The Cost of Drinking While Travelling (And How I Found Freedom Without It)

I used to think alcohol was essential to travel, something that made it easier to meet people, take risks, and soak up new cultures. But behind every night out was a hidden cost: wasted mornings, empty wallets, near-death experiences, and a slow erosion of clarity.

In this episode, I share my honest story of drinking while travelling, the moment it nearly killed me in Barcelona, and how I turned everything around. I’ll walk you through the systems I use to stay sober on the road and how saying no opened the door to a richer, more intentional way of seeing the world.

Whether you're sober curious, travelling soon, or just want to live with more clarity, this one’s for you.

Plus: a few practical tips you can start using today, and an invite to join our Stronger Without walks.

Want to go deeper? Here’s how to take the next step: 

▶️ Join the next Stronger Without Weekend in Purbeck
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👉 strongerwithout.uk/events/purbecks  

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00:00 - Intro: The Hidden Cost of Drinking While Travelling  
01:10 - My Story: Boozy Travels from Age 16  
02:35 - The Wild Uni Years and the Daily Mail Headline  
03:40 - Six Weeks of Drinking Across Europe  
04:30 - Near-Death Experience in Barcelona  
05:25 - Balconing and British Tourists Abroad  
06:45 - Injuries, Fights, and the Darker Side of Drinking  
08:00 - The Real Costs: Money, Safety, and Lost Days  
08:50 - Why I’m Not Preaching—Just Sharing  
09:30 - How I Stay Sober While Travelling  
10:30 - “No” is a Complete Sentence  
11:15 - The Power of Respecting Boundaries  
12:05 - The Night That Changed Everything in New Orleans  
13:30 - From One Month Sober to Five Years  
14:00 - What I Do Now Instead of Drinking  
15:00 - The Joy of Alcohol-Free Mornings  
15:40 - Drinking Steals Happiness From Tomorrow  
16:30 - How to Find Like-Minded, Sober Travellers  
17:00 - Stronger Without Events: Join the Movement  
18:30 - What’s Next for the Stronger Without Community  
19:30 - Final Thoughts: Subtract Alcohol, Add Presence