In this powerful and deeply personal conversation, Tobie opens up about her lifelong struggle with alcohol, the impact of childhood trauma, and the role grief played on her path. From early drinking habits to the devastating loss of her husband, she shares how sobriety, community, and faith helped her rebuild her life from the inside out. Her story is a reminder that healing is possible, relationships can be restored, and that choosing sobriety often leads to gaining far more than we give up.

Key Takeaways

• Early exposure to alcohol shaped Tobie's relationship with drinking.
• A moment of self-awareness became the turning point toward sobriety.
• Grief and trauma contributed significantly to her alcohol use.
• Tobie faced the murder of her husband and chose not to drink through it.
• Healing grief without alcohol became a major part of her growth.
• Sobriety transformed her relationships with her children and others.
• Community support played a crucial role in her recovery.
• Personal responsibility became a foundation for healthier relationships.
• Faith in God grounded her as she rebuilt her life.
• Letting go of alcohol helped her gain clarity, connection, and peace.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to Tobie's Journey with Alcohol
07:23 The Aha Moment: Recognizing the Need for Change
12:11 Grief and Alcohol: Coping with Loss
18:08 Facing Tragedy: The Murder of Tobie's Husband
23:58 Navigating Grief Without Alcohol
29:39 Transforming Relationships Through Recovery
35:36 The Impact of Alcohol on Professional Life
42:20 The Impact of Alcohol on Daily Life
47:08 Breaking Up with Alcohol
57:15 Faith and Spirituality in Recovery
01:03:25 Closing Reflections

Resources & Links

• https://www.thezeroprooflife.com/products/zpl-monthly-subscription
• Follow ZPL: https://www.instagram.com/thezeroprooflife/
• Follow the coaches:
  
  
  • Brandi Babb – @brandi.babb (https://www.instagram.com/brandi.babb/)
    
    
  • Karla Adkins – @karlakadkins (https://www.instagram.com/karlakadkins/)
    
    
  • Carolyn Bennett – @thesoberempath (https://www.instagram.com/carolynbennett2.0/)
    
    
  • Becca Snider – @becsnider (https://www.instagram.com/becsnider/)

If this conversation resonated with you, please follow the show and leave a review so more people can discover The Zero Proof Life.

Hosts Karla Adkins and Carolyn Bennett dive into the transformational journey they’ve witnessed inside Zero Proof Life. From navigating the holiday season to understanding the science of alcohol, they explore how community, coaching, and empowerment move women from surviving to thriving. This conversation highlights the real physical, emotional, and relational shifts that happen when someone decides to stop drinking and steps into a supportive space that understands the journey.

Key Takeaways

• Community is one of the strongest antidotes to addiction.
• Understanding the science of alcohol can be life-saving and motivating.
• The physical benefits of quitting alcohol arrive quickly and measurably.
• One decision can create a powerful ripple effect across your entire life.
• Coaching strategies evolve as women evolve.
• A welcoming, supportive community accelerates personal growth.
• The holidays can be especially challenging without support.
• Normalizing alcohol conversations helps reduce shame and isolation.
• Joining a supportive AF community can reshape your whole path.
  
  

Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction and reflections on the coaching journey
02:46 – Navigating the holiday season and alcohol challenges
04:59 – The power of community in recovery
07:13 – Understanding the science of alcohol
10:16 – Physical transformations after quitting alcohol
12:35 – The ripple effect of stopping drinking
16:07 – Creating a supportive environment for change
18:36 – Invitation to join the ZPL community
20:03 – Outro

Resources & Links

• https://www.thezeroprooflife.com/products/zpl-monthly-subscription
  
  
• Follow ZPL: https://www.instagram.com/thezeroprooflife/
  
  
• Follow the coaches:
  • Brandi Babb – @brandi.babb (https://www.instagram.com/brandi.babb/)
    
    
  • Karla Adkins – @karlakadkins (https://www.instagram.com/karlakadkins/)
    
    
  • Carolyn Bennett – @thesoberempath (https://www.instagram.com/carolynbennett2.0/)
    
    
  • Becca Snider – @becsnider (https://www.instagram.com/becsnider/)

If this conversation resonated with you, please follow the show and leave a review so more people can discover The Zero Proof Life.

In this episode of The Zero Proof Life, host Karla Adkins sits down with Lorna Wilson, a certified life coach specializing in alcohol recovery and personal development. Together they explore Lorna’s journey into coaching, the importance of proper training, and how understanding limiting beliefs can unlock transformation. From supporting new coaches to navigating relationships and finding purpose beyond alcohol, this conversation offers wisdom for anyone walking the path of self-discovery and growth.

Key Takeaways

• Lorna Wilson is a certified coach with a wealth of experience.
• Coaching can be a transformative career for those passionate about helping others.
• Proper training and certification are crucial in the coaching profession.
• Transitioning into alcohol coaching enhances a coach’s ability to support recovery clients.
• Finding purpose beyond alcohol is essential for long-term healing.
• Relationships require open communication throughout the recovery journey.
• Limiting beliefs often hold individuals back from growth.
• Personal stories empower both coaches and clients.
• Continuous learning is key to effective coaching.

Timestamps
00:00 — Introduction to Lorna Wilson
03:25 — Lorna’s Journey into Coaching
06:25 — The Importance of Coaching Training
09:16 — Transitioning into Alcohol Coaching
12:24 — Supporting New Coaches
15:13 — Finding Purpose Beyond Alcohol
18:11 — The Impact of Alcohol on Personal Identity
21:13 — Navigating Relationships and Alcohol
24:16 — The Role of Limiting Beliefs
27:17 — The Power of Sharing Personal Stories
30:19 — Coaching Techniques and Transformations
33:02 — Conclusion and Resources

Resources & Links

• https://www.lornawilsoncoaching.com/

• https://www.thezeroprooflife.com/products/zpl-monthly-subscription
  
  
• Follow ZPL: https://www.instagram.com/thezeroprooflife/
  
  
• Follow the coaches:
  
  
  • Brandi Babb – @brandi.babb (https://www.instagram.com/brandi.babb/)
    
    
  • Karla Adkins – @karlakadkins (https://www.instagram.com/karlakadkins/)
    
    
  • Carolyn Bennett – @thesoberempath (https://www.instagram.com/carolynbennett2.0/)
    
    
  • Becca Snider – @becsnider (https://www.instagram.com/becsnider/)

If this conversation resonated with you, please follow the show and leave a review so more people can discover The Zero Proof Life.

Episode 15: Breaking Free from Alcohol with Maureen Benkovich

In this episode of The Zero Proof Life, Rebecca Snider sits down with Maureen Benkovich, a certified alcohol freedom and wellness coach, to explore the intersection of fitness, mental health, and sobriety. From the pressures of corporate drinking culture to discovering the truth about alcohol’s impact on brain chemistry, Maureen shares how understanding dopamine helped her find joy beyond drinking. She offers practical tools for breaking free from the detox/retox cycle and reclaiming a life of clarity and purpose.

Key Takeaways:

• Maureen Benkovich is a certified alcohol freedom and wellness coach.
• She transitioned from a corporate drinking culture to sobriety.
• The detox and retox cycle is common among health-conscious individuals.
• Alcohol disrupts dopamine and brain chemistry, impacting mental health.
• True empowerment comes from understanding what alcohol does to the body.
• Community and connection are vital in sustainable recovery.
• Nutrition plays a key role in mental and emotional balance.
• Self-awareness and spiritual grounding strengthen sobriety.
  
  

Timestamps:
00:00 — Introduction to Maureen Benkovich
02:04 — Maureen's Journey: From Fitness to Alcohol Freedom
10:56 — Detoxing and Retoxing: The Cycle of Alcohol Consumption
16:03 — Understanding Alcohol's Impact on Mental Health
24:01 — The Science Behind Alcohol: It’s Not Your Fault
29:56 — The Role of Coaching in Alcohol Recovery
32:45 — The Cycle of Alcohol and Mental Health
34:35 — Empowerment Through Knowledge and Choices
39:32 — Rebuilding Dopamine Production
46:50 — Finding Joy Beyond Alcohol

Resources & Links

• https://www.thezeroprooflife.com/products/zpl-monthly-subscription
• Follow ZPL: https://www.instagram.com/thezeroprooflife/
• Follow the coaches:
  
  
  • Brandi Babb – @littlebigleap (https://www.instagram.com/littlebigleap/)
  • Karla Adkins – @karlakadkins (https://www.instagram.com/karlakadkins/)
  • Carolyn Bennett – @thesoberempath (https://www.instagram.com/carolynbennett2.0/)
    
    
  • Becca Snider – @becsnider (https://www.instagram.com/becsnider/)

If this conversation resonated with you, please follow the show and leave a review so more people can discover The Zero Proof Life.

In this episode of The Zero Proof Life, host Karla Adkins sits down with Toni Will, the first female general manager of a professional hockey team. Together, they explore what it means to lead with authenticity, transform weaknesses into strengths, and redefine success in a male-dominated industry. Toni opens up about her decision to quit drinking, how it changed her sense of self, and the power of breaking the silence around alcohol. This episode is a powerful reminder that growth and empowerment often begin where fear and honesty meet.

Key Takeaways

• Quitting drinking can lead to deep personal empowerment.
• Women do not need to drink to succeed in their careers.
• Shame and silence can hold us back from authenticity.
• The 10x mindset fosters exponential personal growth.
• Setting boundaries is essential in challenging environments.
• Embracing individuality fuels both confidence and leadership.
• Cravings are normal. They don’t define your progress.
• Living alcohol-free opens the door to a fuller, freer life.

Timestamps
00:00 — Introduction to Toni Will and Her Journey
01:48 — Transforming Weaknesses into Strengths
05:22 — The Power of Quitting Drinking
10:39 — Navigating Challenges as a Woman in Sports
14:13 — The 10x Mindset and Personal Growth
20:47 — Embracing Change and Overcoming Doubts
23:45 — Normalizing Cravings and Thoughts
27:15 — Breaking the Silence Around Alcohol
30:15 — Women in Sports: Breaking Barriers and Telling Stories

Resources & Links

• https://www.thezeroprooflife.com/products/zpl-monthly-subscription
  
  
• Follow ZPL: https://www.instagram.com/thezeroprooflife/
  
  
• Follow the coaches:
  
  
  • Brandi Babb – @littlebigleap (https://www.instagram.com/littlebigleap/)
    
    
  • Karla Adkins – @karlakadkins (https://www.instagram.com/karlakadkins/)
    
    
  • Carolyn Bennett – @thesoberempath (https://www.instagram.com/carolynbennett2.0/)
    
    
  • Becca Snider – @becsnider (https://www.instagram.com/becsnider/)

If this conversation resonated with you, please follow the show and leave a review so more people can discover The Zero Proof Life.

Episode 13: The Heartbreak of Broken Promises

In this episode of The Zero Proof Life, host Karla Adkins explores the emotional weight of breaking promises around alcohol. She introduces the concept of fading effect bias and how it impacts memory, decision-making, and the pull of romanticizing past drinking experiences. With compassion and clarity, Karla helps listeners understand the triggers and habit loops that contribute to relapse and highlights the importance of accountability and self-forgiveness in recovery.

Key Takeaways:

• Breaking promises about drinking creates deep emotional pain.
  
  
• Fading effect bias can distort memories of alcohol use.
  
  
• Romanticizing past drinking experiences increases relapse risk.
  
  
• Triggers and habit loops are central to drinking behavior.
  
  
• Self-forgiveness and compassion are crucial for healing.
  
  
• Accountability builds strength and resilience in recovery.
  
  

Timestamps:
00:00 — Understanding the Struggle with Alcohol
02:53 — The Emotional Weight of Breaking Promises
05:45 — Fading Effect Bias: A Psychological Insight
09:05 — The Role of Memory in Alcohol Use
11:54 — Understanding Triggers and Habit Loops

Resources & Links

• https://www.thezeroprooflife.com/products/zpl-monthly-subscription
  
  
• Follow ZPL: https://www.instagram.com/thezeroprooflife/
  
  
• Follow the coaches:
  
  
  • Brandi Babb – @littlebigleap (https://www.instagram.com/littlebigleap/)
    
    
  • Karla Adkins – @karlakadkins (https://www.instagram.com/karlakadkins/)
    
    
  • Carolyn Bennett – @thesoberempath (https://www.instagram.com/carolynbennett2.0/)
    
    
  • Becca Snider – @becsnider (https://www.instagram.com/becsnider/)

If this conversation resonated with you, please follow the show and leave a review so more people can discover The Zero Proof Life.

Reflection Prompts:

1. What led me to drink again?
   
   
   
   • What was I feeling just before the decision?
     
     
     
   • Was it stress, loneliness, social pressure, celebration, or overwhelm?
     
     
2. What did I hope alcohol would help me feel—or help me avoid?
   
   
   
3. What positive memories did I recall in that moment that may have influenced me?
   
   
   
   • Were they accurate… or softened by Fading Affect Bias?
     
     
     
   • What parts of those past drinking experiences do I tend to forget?
     
     
     
4. What was the full truth of this experience?
   
   
   
   • Emotionally, physically, mentally—what actually happened after I drank?
     
     
5. If I were to tell the full story—not the edited memory—how would it go?
   (Write it like you're explaining it to your future self.)
   
   
   
6. What “job” did alcohol try to do for me in that moment—and what else might have helped?
   
   
   
7. What’s one thing I learned about myself through this experience that I didn’t know before?

Reframing Statement:

“This moment isn’t a reset. It’s a window into what I truly need—and how I can better support myself next time.”

Write your own version of this statement.

A Note on Cravings vs. Cues

These acronyms can help you recognize when what feels like an alcohol craving…
might actuall

In this episode of The Zero Proof Life, host Carolyn Bennett sits down with alcohol freedom coach Allison Barber to reflect on her five-year milestone of living alcohol-free. Together, they explore the lessons Allison has learned on her journey, from finding clarity and confidence to navigating life’s transitions with emotional resilience. This conversation highlights how personal growth not only transforms the self but ripples outward to positively impact relationships and community.

Key Takeaways

• Five years of alcohol freedom is a milestone worth celebrating.
  
  
• Alcohol can negatively affect relationships and self-worth.
  
  
• Clarity after quitting alcohol opens new perspectives.
  
  
• Emotional resilience helps us navigate transitions with strength.
  
  
• Personal growth benefits not only ourselves but those around us.
  
  
• Life after alcohol can be joyful, confident, and clear.
  
  

Timestamps
00:00 — Celebrating Five Years of Alcohol Freedom
03:26 — The Journey to Self-Discovery
06:17 — Understanding the Role of Alcohol
09:36 — Finding Clarity and Confidence
12:18 — Navigating Life’s Transitions
15:30 — The Impact of Alcohol on Relationships
18:22 — Embracing Change and New Perspectives
21:09 — The Power of Emotional Resilience
24:34 — Creating a Life Beyond Alcohol
27:20 — The Ripple Effect of Personal Growth
36:46 — Outro

Resources & Links

Allison’s Information:

Hello! I’m Allison Barber from St. Louis, MO. My Christian faith, discovered in high school, began shaping how I viewed myself and life. I then competed in collegiate gymnastics where alcohol made a small but impressionable appearance. By 30, I married my high school sweetheart, and we had three daughters. I played supportive roles not only at home but also working for my mother’s business. Slowly my reliance on wine increased as I used it to cope with life's stress. After a cervical surgery and a difficult marriage, I discovered Annie Grace’s This Naked Mind. Through her Path program, I transformed from a nightly drinker to a non-drinker by June 2020, gaining lasting freedom. As a certified This Naked Mind coach, I help others find the same freedom from alcohol—from The Inside Out.

Website:

www.theinsideoutfreedom.com

IG Link:

@InsideOutFreedom

Facebook Link:

@Inside.Out.Freedom

Join the Zero Proof Life Community → https://www.thezeroprooflife.com/products/zpl-monthly-subscription

Follow ZPL: https://www.instagram.com/thezeroprooflife/

Follow the coaches:

Brandi Babb – @littlebigleap (https://www.instagram.com/littlebigleap/)

Karla Adkins – @karlakadkins (https://www.instagram.com/karlakadkins/)

Carolyn Bennett – @thesoberempath (https://www.instagram.com/carolynbennett2.0/)

Becca Snider – @becsnider (https://www.instagram.com/becsnider/)

If today’s conversation sparked your own inner nudge, we’d love to hear from you! Be sure to follow the podcast and leave a review wherever you listen.

In this episode of The Zero Proof Life, Carolyn Bennett explores the deep connection between alcohol, relationships, and emotional health. She unpacks how drinking can mute our true feelings, create cycles of avoidance, and ultimately block genuine communication. Carolyn shares how sobriety brings healing, clarity, and the courage to express what really matters in our connections with others.

Key Takeaways

• Alcohol affects not just our bodies, but also our relationships
• Drinking can act as a protest against unspoken emotions.
• Alcohol creates a false sense of ease while intensifying stress over time.
• Emotional numbness often fuels cycles of frustration and avoidance.
• Our childhood experiences can shape how we relate to alcohol.
• Removing alcohol opens the door to clarity and authentic self-expression.
• Sobriety rebuilds relationships from a place of truth.
• Some relationships may fade, while others grow stronger in sobriety.
• Your voice is essential and deserves to be heard.
• Healing begins by acknowledging what needs care in our connections.
  
  
  

Timestamps

• 00:00 — The Impact of Alcohol on Relationships
  
  
• 05:34 — Healing and Self-Expression in Sobriety
  
  
• 08:30 — Embracing Change in Relationships
  
  
• 09:18 — Closing Reflections

Resources & Links

• Join the Zero Proof Life Community → https://www.thezeroprooflife.com/products/zpl-monthly-subscription
  
  
  
• Follow ZPL: https://www.instagram.com/thezeroprooflife/
  
  
  
• Follow the coaches:
  
  
  • Brandi Babb – @littlebigleap (https://www.instagram.com/littlebigleap/)
    
    
  • Karla Adkins – @karlakadkins (https://www.instagram.com/karlakadkins/)
    
    
  • Carolyn Bennett – @thesoberempath (https://www.instagram.com/carolynbennett2.0/)
    
    
  • Becca Snider – @becsnider (https://www.instagram.com/becsnider/)
    
    
    

If today’s conversation sparked your own inner nudge, we’d love to hear from you! Be sure to follow the podcast and leave a review wherever you listen.