Victoria Vanstone is best known for the Sober Awkward Podcast. A candid and humorous podcast co-hosted with Hamish Adams-Cairns. The duo dives into the ups and downs of living an alcohol-free life, sharing personal stories, practical advice, and the awkward moments that come with sobriety. It won Best Wellbeing Podcast award at the British Podcast Awards, cementing its place as a valuable resource and support for the sober-curious community.

Victoria has been a mate of Club Soda for a long time. You can read and hear her prevous contribution to our Online Mindful Drinking Festival held in lockdown in 2020. She recently visited the Club Soda tasting Room with her co-host Hamis, and we had a chance to catch up and disucss her book – A Thousand Wasted Sundays.

In this chat, Victoria shares how she transformed her life by quitting drinking, reclaiming her Sundays, and finding joy in the simple things. Her story is both inspiring and relatable, as she talks about the ups and downs of ditching alcohol and how she’s building a life she loves, one sober day at a time. Here’s how she did it and why it mattered so much.

Breaking the Binge-Drinking Cycle: “I Knew I Needed Help”

Victoria’s journey started with the familiar cycle of binge drinking on weekends and the inevitable anxiety-filled Sundays. Despite trying countless ways to cut back, she found herself stuck in the same pattern.

“I tried every trick in the book—water between wines, everything—but nothing ever worked.”

The turning point came after the birth of her second child. She woke up with what she called the “anxiety monster” at the foot of her bed. This moment of clarity made her realise she needed a different approach.

“I remember walking out and seeing my husband, and I said, ‘I think I need help. I need someone else to intervene because what I’m doing isn’t working.”

That realisation led her to seek therapy, and it changed everything. She learned that the root of her drinking went much deeper than she thought.

“It’s About Finding Out Who You Were Before Alcohol”

For Victoria, quitting drinking wasn’t just about giving up booze; it was about rediscovering who she truly was. Therapy helped her connect the dots between her past and her drinking habits, including childhood experiences of rejection that shaped her into a “people pleaser” and the life of the party.

“I was always the mad one, the entertainer, because I wanted to keep people close. It all stems back to childhood stuff,”

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At our Low, Light and Alcohol Free Conference I Interviewed Briony May Williams. Briony is a TV presenter and self-taught baker who has appeared on The Great British Bake Off, Escape to the Country, and Food Unwrapped.

In a world where socialising often revolves around alcohol, choosing to go alcohol-free can feel like a daunting prospect. But for Briony May Williams, the decision to give up drinking opened up a world of new experiences and joys, proving that sobriety doesn’t mean sacrificing the fun or flavour. Briony, best known for her work in the culinary world and her charismatic presence on television, has become a passionate advocate for the alcohol-free movement. Her story is one of transformation, empowerment, and a mission to elevate the standards of alcohol-free drinks.

Discovering the “Game Changer”

Briony vividly recalls the moment that changed everything. It wasn’t just a decision to stop drinking; it was about finding an alcohol-free alternative that sparked joy.

“Nicolas [at Club Soda] introduced me to a really nice alcohol-free wine, and it was a game changer.”

For Briony, the discovery of a quality non-alcoholic option didn’t just satisfy her taste buds; it ignited a passion. She even recounts how she immediately bought several bottles and shared them with a close friend who was also sober.

“It’s amazing how movements grow. You find something you like, and you share it. You shock people into enjoying alcohol-free.”

Raising the Standards: It’s Time for Change

Briony is quick to point out that not all alcohol-free options are created equal. Her experiences have shown her the highs and lows of the market, and she’s not afraid to challenge establishments when they fall short.

“It infuriates me when I go to a cocktail bar, and they give me some elderflower with soda water. That’s just lazy,”

Briony’s frustration is not just about the lack of options; it’s about the missed opportunity to create something memorable.

Her message is clear: alcohol-free drinks deserve the same attention to detail and creativity as their alcoholic counterparts. For Briony, it’s not just about replicating the taste of alcohol.

“It doesn’t have to taste exactly like a glass of rosé; it just has to taste amazing. I want it to be packed full of flavour, to have that dryness on the palate, and most importantly, to feel special.”

Mental Health and Sobriety: A Transformative Journey

Going alcohol-free hasn’t just changed what Briony drinks; it’s transformed her life. She openly discusses how her decision has had a profound impact on her mental health and well-being.

“I’ve always struggled with depression, but in the last 10 months, it has been infinitely better.”

She attributes much of her improvement to her decision to quit drinking. Alongside better mental health, Briony has experienced weight loss, better eating habits, and an improved relationship with her husband and daughter.

This newfound clarity has fueled Briony’s excitement for the future.

“I’m so happy. I used to love going out and getting drunk; I loved the experience. But now, I feel so much better.”

It’s a message that resonates with many people exploring alcohol-free options—not as a compromise but as a way to enhance their overall well-being and relationships.

A Mission for Better Drinks: Consumers as Catalysts for Change

Briony’s enthusiasm for alcohol-free drinks goes beyond personal enjoyment; she’s on a mission to change the market. She’s oft

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Trina Gulliver MBE is ten times world darts champion. But drinking nearly ended her career.

Her sport did not disappoint her, though - with the help of Sporting Chance, the charity founded by Ex-footballer Tony Adams, she got the help she needed to make a comeback.

In this week's episode of The Next Round, we find that what comes next may be more of what you did before - you just may do it a little differently. And why not? If you were good at something, how great might you be now that you have relegated alcohol to the benches?

Trina Gulliver is a champion at darts - a sport that has its roots in the great British boozer. Her drinking crept up slowly over time, but an intervention from Sporting Chance was nearly too late. She shares what happened to her and how even she is surprised she is playing again.

You can find more about Trina and where she plays next on @trinagoldengirl and www.trina-gulliver.com

You can find out more about Sporting Chance at www.sportingchanceclinic.com - they help with all addictions and mental health for anyone during or following their career in sport.

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Helen Tomlinson is the UK's menopause champion, a role she does alongside her full-time job. And in this episode of the next round, she shares her experience of quitting alcohol during menopause.

Like any sales industry, alcohol has traditionally been a big part of the recruitment sector.

But as she got older, Helen was feeling the effects of alcohol more. She decided to knock it on the head.

Welcome to the next round. Stories from people who have changed their drink habits for good and what they did next. None of us know what opportunities are ahead, but it is far easier to find them and seize them if you are not hung over.

Helen is Head of Talent (UK & Ireland) at The Adecco Group and introduced a workplace policy on menopause and ended up with a national advocacy role - something she never expected but a challenge she is passionate about - luckily, she has the energy to do it.

You can connect with Helen Tomlinson on Linkedin

And don't forget to visit us at the Tasting Room in Covent Garden - Look at our gift boxes and cards for Christmas inspiration. Find out more and buy drinks from joinclubsoda.com and @joinclubsoda

Join us next week for more inspirational stories.

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The Club Soda Tasting Room is at 39 Drury Lane, London, WC2B 5RR

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Running a hospitality venue is stressful - but Hari saw the benefits of quitting drinking really quickly.

She has now kitted out a horse box to take her hotel's incredible drinks range to events and festivals. She just has to get through the door first!

Welcome to the next round. In this series, we talk to people who have changed their drinking to find out what they did next, from new hobbies and challenges to completely changing careers. What you do next is the exciting bit that comes when alcohol no longer plays such a pivotal role in your life.

Today we talk to Hari Fell from South Wales. She is taking her hospitality know-how out on the road. She is supporting and challenging festivals to offer more choices when it comes to drinks. She knows that showing casing a great alcohol-free range is essential for events and their customers. She can prove it as she has totally changed the drinks menu in her hotel.

Hari mentioned three things that stop festivals from having good alcohol-free choices at their events:

• Sponsorship or deals with big bars or sponsors mean they won't let another bar in - despite the fact she is doing something completely different. Those big bars have poor choices.
• They don’t have an application route for an offer between soft drinks and an alcohol bar.
• And they charge based on alcohol sales, not alcohol-free sales, making it hard for alcohol-free bars to afford to attend.

You can find and book a room at Hari’s hotel by visiting Tudorfarmhouse.Co.uk or find out more about her bar and cocktail boxes at Nolococktails.co.uk or here on Instagram.

If you work in hospitality and need help because you are in hardship or for support with drinking, other addictions or talking therapies, then contact The Drinks Trust. TheDrinksTrust.org.uk

And don't forget to visit us at the Tasting Room in Covent Garden - we offer private tasting to match you with your perfect alcohol-free drinks. Find out more and buy drinks from joinclubsoda.com and @joinclubsoda

Join us next week for more inspirational stories.

Find Club Soda:

The Club Soda Tasting Room is at 39 Drury Lane, London, WC2B 5RR

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Lucy got to the point where she was finally ready to change her drinking - but she laid her personal development groundwork first.

Changing her drinking gave Lucy the confidence she needed to share her art and build a community.

Welcome to the next round. Where we discover what people did next after knocking booze on the head, from trying fun challenges to complete life changes - people ended up in unexpected places. There is a next round out there for all of us.

Lucy Sheffield spent eight years working on where she wanted to be. Building layers of confidence and self-awareness. The last stage was to quit drinking. But her journey did not end there.

You can find more about Lucy @sheffieldlucy lucysheffieldart.co.uk

And don't forget to visit us at the Tasting Room in Covent Garden - we offer private tasting to match you with your perfect alcohol-free drinks. Find out more and buy drinks from joinclubsoda.com and @joinclubsoda

Join us next week for more inspirational stories.

Find Club Soda:

The Club Soda Tasting Room is at 39 Drury Lane, London, WC2B 5RR

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It’s like Piers Burnell is 21 again. He is always busy with new creative projects. But when he tried his hand at stand-up comedy - he did not do that alone. And he is passionate about everyone finding what they love once they have given up booze.

In this week's episode of the Next Round, meet Piers Burnell: Radio Marlow presenter, drama teacher and aspiring stand-up. You can also catch him dancing in a flashy jacket at House of Happiness. Changing drinking has been like a creative energy shot to him, and he is happy to bring others along for the ride - because he is very lovely!

Find Piers on Instagram @whatmrbsees and tune into Radio Marlow for his Eclectic Music show.

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The Club Soda Tasting Room is at 39 Drury Lane, London, WC2B 5RR

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Ex-professional athlete and restauranteur Justin Bone hit rock bottom. But you wouldn't know that to hear him now. He has new business ideas aplenty.

Justin is a man on a mission. Fitness was at the core of his recovery, but it was his excitement for business and new ideas that kept him going. In this episode of the Next Found, he talks about his lowest point, how he recovered and how to start a business.

You can find out more about Justin on @supersober.life.

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The Club Soda Tasting Room is at 39 Drury Lane, London, WC2B 5RR

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