Conquering the shame | Jen Hirst

Jen Hirst didn't see herself in the image of an alcoholic, but her drinking caused her to lose her job, her car and almost her marriage. It was when she found herself as a 30-year-old sitting on her childhood bed at her parents house and googling if she was having a heart attack that she started her bumpy road to recovery.

In this episode of Prickly and Blooming, Jen chats with host Jessie Browning about receiving treatment for her alcoholism and her relapses. She didn't share about her recovery until she started coaching and spent four of those seven years as a closet sober person living a dry, drunk lifestyle. Listen as Jen explains to Jessie why it helped her to overcome the shame of being an alcoholic by being outspoken about it.

Episode Timeline:

• [00:03] Intro
• [03:54] Meet Jen Hirst
• [06:17] How Jen reached rock bottom
• [12:37] Why she gave up drinking
• [14:15] Her first drink
• [16:10] The first time she abused alcohol
• [18:26] Recovering perfectionist
• [22:36] Drinking and wedding planning
• [25:25] Seeking treatment
• [28:19] The second DWI
• [34:38] One bite at a time
• [39:14] An isolating road to recovery
• [42:39] Becoming a sober coach
• [47:12] Wine Mom culture
• [52:29] Conquering the shame
• [55:27] Jen's tools to maintain recovery
• [1:04:43] Jessie's rapid fire questions
• [1:12:34] Contacting Jen Hirst
• [1:14:27] Outro

Resources Mentioned:

• Brené Brown
• Quit Like a Woman: The Radical Choice to Not Drink in a Culture Obsessed with Alcohol by Holly Whitaker
• Floor is Lava
• Peace & Calming Essential Oil Blend from Young Living
• Stress Away Essential Oil Blend from Young Living
• The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober: Discovering a happy, healthy, wealthy alcohol-free life by Catherine Gray
• This Naked Mind: Control Alcohol: Find Freedom, Rediscover Happiness & Change Your Life by Annie Grace
• Sober Curious: The Blissful Sleep, Greater Focus, Limitless Presence, and Deep Connection Awaiting Us All on the Other Side of Alcohol by Ruby Warrington
• Rachel Hollis

Standout Quotes:

• "I hope by sharing my story and telling others these hard things that I've been through, I hope it gives you permission to do the same and realize again that you're not alone in this. That you can pivot...