From Hangovers to 10Ks: How Sobriety Reshaped My Body and My Mind

I used to wake up with regret. Now I wake up with purpose.

5:30 AM. Every damn day. No excuses, no shortcuts—just a promise to myself that I’ve finally learned how to keep.

A year and a half ago, I was just beginning to understand what sobriety really meant. It wasn’t just about quitting drinking—it was about learning how to show up for myself, every single day. It was about discipline, integrity, and healing the parts of me that always looked for the easy way out.

So I started with 75 Hard. And then I didn’t stop.

What was supposed to be a 75-day challenge became a 365-day lifestyle. Rain or shine, sick or sore, I got up and I did the work.

Two workouts a day. Ten pages of a book. No alcohol. No compromises.

Somewhere along the way, I stopped counting the days and started counting the wins.

• I now wake up at 5:30 AM without needing to hit snooze.

• I’ve been doing 2-minute planks daily for the last month—something I never thought I’d be proud of, but here we are.

• I lift heavy. I run hard. I show up.

• I’m training for a 10K race next Saturday, and I’m not just planning to finish—I’m planning to thrive.

Here’s the truth: I couldn’t do any of this if I wasn’t sober.

Sobriety gave me my time back. It gave me the clarity to dream bigger, the energy to chase it, and the courage to keep going even when I didn’t feel like it.

I used to think fitness was about changing how I looked.

Now I know—it’s about changing how I live.

So, if you’re where I was, stuck in the loop, unsure if it’s worth it—this is your sign. It is worth it. You are worth it. And the work? It’s hard, but it’s honest. And there’s no better feeling than becoming the version of yourself you were always meant to be.