When Gavin quit drinking, he didn’t expect to gain listening skills—but he’s embraced his new life with open arms!

Now, you can’t stop him from filling his time with meaningful activities.

Welcome to the next round: exploring life after quitting drinking and discovering the many ways to find purpose—like helping others.

This week, meet Gavin Chase, care industry recruiter by day and Samaritan volunteer by night. Through volunteering, Gavin has honed new skills, found deep purpose, and even become a role model for others.

Gavin Chase’s story is one of transformation and dedication—a journey marked by his decision to quit drinking, his commitment to volunteering, and his belief in living a life of purpose. Far from leaving his corporate job, Gavin’s spare time is dedicated to initiatives that complement his professional life and fulfill his personal aspirations.

“Sobriety isn’t just about saying no; it’s about saying yes to a better life.”

Gavin’s decision to quit drinking was a pivotal moment in his life.

“It wasn’t just about giving up alcohol; it was about reclaiming my life”

The journey to sobriety was not without its challenges, but it profoundly shaped who he is today.

“You start to see the world differently. It’s like waking up from a fog.”

This newfound clarity and energy have allowed him to focus on what truly matters, inspiring others to consider the transformative potential of a sober lifestyle.

Volunteering with the Samaritans

One of the most profound aspects of Gavin’s journey is his dedication to volunteering with the Samaritans, a charity that offers support to those in emotional distress.

“Being there for someone in their darkest moments is humbling.”

His work with the Samaritans has given him a deep sense of purpose and perspective.

“While I’m there to help others, I’ve learned so much about empathy, resilience, and the strength of the human spirit.”

This experience has reinforced his belief in the importance of listening and being present for others—lessons that resonate in every aspect of his life.

“Service has a way of bringing out the best in you.”

This candid insight highlights Gavin’s belief in the transformative power of giving. He describes volunteering as a grounding force, one that reminds him of what truly matters.

Beyond his role with the Samaritans, Gavin is actively involved in other community initiatives. From mentoring young people to supporting local environmental projects, his volunteering efforts are diverse and impactful.

“Helping others isn’t just a responsibility—it’s a privilege”

Gavin’s volunteering not only enriches his life but also allows him to build meaningful relationships with people from all walks of life.

Overcoming Challenges and Finding Purpose

No personal transformation is without its hurdles, and Gavin’s was no exception. From self-doubt to navigating the complexities of balancing work and volunteering, he has faced his share of challenges.

“What keeps you going is the belief that what you’re building matters.”

For Gavin, purpose extends beyond personal achievements. Whether through mentoring, supporting community projects, or sharing his story of sobriety, his focus remains on leaving a lasting impact.

“Your journey doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s.”

This powerful reminder underscores Gavin’s bel

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For the past 25 years, Marie Morice has been at the forefront of global climate change, and with some big shifts in her life, including quitting drinking she has added gender initiatives and campaigning within organisations such as the UN to her passions. She has now retrained as a clinical sexologist and uses her skills to support individuals as well as wider systems change.

Today, Marie helps women rediscover their sexual agency and pleasure. Her journey to this point has been anything but linear, but it was quitting alcohol that catalysed her transformation. Now post-menopause and living a life full of clarity and energy, Marie is a walking testament to the power of change.

“There’s a Life Energy in Me That I’ve Never Had”

Marie’s relationship with alcohol was intense. As she puts it:

“It was part of my celebrations and my commiserations. Let’s have a drink—no matter what.”

Over the years, however, her body began reacting less and less well to alcohol, something that became especially apparent as she went through hormonal changes during menopause. Despite several attempts to take breaks from drinking, she always found herself returning to it.

But a heavy night a year and a half ago was the turning point.

“I woke up and thought, I can’t do this anymore. I can’t keep waking up knowing I’ll feel hungover in two or three days. My life was being wasted.”

For Marie, it wasn’t about hitting rock bottom but rather a constellation of factors—the end of a long-term relationship, a desire to invest in her work helping women, and a need to prioritise her health and energy.

Giving up alcohol wasn’t easy, but the rewards have been profound.

“There’s a life energy in me that I’ve never had, or maybe that I had but was tamed by alcohol, – I have a clarity now that I didn’t know I was missing. It’s incredible.”

Reclaiming Pleasure and Agency

Marie’s journey away from alcohol coincided with her decision to retrain as a coach. Originally inspired by friends and family who praised her listening skills, she realised her true passion lay in helping others on a deeply personal level. While her early coaching clients brought a range of issues to her, many women came to her seeking guidance on their sexuality. That’s when Marie decided to specialise as a sex coach and clinical sexologist.

“Our relationship to pleasure is so important. For many women, it’s fraught with guilt, whether that’s related to drinking or societal expectations. The first thing I work on with my clients is understanding their relationship to pleasure—not just sexual pleasure, but pleasure in life.”

Marie believes that for women, especially those in midlife, this work is vital.

“As we go through menopause, there’s a natural reevaluation of who we are and what we want. It’s a chance to reconnect with our bodies and desires.”

And she’s quick to emphasise that pleasure is a skill that can be relearned.

“It’s about creating new pathways to joy. What gives you pleasure? It could be anything, from a quiet moment of doing nothing to an incredible orgasm. The point is to explore.”

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Socialising and networking alcohol-free can be tough—even for the pros. But for Narmeen, it’s a choice she’s never looked back on.

Now, she’s shaking up the events industry, challenging organisers and caterers to rethink how they cater to guests. Her mission? To make events more inclusive and ensure everyone feels part of the party, regardless of what’s in their glass.

🎧 Welcome to The Next Round Podcast, where we share inspiring stories of life after quitting drinking. From bold career shifts to embracing new hobbies, this series explores the many ways people thrive alcohol-free.

Take Narmeen: She hasn’t changed what she does—she’s still a powerhouse event organiser. But she’s using her voice to demand better options for all of us who want to party and network without the booze. And honestly? We’re so glad she’s got our backs!

Narmeen Kamran knows firsthand how the events industry thrives on social connection, but she’s also seen how heavily reliant it is on alcohol. As someone who stepped away from drinking, Narmeen has made it her mission to challenge the status quo and push for more inclusive, alcohol-free options at events.

From Comic-Con Volunteer to Events Powerhouse

Narmeen’s journey into events started in her teens, volunteering at Comic-Con conventions. What began as a passion for organisation grew into a successful career in event planning, where she thrived in high-pressure environments.

However, as she climbed the ranks, she noticed how central alcohol was to the industry—and how few options existed for those who didn’t drink.

Why Alcohol-Free Inclusion Matters

When Narmeen decided to stop drinking, she experienced the industry’s blind spots from the other side.

Recognising the gap, Narmeen began advocating for change. She approached caterers, venues, and suppliers, challenging them to improve their offerings.

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Alasdair Gill has a passion for cooking and an abundance of creativity. However, years of working in hospitality and drinking heavily left him facing a difficult decision—one he took reluctantly, despite a dire prognosis.

His advice is valuable for everyone, no matter where you are in your relationship with alcohol.

Welcome to the next round, where I talk to people who have inspired me—not just with the changes they’ve made to their drinking habits, but with what they’ve gone on to achieve next. From reigniting old passions with renewed vigour to making bold life and career changes, there’s no template. What you do next is entirely up to you!

Alasdair Gill is now a private chef. Since rehab, he has rediscovered the skills and passion for cheffing that he developed early in his career, building a new way of working that aligns with who he is today. His story is a powerful reminder that the things you loved before life fell apart can still be part of your future.

Alasdair Gill’s journey from battling addiction to becoming a successful private chef is a powerful testament to resilience and reinvention. His story highlights the challenges of working in hospitality while struggling with alcohol and drug dependency and how recovery transformed not only his outlook on life but also his career.

The Beginning of the Journey: Struggles in Hospitality

For Alasdair, the hospitality industry was both a lifeline and a trap. He describes the kitchens and bars he worked in as a “pressure cooker,” a space that both attracted and enabled his struggles with alcohol.

While kitchens initially provided a way to earn money, Alasdair admits they didn’t spark joy or passion.

The Turning Point: Recovery

The tipping point came when Alasdair faced severe health issues, including cirrhosis of the liver, and was told he wouldn’t survive to see Christmas. Even then, his decision to enter rehab was reluctant.

Rehab became the space where Alasdair could pause, reflect, and start to piece his life back together.

Finding Purpose Through Cooking

Post-recovery, Alasdair returned to the one industry where he had experience -hospitality. But this time, he approached it differently. Together with a friend who was also in recovery, Alasdair launched a private catering business.

Sobriety has not only allowed Alasdair to rebuild his life but also to rediscover creativity and care in his craft.

Book Alasdair at gordonandgill.co.uk

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Denise has produced 18 editions of her new magazine dedicated to low and no alcohol drinks. Something she would never have considered if she had no re-evaluated her relationship with alcohol.

Welcome to the next round, where we speak to people about the next stage of their life once they have reviewed how alcohol impacts them.

You don’t have to be totally alcohol-free to gain benefits from rethinking your drinking. But as this week’s guest Denise Hamilton Mace has shown, you need to have a determination to change your life, and some ideas to get going with.

Denise has moderated her drinking habits, which led her to a degree in sports fitness and then she got brave, and started writing – something she was told way back when, that she may not be suited to. We love it when a guest proves their nay sayers wrong!

Exploring the Low and No Alcohol Revolution: Denise’s Journey of Discovery and Innovation

The rise of low and no alcohol options is transforming how we think about drinking, and Denise’s story provides a unique perspective on this cultural shift. As a hospitality professional turned advocate for mindful drinking and editor of Low and No Drinker magazine, Denise shares her journey of personal growth, career transformation, and creative exploration.

Redefining Life Through Moderating Alcohol

For Denise, the decision to cut back on alcohol wasn’t a dramatic turning point but a series of realisations.

“I started to notice how alcohol affected me over time. It wasn’t just the hangovers; it was the brain fog, the mood swings, and feeling like I wasn’t operating at my full capacity”

Her journey began with small lifestyle changes.

“I stopped eating red meat because it made me feel moody, and alcohol was the next thing I recognized as not serving me.”

Denise emphasises that she doesn’t identify as teetotal or in recovery but rather someone who found more balance by drinking less.

“It’s about discovering who you want to be and whether alcohol helps or hinders that.”

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After quitting alcohol, Michelle Righini has dedicated herself to championing the wellbeing and skills of hospitality staff.

On The Next Round podcast, we dive into life after quitting drinking—especially for those in hospitality, where alcohol is often center stage. What’s next if you love the industry but not the booze?

Michelle, founder of We Recover Loudly, joins us to share her mission: creating a supportive space for drinks professionals who’ve ditched alcohol but not their passion for hospitality. Let’s talk change, advocacy, and keeping talent thriving!

You can find Michelle instagram @werecoverloudly.

“The thing that we put down is alcohol, but we don’t put down our creativity, our minds, our drive to make great drinks.”

This is a rallying cry for the hospitality industry to rethink its relationship with alcohol from Michelle. Creativity and skill are at the heart of what makes this industry thrive, and neither depends on the presence of alcohol. Removing it doesn’t mean losing artistry—it means opening up new possibilities.

Hospitality Culture: Why Is Addiction So Prevalent?

“What we’re not doing yet is going, why are we an industry that has such high levels of addiction? To be a good manager, you have to be able to drink? Like, what? What other industry does that make sense in?”

The hospitality sector has long celebrated a culture of drinking, but this norm raises significant questions about its impact on mental health and job performance. Changing these outdated perceptions is crucial to creating a more sustainable industry.

Sober Weekends and Smug Mornings

“Weekends are my favourite time to be sober because I get to do the thing I love the most, which is be smug. I get to wake up very smug at about eight o’clock and look at my life and go, this is a great choice.”

Sobriety transforms weekends from blurry recoveries to opportunities for enjoyment and reflection. This shift underscores the profound personal benefits of a life without alcohol.

The Cost of Industry Norms

“I slowly started to realise that alcohol was becoming the thing that was holding me together.”

For many in hospitality, alcohol becomes a crutch rather than a tool for connection. The realisation that it’s holding people back rather than propelling them forward is a pivotal moment in the journey toward change.

Addiction and the Industry’s “Throwaway” Culture

“When that line is crossed, so many of us just get thrown away, and that, for me, just never sat right.”

The industry’s tendency to discard talent once addiction becomes visible is a tragic waste. Recovery and reintegration need to be prioritized to retain valuable employees and demonstrate compassion.

See the full blog here.

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Welcome to “The Next Round,” where we explore the remarkable stories of those who found new beginnings once they stopped seeking answers at the bottom of the bottle. Today’s episode is a reflection on recovery, redemption, and the power of turning the past into a foundation for the future.

For some, the journey to the other side can feel like a wall between who they were and who they’ve become. But perhaps, just perhaps, the life they once lived holds the key to the one they’re building now.

In this episode, we meet Paul Bayes Kitcher, a man who never lost his love for dance. On the other side of recovery, he found himself uniquely placed to channel its transformative power—helping others navigate their own recoveries from addiction or mental health challenges through movement and artistry.

Along with Claire Morris he co-founded Fallen Angels Dance Theatre (FADT) in 2011, fostering creativity and using dance to transform lives.

In this podcast Josh Kelly, our brand manager who himself used to be a dancer interviews Paul. He shares his story, the life-changing work of his organisation,offering a future through dance. It’s a story of resilience, creativity, and the beautiful steps forward when we reclaim what once felt lost. Find out more you how you can join them or support their work by becoming a guardian angel.

Fallen Angels Dance Theatre (FADT) has become a powerful symbol of transformation and hope, helping individuals in recovery from addiction and trauma reconnect with their bodies and rediscover joy. Founded by Paul Byers Kitchen, a former professional ballet dancer and someone in long-term recovery, FADT merges the therapeutic power of movement with the artistic discipline of dance. Over the past decade, it has grown into a flourishing community, offering a safe and creative space for people to heal and thrive.

A Journey from Ballet to Recovery

Paul’s story is one of both brilliance and struggle. Trained at world-renowned institutions such as the Royal Ballet School and Rambert, he had a successful career with companies like Scottish Ballet and Birmingham Royal Ballet. Yet behind the scenes, unresolved childhood trauma and the relentless pressures of the ballet world led him into addiction.

“I never felt comfortable in my own skin – Alcohol and drugs became my solution—a way to escape myself.”

Despite his talent and dedication, the demands of perfectionism combined with his personal struggles led him to resign from Birmingham Royal Ballet at 30. Without the structure of his career, his addiction spiraled into chaos.

Through recovery, Paul found clarity and purpose. He realised the therapeutic potential of movement for people in recovery and began developing what would eventually become Fallen Angels Dance Theatre.

The Birth of Fallen Angels Dance Theatre

Established over 10 years ago, FADT was born from Paul’s passion for recovery and his deep understanding of movement. Recognising that the word “dance” might intimidate some, particularly those unfamiliar with formal training, Paul instead emphasizes “movement.”

“Everyone can move. We start with natural movement and somatic practices, creating a space where people feel safe to explore their bodies and emotions.”

Read the full blog

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When Xiomara Wimmer decided to give up drinking, she didn’t just change her life—she found herself becoming part of an alcohol-free super couple.

Little did she know that sharing her journey alongside her husband would turn into a mission that’s now helping countless others navigate socialising alcohol-free.

Welcome to The Next Round, the podcast where we dive into the inspiring stories of people who’ve redefined their lives by changing their relationship with alcohol. From mending relationships to taking on life-changing challenges, the possibilities are endless when booze is no longer center stage.

In this episode, we meet Xiomara, a trailblazer in the alcohol-free community. Since embracing an alcohol-free lifestyle, she and her husband have inspired countless others by sharing their journey on their social platform—showing how vibrant and connected life can be without alcohol. Now, Xiomara is taking her mission even further, leading empowering workshops designed to help others socialise with confidence, authenticity, and joy in an alcohol-free world.

You can find xiomara and Patrick @theafcouple

For Xiomara and her husband Patrick, alcohol was a common element in their relationship—until they realised it was holding them back. When they decided to give up drinking, everything changed. It wasn’t just about cutting out alcohol; it was about rediscovering their connection, their purpose, and their shared passions.

A Life-Changing Decision

Xiomara and Patrick, also known as The AF Couple, shared their story of going alcohol-free over two and a half years ago. For years, they enjoyed their life together but noticed that alcohol often brought unnecessary conflict and tension into their relationship. While it wasn’t always the source of their problems, it tended to amplify any existing issues.

Finally, they reached a breaking point. They decided to remove alcohol from their lives completely. The result? A newfound clarity in their relationship and their communication.

Building an Alcohol-Free Life Together

Going alcohol-free is a personal journey, but for Xiomara and Patrick, it was also a shared one. They chose to navigate this path side by side, creating a unique and powerful dynamic.

“We’ve always been told we’re a beautiful couple, but when alcohol was involved, that didn’t always align.” Xiomara Wimmer

By quitting together, they strengthened their bond and rediscovered what made them such a great team.

They now share their journey on their Instagram account, @theafcouple, where they document the highs and lows of their alcohol-free lifestyle. Their posts reflect the reality of sobriety, showcasing both the good and the messy moments, inspiring others to reconsider their relationship with alcohol.

Follow Xiomara and Patrick’s journey on Instagram at @theafcouple, and discover how an alcohol-free lifestyle can open up a world of possibilities.

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