangovers, I had the energy and clarity to build a multi-seven-figure business. 

Without the crutch of alcohol, I learned to show up fully for my four daughters and my wife. I stopped chasing the illusion of balance and started creating a life that aligned with my values.

This principle didn’t just apply to drinking. 

It reshaped how I approached my business. 

Early on, I found myself tempted to copy what everyone else was doing—chasing trends, hustling for the sake of hustle. But just like with alcohol, I realized those paths weren’t leading me to the life I wanted. 

So I chose integrity. I built a business model that worked for me, one that didn’t require sacrificing my health, my family, or my peace of mind.

Quitting drinking didn’t make life easier. 

It made it clearer. 

Without the distractions, I had to face my insecurities, my fears, and my flaws. 

But in doing so, I discovered something incredible: the freedom to be fully myself. 

Not the version propped up by a glass of wine or the one following someone else’s blueprint, but the real me—flawed, striving, and unapologetically alive.

So if you’ve ever questioned whether you’re relying on something—alcohol, a job, a social norm—that’s holding you back, here’s my advice…

Try stepping away. 

Not forever. 

Not even for 30 days. 

Just long enough to see what’s underneath.

Because when you strip away the crutches, you don’t lose anything. 

You gain the chance to rebuild yourself—stronger, clearer, and more aligned with the life you actually want.

And that? That’s worth raising a glass to.

P.S. If you’re a high achiever and you know you’re ready to live an alcohol-free lifestyle but you’re stuck on the stop/start cycle, you don’t want to do AA or rehab, and willpower hasn’t worked….

My mate James Swanwick has an epic community of entrepreneurs, and executives over at his Alcohol-Free Lifestyle community. You can check him out here: alcoholfreelifestyle.com

No affiliate link or anything. I just truly believe in, and know what he does works wonders.