Shows
Sober Fit LifeEP 33: Choosing Yourself Over the Next Drink: Julianne’s StoryI invited Julianne Serpa onto Sober Fit Life because her journey is such a real, layered, and relatable example of rethinking alcohol while embracing deeper self-awareness.
We first connected at a yoga class where her energy immediately drew me in. Over time, I learned about the profound shifts she’s made, not just cutting back on drinking, but completely reevaluating her relationship with it, all while deepening her yoga practice.
Julianne shares how in 2020, more downtime and more stress led to daily drinking that felt normal at first but revealed itself as numbing and misaligned wi...2025-07-2144 minSober Fit LifeEP 32: Alcohol-Related Cirrhosis in Your 30s: Karla’s Honest StoryI talk with Karla about something most people don't want to think about: the real health consequences of “normal” drinking. Karla developed alcohol-related cirrhosis in her early 30s—while living what many would call a high-functioning, successful life.
She wasn’t the stereotype of someone at “rock bottom.” She was managing a misunderstood anxiety disorder, working, taking care of responsibilities, and quietly worrying about how much she was drinking. She even had a specialist tell her to use alcohol to calm a hand tremor—normalizing something that would nearly kill her.
We break down how her health dec...2025-07-1445 minSober Fit LifeEP 31: How Creativity Helped Rebecca Quit Drinking in Her 60sThis episode is a beautiful reminder that it's never too late to change your life. I sat down with artist and alcohol-free coach Rebecca Guevara Wingler, founder of Curious on Life, to talk about aging, creativity, healing, and how she found freedom from alcohol in her 60s.
Rebecca shares how she grew up in 1970s Los Angeles surrounded by freedom, curiosity, and cultural pressure, eventually leading her into a decades-long relationship with alcohol. From early experiences at slumber parties to wine-soaked girls’ nights in the Texas Hill Country, alcohol was always part of the story.
Bu...2025-07-0745 minSober Fit LifeEP 30: Why I Stopped Serving Alcohol at My Business Events with AliceAnne LoftusIn this episode of Sober Fit Life, I sat down with my brilliant friend and coach, AliceAnne Loftus, a business strategist, community builder, and founder of Leading Lady Coaching. We had an honest and much-needed conversation about leadership, authenticity, and why she made the bold decision to remove alcohol from her business events.
AliceAnne isn’t someone who ever drank much, but like so many of us, she felt the pressure to include alcohol at professional networking events, business mixers, and even coaching workshops. After we connected and began having deeper conversations about alcohol, she felt inspired to...2025-06-3047 minSober Fit LifeEP 29: Faith, Trauma, and Alcohol Recovery with Paulette KenggI sat down with Paulette Kengg, the author of Spirit-Led Sobriety, to talk about the deeply personal and spiritual journey of healing from alcohol addiction.
Paulette struggled with alcohol when she began drinking to cope with severe insomnia. But behind the sleepless nights was a lifetime of unprocessed trauma-from losing her father to gun violence at 14, to surviving sexual assault, to living with years of shame, loneliness, and religious guilt.
In this conversation, Paulette shares how alcohol became her comforter and how she eventually found freedom through her faith, therapy, EMDR, and neuroscience. We talk...2025-06-2346 minSober Fit LifeEP 28: Ketamine Therapy Explained: A Breakthrough for Depression, Grief, and Recovery with Gwen DudleyI’ve always promised to bring you honest, curious conversations—and today is no exception. In this episode, I sit down with Gwen Dudley from The Mood Wellness Center to talk about ketamine therapy, its healing potential, and how it’s helping people move through persistent depression, trauma, and grief—myself included.
I share my personal experience undergoing ketamine treatment after years of sobriety and lingering depression. Gwen also opens up about her own healing journey, the loss of her partner, and how this therapy helped her find peace and shift her perspective on grief.
We unpac...2025-06-0931 minSober Fit LifeEP 27: Grief, Sobriety, and the Courage to Feel: A Conversation with Marie BurgessIn this deeply moving episode, I sat down with Marie Burgess—licensed therapist, grief specialist, and founder of Genuine Connections Psychotherapy—to talk about something most people avoid: grief.
Marie is not just a therapist—she’s a grieving mom who lost her son Harvey to a terminal illness nearly a decade ago. She shared her personal journey of advocacy, hospice care, and healing after loss—and how sobriety became part of her own recovery.
We explored why grief so often leads people to numb with alcohol or substances, and how that instinct to escape can deepen...2025-06-0242 min
Wellness: Rebranded - Intuitive eating, diet culture, mental health, weight training, food freedom, food relationship139. Rethinking Your Relationship with Alcohol with Maureen Benkovich, Alcohol Freedom & Wellness Coach “Sober Fit Chick”This week’s episode dives into a topic that’s often considered taboo — but is incredibly important: alcohol.
Whether you're sober, a social drinker, or simply questioning your relationship with alcohol, this episode will meet you with compassion, curiosity, and zero judgment. We're joined by Maureen Benkovich aka the “Sober Fit Chick”, alcohol freedom coach, speaker, author, and former personal trainer, to talk about what it means to explore alcohol use, especially as women navigating trauma, motherhood, wellness, and identity.
Maureen shares her deeply personal journey with binge drinking, infertility, and how she found her way to fre...2025-05-2837 minSober Fit LifeEP 26: Why Stillness or Boredom Feels So Uncomfortable in Early SobrietyLet’s talk about a sneaky little trigger that can wreck your alcohol-free momentum if you’re not ready for it: boredom.
Boredom often comes from deeper feelings like restlessness, a lack of purpose, or disconnection. And if alcohol was your old go-to for instant relief? Well, your brain will absolutely nudge you toward pouring a drink when things get too quiet.
I share my own story of drinking out of boredom at boat shows (yes, really) and how I now view boredom as an opportunity instead of a problem. This episode is packed with mind...2025-05-2616 minSober Fit LifeEP 25: Why Sleep Is Your Secret Weapon for Recovery and Wellness with Mollie EastmanIf you've ever told yourself a drink helps you sleep, this episode is for you. I sat down with sleep expert Mollie Eastman, creator of Sleep Is A Skill, and had one of the most eye-opening conversations about alcohol, circadian rhythms, and real, restorative rest.
We busted some of the biggest myths about sleep (including the infamous nightcap!) and dove into why alcohol doesn't just make you groggy—it wrecks your sleep quality for days afterward. Mollie shared simple, science-backed strategies for rebuilding your sleep naturally—whether you're cutting back or living alcohol-free.
This conv...2025-05-1953 minSober Fit LifeEP 24: This Side of Alcohol: A Conversation on Shame and Sobriety with Peggi CooneyI’m so excited to bring you this heartfelt, funny, and deeply real conversation with Peggi Cooney, author of This Side of Alcohol. When I read Peggi’s book during my first alcohol-free vacation, it felt like she was speaking directly to me, putting words to emotions and moments I hadn’t been able to articulate.
In this episode, we talk about the messy, awkward, shame-filled parts of breaking up with alcohol—and the joy and clarity waiting on the other side. Peggi shares her journey from a career in social work (and the trauma that came with it...2025-05-1250 minSober Fit LifeEP 23: How to Stop Feeling Like Sh*t: Alcohol, Shame, and Sobriety with Andrea OwenI can't even begin to tell you how special this conversation is for me. Back in 2018, I picked up How to Stop Feeling Like Sht* by Andrea Owen—and it changed the course of my life. I thought I was hiring her for business coaching, but Andrea saw what I couldn’t yet admit: my drinking was keeping me stuck.
In this episode, I sit down with Andrea, global speaker, certified life coach, and bestselling author of 52 Ways to Live a Kick-Ass Life, How to Stop Feeling Like Sht*, and Make Some Noise. We talk about the snea...2025-05-0544 minSober Fit LifeEP 22: The Great Menopause Myth: What Every Woman Needs to Know About HRT and AlcoholIn this eye-opening conversation, I sit down with Kristin Johnson and Maria Claps, the authors of The Great Menopause Myth, to unpack the essential truths about hormone therapy, alcohol’s impact on women’s health, and how to truly thrive during midlife and beyond.
Together, we'll address the fallout from the Women's Health Initiative study, why hormone replacement therapy (HRT) remains so misunderstood, and how alcohol consumption can seriously sabotage hormone health, metabolism, and aging. Kristin and Maria don’t hold back—they reveal the real science every woman deserves to know and empower listeners with practica...2025-04-2846 minSober Fit LifeEP 21: "Am I Drinking Too Much?” Google Said No… But I Knew BetterIn my very first solo episode of Sober Fit Life, I’m diving into a question that haunted me for years—and maybe haunts you too.
👉 “Do I have a problem with alcohol?”
If you've ever found yourself lying awake at 3AM, heart racing, regretting another night of drinking and searching for online quizzes to tell you you're “fine”—this episode is for you. I talk about how confirmation bias and fading affect bias keep us stuck in drinking cycles we know aren't working… but keep returning to anyway.
I’m not here to label anyone. I’m...2025-04-2121 minSober Fit LifeEP 20: The Truth About Alcohol, Mental Health, and CBD with Michelle Houston of To Be HonestIn this episode of Sober Fit Life, I sit down with Michelle Houston — founder of To Be Honest Beverage Co. — to talk about what it really looks like to change your relationship with alcohol... and create a wellness-focused brand in the process 🍹✨
Once a craft cocktail lover, Michelle opens up about her decision to ditch alcohol, her battles with mental health, and why “being honest” was the first step in designing a healthier, more intentional lifestyle 💭💚
We talk about:
🧠 The link between alcohol, anxiety, and your inner truth
🌱 Why CBD can be a powerful tool in rec...2025-04-1440 min
Childless And Moving OnwardChildless and Coping: When Soothing Hurts More Than It Heals with Maureen BenkovichIf you've ever felt like you're carrying unseen grief—this episode is for you.
You'll hear the raw, powerful story of Maureen Benkovich, a former pharmaceutical sales rep turned life coach, who knows what it’s like to quietly grieve the life you imagined—and try to numb that pain with alcohol.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
What gray area drinking is and how it holds you back from healing
How Maureen coped with multiple miscarriages and the heartbreak of a failed adoption
The benefits Maureen found from support groups
The surprising role of self...2025-04-0835 minSober Fit LifeEP 19: Gut Health, Sobriety & True Healing with Carrie ChojnowskiIn this episode of Sober Fit Life, I sit down with Carrie Chojnowski, a holistic gut health practitioner and certified health coach, to dive into the connection between alcohol, gut health, and overall well-being.
Carrie has spent years helping women heal their gut, balance their hormones, and regain energy. But there was one piece of the puzzle she hadn’t fully examined—her own relationship with alcohol. After years of “moderate” drinking, she realized that even a few drinks a week were holding her back from feeling her best, sleeping deeply, and being fully present for her family.2025-04-0745 minSober Fit LifeEP: 18 Nervous System Healing & Breathwork for Sobriety with Trish BrewerIn this episode of Sober Fit Life, I sit down with Trish Brewer, a certified trauma-informed breathwork coach, Reiki master teacher, and co-author of We Lead, Volume Two. Trish helps individuals release trauma, reduce stress, and reconnect with their authentic selves through conscious breathwork.
After years of witnessing the impact of alcohol in her family, Trish made the conscious choice to step away. She realized that alcohol was not serving her health, energy, or emotional well-being. Instead of reaching for a drink, she turned to breathwork techniques—and they changed everything.
In this episode, we ex...2025-03-3133 min
The Coaching Edge: A Business Building PodcastEP 39: Building a Coaching Business From the Ground Up with Maureen BenkovichStarting a coaching business can feel overwhelming, especially if you have no clue where to begin. But with the right strategy in place, you can break your launch into a step-by-step, practical plan—and get on the fast-track to a thriving coaching business that actually works for you.
In this episode of The Coaching Edge, I sit down with Maureen Benkovich, a BBB member and sober fitness coach, who went from feeling completely lost after certification to building a successful coaching practice, launching a podcast, and creating an online course—all while maintaining a balanced life.
🎙️...2025-03-3136 minSober Fit LifeEP 17: Why Yoga Pro Julie Blamphin Started Questioning Her Relationship with AlcoholWhat if the thing keeping you from feeling your best was hiding in plain sight?
Today’s guest, Julie Blamphin, is a yoga pro, speaker, author, and founder of Stretch Your Spirit—where she helps women feel joyful, stable, and even sexy through movement and stillness. With decades of experience teaching movement and wellness, Julie always considered herself a healthy person. But there was one thing she hadn’t fully examined—her relationship with alcohol.
After years of drinking out of habit (not for any particular reason), Julie began to question whether alcohol was truly serving...2025-03-2434 minSober Fit LifeEP: 16 Everything in Moderation Is a Lie—Hadley Sorensen Explains WhyEver told yourself, “I’m just a social drinker” or “Everything in moderation”? Turns out, those phrases might be keeping you stuck in an exhausting cycle.
Today’s guest, Hadley Sorensen, is the author of The Dirty Truth on Social Drinking: Everything in Moderation and Other BS. As a mom of three, lifelong runner, and writer, Hadley spent years questioning her drinking—not because of how much she drank, but because of how it made her feel.
Three and a half years ago, she woke up after one last hangover and decided she was done. No rock bottom...2025-03-1736 minSober Fit LifeEP 15: Unlocking Your Potential Through Storytelling with Erik SeversenToday’s Sober Fit Life guest, Erik Seversen, has built an extraordinary life around mindset, performance, and personal growth. He’s hitchhiked across continents, lived with remote tribes, built and sold businesses, and climbed some of the world’s highest mountains.
As a TEDx speaker, bestselling author of 18 books, and founder of the Self Publishing Center, Erik has helped over 400 people turn their stories into impactful books. And I know firsthand how powerful that can be—because of Erik, I am now a published author!
In this episode of Sober Fit Life, we dive into:
🔥...2025-03-1026 minSober Fit LifeEP 14: The Rise of Alcohol-Free Travel and Social Events with Susie StreelmanWhat if socializing without alcohol wasn’t just possible—but actually better?
In this episode of Sober Fit Life, I sit down with Susie Streelman, founder of Zero Proof Experiences, to talk about her journey from relying on alcohol for connection to creating unforgettable alcohol-free travel and events. We dive into what it really means to embrace an alcohol-free lifestyle, the rise of the sober curious movement, and why community is the game-changer in making it all sustainable.
Susie and I also talk about:
✨ The mental freedom and confidence that comes with sobriety.🧘♀️...2025-03-0342 minSober Fit LifeEP 13: Perimenopause Health Tips That All Women Need to Know with Dr. Sara PoldmaeMidlife is a WILD ride. Hormones doing the cha-cha, sleep playing hard to get, and suddenly that glass of wine doesn’t hit the same. If you’ve ever wondered how alcohol affects your well-being during perimenopause—or how to take back control of your health—you need to tune into this conversation with Dr. Sara Poldmae.
Dr. Poldmae dives deep into her personal journey with alcohol and how it’s impacted her sleep, fitness, and hormones over the years. Spoiler alert: the effects are bigger than you think. She shares eye-opening insights on the cultural norms around dri...2025-02-2444 minSober Fit LifeEP 11: How to Use Yoga & Meditation to Strengthen Your Alcohol-Free Mindset with Tina LanzoniThis episode of Sober Fit Life is a special one because I’m sitting down with my yoga instructor and friend, Tina Lanzoni—someone who has played a huge role in my alcohol-free journey.
We’re diving into the powerful connection between yoga, breathwork, and sobriety. If you’ve ever struggled with racing thoughts, emotional overwhelm, or the discomfort that comes with transformation, this conversation is for you.
💡 In this episode, we explore:
✔️ How yoga and meditation support an alcohol-free lifestyle.
✔️ The multi-dimensional self and why it matters for healing.
✔️ Why being pres...2025-02-1743 minSober Fit LifeEp: 12 Gray Area Drinking & Why Willpower Isn’t the Answer with Jolene ParkIn this episode, Maureen and Jolene Park dive into the concept of Gray Area Drinking, a spectrum of alcohol use that doesn’t fit neatly into traditional categories.
It’s not rock-bottom drinking, but it’s also not the occasional social drink—it’s the space in between where many high-functioning, health-conscious individuals find themselves questioning their habits.
Jolene, a pioneer in the Gray Area Drinking movement, explains how alcohol impacts neurotransmitters and the nervous system, making it harder to change drinking patterns with willpower alone. She introduces her NOURISH Method, a science-based approach that focuses on...2025-02-1039 minSober Fit LifeEP 10: From Surviving to Thriving: Travis's Transformation Through CoachingIn this episode of Sober Fit Life, I sit down with my coaching client, Travis Griffin, who once believed his drinking habits were inevitable—until he realized he was capable of so much more.
💡 Travis shares:
✔️ Why self-care once meant drinking alcohol—and how that changed.
✔️ The moment he realized high-functioning wasn’t the same as thriving.
✔️ How coaching provided the structure and accountability he needed.
✔️ How giving up alcohol transformed his confidence, relationships, and overall health.
💭 If you’ve ever struggled with breaking old habits or felt stuck in a cycle, this ep...2025-02-0351 minSober Fit LifeEpisode 9: Thriving Through Perimenopause and Beyond with Pam AdamsIn this episode, I’m joined by my friend Pam Adams, a board-certified nutritionist and personal trainer, who specializes in helping midlife women navigate perimenopause & beyond.
Pam shares her insights on personalized nutrition, fitness, and the impact of stress on the body. She emphasizes the importance of reducing inflammation and managing stress as key to overall health.
A major focus is how alcohol can affect women in perimenopause. Pam explains how it interferes with nutrient absorption, promotes fat storage, and hinders protein synthesis.
She stresses the need to reassess our relationship with alcohol fo...2025-01-1255 minSober Fit LifeEpisode 8: Dr. Erin Kinney on Alcohol’s Impact: Sleep, Gut, and Hormones and more! In this episode, I talk with my own naturopathic doctor, Dr. Erin Kinney, a stress reset expert who has helped me heal my body after I stopped drinking.
Dr. Kinney shares how alcohol impacts the body in ways many people don’t realize—how it disrupts sleep, gut health, and hormones—and how these effects often show up in medical labs. Drawing from her experience with patients, she explains how our bodies can recover and thrive once we start addressing these imbalances.
With her compassionate and approachable style, Dr. Kinney offers insights and actionable steps for any...2024-12-2943 minSober Fit LifeEpisode 7: How Kastle Donnovan's College Choice Shaped Her Life as a Nurse PractitionerIn this compelling episode, nurse practitioner Kastle Donovan shares how her life transformed when she chose sobriety in college, rejecting the binge-drinking culture that surrounds so many young adults. Kastle reflects on the challenges of making this decision, the empowerment it brought, and how it shaped her future.
Drawing from her medical expertise, she also reveals the hidden health dangers of alcohol and offers powerful insights for young people questioning their relationship with drinking—and for parents hoping to guide their college-age kids toward healthier choices. An inspiring story of courage, self-discovery, and living life on your ow...2024-12-1242 min
Thrive with CarrieRethinking Alcohol: The Science and Empowerment Behind Sobriety with Maureen Benkovich (Episode 24)In this powerful episode, I sit down with Maureen Benkovich, founder of Sober Fit Chick Coaching and a certified gray area drinking coach. Maureen shares her personal journey of breaking free from alcohol’s grip and how she now empowers others to do the same.We dive into the fascinating science behind alcohol's impact on the brain, body, and emotions—revealing why even moderate drinking can lead to anxiety, depression, and other health challenges. Maureen explains the detox-retox cycle and how understanding the chemistry of alcohol can help you make more informed, empowered choices for your health and...2024-11-2238 minSober Fit LifeEP 6: From Trauma to Transformation: Lisa Cordasco, LCSWIn this deeply inspiring episode of Sober Fit Life, Maureen welcomes her niece, Lisa Cordasco—a licensed clinical social worker, addiction expert, and co-founder of Rewired Path Counseling and Consultation. Together, they explore the transformative power of recovery and healing through the mind-body connection.
Lisa opens up about her personal journey from addiction to recovery and how those experiences inspired her to become a compassionate healer. She shares invaluable insights into how trauma shapes mental health and addiction, and why addressing it is crucial for true recovery.
Key discussion points include:
From Recovery to...2024-11-1240 minSober Fit LifeEpisode 5: Why ADHD and Alcohol Don't Mix: Insights with Coach Jennifer SalzmanIn this episode of Sober Fit Life, I sit down with Jennifer Salzman, an ADHD advocate and alcohol-free life coach. Jennifer opens up about her journey of self-discovery after being diagnosed with ADHD in her 40s and how, for many years, she relied on alcohol as a coping mechanism.
Together, we dive deep into the complexities of ADHD, the role alcohol can play in self-medication, and the importance of mindfulness and self-acceptance in the recovery journey. Jennifer shares the tools that have helped her manage emotions and the powerful impact of understanding oneself without the influence of...2024-11-0135 minSober Fit LifeEpisode#4: From Drinking Buddies to Sober Sisters!In this episode, I’m sharing some real, honest conversations with my dear friend, Sally Webber.
Our friendship started over shared drinks and wild nights, but over time we’ve gone through a major shift—from drinking buddies to "Sober Sisters".
We went from nights out fueled by booze to genuine support and growth.
What started as a friendship centered on "girls' nights" and "one too many" turned into something so much deeper when we ditched the drinks.
If you're ready for some real talk about what happens when you decide to lea...2024-10-0727 minSober Fit LifeEpisode#3: Healing in the Childless-Not-By-Choice Community with Katy SepiWhat happens when life doesn’t follow the script you imagined? In this heartfelt episode, I’m joined by the inspiring Katy Sepi, who runs and organizes the Childless Collective, a supportive community for those who are childless not by choice.
Katy and I open up about our personal journeys—navigating the grief, loss, and identity struggles that come with being childless in a world often centered around pronatalism and societal expectations of motherhood.
Together, we explore how to honor these feelings while embracing a fulfilling life, even when it looks different from what we once i...2024-09-1832 min
Sober Fit LifeEP#2: The Sober Summit Founder Maggie KlaassensThis week on Sober Fit Life, I'm joined by Maggie Klasssens, the founder of The Sober Summit.
Maggie shares her journey to sobriety and how she started the Sober Summit, a free virtual event that brings together experts in the sober community. She talks about her evolution from a sophisticated wine drinker to falling into the trap of mommy wine culture.
The tap on the shoulder to change her relationship with alcohol came when she noticed her daughter's awareness of wine and felt anxious when her husband started drinking without her.
Maggie found i...2024-09-1336 minSober Fit LifeEP 1 The Journey to My Sober Fit LifeWelcome to the Sober Fit Life Podcast! I’m your host, Maureen Benkovich of Sober Fit Chick, LLC.
In the very first episode, I’ll be sharing my story—why I made the decision to leave alcohol behind in our booze-heavy society and how it’s impacted my life in ways I never expected.
My mentor and friend, Wendy McCallum, will interview me, so you’ll get a real, unfiltered look at the ups, the downs, and everything in between.
So what’s Sober Fit Life All About?
Sober Fit Life isn’t just abou...2024-09-1133 min
Sober & Lit PodcastChildless Not by Choice Maureen’s Story of Strength and Support / Ep. 033Send us a textWelcome to the "Feel It Alcohol Free" podcast with your hosts Ruby and Susan, where we explore the journey to an alcohol-free lifestyle and the profound impact it has on our lives. In this episode, we have a very special guest, Maureen Benkovich, a certified alcohol freedom coach, who shares her deeply personal struggle with alcohol and the emotional toll of infertility and disenfranchised grief. Her story of multiple miscarriages, failed fertility treatments, and the heart-wrenching disappointment of a failed adoption will resonate with anyone who has experienced similar challenges. Through her vulnerability, M...2024-08-2734 min
Curious On Life the PodcastInfertility, Alcohol & Fitness with Maureen BenkovichCurious on Life, the podcast explores a variety of topics related to personal growth and well-being, including the impact of alcohol on different aspects of life. This episode delves into Maureen's personal experiences which includes navigating infertility, alcohol, and depression all the while physical fitness was a priority. Despite a successful career in pharmaceutical sales and achievements as a personal trainer and Pilates instructor, she struggled with depression infertility and the profound loss of not experiencing motherhood like her peers. Alcohol became her shield, hiding her pain from the wo...2024-05-2849 min
Sober EdgeHow Storytelling Can Save Your Life with Jessica Dueñas"Everyone has a story or a struggle that will break your heart. And if we’re really paying attention, most people have a story that will bring us to our knees". Brene Brown shared this quote in a 2018 article. The other part of this truth is that sharing our stories can help us heal. * Please be aware: this episode touches on suicide and suicidal ideation I recently sat down with a new friend, certified recovery coach Jessica Duenas. Jessica offers writing and reading workshops to help those in recovery learn to tell their own story. She belie...2024-05-0849 min
Boomer Banter, Real Talk about Aging WellThe Boomer's Blueprint to Alcohol-Free Resilience and VitalitySeason 7: Episode 183Episode Overview:Today, we're diving into the "SoberFit" life with an exceptional guest, Maureen Benkovich, aka the "Sober Fit Chick." Maureen, a certified gray area drinking coach, trades in the term "sober" for "alcohol free," and has fully embraced a fitness lifestyle that celebrates her vibrant personality sans the spirits. She believes in a holistic approach to being alcohol free – one that nurtures mental, spiritual, and physical fitness, going beyond just abstaining from alcohol.In today's conversation, we'll be peeling back the layers on the concept of "gray area drinking," which li...2024-04-2345 min
The Dr. Kinney ShowThe Hidden Impact of Alcohol on Your Physical and Mental Health with Maureen BenkovichUnderstanding alcohol and how it impacts your body can be confusing. I get a lot of questions about it from my patients, so I’m thrilled to be chatting with Maureen Benkovich, the Sober Fit Chick. Maureen is here to discuss the truth about alcohol consumption that many people don’t know. She shares how it impacts all aspects of your physical and mental health and the steps you can take if you are interested in a sober lifestyle. Topics covered in this episode include:Why alcohol can be like pouring...2024-01-1542 min
Menopause Rise and Thrive | Helping Women Navigate Midlife and MenopauseAlcohol: The Elephant in the Room with Maureen BenkovichWe all know that alcohol is not good for us, so why is it so hard to quit or cut back?In this episode of Midlife Rise + Thrive, we’re taking a deep dive into the science behind what alcohol does to your body and why it’s so difficult to change your drinking habits, even when you have the best intentions. Special guest Maureen Benkovich is here to share her approach to going alcohol-free without judgment or shame. When Maureen confronted her own challenges with alcohol, she uncovered the insidious cycle of detox...2023-12-0734 min
"But Jesus Drank Wine" & Other Stories That Kept Us StuckEp. 33 Numbing the pain in infertility with booze and the party girl persona with special guest: Maureen BenkovichWith the brutal stats that 1 in 5 women in the U.S. struggle with infertility, there’s a good chance that you or someone you know, knows the struggle of wanting to be happy for your friends’ pregnancy news while simultaneously feeling the immense pain of recurrent pregnancy loss and infertility. Today’s guest is all too familiar with this heart-break and generously shares her story so that just one other woman can know she is not alone. Grab your tissues and a cup of tea and join us as fellow coach and friend, Maureen Benkovich, shares how turning...2023-07-1743 minSober EdgeLiquid Camouflage: Using Alcohol to Cope with Infertility and Depression with Maureen BenkovichMy guest today, Maureen Benkovich, reinvented herself as a ‘party girl’ in order to hide the pain of infertility. While her friends were getting pregnant and starting families, Maureen was experiencing the trauma of multiple miscarriages and a failed adoption. In our candid conversation, Maureen recounts the moment when she decided alcohol would keep her from being the ‘sad friend’ that others pitied; instead, she would be 'the fun friend' who was always up for a good time. Maureen’s story is one of isolation and pain and by sharing her own darkness, she is helping other women...2023-07-0551 min
Bite-Sized Balance Podcast with Wendy McCallumInfertility, Depression & Alcohol with Maureen BenkovichThis week Wendy is joined by Maureen Benkovich. Maureen shares her moving personal story as she and Wendy have an honest discussion about infertility, pregnancy loss, grief, depression, and women’s drinking. Maureen is someone who has experienced the pain of infertility and knows firsthand how easy it is to get stuck in a cycle of shame and blame when it comes to grief, depression, and drinking. For years, she used alcohol as a way to cope with these challenges, and it only made things worse. But with help, compassionate support, and t...2023-06-1355 min