S3 Ep177: Michael Sargood: Happy Without The Hooch

This episode contains references to suicide which some listeners may find distressing.  This week we are joined by the fantastic Michael Sargood on Over The Influence! You might have seen Michael on his social media page happywithoutthehooch, generally being hilarious and honest about his experiences in sobriety. The loss of a loved one and a bad relationship led Michael to a very dark place. Now in sobriety, he’s not pretending that everything is suddenly perfect, but he’s given himself the consistency to be able to live life to its fullest.  Thanks so much to Michael for sharing your time and your story with us, if you'd like to keep up with him then you can visit his Facebook and Instagram pages. --- Get In Touch: Of course, you can always get in touch with us (publicly or privately) on our socials - @alcoholfreepod on Instagram, or search for "Over The Influence" on Facebook. We'd love to hear your story - please get in touch with us directly at otihq@overtheinfluence.co.uk or go to our website, www.overtheinfluence.co.uk --- The Premium Podcast: If you love OTI and you'd like to hear behind the curtain, subscribe to the OTI Premium Podcast now! --- Links: For links to alcohol-related support services, please visit our website. --- Disclaimer: All views expressed in this podcast are of the participants themselves, and not necessarily those of Over The Influence (OTI) Ltd. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this podcast is done at your own risk. We are not medical professionals but normal people giving their own experiences of removing alcohol from their lives, and as such this podcast should not be considered professional advice. If you are dependent on alcohol, or think you may be, we strongly recommend that you seek professional medical advice. --- Helpful Hashtags: We found hashtags and sober social media accounts really helpful in our early days alcohol free, as following them can help to reinforce that you are not alone! These are some of the hashtags we've followed: #alcoholfree #stopdrinking #healthandwellnessjourney #zeroalcohol #idontdrink #sobercurious #healthydrinking #alcoholfreelife #soberaf #alcoholfreeliving #sobermotivation #podcast #healthpodcast #noalcohol #nobooze #sober #sobercurious #soberlofe #soberliving #sobercommunity #afcommunity #soberwomen #sobermom #sobermomtribe #sobersisters #sobriety #soberuk #soberjourney #sobrietyrocks #overtheinfluence #oti

Om Podcasten

Welcome to Over the Influence, the podcast where sobriety isn't just a choice - it’s a celebration! Hosted by Sharon Hartley and Ben Anderson, both BBC professionals by day and passionate advocates for alcohol-free living by night, this is your go-to space for real, raw, and uplifting stories of what life looks like on the other side of alcohol. Each episode shines a light on inspiring, often hard-hitting journeys to sobriety. From personal struggles to incredible triumphs, we bring you heartfelt conversations with guests from all walks of life - whether they're celebrities, experts, or everyday heroes. Their stories might trigger deep emotions, but they’ll also inspire hope, empowerment, and a renewed sense of what the human spirit can overcome. Whether you're sober curious, walking your own path to sobriety, or simply looking for some inspiration, you're in the right place. Let’s talk openly about the highs, the lows, and everything in between - and most importantly, let's celebrate the joys of a vibrant, alcohol-free life together. Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are those of the participants and not necessarily those of Over The Influence (OTI) Ltd. The information shared is for general purposes only and should not be taken as professional advice. If you are physically addicted to alcohol - or even think you might be - it's essential you seek qualified medical advice from your doctor or other medical professional. Stopping drinking suddenly can be very dangerous and in some cases fatal. You can find links to support services on our website here (https://www.overtheinfluence.co.uk/supportresources) .