Your 66-day Reset with Challenger Kai

August 23

32 mins

Episode Description

My guest this week is Kai from Switzerland who did our 66-day Challenge back in 2018 - and he's been sober ever since

In this episode:
Kai liked the competitive aspect of a “challenge” and once he’d checked out the science behind our 66 he was keen to join
He never had a “rock bottom” moment; the realization that he was drinking too much came gradually over 5 years.
Three main drinking situations:
1. Friday/Saturday nights with his wife.
2. After-work beers with colleagues.
3. Holidays with daily alcohol.
He’d always struggled with moderation; although he did attempt a “Dry January” most years.
Kai started his 66-day challenge with confidence, expecting to moderate afterward.
He found the accountability, group support, and reading resources helpful.
He maintained his social life but switched to alcohol-free alternatives.

Family Reactions were interesting…
- His wife didn’t fully understand the need for Kai to join a group in South Africa to do the challenge
- His children gave him some honest feedback that they never would have told him if he was still drinking
  - Son disliked the smell of alcohol on his breath.
  - Daughter disliked his loudness and unsteady walking after drinking.
- After the 66 days he felt great and extended challenge to 100 days and then to 6 months
- Then his daughter’s challenged him to do one year – that was 7 years ago and he’s been alcohol free ever since!
Benefits Noticed
- Easier life – loved the simplicity of not counting drinks or worrying about driving
- Health improvements: better skin, digestion, sleep, mood.
- No more hangovers and much more energy.
Kai’s Perspective has changed..
- No current reason to drink; sees alcohol as incompatible with healthy living.
- Notices social norms promoting alcohol; predicts attitudes may shift like they did with smoking.
- Enjoys being a role model for his children and colleagues.
Advice to Others
- Know your “why” before starting.
- Use the toolbox, community, and resources.
- Observe social drinking without judgment.
- Challenges help identify if drinking is truly a problem.
- He avoided the daunting idea of “forever” by setting achievable milestones.

So if Kai has inspired you to try our #Sober66 Challenge just click on this link to join

Next week we’ll be featuring another #Sober66 Challenger so don’t forget to tune in!