I learned this in my ALCOHOL-FREE life...

As I pass 1000 days alcohol-free, I have been reflecting on the things I have learned.
My hope is that hearing someone else's story can help others out there, as it did for me. I am very grateful to others who have shared their story, and I feel I need to do the same.
Best wishes on the journey 🙏🙏🙏

[@lucycartwright9053]

This is the anniversary of my beautiful partner dying of liver failure due to alcoholism. I abused alcohol as well but I was able to stop, 11 years ago. Prior to stopping I didn’t know anyone who didn’t drink and all the people closest to me drank alcoholically. Thank you soooo much for sharing your experience and for showing how much better life can be without alcohol. Oh and also for your running inspiration - I just entered my first ultramarathon, let the training commence!

[@ChrisBranch]

I am so sorry to hear this. Alcohol is so destructive, and that is why I feel the need to share my journey. It sounds like you have made some very positive changes in your life since then. Amazing work on booking your first ultra! I wish you the very best with your training 🙏🙏🙏

[@lucycartwright9053]

Thank you!

[@sirhcnoloc]

Thanks for being open about your journey. Today is 19 days for me, and I am not looking back. Cannot wait to feel what 6 months or 6 years is like. 👊🏻

[@ChrisBranch]

Thanks so much, and the journey just keeps getting better. I wish you the best with it 😊🙏

[@ichiban6004]

Have you made it to the 2 month mark ?

[@marcvanstaveren8997]

I quit drinking alcohol 500 days ago and it’s the best decision I’ve ever made! For sure I’m never going to drink again, it has brought me so much benefits! I would recommend it to everyone but you have to be ready to take that decision because the community is so common with drinking that you are going to face some difficulties in the beginning. But there are only going to be advantages as your body and mind recover and become clear.

[@ChrisBranch]

Amazing! I'm so pleased it's working for you too 😊🙏

[@Rynaylorguitar]

Thanks Chris. I felt exactly the same as you did about alcohol. I'm closing in on my first 100 days, thanks largely to the book you recommended. I read it and that was it...I didn't want to drink anymore.

[@ChrisBranch]

Amazing! That first hundred days felt like a milestone for me (this time round I mean, the no-willpower method). Keep it up ☺️🙏

[@georgelane6350]

The point you raise about wastes days ring so true. I was essentially a functional alcoholic for 5 years. Eventually I got sick of A) doing stupid, or horrible things when I was drunk B) wasting days and days of my life hungover, and C) feeling out of control For a couple of years fter realising i had a problem, I did what you did, rarely drank during the week, and occasionally blew out completely. I don't have an off switch, once I'm past 3 pints, there's no off ramp until I blackout. I was drinking less, but still had the same three problems. I realized that I really enjoy the taste of beer, but hate being drunk. So about 4 months ago I set myself a rule that I never drink so much that I can't(legally) drive. So far that's working and I am loving the freedom from binge drinking. I know that if I ever lose the off switch at 2 drinks, then I will never turn the switch on. It won't be a punishment, it will be a rational decision to improve my life.

[@ChrisBranch]

This sounds like a great place to be! Well done on making such positive changes 😊🙏

[@thefisherking78]

This is one of the biggest factors that's driving me to cut down and will probably lead me to quit entirely. I've been reflecting on the fact that I'm an adventurer at heart, but I've been wasting my weekends on hangovers instead of exploring. It's profoundly stupid to betray my own values in such a way, just for a social lubricant with people I don't really click with when sober.

[@thefisherking78]

I'm pretty close to doing this myself. I've cut way back, and unlike many other indulgences, I find that my enjoyment of it is actually dropping as I do so. The last couple of times, I went to bed after having a few and the last thought I had was why am I even doing this? For whatever reason, I have reached a point where it doesn't matter how long I stay away from it. When I come back, the off switch is still gone. So what was once cheap and fun is now neither.

[@SiriusScientist]

I followed a similar path. I’d try short stints being alcohol free but would end up picking it up again-a cycle that went on for years. I made it three months the last time before a night filled with various kinds of shots. I looked online for others who went AF and their reasoning, much like you described, and finally decided to do it for me. I was tired of the patterns you also mentioned, and the lost time recovering from hangovers. That will be 2 years ago in March and I’m so happy with all the other positive life changes that came with that single pivotal change. So glad I found your channel! I’m really focusing on increasing from 5K to longer distances and can’t wait for more training vlogs :)

[@ChrisBranch]

That's amazing! Well done on your AF journey. And I have more training vids in the pipeline 😊🙏

[@lindastrawn3389]

Never did anything I was proud of under the influence. I’ve gone through phases where I thought I HAD to have that one beer near bedtime as a ritual. Finally quit that and realized it actually impairs sleep quality. Thanks for such a clear explanation of how you made this powerful decision. Alcohol has become a nonissue in my old age and I’m very thankful for that. Enjoy your vis on running too!

[@ChrisBranch]

Thanks so much! And I think your first sentence is such a perfect summary of my relationship with alcohol. I got bored of myself in the end, and had to stop. I'm so glad I did 😊🙏

[@toby8381]

Quitting wasn’t tough (luckily) but what I’ve found hard is a lack of variety in alternatives. This is gradually improving thankfully. Glad it’s working for you Chris :-)

[@ChrisBranch]

Thanks so much! And yes, alternatives are improving. Good luck on the journey 🙏

[@jonburnell532]

I was 22 when my doctor told me I wouldn't make it to 25. During 6th form alcohol became a reliance due to bullying. I'd drink before school, at lunch, and then another dozen at night. It was so difficult to cut out the toxic friendships and alcohol but it had to be done. After ten years and a stable relationship I allowed myself A drink at home away from temptations. Another ten years on now and I might have a drink every couple of months, but I no longer feel the need to drink, it's just something that pairs with a good meal. Alcohol is a drug, and I truly hope those who get addicted find help.

[@ChrisBranch]

Thanks so much for sharing your story, and well done on your journey 🙏😊

[@janstrecha6442]

Thank you for sharing everything. I came across your 100-day video during an alcohol-free time in my life after a month of parties that ended horribly many times due to alcohol. I saw your video and then read Allen Carr's book you're recommending. I'll see about my "alcohol future" but I must say that you and Allen Carr really have changed my perspective on drinking, that setting rules doesn't work etc. Thank you for sharing your story and this book :)

[@ChrisBranch]

I'm so pleased they helped, and I wish you the best on the journey ☺️🙏

[@janstrecha6442]

@@ChrisBranch thank you ☺️🤞🏻

[@SimieIriarte]

I set a bunch of “monk mode” rules for myself on Dec 1st when I made the commitment to quit my job. Of all the rules I made, quitting alcohol has been the most beneficial by far. No more planning around social outings that end up in hangovers and dampened creativity for my KZbin videos. I’ve been debating if I ever want to go back because I’ve gotten so much time for other positive things in my life like working out and feeling good more often. I thought I was going to celebrate making it 90 days staying disciplined, but I hardly feel deprived. Going to be interesting to see what it’s like to break the chain. Thanks for this insight!!

[@ChrisBranch]

That's brilliant! And yes, it does feel a bit of a super power doesn't it. What ever you choose, it's so helpful to know you can cut it out for a while if you need to knuckle down with a project. It makes such a difference ☺️🙏

[@janetstadius1684]

Brilliant i love your approach

[@ChrisBranch]

Thanks so much. Best of luck on the journey 😊🙏

[@mozzieferrari]

Watching your running videos & did not expect to come across this! Love it brother, great job and thanks for sharing.

[@ChrisBranch]

Thanks so much! Going AF is pretty much the reason I became an ultrarunner; never being hungover meant I stopped skipping workouts, and one thing led to another, and I can now run a really long way 😂 I don't want to make a big thing of it because this channel is mostly about running and the associated training, but it's still important to me, so I'll bring it in from time to time. Thanks for the comment 😊🙏

[@elijahdunmore7526]

HI CHRIS CONGRATULATION ON YOUR 1000 DAYS BEING SOBER CHRIS I AM CELEBRATING 4 YEARS THIS 2024 BEING SOBER I DO NOT MISS IT AT ALL SO MANY YEARS LOST DRINKING THANK CHRIS AGAIN FOR SHARING YOUR SOBRIETY JOURNEY HAVE A GREAT SOBER LIFE HAPPY 2024🎉

[@ChrisBranch]

I hope you have a wonderful year too ☺️🙏

[@davidatkinson5396]

Well said Chris. Doing it for yourself, to be the best version of yourself, makes all the difference.

[@ChrisBranch]

Thanks, David. This was the game-changing mindset for me, it's a gift to myself. Good luck on the journey 🙏

[@seasiderp6859]

Seven years on the wagon, life is so much easier and just plane better all round 🙏

[@ChrisBranch]

Love it! And it really is. Good luck on the journey 🙏

[@GillianPechey]

Well done, just what I needed to hear!

[@ChrisBranch]

I'm so pleased it helped 😊🙏

[@1603_theadventure_mattrix]

I am discovering more & more the benefits of giving it up. I’m 3 years down but at a point I not do the same as Mel. Drink for the taste & put it up it works for me but thank you for your ever inspiring insights Chris.

[@ChrisBranch]

Thanks so much. It's all a journey, and we have to figure out what works best for us as individuals 😊🙏

[@JTONDINI]

I have examples of how alcohol can be very destructive from people I've known, from famous people I idolize and from my own experience with it. I'm at this point in which I'm decided to quit forever but without demonizing it and without demonizing people who like to drink, but I would break relationships with those who follow an unhealthy lifestyle that can affect me. One of the main reasons is the hangover thing, I feel like crap afterwards and it's a huge waste of money!!! I'm 38 years old .. alcohol was always liquid courage for me so I feel like quitting forever would be the best decision... it's alcohol.. it's not like.. quitting a well-paid job. It shouldn't be that hard to make the decision ..it's not like "well.. I could drink a pint of beer from time to time.." we can just quit and that's it.. but then for many people like me.. if I'm not mindful enough I can just fall back in the bad habit like it happened before. I'm more of a black or white type of guy when it comes to take certain decisions. Running is what saves me, I wanna stop drinking alcohol so I can run the next day, so it works as a reason to avoid drinking or eating certain junk food as well. If I take away running from my life, I will go back to my unhealthy lifestyle..and it's close to hell..specially in my mind.. I couldn't run for a long while this year, it was either my leg hurting, my foot, an flu, whatever else.. and I was feeling really bad.. depressed and anxious.. and after going back to run this week, I realized it was because I couldn't run.. Many things get somewhat solved when I run.. it's like the ending of jumanji... it's shockingly amazing and wonderful!!

[@dannyphillips5083]

This is a good video and inspirational too.... thank you

[@ChrisBranch]

Thanks so much ☺️🙏

[@azumbado]

Congrats. What did it do to your running? What was the book you recommended to others about the subject?

[@ChrisBranch]

The simple thing it did to my running was allow me to be consistent. I never missed a workout because I didn't sleep well the night before due to alcohol. This gradually compounded and I became an ultrarunner! The book I read was 'The Easy Way to Control Alcohol' by Allen Carr 🙏

[@niallmiller9925]

Another great video Chris. Alcohol has been an ever present in my life, sometimes it's been low-to-moderate consumption that I told myself was fine - which it wasn't. And other times when I lost even that control and it really became a bit consuming. Bit of a journey in the last few months and I'm now completely free of it. And your framing of it as it being a gift to yourself is so correct. Life just feels so much better, I'm so much more present without it. The feeling of calmness and control that comes with being free is wonderful. And as you remove yourself from it, and get further from that habit, you start to see why so many have trouble. It's so engrained and accepted in our society, extremely unhealthy amounts or relationships are totally normalised. And we have a system which generally deals with the outcomes and not the causes. People can have suffered or have a lot of stress in their lives, and turn the wrong way in dealing with that. There is so little help regarding well being, inner work, holistic practices to help people help themselves. Thank you for the video

[@ChrisBranch]

I had low to moderate levels of drinking _most_ the time, and I told myself that this was fine too. It's only in hindsight, and having had a long period of time sober, that I realise even that low level drinking was dragging me down. I'm pleased you've managed to break free from it, and I wish you the best on the journey 😊🙏

[@davidneal6920]

Thanks Chris. I have cut back my alcohol intake but am looking at how to quit 🇳🇿 🇬🇧

[@ChrisBranch]

You may find my first video helpful, where I'd given up for 100 days - I spoke more about how I transitioned. I wish you the best on the journey 🙏

[@davidneal6920]

@@ChrisBranch thank you Chris. I just watched it. Great video thanks

[@cherylcaps6873]

Thank you for sharing, it really helps with the decision I need to make for myself.

[@ChrisBranch]

I wish you the best with the journey 🙏

[@kylengo416]

Congrats on 1000 days Chris! I really connected to this video. I’m on day 121 of my sobriety and it’s like you took the words out of my mouth. I’m doing it for me this time around☺️. It’s a gift that I’m giving to myself. My wife still drinks occasionally as well. She is one of those lucky ones that can have 1 or 2 drinks be ok. ☺️. Keep sharing brother. Ty. ☺️

[@ChrisBranch]

Thank you so much, and it sounds like we're in a very similar situation. Well done on your first 100+ days, and I wish you the very best on the journey 🙏😊

[@kylengo416]

@@ChrisBranch Yw Chris! Yeah, it does. I was a big IPA guys as well. :). And thank you. Btw: I loveed your analogy/drawing on your other video about FUN when drinking. That one really helped me. When I started my journal, I would avoid going to parties, but now I look forward to going and I just bring my own AF IPAs with me if I want to have something to drink and mingle. :).

[@ChrisBranch]

@@kylengo416 Exactly! I take some AF beers, then leave when people get drunk. I have a good night sleep, go for a run in the morning, and try not to text them smug messages 😂

[@kylengo416]

@@ChrisBranch nice! Yup. I love the hangover free mornings!! ❤️☺️. Which AF beers do you like? I like the Athletics IPAs and Hazy IPAs. They are pretty good. 😄.

[@CatsAreTheBestPeople-mm1fo]

Thanks Chris, and well done on your continuing journey. You're absolutely right - we have to do it for ourselves, first and foremost.

[@ChrisBranch]

Thanks so much, and yes, you're totally right 😊🙏

[@Ian-s7p4m]

Thanks Chris what a great video, will be heading over to watch. As an on off runner for the past few years I can see the benefits of af, my longest stint was 4months and I felt awesome but have had a love hate relationship with alcohol, I can relate to you with the OK drinking then getting smashed, bad times. My trouble is feeling that I'm a miserable person not drinking and being not my true self in my relationship with my wife, I'm unsure how I can sort this. Thanks again well done being af 1000 days 👍

[@ChrisBranch]

Thanks so much for the comment. Alcohol can play tricks with us and we often find ourselves in battles of 'I like it because of X, but I don't like it because of Y'. I was like that for a long time and life is much simpler (for me) having decided to take it out completely. There will be an answer for you, and at least you're being mindful and asking the right questions - many people don't do that. Good luck figuring it out 😊🙏

[@Ian-s7p4m]

@@ChrisBranch so went out for a run tonight,. Motivation was good but got out and felt pretty good, just something about the run felt good. Can only think that 10days af has made a difference, that and having your video playing on my mind thinking positively. Thanks again, have watched the other alcohol bids too and look forward to watching more. Thanks ian 👍💪

[@mexmax1657]

Can you tell me the name of the background music?

[@joshuajoshuak8595]

I truly want to start but practise has been hard,alcohol has made me spend more money, even makes me pay for prostitutes, i truly need help 😢

[@ChrisBranch]

Alcohol can be so destructive, but you’re not alone. I have never done this, but do you think finding a group like AA would help you? There might be people who can help you face to face. Watching videos like this can be good for helping your mindset, but they might not be enough. I wish you the very best with it 🙏