12 Months to Marathon
Hi, I'm John Hill. I host 12 Months to Marathon—the running podcast for people over 35 with marathon dreams. Whether you are looking for a personal best or want to run a marathon, my story and regular tips should help you get there.
I didn't run my first marathon until I was 36. I ran my first sub-3 marathon at the age of 45. If I can do it, so can you!
For even more daily tips, make sure to follow me on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/12monthstomarathon/
Thanks for listening.
12 Months to Marathon
12 Months to Marathon - Episode 85 - Rich & Andy - Clean Break Coaching
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12 Months to Marathon – Episode 85: Alcohol-Free Running, Identity & Control (with Clean Break Coaching)
In this episode, I’m joined by Rich and Andy from Clean Break Coaching for a proper conversation about running, sobriety, identity, and what it actually takes to take back control in midlife.
We talk honestly about the “weekend warrior” trap — training hard in the week, then drinking hard at the weekend — and how easy it is to use running as a mask while your relationships, energy, and mental health quietly take the hit.
Andy shares his journey to 7 years alcohol-free, including how fatherhood, trust, and burnout became the turning point. Rich opens up about working in the alcohol industry, losing his sense of identity during Covid, and the moment he realised he couldn’t keep living two lives: outwardly “fine”, inwardly struggling.
This one is for anyone over 35 who feels like they’ve lost control — or knows deep down that alcohol is costing more than it’s giving.
We cover:
- Why alcohol feels like “fun” and discipline feels “boring” (and how that gets programmed into us)
- Dopamine, escapism, and why it’s never really “about the drink”
- The difference between comfort and familiarity — and why people stay stuck
- How Clean Break Coaching was built, and why alcohol-free running communities work
- “Control the controllables” — and why that mindset changes everything
Follow Clean Break Coaching on Instagram and check out their podcast Clean Break Chats for more.
https://www.instagram.com/clean.break.coaching/
https://open.spotify.com/show/50jxtckfnkthFp98Q2uAzu?si=d5b740447e794eb8
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For daily running tips, follow me on Instagram @12monthstomarathon and join the free Over 35 Running Community via the link in my bio.
