Ep 22: Overcoming Addiction and Redefining Masculinity with Alex Clapp | Rethinking Alcohol |

Anna Donaghey sits down with Alex Clapp, an entrepreneur and advocate for sober socialising. In this episode, you're invited to journey through Alex's personal battle with alcohol addiction and his quest to challenge societal norms surrounding masculinity and emotional vulnerability.You’ll hear Alex’s story unfold, from growing up in an environment where showing emotion was seen as a weakness, to experiencing significant health challenges that turned his life upside down and forced him to confront his feelings.Join Anna and Alex as they delve into changing stereotypes, the issues created by emotional suppression, the power of genuine connections, and the concept of sober social events that Alex champions through his business.Here are the highlights:01:55 Upbringing in an era of emotional suppression and expectations.04:06 Built relationships around the drink culture, and it had an impact.06:37 Hiding true feelings, using alcohol for coping.12:30 Rehab success rates are often low.13:43 Personal work leads to a better world.21:10 Traditional masculinity stereotypes can harm men.27:50 Shared vulnerability is the truest courage.32:42 Struggled to be vulnerable, lacking emotional intelligence.42:13 Discover genuine connections, like being a child.45:23 Striving for global growth, learning patience.46:49 Support long-term change and empower individuals' choices.🔗 Get all the free resources from the series at: Toolkit OptinAnna’s group coaching community ‘Unstuck!’ helps identify your alcohol ‘stories’ and beliefs, breaking the cycle of alcohol and all the shame that goes with it. For more information and to find out how to join, please follow this link: Unstuck! community informationTo further explore your relationship with alcohol, check out Anna’s self-guided programme, The Big Drink Rethink Experiment: https://www.thebeliefscoach.com/the-big-drink-rethink-experimentAnd apply the code POD99 to purchase for just £99 as a podcast listenerIf you’re loving the podcast and would like to give Anna a warm, fuzzy feeling of appreciation, then you can buy her a coffee:https://buymeacoffee.com/bigdrinkrethink About the host Anna:Anna is a certified Alcohol Mindset Coach, trained by Annie Grace of This Naked Mind. Drawing on her own journey out of alcohol addiction, she now helps others explore and control their drinking. With a career spanning 25 years as a Strategist in the Advertising industry, she combines her own lived experiences, with great insight into what makes us tick and what influences us to behave the way we do.Connect with Anna:Website: thebeliefscoach.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annadonagheyInstagram: instagram.com/bigdrinkrethinkAbout Alex Clapp:Alex Clapp has owned multiple businesses in the North West including his flagship firm, County Cost Consultant for 23 years. Earlier this year, Alex co-founded Claritee, a corporate wellness company comprising no alcohol corporate events, bespoke corporate training and the recent establishment of a CIO department.Claritee was born from Alex’s struggle with addiction as a result of a deteriorating eye condition that developed in 2015. With no confirmed diagnosis, Alex resorted to alcohol to cope with his mental health, covering up to family, friends and peers about his affliction. Thankfully, after seeking help, Alex attended multiple rehabilitation centres and has been sober for 9 months.Through his own plight, Alex endeavoured to help others in a similar situation; individuals in the corporate sphere who may be struggling to admit vulnerabilities. Claritee’s mission is to provide services which encourage individuals to prioritise their wellbeing and instill practices to maintain positive mindsets.Claritee’s second dry corporate event titled Be The Spirit takes place in Manchester at The Lowry Hotel on the 7th September. Open to all working industries, guests are invited to join the Claritee team for a revolutionary concept brought to the corporate social and networking market.Connect with Alex:Website: www.claritee group.co.ukInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/clariteegroup/Produced by winteraudio.co.ukMentioned in this episode:Anna and fellow coach Tabbin Almond are excited to announce they’re hosting a free webinar on Thursday 9th July to share what they’ve learnt about what women actually need when they want to change their relationship with alcohol. You can save your spot here: https://www.thebigdrinkrethink.com/webinar