Amber: “Amber, sweet Amber. Stop trying to fit in and just BE YOURSELF. You are unique, and people like you for who you are. And even more importantly, I want you to STOP and understand this because if you do, it will save you 30 years of very difficult, dark, sad and confusing times ahead: alcoholism and mental illness runs in your family. You’ve been binge drinking for 4 years already, sweet girl. Look where it’s gotten you and open your eyes to where you are headed! If you don’t stop drinking NOW and learn how to socialize and de-stress without alcohol, you WILL go down a very dark, scary, and dangerous road. You will almost die, probably dozens of times. You will risk everything, and almost lose it all. You will not find meaningful relationships and you will not find happiness if you’re searching for them inside of a bottle. Please, Amber, educate yourself on addiction, take time to reflect on your reckless actions, and I’m begging you, change your destructive ways NOW or you will have to fight like hell to climb your way out of the abyss when you’re 37. Amber, I promise you this: an alcohol-free lifestyle is much more suitable for you than the alternative. You love to RUN! You love to play sports! Go and do that and leave the alcohol behind. I am down on my knees, literally begging you, Amber, PLEASE. You won’t be missing out on anything, and you have everything to gain. I love you.”
Your friends may start to experiment with cigarettes, drugs, and alcohol, but you should NEVER experiment with any of those things. They’re very BAD for you. They can harm you very badly and they can take control over your entire life very quickly, because of the fact that addiction and mental illness runs in your family. It’s in your DNA. There’s so much more that I will teach you about this, but please know that YOU have to be more careful than anyone else, and your life and your future depends on it. I’m not trying to scare you. You’ll be OK now that you know this, and you’ll be careful. I love you so much and I just want to protect you.”
Peggi: Talk about the unique challenges you have faced getting sober at 40.
Amber: Honestly, getting sober at 40 has been awesome! I feel like the BEST time to quit drinking was 20 years ago, but the second-best time is NOW. I spent all my teens, 20s and 30s binge drinking and I got sober at age 38. I think 40 is a GREAT time to stop drinking because I still have a lot of life ahead of me and my kids are still relatively young. I feel humbled and blessed. Peggi: What advice would you give to someone who is questioning their relationship with alcohol? Amber: If you’re wondering if you’re drinking too much, and you’re wondering if your life would be better without alcohol, the answer is YES. It may seem hard to imagine, but every single aspect and area of my life has improved beyond measure since I stopped drinking. Peggi: Where do you see yourself in five years? Amber: In five years, I’m running marathons and hosting retreats all over the world; I’m still helping people find their sober tribe and helping them find and maintain sobriety through running. I envision that Recovery Road Runners has absolutely exploded and we’re doing all sorts of fun in-person events.
Peggi: What’s the best compliment you have ever received?
Amber: “ Your infectious energy and positive vibes rub off on everyone around you. You’re smart, fun, and easy to talk to, understanding, a great listener, a loving mother, a great friend, great sobriety coach.”
Peggi: Who inspires you?
Amber: Rich Roll, Sober Endurance Athlete and Podcaster and David Goggins, Navy Seal, Ultrarunner, Mindset Influencer and total Bad Ass.
Peggi: If you had a bumper sticker for what you do, what would it say?
Peggi: What do you plan to tell your boys about alcohol?
Amber: “Boys, I have something very important to tell you. Addiction and mental illness runs in our family, on both sides. You boys have to be VERY CAREFUL and SMART with your decisions and the way you choose to live your life, so that you can stay healthy both mentally and physically. Mommy and other people in our family suffer from alcoholism, depression, and anxiety. What that means is that alcohol is very poisonous and dangerous for me and for the two of you. It's highly addictive and UNSAFE, in small or large quantities.
Amber: “Sober Runners Are Cool AF!”
Peggi: Anything you would like to add? Amber: Recovery Road Runners isn’t just for RUNNERS. It’s also for used-to-be-runners, wanna-be-runners, walkers, cyclists, hikers, gym rats, and yogis. Anybody can start a new running or walking program NOW; it is never too late, and I can help them get started! It doesn’t matter how fast or how far you run; you are a real runner.
HOLA SOBER | MADRID
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