Maureen SoberFitLife (00:01.197)
Welcome back to Sober Fit Life. I am so excited to have my guest today, Chris Asher. but I want to talk first a little bit about achievement because a lot of times achievement can hold us back from taking an honest look at something like alcohol and our drinking. We can be driven and fitness oriented and in our professional life successful. So we kind of then think, this drinking thing, I've got it under control.
However, and I can relate to that because when I did my fitness and figure competitions, which I've talked about on here, I let that level of discipline kind of fool myself into thinking, you know, my drinking could never become an issue because I'm a very disciplined person in all these other areas of my life. And today, my guest, Chris Asher, can definitely relate to that. And his level of fitness is is very much going to eclipse mine. I'm going to let him tell you about that.
But let me tell you a little bit about Chris. and and I apologize. Here we go. I will cut that out. Chris takes high achievement to another level. I met him at Peak Custom Fitness Solutions, which is where we both work out. And I want to give a shout out to Ryan Morrissey, who has been an incredible model and also to both of us very supportive in our journeys as we've
removed alcohol from our lives. So just a big shout out to Peak Custom Fitness Solutions. but Chris, let me tell you a little bit about him. He was an attendee at the Naval Academy, graduated with man, I'm really screwing this up. He's a he's a financial service professional and was a multi-sport athlete who has trained and competed at intense levels. He earned, and Chris, you're gonna have to correct me, USA triathlon all-American status and recognition from
Iron Man. So this is high level of competition. And he describes himself as extremely competitive, intensely focused, and someone who goes all in on whatever he sets his mind to. Chris is also a husband, the father of two teenage daughters, and someone known for his commitment to serving others. And I wanted to sh have Chris on because I think it's so important to talk about this level of commitment and discipline.
Maureen SoberFitLife (02:22.23)
And willpower in all areas of our life. But after Chris had a life-changing alcohol-related event, Chris stopped drinking. More than four years later, he says he's living his best life. So today we're talking to him about what he once expected alcohol to do for him, what he knows now, and how his life, fitness, and performance have changed without alcohol. Chris, welcome to Sober Fit Life.
Chris Asher (02:49.462)
Well thanks Maureen. It's a pleasure to be here and I love the message that you're sharing with the audience and pleased to be a part.
Maureen SoberFitLife (02:59.17)
Thank you. Thank you for coming on. I know you are super busy. before we get into your relationship with alcohol, I want people to understand the level of intensity and commitment you bring to your fitness. Tell us if you would about your background as a multi sport athlete and the level at which you trained and competed.
Chris Asher (03:18.618)
I'll speak more to life later. maybe fifteen years or so ago, I was thirsting for competition. You know, long ago were the days of, you know, high school and college. So I got into obstacle course racing. took it very like everything, I take it very seriously, intensely committed, ultimately competed in the world championships up in Killington.
not fare particularly well, but I was there. and then I yeah, then I transitioned over to triathlon, which was maybe a little more my speed a little less likely to cause injury.
Maureen SoberFitLife (03:49.1)
Yeah.
Chris Asher (03:59.919)
Wheelhouse was like the half Iron Man distance, 70.3 miles, and really got into it. You know, to do that well requires training consistently, you know, in the neighborhood of 10 to 15 hours a week. And so some pretty, pretty long, arduous, you know, sessions, week on week on week. And interestingly, all the while, you know, I was drinking, and only now do I better see.
Maureen SoberFitLife (04:15.438)
Yeah.
Chris Asher (04:29.676)
Despite having the willpower to do the training, how much that impacted my recovery and very likely my performance.
Maureen SoberFitLife (04:38.286)
But you pushed through it, right? You thought, you know, I can I can make myself do these workouts even though I'm drinking.
Chris Asher (04:47.862)
Hundred percent. I mean, when I'm motivated enough to do anything, you know, and the it's interesting because Maureen and I talk about this, like willpower. I I had the willpower to do some things that most people would not want to finish or even be able to finish. And yet there was a desire to stop drinking along my journey far before I actually did. And every attempt that I made to do that failed. And it's hard for me to comprehend how I can have willpower to do such
Maureen SoberFitLife (04:59.597)
Mm-hmm.
Maureen SoberFitLife (05:13.134)
Mm-hmm.
Chris Asher (05:17.966)
You know, I think significant other things in life and yet alcohol related, it just didn't work for me.
Maureen SoberFitLife (05:26.028)
Yeah, and that's exactly why I appreciate you being on here because you're clearly living this lifestyle of willpower, intensity, and discipline. Cause meanwhile, you're getting all these intense training sessions in while you're running a business as a father. I think you've even done some coaching at the same time. So you're very busy and you figured out how to make this work. And and I think this is such an important point because we often hear people say when it comes to drinking, and I did it for years, I just need
More discipline. I need more willpower. I need to have rules. I need to figure this out. And yet I couldn't.
Chris Asher (06:05.208)
Well, I think that's where coaching comes in because I needed help by myself. It didn't work. I mean and I wanted it to, it just it it did not work.
Maureen SoberFitLife (06:09.454)
Mm-hmm.
Maureen SoberFitLife (06:14.744)
But isn't that interesting? Like we'll get coaching for training for triathlon, obstacle course, weightlifting. We'll do that. But there's something, what do you think it is in our brains that says, if I need coaching or support to change my drinking, what does that mean about me? I know what I I thought it meant I was weak.
Chris Asher (06:36.194)
Yeah, certainly. I feel similarly. You know, there's an element of pride. I don't want to ask for help. I can do this. And I think there's a stigma associated with alcohol too, where society sort of looks at that as a form of weakness or not belonging, perhaps. And until we're ready, you know, we may not want to take that step
Maureen SoberFitLife (06:44.675)
Mm-hmm.
Maureen SoberFitLife (06:58.86)
Yeah, and we don't realize how deep that subliminal conditioning is because alcohol's woven into every fabric of our society. And until we start really taking a look at, hmm, maybe I need to change this. Then we start to realize just how entangled it is. But why don't you tell us, dive into a little bit about your former alcohol use? You said you were you were thinking about things had to change long before you actually did change them. What was going on there? What did that look like?
Chris Asher (07:28.842)
Yeah, it's it's interesting how, you know, now I can better reflect on use. looking, you know, through the lens of sobriety, it's amazing how much more clearly I I see things and and can judge past behavior, some of which I'm not I'm certainly not proud of. But as it relates to alcohol, you know, I was a social drinker for a lot of my life and then it progressed to be probably more modest.
I think COVID and being home, not in the workplace, like more time contributed to me drinking more heavily. And then life stress ramped up, right? Like all sorts of different things. Won't go into too much detail, but for me, you know, and I convinced myself that an outlet for stress was to consume alcohol at the end of the work day. s and I was, you know, functional. As soon as everything was done in my mind, I would
Maureen SoberFitLife (08:07.746)
Mm-hmm.
Chris Asher (08:26.976)
Ease the tension, have a drink, and then I found over time well I needed more than one single drink to get achieve the desired result.
And you know, ultimately I I looking back, I was looking forward to drinking on a daily basis. It became the norm. Interestingly, we build a tolerance when you're drinking on a daily basis in a matter of weeks, like a few weeks. so I know I had a tolerance and I needed more to get that same desired effect. And yeah, I was consuming alcohol and disposing of, you know, the recycling at a rate that was embarrassing. I didn't want it to be seen in
Maureen SoberFitLife (08:50.306)
Yeah, it's fast.
Chris Asher (09:07.04)
Normal people don't do that and yeah, and I came to the realization that I'm drinking too much.
Maureen SoberFitLife (09:13.996)
Yeah, but even it's painful when we come to that realization and yet we can't quite figure out what to do about it. And we have what I know the kind of thoughts I had was what will people think? How will I have fun? How will I socialize? And and the craziest thing about this particular drug is it's the only one when you decide to stop it, people think you have a problem, right? So that's it's this backwards relationship that holds us back.
Chris Asher (09:41.167)
Yeah, I a hundred percent agree. it's it's just interesting how society sort of embraces something that's so unhealthy for us. And interestingly in my mind, I would rationalize consumption as if it was healthy, deserved. You know, I'd burn a couple thousand calories on a bike ride and think, Well, what's four or five or six drinks this evening? I've earned it, right? but it you know.
Maureen SoberFitLife (10:05.644)
Right. Yeah. That I've earned it is a big trigger. you know, I've earned it, I deserve this, I work hard for this. Because at that point, I know I looked at alcohol as a reward, not for the drug that it is and the neurotoxin and ethanol. I never thought of it in those terms. I thought this is a gift to myself.
Chris Asher (10:33.912)
Yeah, I agree. I and I've had the same con revelation.
It's not healthy. I mean, and now it's proven to be generally, I mean, it's known, it's a carcinogen. It is terribly unhealthy. I think we're in this period of transition, much like occurred with cigarettes. You know, it was common, used, socially accepted, and now that's like, no, that's really not good for you. And I think we're on that cusp where people, myself at least, have recognized the medical community is telling us alcohol is not at all good for us. And despite
The fact that it it does act as a sedative, you know, it does help somebody might why fall asleep, but the quality of sleep from that point forward is wrecked. if you're an athlete trying to recover and build muscle and protein synthesis, wrecked. Like not working right.
Maureen SoberFitLife (11:14.647)
It does.
Maureen SoberFitLife (11:29.472)
Right. So you were having all these moments and these thoughts of I gotta change, I gotta change, and then you had this life changing event. And you then did change.
Chris Asher (11:32.044)
You know, and I'm like
Chris Asher (11:43.531)
Exactly. Yeah, I mean it it was a significant enough event that got my attention. alcohol was related and that's when I really got honest with myself and recognized that my behavior was not normal, definitely wasn't healthy, and sobriety was the answer. And so that's exactly what I saw, have pursued and and enjoyed since then.
Maureen SoberFitLife (12:11.17)
Yeah. Yeah. And at first, right, we have to go through the discomfort of learning how to do everything without alcohol because we were doing everything with alcohol before. I mean, everything, like you said, post workouts. Every every five K I've ever done or or obstacle course, there's always tents afterwards with beer and alcohol, you know.
to reward ourselves. So if this is, you know, to give ourselves grace and compassion, which I always tell people is very important, we are inundated with these messages of this is what you do. And especially in in the fitness world, I I've seen it ever since I've been an instructor. I mean, one of the things I used to say after teaching a class was, Now you guys can go to happy hour. Now that you worked out, right, I would promote that message. And I really thought it was true.
Chris Asher (13:00.184)
Yeah, well it's reinforced in TV in real life. The lobby, the alcohol industry is like a couple trillion dollars a year. and you know, time like my where I am in life, you know, I didn't start this journey till I was forty eight, so legally, twenty-seven years of legal alcohol consumption and socially that was the norm, you know, whether it's a holiday meal accompanying a nice
dinner, celebratory or commiserating something, happy w whatever the reason was common in my life and I embraced it.
Maureen SoberFitLife (13:42.573)
Yeah, me too. And but it's the unwinding of those beliefs and associations. Like you said, Thanksgiving, holidays, everyone else is drinking. It's in the movies, all the movies we watch. And all that is by design, the marketing. You know, I can remember watching Boardwalk Empire. I don't know if you saw that show, but it was about prohibition. And next thing I know, my husband's coming home with bourbon, which he never drank before. And it was watching this on television. So we're getting these messages all the time.
You know, so I do think it's important. I always try to bring that up with my clients that, you know, give yourself some grace and compassion here because once you start to when you remove alcohol, don't you become so aware of just how pervasive the messaging is.
Chris Asher (14:27.212)
absolutely. And you know, you're not it's ubiquitous. And until I was removed from it, you know, I I had a blind eye to what was going on around me. And for the sake of your audience, those who are considering, you know, stopping or embracing sobriety, like it it gets easier. It's just it's it's like changing a habit, right? The early days and months, you know, it's it's still wired.
Maureen SoberFitLife (14:48.6)
Mm-hmm.
Chris Asher (14:56.834)
depending on how long we've embraced this way of living to to change. And it's human nature to resist change. But so so so so grateful that I've been able to do it. very rewarding.
Maureen SoberFitLife (15:07.98)
Yeah, so let's talk about that because you this said a very powerful statement. You're happier now than ever. And and let's even talk about it in terms of your first of all, your fitness, your training, your recovery. I mean, you are now older too, right? But yet you're also noticing you're recovering better. Can you talk more about that?
Chris Asher (15:25.516)
Yeah, it's fascinating to me because I'm I'm just very analytical person in general and keep stats. You know, I've I have files of all my workouts for the last twelve years. and I can see like at you know, despite aging, my workout intensity and time commitment hasn't really changed. If anything, it's diminished slightly, and yet I'm performing at
Maureen SoberFitLife (15:30.254)
Mm-hmm.
Chris Asher (15:54.285)
in some respects higher level than I ever have before. and it and that that I find just unbelievable because, you know, I really I'm I mean I'm fifty two, so I'm not afraid to tell you my age. I mean I should be slowing down, but I'm getting stronger, I'm getting faster. And I attribute it entirely to the fact that I just lead a healthier lifestyle. I get much better quality sleep. And I am
without as much anxiety as I once possessed. And I drank to ease anxiety and little did I know how much it was contributing to increasing my anxiety and wrecking my sleep and wrecking my recovery. And so the culmination of all that, you know, the reality is it's it's now I'm pr I think I'm performing optimally. And back then when I was so desperately wanted to be performing optimally, this was such a hindrance, but I didn't
Maureen SoberFitLife (16:26.414)
Mm.
Chris Asher (16:52.822)
Recognize how much it was impeding progress.
Maureen SoberFitLife (16:56.962)
Yeah. I and I think that's so interesting as very intense fitness people do, you're keeping all these records and including nutrition, right? What you're fueling yourself with. And did you really record the alcohol?
Chris Asher (17:12.994)
No, I I did just because I, you know, I nobody else saw the file except for me. But I mean I I'm I'm a bit obsessive. So I mean I would count blueberries and cashews and you know, but I was I measuring my drinks with a you know, one ounce glass. No. I probably fibbed in terms of how much. But I was always like felt guilty when you have this block of, you know, carbs, fat.
protein and yet I have this block of like waste because that's what the alcohol is. There's zero, zero nutritional benefit and yet it would fill up calories.
Maureen SoberFitLife (17:47.486)
Right.
Maureen SoberFitLife (17:51.662)
Mm-hmm.
Chris Asher (17:55.404)
Yeah, glad I don't have that on there now.
Maureen SoberFitLife (17:57.571)
Yeah, w I would call that the elephant in the room with Ryan. I'd come in after a weekend of partying and I was quite the weekend binge drinker, and he would do his usual thing. Well, how was nutrition over the weekend? And I would say, it was good, you know. And I but don't talk to me about the alcohol. We're not even counting that in nutrition. It's just this thing that existed outside of my fitness and nutrition. I I I pretended it didn't really affect me. And yet.
When I drank a lot I would eat pizza late night and I would, you know, skip my workout sometimes or I'd just show up for a workout and check it off the box instead of really fully participating in in trying to get better and stronger and faster.
Chris Asher (18:41.858)
Yeah. I I mean it's just prioritizing what's important and I think as we get older, really it's better beneficial at any time in our lives, but sometimes we have to learn from mistakes and maybe not knowing we're making them, but
Maureen SoberFitLife (18:44.888)
Mm-hmm.
Maureen SoberFitLife (18:54.486)
Yeah, yeah.
Chris Asher (18:57.784)
In order to be healthy, it's definitely it's it's it's proven to be a hindrance and you know, I have this
Maureen SoberFitLife (19:02.53)
Yeah. And we t I I laugh in the fitness world because we'll be like, well, I'm definitely not having seed oils because those are inflammatory. And and yet, as you we talked about before we start recording, we'll drink a neurotoxin every night.
Chris Asher (19:17.464)
Yeah. Well and I I was convinced too, like that if I had a couple beers while playing around to golf, well that's gonna help me. But how many professional golfers are drinking while they're playing in tournaments? Probably maybe one, but for the most part zero. And who why I mean I'm it's just comical now that I would kid myself to thinking that it was helping or not hurting me in any capacity.
Maureen SoberFitLife (19:24.078)
Mm-hmm.
Maureen SoberFitLife (19:43.384)
Yeah. I think the most painful part for me, and tell me if this is the same for you, was living so out of alignment with the rest of who I am and my values and my goals.
Chris Asher (19:57.987)
Yeah, I mean, I I'd like to think I've always been a like a good person and service-minded. but it's helped me think more clearly and I think better recognize like what I'm supposed to be doing. especially as it relates to family, like prioritizing what's important. sometimes, you know, embarrassed to admit the prospect of sitting around watching football on a Sunday after I've worked out and drinking during the course of
Maureen SoberFitLife (20:06.478)
Mm-hmm.
Maureen SoberFitLife (20:15.704)
Mm-hmm.
Chris Asher (20:27.66)
multiple games had more appeal than spending time with my wife and kids. today that's not the case, but it it that it did happen and it's you know it's sad that you know I made that choice because you don't get that time back.
Maureen SoberFitLife (20:45.068)
I'm so glad you're sharing that because so many moms and dads and grandparents that I coach recognize that. The people who come to work with me are recognizing I'm looking forward to putting my kids to bed so I can start drinking. And it's that cognitive dissonance that that's the painful part I'm I'm talking about being in. and that you're sharing this is important because it is a reality. Drinking starts to take over, it creates a desire for itself. It's the chemical nature of the drug.
And the way your brain chemistry changes and the dopamine starting to be dripped in your brain when you start thinking about watching the football games on a Sunday. And so your brain chemistry changed, it had to in response to drinking, but you've now changed it to a much healthier levels of neurotransmitters because you've removed this drug.
Chris Asher (21:37.497)
Yeah, well, and I think there's a misperception, at least in my case, how dangerous alcohol is. I mean, it is a very dangerous death deathly drug, and its use becomes progressive. And, you know, I think I got to a point where I was drinking alcoholically, right? I mean, not to the point where I was physically addicted and shaking if I was without, but certainly psychologically addicted to it.
Maureen SoberFitLife (21:43.256)
Yes.
Maureen SoberFitLife (21:58.518)
Mm-hmm.
Chris Asher (22:07.078)
And wanting it and using it on a daily basis, it's like if I didn't stop, what would become of me?
Maureen SoberFitLife (22:13.304)
Right. Yeah, me too. Me too. So what does life look like for you now? Because you still have stress. And this is important for people to hear. It's not when you remove alcohol that all of a sudden like life's unicorn rainbows. No, you have to figure out how to now deal with the very things that you thought drinking was helping
Chris Asher (22:33.164)
Yeah, well, it's it's interesting you bring that up because you're right. Life challenges don't cease. It does make things better. I can think more clearly, more rashly, you know, I'm better arrested. I I'm definitely less irritable. I mean, I'm a pretty low key person anyhow, but I could get irritated and I find I have like a much higher tolerance before I get really agitated. and I think just perspective in general, like acceptance. There's just things that I can't
control and there's not a lot of use in fretting about the stuff that is really beyond my control. So control what I can. I can control what I ingest, who I surround myself with most of the time. And it just makes life more enjoyable. And as I said earlier, like I just know what I'm supposed to do. And so I love that I think this
Maureen SoberFitLife (23:14.733)
Right.
Chris Asher (23:28.302)
program and what you do now for a living, helping others, like it's giving back. You're really it's a gift. And it may not initially seem like that to some, but the life that we can lead when we're healthy and thinking clearly and they're present for the people we love. you know, and athletically, you know, it it certainly I don't know that I want to live to be a hundred, but I want to have good quality of life. And so whatever I can do to
My quality of life, perhaps longevity, and I know being sober is helping immensely in that.
Maureen SoberFitLife (23:58.574)
Yes.
Maureen SoberFitLife (24:05.248)
Yeah, a hundred percent. And and this is the focus these days. It's kind of like the buzzword, longevity. And absolutely you have to take a look at alcohol consumption when it comes to that. because you said it, you can choose. You have control over what you put in your body and the things you challenge your body to do, such as exercise or go to to sleep, you know, or when you wake up, early morning sunlight, all those kind of things that help regulate your central nervous system. so we can
make the choice and how do you speak to people about okay at first it is going to feel uncomfortable and foreign. How do you speak to people about that?
Chris Asher (24:46.178)
I'm sorry, can you repeat the question one more time, Warren? You broke up just a tiny bit.
Maureen SoberFitLife (24:47.958)
Yeah. How do you share with people when they say, Well, I don't know. I don't think I you know, I want to change my drinking, but it's gonna be really hard. And how will I go to a football game, for example? Let's use your example you said earlier. How will I possibly watch football with my friends and family without drinking? What would you say?
Chris Asher (25:08.014)
Well, like anything, I think you have to give it a shot, right? And I think even exercise, as much as I love it, and I joke 'cause I was at the track with my daughter who hates running and and it in the track is not a fun place to exercise for most, myself included. But afterwards felt great, right? So I think the perception is well, how can I enjoy fishing or the ball game without drinking? Because they just seem to go hand in hand. Well try it without.
Maureen SoberFitLife (25:23.639)
Right.
Mm-hmm.
Maureen SoberFitLife (25:37.57)
Mm-hmm.
Chris Asher (25:37.623)
And just see, did you enjoy the event? The time spent with whoever you're with, the fact that the next morning you feel refreshed and not, you know, lingering effects from whatever it is you consumed. I think very quickly the realization is this is good for me, and I can see the attraction. but it takes consistency, just like exercise, right? Like one
Maureen SoberFitLife (26:04.504)
Just like exercise.
Chris Asher (26:05.784)
Bout of exercise does not make us fit. It requires a commitment. And after doing it for weeks, you then start to see results. And I think it's no different with regard to changing a lifestyle. I mean, we will very quickly see the benefit. And then it sort of brings on that desire to continue along the same path.
Maureen SoberFitLife (26:15.0)
Mm-hmm.
Maureen SoberFitLife (26:29.132)
Yeah. So as you started seeing the benefits in your fitness and your recovery, how has that motivated you? Are you doing any competitions? Do you have anything planned?
Chris Asher (26:38.958)
no, I so my youngest daughter still has one more year of high school. She plays lacrosse and I'm basically committing more to just family time because I realize that it is my other daughter's in college, and very soon my wife and I are gonna be empty nesters. So now when they're doing their thing, I do mine, I fit in things that
Maureen SoberFitLife (26:56.899)
Mm-hmm.
Chris Asher (27:04.162)
But it's interesting too. Like I more enjoy the journey than the competition itself. I don't feel like I need to prove myself. I do that. I race myself. So I that's why I keep these statistics. And if you're on Strava and you keep like King of the Man, like winning segments even at my age, like gives me great satisfaction. So I'm competitive, but I don't have any major races on the horizon. I did do a high rocks this past spring.
Maureen SoberFitLife (27:20.63)
Mm-hmm.
Maureen SoberFitLife (27:33.698)
That's pretty competitive. Yeah.
Chris Asher (27:35.373)
Yeah, it's fun. I mean I yeah, I I didn't do as well as I thought I would, but that's just because I neglected, you know, running the way I used to. but it was a great quite a challenge. And I I'm always challenging myself. I just think that's how I'm wired. I don't necessarily need the competition, but I do feel as if I'm ready. You know, I joke, we we all sort of kind of
Maureen SoberFitLife (27:42.627)
Mm-hmm.
Maureen SoberFitLife (27:49.816)
Yeah, me too.
Chris Asher (28:00.591)
Praise David Goggins and having this sort of state of readiness. Well, yeah, if an event that really intrigues me surfaces, I'm in good enough shape that with a couple of months of like focused effort I think I could be there and ready to go at a pretty high level. So
Maureen SoberFitLife (28:02.445)
Yeah.
Maureen SoberFitLife (28:14.946)
Yeah. And it is a matter of being willing to embrace discomfort. Training is is discomfort, but that's how the muscles grow. That's how you get stronger. It's how your VO2 max changes. and it's just like how you will change the habit of drinking is going, as you said, through the discomfort of of say networking, going to a business meeting where you used to drink to, you know, relax those first 20 minutes. Now you learn how to network without it.
but you have to go through the discomfort of the first, yeah, I'm gonna say four or five times to go like, Okay, I'm actually a better listener. I actually remembered what so and so said and I I called him the next day and we had a good conversation. And I just I just wanna ask you that briefly, 'cause you are a businessman. So have you noticed that in networking too, that's changed for you?
Chris Asher (29:04.854)
I just mentally am more sharp. I mean, I think I have always had a good memory and was pretty astute, but I I feel just really focused and interestingly while you were talking it made me r think of something. Like early on, I was of the opinion that people cared what I drank in a social setting. And absolutely not the case. I mean we I probably all have friends that are heavier drinkers and want to encourage everyone around them to be consuming at their level.
Maureen SoberFitLife (29:06.625)
Mm-hmm.
Maureen SoberFitLife (29:33.742)
Mm-hmm.
Chris Asher (29:34.637)
Those people aside, which are now few and far between, nobody cares. In fact, most of my friends drink sparingly or if at all. And you know, I so I think in social settings where I initially thought, well, maybe I'll stand out and I'll look awkward or I should order, you know, a club soda with limes because it looks like a cocktail. Who cares? I mean, I've now learned like really people don't care at all. And if anything, taking a stand that I'm just
Maureen SoberFitLife (29:55.8)
Mm-hmm.
Chris Asher (30:03.47)
Healthy and choose not to drink.
Power to us.
Maureen SoberFitLife (30:07.682)
Yeah. I actually find it empowering now to be somewhere. And if someone's you don't drink, I'm yeah, no, no longer serves me. I choose not to do that anymore. I find that pretty badass in a world of where people are trying to fit in. If you want to be a rebel these days, try not drinking. And and you'll stand out in in a different way. And I've I've had a lot of people come to me and not just because what I do, but because I used to to drink a lot.
And maybe some of those friends have come to me in the last year or so and said, you know, how did you do that? Can I talk to you? I'm struggling with it too. So that's also very empowering and rewarding to help others really, you know, see the truth about how alcohol is holding them back from their potential in in all areas of their life. And and you said you give back. You also do go speak to people. Can you talk a little bit about that?
Chris Asher (31:01.376)
sure. Yeah. I I mean I I speak with some regularity in the circles where, you know, those of us who admit that we're alcoholics, you know, there I think it's a a group of people that sort of the fellowship needs to hear, you know, our stories of, you know, strength and hope. And there I pretty commonly, you know, talk about my experience.
I also think you know the youth need to hear this message and so I'm I've been fortunate enough to be able to speak, you know, annually at a youth conference for all of the county high school students and make them aware that alcohol really is a dangerous drug.
Maureen SoberFitLife (31:30.616)
Yes.
Maureen SoberFitLife (31:40.43)
That's great.
Maureen SoberFitLife (31:45.998)
Mm-hmm.
Chris Asher (31:48.047)
Particularly as a result, you know, relates to drinking and driving, and that this perception that it's cool, you know, you lose control and it's problematic. And so I think when they see somebody, not that I'm anything special, but just somebody professional that has it together that's fit, it's maybe not the stereotype they might have in mind of someone who admittedly had a problem with or still have a problem.
Maureen SoberFitLife (32:05.943)
Yeah.
Chris Asher (32:16.812)
and choose not to drink and it's cool, it's okay. And they shouldn't feel weird about it.
Maureen SoberFitLife (32:22.124)
Yeah, which is I think that's so great you're speaking to the youth because I started drinking at fourteen. So and as you know, the younger you start drinking, the more likely it is you're gonna struggle with it later. So I love that you're talking to the young people and and helping them see the reality of alcohol. And you are someone who's fit and successful. So you're a good role model for them to see that. So thank you so much for doing what you do and giving back and sharing.
Chris Asher (32:49.302)
I I get as much out of it as they do.
Chris Asher (32:54.146)
I don't I mean, I know the AA program there's an anonymity as a component and I'm very comfortable in discussing, you know, where I am and what I've been through because I think it gives people hope and courage to maybe make changes in their own lives.
Maureen SoberFitLife (33:09.228)
Yeah, that's why it's important we're having this conversation and and especially around you're someone who clearly has willpower and discipline just to sort of bring this full circle. And that is not the issue when it comes to alcohol. It is a drug, it has an addictive effect on our brain chemistry. It changes us, it increases anxiety, it decreases, you know, everything you said, relationships, performance, fitness. so it's just I so appreciate you coming on to share.
what I always ask someone on my podcast to end is what do you do these days to be sober fit? I think I know the answer, but I'd love to hear what you do.
Chris Asher (33:48.431)
what do I do to be sober fit? Well, I mean, the sober part has become easy because I just realized how unhealthy alcohol is and it's just a change in my lifestyle that I've embraced and now see the benefit of. And so it would be like smoking a cigarette. Like, why would I do that? I mean, it's just not even I don't even comprehend it. the fit part, you know, I mean I exercise
Maureen SoberFitLife (34:07.97)
Yes.
Chris Asher (34:15.438)
If I can every single day, I I push myself, you know, I I have still like a structured training program that I adhere to. I I just can't get away from tackling challenges. And I mean and and there's nothing more satisfying than doing something hard and being on the other side of it and you know, the feeling of accomplishment. And the same holds true with life changes, right? Whether it's a health decision, people want to lose weight, you know, we have there is no
Maureen SoberFitLife (34:39.982)
Mm-hmm.
Chris Asher (34:47.212)
I mean, the society's wired to want to take a shortcut and an easy path. And the reality is most things worth having, there there is no such thing. There isn't a pill, there isn't some get, you know, rich quick scheme or lose weight fast. Yes, I know there's drugs that aid in that, but at the end of the day it's lifestyle. And so if you're committed to it, and I am, I mean, I'm not being around people like you, Maureen, and the folks we encounter at Peak, you know, our circle.
is expanding and it's just like minded folks where we we have we have had we've received this gift and so the fact that we get to pass it along to others, you know, is a blessing and I and I love that I'm able to do that and demonstrate it by the way I live my life.
Maureen SoberFitLife (35:33.058)
Yeah, I love that. That's a perfect note to end on. This really is an opportunity and a gift to to have our eyes opened and to be able to share that with other people. And you know, I always say I'm not speaking to the world. I'm speaking to the people who, like you and I, were at some point came started realizing I need to stop drinking. I'm drinking too much more than I want to, and it's it's affecting every aspect of my life. So I thank you so much, Chris, for coming on.
And I'll see you at peak. I I watch him from afar, all the way he works out. So, but thank you so much.
Chris Asher (36:02.956)
Yeah.
Chris Asher (36:09.027)
Well, thanks for having me, Maureen, and I really appreciate that you're doing this and for having me on the show. It's very much appreciated. I will see
Maureen SoberFitLife (36:18.105)
Thank you.
