What happens when a high-achieving perfectionist discovers that alcohol simultaneously soothes and sabotages her life? Chris Janssen, USA Today bestselling author of "Grace Yourself," takes us on her remarkable journey from teenage drinking to sustained sobriety, an unexpected relapse, and ultimately, profound redemption.
Janssen's story begins at fourteen, when she discovered alcohol's ability to quiet her relentless perfectionism. The temporary relief it provided became a crutch that followed her through college, marriage, and motherhood. "Alcohol made me feel okay," she reveals. "I could relax and not overthink everything." Yet this solution gradually became her primary problem.
The conversation takes a surprising turn as Janssen shares how, after fourteen years of continuous sobriety, a perfect storm of circumstances—pandemic isolation, empty nest syndrome, and relocating to a new state—led her to question her alcoholic identity. Her raw honesty about this relapse offers listeners rare insight into the persistent nature of addiction. "I learned that I had evolved and grown and changed," she explains, "but alcohol had not."
What distinguishes this episode is Janssen's powerful perspective on why sharing recovery stories matters: "Some of us recover loudly in hopes of preventing others from dying quietly." This philosophy infuses her work as an author and life coach, where she helps others trapped by perfectionism and negative thought patterns find freedom.
Perhaps most compelling is Jansen's redefinition of sobriety not as deprivation but as authenticity and joy. "Sobriety is fun because I feel good," she insists. "I can be the life of the party, stay late, and remember everything the next day." Her experience challenges listeners to consider where in their lives the pain of staying the same might have become greater than the pain of changing.
Ready to break free from perfectionism, shame, or addictive patterns? This conversation offers practical wisdom for showing up authentically for the life you truly want.
https://www.amazon.com/Grace-Yourself-Show-Sober-Life/dp/1637633378
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