Creators and Guests

Certified Sobriety Coach, Yoga Instructor and Retreat Leader

Jane Ballard, LCSW-S, CEDS, PMH-C, is a licensed psychotherapist and Alcohol Free Life coach. She is the founder of Jane Ballard Wellness, a private practice offering in-person counseling services in Dallas, TX and virtual individual and group coaching to women in the United States and beyond. After waking up to the realization that alcohol was a barrier to living her purpose, she set out to make information, support and connection more accessible to like minded women.

Alex McRobert had long dreamed of opening a yoga retreat center in Bali, Indonesia, but as an elementary school teacher working in private schools in the Middle East, the path seemed unclear. It wasn’t until she quit drinking and embraced her true purpose that everything began to manifest—and even more than she had imagined. Now, Alex runs Yoga Teacher Trainings in Bali and leads a thriving online sober yoga community, The Mindful Life Practice. She also leads retreats around the world, hosts the popular Sober Yoga Girl Podcast, and publishes The Mindful Life Magazine monthly. You can purchase her new book, Sober Yoga Girl, on Amazon.

Alli is an alcohol free mom and wife. Alli left her job in the corporate world to pursue her God given dreams. After more than a decade of climbing the corporate ladder, Alli Eldridge left her lucrative career in communications to pursue her higher purpose. As a new mother, she felt firsthand the internal struggle that comes from trying to “stuff” in countless parenting, family and health priorities around a full-time job. Today, she helps working moms let go of corporate careers that no longer serve them to find freedom and fulfillment in what does. Her unique coaching style empowers women to tap into their deeper desires and discover their bigger purpose, marrying what they love about motherhood with their skills and passions. Alli loves helping other moms transform from feeling overworked and overwhelmed to joyful and free. We all have one life to live, and she believes you deserve to have it all without having to do it all every day. If you’re ready to design your dream life and take steps to start living it, visit allieldridge.com to learn more.

Allison Guilbault is a Licensed Therapist, Life/Empowerment/Mindset Coach and world-wide speaker. Allison specializes in anxiety, trauma, and sex & intimacy. She is passionate about helping women let go of shame and guilt, ditch Imposter Syndrome, stop apologizing and connect to their confidence, empowerment and passion.

Amanda Elliott shares her journey of overcoming addiction and finding self-compassion. She works in recovery coaching and emphasizes the importance of mental and behavioral health. Amanda grew up in a strict religious community, which led to feelings of self-condemnation and confusion when she encountered different beliefs and lifestyles. She turned to substances to cope with her inner turmoil and had unhealthy relationships. However, through recovery, she found healing and a passion for helping others. Amanda highlights the power of speaking one's truth and the importance of finding emotional safety in relationships. She encourages individuals to explore different approaches to recovery and to never give up on their journey.

Anne knew from the moment she drank alcohol at 15 it was a problem. She was introduced to alcohol and addiction as a child because her Father struggled with addiction her whole life until he went to prison. Anne started drinking out of curiosity then it progressed into a weekly habit during her college years. Like so many in college… alcohol gripped her and she started using it to cope with unprocessed trauma, depression, social anxiety and a way to fit in. After becoming a mother and processing trauma through therapy she realized alcohol was robbing her life. She had a deep awareness/awakening that this liquid would not satisfy her. It was no longer fun. It was exhausting. The hamster wheel of guilt and shame had to stop. When Anne turned 35 she woke up from the lie that alcohol “helped” and realized it was a LIE. Now.. almost a year and a half into sobriety she has a deep passion to help others stuck in the cycle. She created a Instagram sober page called -The Bright Eyed Sober Girl- It’s a tribute to her late Father who battled addiction for years but found redemption in the walls of prison. Anne wants others to know change is possible and there is hope. She wants people to realize they are not their past. She is cheering for you always and feels like going alcohol free is a privilege and not a punishment. Listen in to hear her heart.

Annie is a Licensed Professional Counselor with more than 10 years of experience working with adults in residential treatment centers and in private practice.

Ashlee is dedicated to all things mind, body and soul. She recently set out on an alcohol-free journey after years of being sober curious and witnessing her mothers alcohol induced health scare. Her approach to removing alcohol is a softer approach and she likes to look at it as taking a sober chapter with extra freedom for self reflection. Her years of working as a caregiver made it possible for her to see how the affects of mental health directly impact physical health & wellbeing. After setting out on her own healing journey she began to develop a passion for “doing the work” which led her to pursue a career as a personal development coach. Ashlee lives just outside of Salt Lake City, Utah where she enjoys the balance of the city life and escaping into the mountains. You can follow her alcohol free journey on her instagram @Sol_Beginnings.

Cindy is a 200 Hour Yoga Teacher, Licensed Professional Counselor, and owner of Rooted Counseling Services, PLLC in Frisco, TX. Prior to opening her private practice in 2020, Cindy was a former Crisis Counselor and School Counselor. Before entering the mental health field, she taught for 10 years in public schools in both Texas and Nevada. Cindy began practicing yoga in 2003 at the recommendation of her doctor when she was struggling with infertility. She continued her practice after the birth of her first son in 2005, followed by twin boys in 2007. On April 4, 2022, Cindy made the courageous decision to become sober, and knew that yoga would need to play an integral part in her recovery. Shortly after becoming sober, she discovered the Mindful Life Practice Community online, and joined a sober yoga retreat in Bali, Indonesia, led by founder of the MLPC, Alex McRobs. It was there that she decided to pursue her 200 hour yoga teacher certification to deepen her practice and bring hope and healing to others. Cindy continues to incorporate her yoga practice into both her work and personal life. She teaches meditation to her clients and hosts Mindful Self-Compassion workshops in her community where she combines mental health content with a yoga practice. She also just led her first weekend yoga retreat for sober women. She will be joining Alex in India in March 2024 for another Sober Yoga Retreat where she continues to strengthen her connection with the sober community.

Colleen Clifford is a passionate health coach and alcohol-free lifestyle advocate dedicated to empowering women to reclaim their health and well-being, especially in the patterns of emotional eating and/or binge drinking. With personal experience in both of these coping patterns Colleen specializes in guiding women through their process of change with relatability, compassion, resources, motivational coaching and individual strategies that guide clients toward transformational lifestyle habits that stick! As well as coaching, Colleen works on occasion as a Chief Steward for the fishing trawler Alaska Ocean where she nurtures the crew with delicious sustenance.

I peeked in my father’s “man cave”; age 10. My father, his friends were drinking, laughing, dancing, and listening to music. I thought this was “FUN”, I can’t wait to grow up with my friends and do this. This was the beginning of my irrational and irresponsible thinking as it then led to a quick decision to redeem myself by joining the Marine Corps. I traded my dysfunctional home upbringing for more chaos and dysfunction, that included MORE drinking, and ultimately more substances. This then led me to be a part of the criminal justice system. This cycle of recidivism lasted 20 years plus..I then realized that I sabotaged myself, wanted to stop running away and was my own worst enemy. My last incarceration period was different. I attended a 6 month rehabilitation program during my 5 years away. I learned so much about myself that I wanted to learn more and more. I realized that the shame and guilt that I had repressed for so many years kept me in that vicious cycle of addiction. I began assisting the therapist with the other men and began facilitating the groups as well. Fast forward to today; there have been a multitude of bumps and bruises but because of the recovery process I was equipped with the tools I needed. I have been a part of the recovery community for the last 10 years, working in the behavioral health field for 7. I’ve won awards and received recognition for my supportive assistance. Grateful for all the trials and tribulations as that made me the man I am today. Dennis can be reached at: denhaynes07@gmail.com

Dusty is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor who specializes in the treatment of substance use disorders, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), and trauma-informed recovery. He is certified in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and utilizes a Person-Centered approach to serving clients on their pathway to healing. Additionally, he is a dedicated community service advocate and enjoys educating on multiple pathways to recovery, harm reduction, mindfulness, and meditation. He also is an Addiction Education Instructor at the University of North Texas, as well as a Community Outreach Coordinator for the Texoma Community Center. He is an alumnus of the University of Texas, where he earned his Master’s in Rehabilitation Counseling, and the proud father of two amazing adult children, Austin and Sydney.

Hi, I'm Emily! I started my coaching method with one goal in mind: to help people find happiness, success, and meaning in their life while ditching alcohol. I have been on my alcohol free journey for over five years with lots of starts and stops. In June of 2023, I decided to take the plunge and fully embrace removing alcohol from my life and I have not looked back since. I have learned to shift my perspective, live authentically, and love helping others find this same freedom.

Hi, I’m Gabrielle! I’m a yoga teacher (E-500 CYT) trainer, and traveler. I’m almost to my 10,000 teaching hour mark, and my passion for yoga intensifies with every hour taught. Yoga changed my life after having emergency, life saving brain surgery at 14. Yoga showed me there’s no right way to navigate life, and that my practice doesn’t need to look like your practice. The individuality and self understanding yoga can create is what I aim to teach in every practice. Yoga has challenged me to embrace my differences, and honor my body - because it fought almost to the death to keep me alive. You are worth thriving for. All my love, Gabrielle. My yoga studio is located in Granbury, TX: Metamorphic Movement Yoga School & Studio.

Karolina Rzadkowolska is an alcohol-free empowerment expert who helps intuitive women ditch alcohol and discover their greater purpose. She’s worked with thousands of clients through her programs to change their drinking habit and unleash a new level of health, happiness, and drive to go after their biggest dreams. She is the bestselling author of the book, Euphoric: Ditch Alcohol and Gain a Happier, More Confident You (HarperCollins) and her work has been featured in the Huffington Post, Goal Digger Podcast, The Sunday Post, Popsugar, Real Simple, Elite Daily and multiple TV shows. Karolina also certifies new coaches in her Empowered AF Coach Certification program. She’s passionate about helping you discover what really makes you happy outside of a beverage and design an emboldened alcohol-free life. She would love to hear from you at www.euphoricaf.com.

Hiya! I'm Katie and my alcohol free journey started after a dry January about 7 years ago and eventually morphed into longer and longer breaks until January 6, 2023, when I had my last drink :) Life is sooooooo good and I am so happy I am no longer numbing myself from the raw amazing-ness that is life ;) So many opportunities have manifested and after serving as a school counselor for the past 9 years, and becoming a mother myself, the internal nudge to bring my vision and true purpose to life was overwhelming. I could no longer sit still because the needs of our young girls in this dynamic world are too big to ignore. Untamed Guidance was born in an effort to bring Radical Guidance to girls around the world. I believe every tween and teen is a perfectly, beautifully flawed individual in search of confidence and deep connection in a rather disconnected world. And it’s my passion and purpose, to help lead her home to HERSELF. To empower HER to make healthy decisions, so she can experience true joy and cultivate a happy fulfilling life. xo -Katie

Katie Butler founded her content platform, Alcohol Free in Dally, one year after cutting out alcohol. Since going alcohol free in October 2021, Katie recognized the need for more representation of what life can look like without drinking. After years of relying on alcohol for fun in Dallas, she’s determined to show that you can live a full, exciting life doing all your favorite things—without booze. From what to order at restaurants to navigating dating and friendships as an alcohol-free woman, Katie has experienced it all in Dallas (and beyond!). Now, she’s on a mission to share her alcohol-free lifestyle with others.

Kristi Tanner is a dedicated advocate for sober living and community inclusion, passionately leading the way with her venture in Madison, WI, Sober Social. Founded with the mission to bridge the gap between sobriety and society, Sober Social is the only nonalcholic bottle shop in Wisconsin offering a welcoming space for those seeking healthier alternatives to traditional alcoholic beverages. With an extensive selection of non-alcoholic beers, wines, spirits, and functional drinks, this inviting, boutique shop aims to redefine social gatherings, ensuring that everyone can enjoy camaraderie without the pressure to drink. Sober Social offers tasting nights, mocktail making classes, and private events. As a single mother of four, Kristi draws from her personal journey of recovery to create an inclusive environment where individuals—whether sober-curious, in recovery, or simply exploring healthier choices—can feel empowered to socialize. Her commitment to this cause is evident in her transparent sharing of her own experiences with alcohol addiction and recovery on her Instagram account, @mocktailmommy. Kristi's path to founding Sober Social was marked by her certification as a recovery coach and her graduation from Sans Bar Academy, which solidified her resolve to make a meaningful impact in the lives of others. Through Sober Social, she is not only providing a diverse range of non-alcoholic options but also fostering a sense of belonging and community, proving that choosing sobriety doesn’t mean sacrificing social connection. Join Kristi and Sober Social in transforming the way we approach socializing—one NA beverage at a time.

Laura is a multifaceted professional, seamlessly merging her roles as a Therapist, Spiritual Healer, Author, Speaker, and Meditation Guide. Drawing on her scientific training and expertise in psycho-neurological issues, Laura enriches her approach with a deep understanding of shamanic practices, a legacy she inherited from her great-grandmother, the renowned healer Guadalupe Galvan Rivera (1906-1970).

Mara believes everyone deserves the opportunity to reach their highest potential and become their favorite self. She believes that the process should be fun, safe, and welcoming. Going alcohol-free during the convergence of major life transitions gifted her soulful clarity, confidence, and a path for overall wellness. Mara is passionate about helping people embrace a sober-curious lifestyle to find clarity, confidence, and direction. She connects her wellness journey to her love of nature. As a child, playing outside was her creative and safe space, where she could connect with herself and imagination. She’s learned to rekindle childlike wonder for healing and joy. Mara believes we are here to love, laugh, cry, learn, grow, and connect. She loves sharing the gift of connection, intentional living, embracing your joyful inner child, and doing so shamelessly, unmasked, and alcohol-free.

Mario Bencivenga, age 25, celebrates his sober date of January 20, 2024, after an 8-year struggle with alcohol. Mario's journey is one of resilience, encompassing triumph, loss, love, and pain. As a young man in recovery, he believes his story can connect deeply with adolescents and others grappling with substance use. Mario brings a raw, authentic perspective to the conversation, offering inspiration to those seeking hope and healing.

Megan Swan is an expert in making wellness a way of life and the CEO of Megan Swan Wellness, a Canadian-based company. She brings 11 years of experience to her clients which include female founders, leaders and corporate Moms. She is the creator of the Sustainable Integrated Wellness Approach, has helped her clients optimize their wellness granting them more confidence from within, energy and clarity in decision making. Megan has been featured on more than 20 podcasts, published dozens of articles for Authority Magazine, ThriveGlobal and Tatler. She self-published her first book on Amazon in both English and Spanish helping Moms detox everyday toxins to reboot their vitality. She is on a mission to make wellness a way of life and not a checkmark on your to do list.

Olivia Farrelly is a Grey Area Drinker from Ireland who has been alcohol free since 2018. Olivia credits removing alcohol as the single most transformational change she has ever made. Since giving up alcohol, Olivia has experienced more joy, energy, vitality, clarity, self-compassion and motivation than ever before. She is passionate about helping others access these inherent qualities by making ONE CHANGE- REMOVING ALCOHOL. She holds an MSc in Health Psychology and a Diploma in Alcohol Studies. She uses both her education and experience as a problematic drinker, to empower others to untangle from the grip alcohol has on our culture. She approaches alcohol use from the point of view of overall health and encourages the use of meditation, affirmations, journaling, reading and gut healing to help people live a deep fulfilling and joy-soaked life completely alcohol free.

Renée Adams, former division I athlete, powerlifter, wife, sister, daughter and soon to be certified sober-curious, life coach who specializes in helping high performing women re-define their relationship with alcohol to uncover their deeper purpose, follow their bliss, and achieve success. She quit her corporate job of 7 years in January of 2023 to become a fitness coach, all while still being a “grey area” drinker. Her nights were filled with wine, her mornings were filled with regret, sweat, and anxiety. Drinking and trying to launch a business, needless to say, did not pan out the way she planned and was back in corporate 7 months later. It wasn’t until she changed her own relationship with alcohol September of 2023, did she find her true passion, helping women discover the incredible list of innate abilities that lie within them to make their biggest goals, reality. For her, the failure in her first attempt to help others has built a foundation of resiliency. It forged the path to a life she never thought was possible. She believes when we take a step back from alcohol, it creates a space of opportunity to realize your life purpose and dial in on leveling up your lifestyle.

Rory Kinsella is a Vedic Meditation teacher and sober coach based in Sydney, Australia. A former hard-drinking musician and journalist, he quit alcohol in 2017 and now helps others change their relationship with alcohol through his Wise Monkey Way online programs. He teaches an effortless style of meditation using a mantra that allows the mind to move beyond thoughts to a place of stillness within.

Sweta Sansara, born in Kathmandu, Nepal, faced adversity with determination from a young age. Overcoming childhood trauma and addiction, she embraced sobriety at 17. Breaking barriers, she became the first Nepalese female Marine and Hollywood actress, using her platform to advocate for fmental health and destigmatize therapy, especially in South Asian culture. As a devoted mother and wife, she founded the Nepal Youth Fund, empowering communities through education. Through her advocacy on Instagram, Sweta inspires hope and unity, reminding others they’re not alone in their journey towards healing. Her story embodies triumph, resilience, and a commitment to building a better world for all.

Vince Trujillo This Naked Mind Certified Coach with Affective Liminal Psychology Certification (ALPC). I help Christian men strengthen or renew their relationship with Christ by leaving alcohol behind for good, bridging the This Naked Mind methodology with Biblical Wisdom. I am a husband, father of four adult children and have one grandson.  I am a Doggy-Daddy to three Labrador Retrievers and one Golden Retriever puppy.  Love dogs!  I am a musician and a lover of music too. I am heavy into physical fitness.  I mainly just love hanging out with my beautiful wife of 16 years. FB: @AlcoholFree4Life IG: @alcohol_free4life Website: alcoholfree4life.com