Five years ago, I committed to an alcohol-free lifestyle as a coach. It wasn’t a dramatic declaration — just a conscious decision to see what would happen if I removed alcohol from the equation. What followed surprised me: more energy, clearer thinking, stronger coaching. Here’s what I learned. I stopped drinking five years ago. Not because of a crisis — but because of two clear reasons:
- I had a major operation pending (total hip replacement) and needed to be as fit and healthy as possible.
- I was bored of waking up feeling slightly worse than I needed to. Not hungover, well sometimes, but mostly just… off.
I committed to a 365 day challenge. It’s now become permanent.
What’s Changed with an alcohol-free lifestyle
The improvements have been consistent and noticeable:
- More stable energy
- Deeper, better quality sleep
- Lower blood pressure
- Healthier skin
- Clearer thinking
- Greater physical and mental resilience
The Science Backs It Up
This isn’t just anecdotal. An alcohol-free lifestyle for coaches is backed by research across multiple studies backs up the same changes I’ve experienced:
“Blood pressure and resting heart rate start to drop significantly within weeks of cutting alcohol — changes considered clinically meaningful even at moderate intake.”
— Aguilera et al., Hypertension, 1999 (n=42 participants)
“Alcohol increases cortisol and activates the sympathetic nervous system — both of which settle after withdrawal.”
— Nature Reviews Hypertension, 2009
Dry January studies report measurable improvements in sleep, skin, focus, and energy within four weeks of abstinence.
— Various studies (summarised by Alcohol Change UK, Verywell Health, and Health.com)
How an Alcohol-Free Lifestyle Helps Coaching Clarity
Coaching and Tutoring demands presence, clarity, and consistency. Whether you’re on court, mentoring, or managing a team — you need to be there. Properly.
Since going alcohol-free, I’ve noticed:
- More focus
- More energy across longer delivery days
- Faster decision-making in sessions
- And more patience — especially under pressure
I’m not claiming alcohol is a problem for all coaches. But I know how much sharper I am without it — and I don’t think I’d go back.
For Coaches Who Are Curious
You don’t need to be struggling to benefit from a change. The alcohol-free lifestyle for coaches just may be the way forward. It is 2025 after all.
Try it for a week. Then two. Then a month.
For me, it’s been five years. And it’s still one of the best decisions I’ve made. It is AMAZING. Feel free to drop me a message if you want to chat!
Cheers Nick 😉