Pursuing Sobriety Through Embracing Your Strengths: A Conversation with Sobriety Coach Sally Magee

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In today's episode of "Dominate Your Day," we delve into a unique and inspiring conversation with Sally McGee, a fellow coach I met at the Gallup Summit As a sobriety coach, Sally leverages CliftonStrengths to help individuals thrive in their alcohol-free lives.

Sally has been working in the leadership coaching space since 2011, and then independently since 2017. Her transition into sobriety coaching was born out of her personal experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. Like many, Sally turned to alcohol as a coping mechanism during the stressful early days of the pandemic.

By the end of 2021, Sally recognized that her relationship with alcohol needed to change. She began a 21-day challenge to reassess her drinking habits, which — although not immediately transformative — ignited her curiosity and her journey towards sobriety.

Sally combines strengths-based coaching with sobriety coaching. She utilizes the CliftonStrengths framework to help her clients leverage their natural talents in their journey to becoming alcohol-free. Sally’s top strengths—Learner, Achiever, Responsibility, Input, and Futuristic—played a significant role in her own sobriety journey. She used her Learner strength to research the effects of alcohol on her brain and body, and her Achiever strength to set and accomplish her sobriety goals.

Understanding the science of alcohol's effects was pivotal for Sally. She learned that alcohol acts as a stimulant initially, releasing dopamine and giving a short-lived euphoric feeling. However, it soon triggers the brain to release stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, creating a cycle of highs and lows. This cycle, combined with the development of tolerance, makes alcohol a particularly concerning substance. She discovered that alcohol not only worsened her anxiety and stress but also impacted her decision-making abilities by affecting the prefrontal cortex.

Sally’s personal transformation was not immediate. It was a gradual process that involved setting smaller goals, like taking breaks from drinking during the week, before ultimately deciding to explore long-term sobriety. Her journey underscores the importance of not seeing sobriety as an all-or-nothing decision but as a series of manageable steps.

Sally’s approach to sobriety coaching is highly personalized. She tailors her coaching to each client's unique strengths and goals, whether they aim for a short-term break or a long-term alcohol-free lifestyle.

Sally and I discussed the rise of non-alcoholic beverages in social settings. This "sober curious" movement reflects a growing awareness of the potential harms of alcohol and a desire for healthier alternatives. The World Health Organization’s 2023 report stating that no level of alcohol is safe for human consumption has further fueled this movement.

For those considering sobriety, Sally’s advice is clear: take a 30-day break and see how you feel. Use your strengths to support you during this period and consider the long-term benefits of an alcohol-free life. The clarity, improved decision-making, and overall better health are just a few of the potential rewards waiting on the other side.

In Sally’s words, "Coaching can change your life." Her journey from using alcohol as a coping mechanism to becoming a sobriety coach is a testament to the power of self-awareness, strengths-based coaching, and the supportive communities that help individuals thrive.

About Sally Magee

Sally Magee is an accredited Sobriety Coach who focuses on helping others on their journeys to a happy, healthy, alcohol-free lifestyle.

Episode Minutes:  

• Minute 2:00 — Impact of COVID on Alcohol Consumption
• Minute 10:00 — The Role of Strengths in Sobriety
• Minute 24:00 — Sober Curious Movement

Episode Links:

• Visit mageecoaching.com
• Connect with Sally on LinkedIn
• Get your copy of The Strengths Journal
• Visit Dana Williams Consulting Website

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