EP21 - Guest Episode - Jimmy Watkins (Running Punks): Over 2,000 Days Alcohol-Free, From Live Music to Loud Miles

In EP21 of Clean Break Chats, Andy & Rich sit down with Jimmy Watkins - co-founder of Running Punks, ex-elite middle-distance runner, and over 2,000 days alcohol-free - for a candid conversation about identity, creativity, and choosing a life that actually fits. Jimmy opens up about the moment he realised the live-music lifestyle was costing more than it paid back, and how going AF didn’t shrink his world - it amplified it.We unpack the transition from late-night gigs to early-morning miles: swapping the buzz of the crowd for the rhythm of breath, using music as a metronome for mindset, and building a community where pace is secondary to joy, expression, and showing up. Jimmy breaks down practical AF strategies - ritual replacements, environment design, crew accountability and how to convert a big milestone like 2,000 days into ordinary daily wins.Expect real talk on cravings, social pressure, and the myth that you need stress to perform. We get tactical on pre-race nerves, post-gig comedowns, and how to turn “I’ll just have one” moments into momentum. Most of all, this is a story about creating a loud, creative, sober life and inviting others to run alongside.What you’ll take-away:How to turn a milestone (2,000 days AF) into sustainable habits you can repeat tomorrowPractical “swap this for that” rituals for nights out, race days, and weekendsUsing music to regulate effort, mood, and cadence—on runs and in lifeWhy community beats willpower, and how to find (or build) your crewMindset shifts that make running more fun and performance more consistent