46. From 12 Beers a Day to Coaching Freedom: Jacki’s Alcohol-Free Comeback Story

Trigger Warning:Before we begin, a gentle listener note. This episode includes open conversations around sobriety, alcoholism, and addiction, which may feel triggering for some. Please take care while listening, go at your own pace, and know it’s okay to pause or skip parts if you need to. Support resources are included at the end of the show notes.In this deeply honest conversation, Jasmine sits down with Jacki Fleniken, a sobriety coach who knows firsthand what it feels like to be stuck in a cycle you don’t know how to escape.Jacki takes us back to a time when alcohol wasn’t just a social habit — it was a coping mechanism, a daily crutch, and something she felt quietly ashamed of. At her lowest point, she was drinking up to 12 beers a day, battling anxiety and depression, and wondering how her life had ended up here. What finally stopped her wasn’t rock bottom in the way we often imagine — it was a moment of clarity and an honest question she couldn’t ignore anymore: Is this the legacy I want to leave behind?Together, Jasmine and Jacki unpack what recovery actually looks like when you remove shame, labels, and pressure. This isn’t a conversation about “quitting” or white-knuckling your way through sobriety. It’s about understanding why alcohol feels so powerful, how the brain learns to rely on it, and how freedom comes from awareness rather than willpower.They talk openly about dopamine, subconscious conditioning, and why so many people feel broken when really they’ve just been using the only tools they had at the time. Jacki shares how a science-based, compassion-led approach helped her rewire her relationship with alcohol — without rehab, without AA, and without ever having to label herself in a way that didn’t feel true.You’ll hear about the unexpected grief that can surface once alcohol is removed, the emotional release that comes from finally feeling instead of numbing, and the small, almost unnoticeable “millimetre shifts” that slowly add up to a completely different life. There’s laughter, vulnerability, and moments that land quietly but deeply — especially around identity, self-trust, and learning to be proud of yourself again.This episode is for you if you’ve ever wondered whether alcohol is holding you back, even if it doesn’t look like a “problem” from the outside. It’s for the person who’s tired of negotiating with themselves, tired of feeling ashamed, and tired of believing change has to be painful to be real.Jacki’s story is a reminder that you’re not broken — you’re responding to your life the best way you know how. And with the right tools, support, and self-compassion, another way really is possible.Connect with Jasmine:📍 Instagram: ⁠⁠@jasminelisciottoofficial⁠⁠📍 Podcast Instagram: ⁠⁠@lifebizandallthatjazz⁠⁠📍 TikTok: ⁠@lifebizandallthatjazz⁠📍 YouTube: ⁠⁠Jasmine Lisciotto⁠⁠Connect with Jacki:📍 Instagram: @jackiflenikenSupport resources (if you need them):Australia — Lifeline 13 11 14 | ADIS 1800 250 015USA — SAMHSA National Helpline 1-800-662-HELP (4357)UK — Drinkline 0300 123 1110If you’re in immediate danger, please contact local emergency services.Remember 👉🏼 Progress not perfection!