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Sober Stories from Everyday People · Oct 15, 2025 · 52 min

Sober Stories: Kellie

In this weeks episode of Sober Stories from Everyday People I chat with Kellie in Hong Kong. Kellie is an Australian living in Hong Kong, a fitness lover, newly married, and mum to a daughter and step-son. I first met Kellie several years ago at a retreat called Phuket Cleanse in late 2017, which sparked years of sober curiosity for both of us. Although Kellie's drinking wasn’t especially heavy, alcohol felt like it had a hold on her—even when she could moderate or go weeks and months without it. On New Year’s Day this year, Kellie stopped trying to moderate and chose full sobriety. At 9.5 months sober at the time of recording, Kellie shares how making alcohol a “non-event” unlocked a profound sense of freedom, focus, and motivation. This episode explores expat social pressures in Hong Kong, building an alcohol-free marriage, showing up fully for family, and the fitness routines and a passion for her career that reinforced her decision—offering a powerful reminder that you don’t need a dramatic rock bottom to choose a better life. You can connect with Kellie on instagram at @sunshinejoy29. Helpful links: Get help from me directly by visiting www.sassysobermum.com Visit THRIVE Sober Coaching for sobriety guidance & resources here www.thrivesobercoaching.com Get access to my new online sobriety self-paced course here https://checkout.teachable.com/secure/1930842/checkout/order_jmr0kg9w (use coupon code HALFPRICE) Join my super friendly and safe online women’s sober community here: https://thrive-af-community.circle.so/checkout/thrive-subscription Email sassysobermum at thrive@sassysobermum.com Alcohol Change UK Website: https://www.alcoholchange.org.uk Helpline: 0800 917 8282 (Available Monday to Friday 9 AM - 8 PM) Mind (Mental Health Support) Website: https://www.mind.org.uk Helpline: 0300 123 3393 NHS Alcohol Support Services Website: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/alcohol-misuse

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show notes

In this weeks episode of Sober Stories from Everyday People I chat with Kellie in Hong Kong.

Kellie is an Australian living in Hong Kong, a fitness lover, newly married, and mum to a daughter and step-son. I first met Kellie several years ago at a retreat called Phuket Cleanse in late 2017, which sparked years of sober curiosity for both of us.

Although Kellie's drinking wasn’t especially heavy, alcohol felt like it had a hold on her—even when she could moderate or go weeks and months without it. On New Year’s Day this year, Kellie stopped trying to moderate and chose full sobriety.

At 9.5 months sober at the time of recording, Kellie shares how making alcohol a “non-event” unlocked a profound sense of freedom, focus, and motivation.

This episode explores expat social pressures in Hong Kong, building an alcohol-free marriage, showing up fully for family, and the fitness routines and a passion for her career that reinforced her decision—offering a powerful reminder that you don’t need a dramatic rock bottom to choose a better life.

You can connect with Kellie on instagram at @sunshinejoy29.

Helpful links:

Get help from me directly by visiting www.sassysobermum.com

Visit THRIVE Sober Coaching for sobriety guidance & resources here www.thrivesobercoaching.com

Get access to my new online sobriety self-paced course here https://checkout.teachable.com/secure/1930842/checkout/order_jmr0kg9w

(use coupon code HALFPRICE)

Join my super friendly and safe online women’s sober community here: https://thrive-af-community.circle.so/checkout/thrive-subscription

Email sassysobermum at thrive@sassysobermum.com

  1. Alcohol Change UK
  2. Mind (Mental Health Support)
  3. NHS Alcohol Support Services

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