I have dreamt of becoming a writer since I was only eight years old. It wasn’t until I was two years sober from a secret alcohol addiction that I finally realized the importance of sharing my story of overcoming the addiction when the world around me thought I didn’t have a problem.

Truth is, quitting drinking should happen on your terms, not theirs. It took me more than 15 years to realize how honest and powerful that realization would be. How it would show me how to take my power back. Getting sober required me to try numerous avenues to break free, focusing on changing my own mindset about alcohol. Together with a mindfulness practice, I deconstructed all the beliefs I held about my ‘need’ to drink and taught myself new ways to handle the fears, anxiety, shame, and depression that kept me trapped.

Now, I live a joy-filled alcohol-free life with my husband, Jay, and our mini dachshund, Rosco. A data analyst by day, by night you’ll often find me out mountain biking with my friends or the kids I mentor or camping in the north woods of MN & WI. I love live rock shows at small, intimate venues and recently took the leap and decided to learn how to play the drums. Watch out! If we’re not riding, camping, or rocking out, you’ll find Jay and I hanging out at vintage van shows on sunny weekends. There’s nothing like shag carpet and classic rock on a sunny day to bring a happy smile to my face!

<3 Kristy