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The Hidden Costs of ‘Functioning’ Drinking with Toni Will

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In this episode of Sober Fit Life, I sit down with Toni, whose story proves that even when life throws you curveballs, you can still step into your power and create lasting change. Toni Wil is a powerhouse in professional sports and the first female general manager and governor in the East Coast Hockey League, where she leads the Kalamazoo Wings.

Toni opens up about her journey from living in a constant state of overwhelm to finding freedom and peace in sobriety. She shares the pivotal moments that made her rethink her relationship with alcohol, the challenges she faced in early recovery, and the tools she uses to stay grounded when life gets hard.

We talk about the hidden costs of “functioning” drinking, why so many women feel trapped by societal expectations, and how ditching booze can open the door to deeper self-trust and connection. Toni’s transformation is a reminder that it’s never too late to rewrite your story—and that the person you become on the other side of alcohol may just surprise you.

In This Episode, We Cover:

The subtle ways alcohol kept Toni stuck
Why self-trust is the real superpower in sobriety
The role of curiosity in making lasting changes
How friendships and relationships evolve after you quit drinking
Practical tools to navigate the “messy middle” of transformation
Toni also tells us what it was like to participate in an iron man while drinking and then again while sober