Andy Ramage Podcast

• An Alcohol-Free Break That Sparked a Running Journey and a Return of Confidence with Claire McAskill

  In this episode, I sit down with Claire MacAskill, someone I have known for many years and watched grow in courage, confidence, and self-belief. Claire has been alcohol-free for seven years, and in that time she has transformed her health, her mindset, and her entire life. From struggling with weekend drinking to becoming a world-class marathon runner in her fifties, her story is one of resilience, consistency, and pure inspiration.We talk about everything from her early days as a grey-area drinker, to the moment she decided she wanted more from life, to running marathons around the world and qualifying for global championships. Claire’s honesty, vulnerability, and strength shine through every moment of this conversation. If you are looking for proof that life gets bigger, brighter, and more meaningful without alcohol, this episode is for you.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:How Claire went from weekend drinking to seven years alcohol-freeWhy removing alcohol unlocked her best fitness, mindset, and confidenceHow she became fitter and faster in her fifties than in her twentiesThe truth about heart rate, recovery, and how alcohol affects performanceWhy anxiety often disappears when alcohol disappearsThe mindset shift that turned running into her new pub and her new tribeHow self-development and authenticity became central to her alcohol-free lifeWhy is it never too late to step into your full potentialTimestamps00:00 – 02:00 The three-layer formula02:00 – 04:00 Seven years alcohol-free04:00 – 06:00 From NYC hangovers to NYC marathons06:00 – 08:00 Finding her tribe08:00 – 11:00 Sliding doors: two possible lives11:00 – 14:00 The hidden cost of ‘just one’14:00 – 17:00 Alcohol-free: the real superpower17:00 – 20:00 Consistency creates confidence20:00 – 24:00 Reborn at 4524:00 – End Medals, mindset, and meaningLinks and Resources:Join me at the Coach Business School:If this alcohol-free journey has sparked something in you and you want to help others transform their lives, come and train with me at the Coach Business School. Whether you want to get accredited as a coach or you are already qualified and ready to master the business side of coaching, I would love to guide you.👉 Explore programs and resources at coachbusiness.schoolAlready accredited?Take the next step with my Coach MBA: Marketing and Business for Accredited Coaches, the place where I help coaches build thriving and meaningful coaching businesses.👉 Learn more at coachbusiness.schoolIf Claire’s story lit something inside you, share this episode, follow the show, and join me in the growing alcohol-free movement.Let’s do this.

  --------  

  35:09

  --------

  35:09
• Can Alcohol Moderation Work, Or Is It A Fantasy? Here’s My Strong Opinion

  In this episode, I tackle one of the biggest questions I get asked: Can alcohol moderation actually work? After 12 years on this alcohol-free adventure, I’ve seen it all, from people who transform their lives during a break to those who try to “drink on their terms” and end up right back where they started. I unpack what moderation really means, why willpower alone doesn’t work, and the truth behind those “just one or two” nights that never stay that way.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:What moderation really looks like (and why it rarely lasts)The neuroscience behind why alcohol hijacks your brainWhy willpower isn’t a long-term strategyThe illusion of “social drinking” and how it keeps people stuckThe difference between a moderation mindset and a mostly dry mindsetWhy going alcohol-free unlocks energy, joy, and true freedomTimestamps:00:00 – 01:00 The myth of moderation01:00 – 03:00 The post-break trap03:00 – 05:00 What moderation really means05:00 – 07:00 The science of willpower07:00 – 08:30 The prefrontal shutdown08:30 – 10:00 The illusion of control10:00 – 12:00 Mostly dry vs moderation12:00 – 14:00 The non-drinker in disguise14:00 – 17:00 Alcohol is a drug, full stop17:00 – End Taste, truth, and freedomLinks & Resources:Join me at the Coach Business School: If your alcohol-free journey has inspired you to help others, coaching might be your next step. Whether you want to get accredited as a coach or you’re already qualified and want to grow your business, I’ll guide you through both world-class coach training and business mastery.👉 Explore programs and free resources at coachbusiness.schoolAlready Accredited? Join my Coach MBA - Marketing and Business for Accredited Coaches, and learn how to turn your passion into a thriving, purpose-driven career. 👉 Learn more at coachbusiness.schoolIf you’re questioning moderation or curious about life beyond alcohol, this episode will give you the clarity and confidence to make the choice that truly serves you. Let’s do this.

  --------  

  19:51

  --------

  19:51
• New Season and Its First Episode: Alcohol-Free and Spirituality with Matt Pink

  In person with Matt Pink on Alcohol Free and SpiritualityA deeper, slower conversation to open the new in-person era. Andy sits down with friend and creator Matt Pink to explore what really unfolds after going alcohol free. The chat ranges from grief and gratitude to spirituality, men’s work, and the courage to live fully in the present. Matt shares the encounter that jolted him back to life, the love story that followed, lessons from a professionally guided retreat, and why removing alcohol creates the space for meaning, purpose, and real connection.What you will hearOrigin storyHow chance, inspiration, and early alcohol free experiments led Matt to change his life and identity.Spirituality without the labels Why many rediscover a personal spiritual practice once alcohol is removed, and how that supports courage, clarity, and calm.Grief, love, and gratitude Finding light in the darkest moments, becoming a present dad, and choosing growth over victimhood.Real talk about sobriety The highs, the hard bits, and why comfort habits can box us in while stilling the mind open up new possibilities.Creating work with heart Building useful things in the world, facing real-world constraints, and meeting them all with a firm step.Timestamps00:00 – 02:00 The power of presence02:00 – 04:30 The alcohol-free ripple effect04:30 – 07:30 A message from beyond07:30 – 10:30 The stranger who saved my life10:30 – 14:00 Finding faith in something bigger14:00 – 17:00 Alcohol vs spirituality17:00 – 21:00 Defining your own version of God21:00 – 25:00 Gratitude, loss, and love25:00 – 32:00 Beyond the past32:00 – End The next chapter of awakeningMentionedJourney of Souls by Michael NewtonRich Roll podcastDry app and community called DRYYWork with AndyIf you feel called to coach or to add more meaning and purpose to your work, explore Andy’s six-month Diploma in Positive Psychology and Diploma in Professional Coach Business & Marketing. Qualified coaches can join the Coach Business School for marketing and business training. 👉 Explore programs and free resources at coachbusiness.school

  --------  

  44:04

  --------

  44:04
• Calling it wrap on the latest series & getting ready for our in person podcast!

  Taking a break for this series. We will be back soon with the in-person podcast!! Stay tuned for more updates.

  --------  

  3:02

  --------

  3:02
• Why You Save A Fortune When You Stop Drinking & How To Invest It

  There is a disconnect between investments of true value and the material.I was guilty of spending more on material possessions than on my development. I was more concerned with servicing my car than my mind and body.Then I invested in my first-ever book on self-development, Awaken the Giant Within by Anthony Robbins, and my life changed.Just imagine investing in a book that fundamentally changes the way you think, behave and feel. In my opinion, books are the most wonderful value of all development tools.As I finished the book, I realised that investing in my personal growth was the best investment I could ever make for myself and my family.With a mindset that personal growth is of critical importance, I started to find the courses, books and learning that transformed my life.Over the coming years, I took as many courses as I could afford, and each one taught me something that I still use today - this is a great return on investment you will never find in a bank.The self-development genius Jim Rohn sums it up beautifully, “Work harder on yourself than you do on your job. If you work hard on your job, you can make a living. If you work hard on yourself, you can make a fortune."So whether you pick up a book or take a course, put self-development at the top of your list, because it might prove the best investment you ever make.Your coach AndyPS - The best investment I EVER made into my life, career and happiness was to become a coach 12 years ago. Now I am on a personal mission to pass on this gift to a small group. In July I will run my 6-month treble accredited Diploma in Positive Psychology & Coaching, with a massive bonus, I will also train the group as Alcohol-Free Performance Coaches.Click here to potentially make the greatest investment of your life!PPS - Already a coach? You have two options:Take my coaching specialism in Alcohol-Free Performance CoachingJoin my Coach Business School and take my world-class Coach MBA!

  --------  

  12:32

  --------

  12:32

More Education podcasts

Trending Education podcasts

About Andy Ramage Podcast

Andy Ramage Podcast: Podcasts in Family