Stress, Surgery, and Big Changes
Jan 19, 2026
Stress, Surgery, and Big Changes: What I Learned in 2025
It's been a while since I've recorded an episode, and there's a reason for that.
2025 was... a lot. Two spine surgeries. A cruise filled with alcohol. Turning 60. And through all of it, I stayed completely alcohol-free.
I'm not sharing this to pat myself on the back. I'm sharing it because these are the exact situations that used to terrify me when I first thought about changing my relationship with alcohol. Surgery and recovery? Travel? Milestone birthdays? My brain would scream, "There's NO WAY you can handle that without drinking."
But I did. And I learned some powerful lessons along the way that I want to share with you.
Lesson 1: Surgery Without the Off Switch
On September 15th, 2025—my four-year sobriety anniversary—I had two spine surgeries at once. Two cervical discs replaced (hello, titanium neck), plus a lumbar procedure that was supposed to be minor but caused complications requiring a second surgery in November.
My body was wrecked. My nervous system was completely dysregulated. And I was frustrated as can be.
Here's what made it harder: I couldn't work out. For someone like me, movement is my number one tool for regulating my nervous system. It's how I process stress, calm my brain, and feel like myself, and suddenly, I couldn't do it.
In the months leading up to surgery, I was in so much pain I could barely move. After surgery, I had to stick to light stretching and gentle walks. For someone who's used to intense workouts, this was maddening.
But here's what I learned: I had to reset my expectations.
I thought I'd be back to normal in 10 days. My doctor gently corrected that fantasy. Recovery was going to take time—real time. And I had a choice: resist that reality and make myself miserable, or accept it and find other tools.
So I doubled down on:
- Breathwork (I'm actually taking a course on this in January and bringing the instructor on the podcast)
- Hydration and electrolytes (not just water—real hydration)
- Protein (essential for healing)
- Journaling (getting the frustration out of my head)
- Talking to people (not isolating, even when I wanted to)
And you know what I noticed? Every single moment of frustration, pain, or disappointment—every time I thought, "This is so hard"—I also thought, "This would've been a drinking moment."
I would've poured a glass of wine to "take the edge off." I would've told myself I deserved it because I was recovering from surgery. I would've numbed out.
But alcohol wouldn't have helped. Not even a little.
Yes, it's a central nervous system depressant, so for the first 20 minutes, I might've felt calmer. But then what? Inflammation. Dehydration. Disrupted sleep. Anxiety the next day. All the things my body absolutely did NOT need while trying to heal.
My surgeons actually gave me literature about not drinking before or after surgery because it delays healing. I loved seeing that—doctors are finally catching on. But back when I was drinking? I would've ignored that advice completely. I actually used to think, "Well, they'll hydrate me with an IV, so a few drinks won't matter." (Yeah. I was an idiot.)
This time, I had all my faculties. I was present through the pain, the frustration, the slow recovery. And I came out stronger because of it.
Lesson 2: Cruising Without the Boozing
For the first time ever, my husband and I went on a cruise over Christmas. No tree. No traditional celebration. Just a week at sea to continue recovering from surgery.
And let me tell you: cruises are basically floating advertisements for alcohol.
It's everywhere. The bars, the restaurants, the pools, the shows. People are drinking mimosas at breakfast, cocktails by the pool, wine at dinner, nightcaps at the casino. It's relentless.
And this was one of my biggest fears when I first got sober. How would I ever travel without alcohol? How would I enjoy a vacation?
But here's the truth: once you experience travel sober, you realize how much MORE you enjoy it.
I was present. I slept well. I worked out every morning. I ate meals without being bloated or hungover. I remembered every conversation. And when I came home, I didn't feel like I needed a vacation from my vacation.
That said, something happened on the cruise that I need to share.
The Accidental Drink
One night at dinner, the sommelier came over. My husband ordered his drink, and she looked at me.
"What are you drinking?"
"I don't drink alcohol anymore," I said clearly.
She gave me this look—like, pity mixed with annoyance—and said, "I'm so sorry."
I smiled. "I'm not sorry. I'm okay with it. I'd like a mocktail, please."
She took my order and walked off. A few minutes later, she brought our drinks. My husband started ordering his meal, and I took a sip.
Immediately, I felt it. That whoosh. That familiar feeling of alcohol hitting my brain.
I took another sip to confirm. Yep. Definitely alcohol.
And here's where I'm going to be brutally honest with you: all my old drinking thoughts came flooding back.
Those neural pathways? They're still there. Dormant, but there. And when I tasted alcohol after four years, they lit up like Christmas lights.
For a split second, I thought:
- I could just drink this. It's not my fault. I didn't order it.
- My husband wouldn't even know.
- It's been so long. Maybe I could handle it now.
These thoughts took maybe three seconds. But they were LOUD.
And then my tools kicked in.
Play it forward, Maureen. How would you feel if you finished this drink?
Intoxicated. Sick. Disappointed in myself. Out of alignment with who I am now.
How would you feel tomorrow?
Hungover. Ashamed. Like I'd thrown away four years for a drink I didn't even want.
Is it worth it?
Uhhh no.
I looked at my watch. I wanted to see how long it would take for that whoosh feeling to go away. Twenty minutes. After just two sips, it took twenty minutes. And even then, I felt tired—just from that tiny amount of alcohol.
I told my husband what happened. He was furious. We called the sommelier over. She denied it at first, then brought the bartender out and blamed him. The bartender apologized profusely.
I said, "You need to understand: when someone says they don't drink, there's a reason. You need to respect that the same way you'd respect someone saying they're gluten-free or vegetarian."
We moved to a different section of the restaurant for the rest of the cruise. The new sommelier was fantastic—made creative mocktails every night without attitude.
Here's the silver lining: that experience validated everything I already knew.
I didn't want alcohol. Even when it was literally in my hand, even when my old neural pathways fired up, I STILL didn't want it.
That was empowering.
Lesson 3: Turning 60 Without a Blowout
I'm about to turn 60, and I'll be honest: I have moments of sadness about the years I wasted drinking. Especially that last decade—the really hardcore drinking years. I was out of alignment with who I am. I'm a health and fitness person. I believed God had more for me. But alcohol kept me stuck.
So yeah, sometimes I look back with regret.
But here's what I'm choosing to focus on in 2026: that decade made me who I am now.
It gave me this purpose. This passion for helping others understand the truth about alcohol—how toxic it is, how it steals from your health, your mental clarity, your longevity, your potential.
And as I step into this new decade, I'm genuinely excited.
Back when I was drinking, a milestone birthday like this would've meant a BLOWOUT. A birthday month. All my friends. Endless drinks. And a week-long hangover filled with regret.
Now? I'm celebrating differently.
We're going to New York to see a show. In June, we're going on a safari (which I absolutely cannot wait for). I'm asking friends to go on hikes with me, to the spa, to do things that actually align with who I am now.
Because here's the thing: we've been conditioned to celebrate everything with alcohol.
Birthdays. Anniversaries. Travel. Promotions. Fridays. It's the default script. "You deserve this. Treat yourself."
But when you really dig into it, when you understand what alcohol actually does to your body and brain, the script changes.
The question becomes: Is alcohol supporting my life, or is it stealing from it?
For me, the answer is clear. Alcohol steals. It steals energy, clarity, presence, health, time, potential.
And I'm done letting it take anything else from me.
The Tools Still Work
Even after four years, I still use the same tools I learned early in sobriety:
- Play it forward - How will I feel in an hour? Tomorrow? Next week?
- Know my whys - Why don't I drink? What does alcohol-free living give me?
- Plan ahead - Visualize obstacles. Have a strategy.
- Communicate - Tell people what's going on in my head (like I did with my husband on the cruise).
- Stay connected - Don't isolate. Talk to people who get it.
These tools don't expire. They don't stop working just because you've been sober for a while.
In fact, I tell my clients: this is lifelong work. You don't "graduate" from sobriety. You don't reach a point where you've got it all figured out and can coast.
You keep using the tools. You keep checking in with yourself. You keep asking: Is this aligned with who I want to be?
Moving Into 2026
So here's what I'm taking into this next year, this next decade:
Your brain is neuroplastic. You are NOT stuck. You can teach your brain a new way to celebrate, to cope, to live.
Unrealistic expectations cause unnecessary suffering. Get honest about what's actually possible and make a plan from there.
Alcohol doesn't help. Not with stress. Not with pain. Not with recovery. Not with celebration. It just doesn't.
Your whys matter. When you're solid on WHY you don't drink, the "how" becomes easier.
The tools work. Don't reinvent the wheel. Use what works.
And most importantly: Would my life be better with less or no alcohol?
If the answer is yes, then let's talk.
I'm stepping into 60 with more energy, more purpose, and more clarity than I've ever had. And I want that for you too.
Want to explore your relationship with alcohol? Take my quiz: Am I Drinking Too Much? at soberfitchick.com/ami. You'll get personalized results, the Guide to Gray Area Drinking, and 3 science-backed tips to reduce cravings.
Ready to make a change? Email me at [email protected] for a free discovery call. No pressure. No judgment. Just you and me talking about what's possible.
And my signature question for you: What do YOU do to be sober fit? I'd love to hear from you.
