Annie Grace

Trigger warning: This episode contains references to domestic violence, sexual assault, self-harm, disordered eating, substance use, and mental health crises. What does an alcohol-free life transformation actually look like from the inside? For Valerie, it looks like CrossFit at 4:30 AM, a flourishing marriage, a challenging career, and a self she genuinely loves for the first time at 36. But getting here meant surviving an abusive relationship, years of drinking as a survival tool, and a long search for belonging that took her to martial arts competitions in Korea, AA meetings, and finally a bookstore where Annie Grace's book changed everything. This is her story. Valerie and Coach Cole discuss: Growing up without consistent support and turning to alcohol as a survival tool from age 18 How a deeply abusive relationship pushed her drinking to its darkest point and left her searching for a way out The moment she put down her last drink without a plan and never looked back Why AA gave her community but not the alcohol-free life transformation she was truly looking for How Annie Grace's book found her in a bookstore and rewired the way she understood herself and alcohol Building her CrossFit community as the foundation of belonging, she had been searching for her whole life What spontaneous alcohol freedom feels like and why she has not had a single craving in 14 months Letting go of the need for family approval and turning compassion inward for the first time And more on healing, self-love, and the extraordinary life that opened up when she stopped drinking... Episode links: https://go.tnmprograms.com/start-here-quiz Related Episodes: Emotional Trauma Recovery with Dr. Melissa Kalt - Interview - EP 689 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-689-interview-with-dr-melissa-kalt/ Does Annie Grace think AA is wrong? - Reader Question - EP 324 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-324-reader-question-does-annie-grace-think-aa-is-wrong/ Overcoming Drinking Culture in Fitness - Where Are They Now? Molly - EP 695 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-695-naked-life-story-hayley-where-are-they-now-molly/ Ready to take the next step on your journey? Visit https://learn.thisnakedmind.com/podcast-resources for free resources, programs, and more. Until next week, stay curious! This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp, Quince, and Shopify. BetterHelp: BetterHelp is offering our listeners 10% off at betterhelp.com/nakedmind Quince: get free shipping and 365-day returns at quince.com/naked Shopify: Sign up for $1 month trial at shopify.com/mind

Ever catch yourself wondering why the holidays—meant to be joyful—can feel so overwhelming? In this first episode of The Joy Edit, Coach Pam and Coach Hayley explore exactly that. They walk alongside you through the rush of traditions, emotions, expectations, and memories that make the season both beautiful and complicated. Hayley opens up about her first alcohol-free holiday after losing her mom, while Pam shares Annie Grace’s “order of operations,” revealing why shame keeps us stuck and why grace sets us free. Coach Zoe jumps in with a relatable moment from a long family gathering, showing how curiosity can soften triggers and help you stay grounded. Throughout the episode, you’re invited into gentle reflection, deeper breathing, and tiny mindset shifts that add up in powerful ways. By the end, you’ll feel more equipped—and more at ease—about how to navigate the holidays without alcohol. Highlights include: Why grace—not willpower—shifts how to navigate the holidays without alcohol Hayley’s first alcohol-free holiday after her mom’s passing Zoe’s tool for noticing “the wave” before it pulls you under Pam on Annie’s neuroscience-backed “order of operations” A 5-step reflection to turn judgment into curiosity Creating your personal Grace Statement for the season And more… Episode links: Learn how to handle holiday stress without alcohol - https://thisnakedmind.com/how-to-handle-holiday-stress-without-alcohol/ Related Episodes: Overcoming a Craving: My Best Advice | Reader Question | E10 | https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-10-reader-question-overcoming-a-craving-my-best-advice/ How do I deal with death and grief without alcohol? | Reader Question | E262 | https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-262-reader-question-grief-without-alcohol/ How do you survive the holidays without alcohol? | Reader Question | E438 | https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-438-reader-question-how-do-you-survive-the-holidays-without-alcohol/ Ready to take the next step on your journey? Visit https://learn.thisnakedmind.com/podcast-resources for free resources, programs, and more. Until next week, stay curious! Quince: Find gifts so good you'll want to keep them with Quince. Go to ⁠⁠Quince.com/naked⁠⁠ for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns Hungryroot: Get 40% off your first box + a free item for life at ⁠⁠Hungryroot.com/nakedmind⁠⁠ with code nakedmind Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at ⁠⁠Shopify.com/mind⁠⁠ Aura Frame: Get $35 off Aura’s Carver Mat frame at ⁠⁠AuraFrames.com⁠⁠ with promo code NAKEDMIND Masterclass: Get 15% off any annual membership at ⁠⁠MasterClass.com/NAKEDMIND⁠

What is one small realization that changed your life in a big way? When Annie Grace worked in corporate, her boss advised her to join happy hour to network. At first, she only drank at work events, but soon it became a daily habit at home. She tried to cut back with strict rules, but nothing worked. One morning, after a week of heavy drinking, she woke up needing alcohol, with vodka as her only option. Hungover and full of regret, she wrote in her journal, “I think I’m an alcoholic”. Those words felt heavy but sparked curiosity, leading her to dig deep into why she drank and how alcohol affected her brain. In this special episode, Annie shares her journey with alcohol, why grace is the key to lasting change, and how curiosity, not willpower, led her to true freedom. In this episode, Annie will discuss: - How her career influenced her drinking habits - The pressure to drink in corporate culture - Struggling to cut back using rules and willpower - Taking back control with knowledge and curiosity - Discovering the science behind alcohol - Writing This Naked Mind and Live Naked AF - Redefining ‘normal’ in the alcohol journey - Understanding why cravings feel automatic - The power of awareness in regaining control - How This Naked Mind differs from traditional methods - Why grace should come before behavior change - Creating positive emotions through curiosity - Annie’s milestones and future goals - Building a healthier relationship with alcohol - And other topics… Related Episodes: EP 628: Reader’s Question – The Key to Regaining Control From Alcohol https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-628-readers-question-the-key-to-regaining-control-from-alcohol/ EP 718: Reader’s Question – Does Not Drinking Hurt Job Prospects? https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-718-readers-question-does-not-drinking-hurt-job-prospects/ EP 731: Naked Life Story – Is the Illusion of Control Costing You Your Freedom? https://thisnakedmind.com/naked-life-story-is-the-illusion-of-control-costing-you-your-freedom-ep-731/ Ready to take the next step on your journey? Visit https://learn.thisnakedmind.com/podcast-resources for free resources, programs, and more. Until next week, stay curious!

How can you embrace who you are without needing to fit in? Madison didn’t realize how shy she really was until she got to college. She turned to alcohol as a way of finding confidence and making friends. She seemed to be having a great time, but after a while, she was no longer drinking just to fit in. Alcohol became a way to cope with life’s struggles, including trauma, depression, and a bad relationship. Things took a turn when she got a DUI, which made her feel ashamed and led her to research ways to make lasting changes. In this episode, Madison shares with Annie how she rediscovered herself, found true confidence, and built a life she loves through songwriting, teaching kids, and embracing simple, positive daily habits. In this episode, Annie and Madison will discuss: - Using alcohol to manage social anxiety - How trauma influenced her relationship with drinking - Facing guilt and shame after a DUI - Exploring different methods of mindful drinking - Leaving her real estate job to teach kids music - Madison’s life as a musician and songwriter - Being a musician in bars without alcohol - Learning to handle emotions instead of avoiding them - Unpacking popular beliefs about drinking - Understanding why our brains crave alcohol - How alcohol affects sleep and emotional well-being - Simple habits that made a big difference for Madison - Letting go of the pressure to be someone else - And other topics… Connect with Madison: Madison’s Band: http://www.modernmoxieband.com/ Related Episodes: EP 53: Science & Social Conditioning with Annie Grace & Michael Patrick https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-53-science-social-conditioning-annie-grace-michael-patrick/ EP 253: Sleep, with Michael Gradisar https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-253-sleep-with-michael-gradisar/ EP 582: Reader Question – How Do I Become Socially Confident Without Alcohol? https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-582-readers-question-how-do-i-become-socially-confident-without-alcohol EP 738: Fun Without the Hangover: Alcohol Freedom Coaching https://thisnakedmind.com/fun-without-the-hangover-alcohol-freedom-coaching-e738/ Ready to take the next step on your journey? Visit https://learn.thisnakedmind.com/podcast-resources for free resources, programs, and more. Until next week, stay curious!

What happens when you start questioning a habit you’ve known your whole life? Michaela grew up in a family where alcohol was always a part of life. Her parents owned a winery, and drinking was normal at every meal. Seeing her dad become happier after a drink, she began to link alcohol with fun. At age 14, she started drinking and continued until her thirties. Over time, Michaela began to black out often. One day, after drinking with friends, she blacked out and got lost on her way home. This moment made her question her drinking habits and led her to discover This Naked Mind . In this episode, Michaela shares with Annie how curiosity and learning about alcohol’s effects helped her make lasting changes, and how questioning family and cultural norms around drinking led to a life filled with more clarity, joy, and self-awareness. In this episode, Annie and Michaela will discuss: - Growing up in a wine-loving family - Using alcohol to feel more comfortable in relationships - Embracing the drinking culture at work - Building a personal and social identity around wine - Marriage, motherhood, and drinking patterns - The turning point after years of blackouts - How This Naked Mind helped Michaela see alcohol differently - Learning to say no to wine in a wine-loving family - The American drinking culture that surprised her - Breaking the link between fun and alcohol - How curiosity makes your first experiences without alcohol easier - Finding clarity, joy, and better sleep without alcohol - The key principles that can help change any habit - Embracing change with curiosity and courage - And other topics… Related Episodes: EP 574: Reader’s Questions – Is it better to drink in moderation or not at all? https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-574-readers-questions-is-it-better-to-drink-in-moderation-or-not-at-all/ EP 618: Reader’s Question – Annie Grace’s Tips for Dealing with Family Members Who Continue to Drink https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-618-readers-question-annie-graces-tips-for-dealing-with-family-members-who-continue-to-drink/ EP 738: Fun Without the Hangover: Alcohol Freedom Coaching https://thisnakedmind.com/fun-without-the-hangover-alcohol-freedom-coaching-e738/ Ready to take the next step on your journey? Visit https://learn.thisnakedmind.com/podcast-resources for free resources, programs, and more. Until next week, stay curious!

Have you ever thought, "I can handle this on my own," only to realize you couldn't? Shelley struggled with her husband’s harmful behavior and drinking habit, which left her at the end of her rope. On top of that, her own unhealthy relationship with alcohol weighed her down. Thinking she could solve the problem on her own, she refused to accept help. But one day, she finally joined Al-Anon and got the support she had always needed. Later, she found Annie Grace's 30-Day Alcohol Experiment, which helped her look deeply into her relationship with alcohol. In this episode, Shelley shares her journey with Annie, from simply surviving to choosing herself and truly living. In this episode, Annie and Shelley will discuss: - Shelley’s journey with alcohol - What a "qualifier" is - Realizing she couldn’t fix her spouse’s drinking problem - Drinking to reward herself - The moment she stopped resisting help - How Al-Anon supported her - Guilt from leaving a challenging relationship - How This Naked Mind changed her life - The power of choosing yourself - And other topics… Related Episodes: EP 48: Reader Question – I Quit Drinking But My Spouse Has Not. Any Advice?: https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-48-reader-question-i-quit-drinking-but-my-spouse-has-not-any-advice/ EP 637: Naked Life Story – Annie Grace’s Husband (Part 1): https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-637-naked-life-story-annie-graces-husband-part-1/ Ready to take the next step on your journey? Visit https://learn.thisnakedmind.com/podcast-resources for free resources, programs, and more. Until next week, stay curious!

Welcome to this week's special episode of the This Naked Mind podcast. This time, we're doing something a little different. Instead of our usual guest or answering your questions, we have a unique opportunity for you to hear a This Naked Mind update right from the source, Annie Grace herself. You might already be familiar with the origin story of how This Naked Mind began, but in this episode, we're not only going to take you back in time to give you a brief overview of its inception, but we'll also unveil where we are today, and what lies ahead for This Naked Mind. Discover how our work has evolved and what it means for you personally. Learn more here: https://tnmind.co/TNMIApply Thank you so much for listening to this episode. If you’re ready to see how This Naked Mind can help you on your personal health and wellness journey and wanna learn more. Go to ThisNakedMindpodcast.com to learn more. Again, that’s ThisNakedMindpodcast.com . We have all of our free resources, programs, social links and more available for you there. Plus, if you have your own Naked Life Story, you can submit it there as well. Until next week, stay curious.

Welcome to part two of this special series from This Naked Mind, hosted by Annie Grace. In this week's special 2-part episode, we're thrilled to again feature how Annie Grace’s husband stopped drinking with This Naked Mind. Join as we delve into Annie and Brian’s unique journey,discussing what it was like for Brian when Annie decided to stop drinking, why he continued drinking during her journey, and how he accidentally stopped drinking with This Naked Mind. Thank you so much for listening to this episode. If you’re ready to see how This Naked Mind can help you on your personal health and wellness journey and wanna learn more. Go to ThisNakedMindpodcast.com to learn more. Again, that’s ThisNakedMindpodcast.com . We have all of our free resources, programs, social links and more available for you there. Plus, if you have your own Naked Life Story, you can submit it there as well. Until next week, stay curious.

Welcome to a special two-part episode of the This Naked Mind podcast. Today we hear how Brian, Annie Grace's husband, accidentally stopped drinking with This Naked Mind. In part one, we delve into his unique journey with alcohol, discussing how he wasn't much of a drinker until a move to New York City changed everything, how alcohol became a significant part of Annie and Brian’s marriage, and the role a demanding career and parenting played in his relationship with alcohol. Thank you so much for listening to this episode. If you’re ready to see how This Naked Mind can help you on your personal health and wellness journey and wanna learn more. Go to ThisNakedMindpodcast.com to learn more. Again, that’s ThisNakedMindpodcast.com . We have all of our free resources, programs, social links and more available for you there. Plus, if you have your own Naked Life Story, you can submit it there as well. Until next week, stay curious.

Annie Grace welcomes Kelly this week to share her Naked Life story. Kelly shares her powerful journey of retreating from alcohol, shedding light on the intricate relationship between her drinking and her career as a flight attendant. She opens up to Annie Grace about how the pandemic unexpectedly intensified her drinking habits and reveals a pivotal moment when an episode of Red Table Talk served as the catalyst for her transformative journey away from alcohol. Annie and Kelly discuss how retreating from alcohol ultimately leads us to discover the truest form of ourselves. Thank you so much for listening to this episode. If you’re ready to see how This Naked Mind can help you on your personal health and wellness journey and wanna learn more. Go to ThisNakedMindpodcast.com to learn more. Again, that’s ThisNakedMindpodcast.com . We have all of our free resources, programs, social links and more available for you there. Plus, if you have your own Naked Life Story, you can submit it there as well. Until next week, stay curious.

Welcome to a sneak peek of Annie Grace's monthly coaching sessions, exclusively available to members of The PATH: 365. In these sessions, Annie dives deep into a myriad of topics, offering guidance on managing emotions, addressing challenging situations, conquering cravings, and much more. Today, we're delving into the art of "Setting Boundaries with Family." Annie Grace sheds light on a sensitive question about handling guilt when setting boundaries with family. Stay tuned as we unravel Annie's wisdom on creating healthier, more balanced relationships within your family circle. Thank you so much for listening to this episode. If you’re ready to see how This Naked Mind can help you on your personal health and wellness journey and wanna learn more. Go to ThisNakedMindpodcast.com to learn more. Again, that’s ThisNakedMindpodcast.com . We have all of our free resources, programs, social links and more available for you there. Plus, if you have your own Naked Life Story, you can submit it there as well. Until next week, stay curious.

Embarking on the path to living alcohol-free opens up a world of challenges, and one of those challenges involves dealing with family members who continue to drink. In this podcast episode Annie Grace shares a look inside the coaching she provides to members of the PATH community. Annie's insights offer a fresh perspective on handling these delicate situations, from understanding why family members might judge or feel fearful to nurturing authentic connections while staying true to your commitment. Her unique strategies empower you to gracefully navigate social gatherings, ensuring you can sidestep resentment and feelings of isolation. Thank you so much for listening to this episode. If you’re ready to see how This Naked Mind can help you on your personal health and wellness journey and wanna learn more. Go to ThisNakedMindpodcast.com to learn more. Again, that’s ThisNakedMindpodcast.com . We have all of our free resources, programs, social links and more available for you there. Plus, if you have your own Naked Life Story, you can submit it there as well. Until next week, stay curious.