EP42: The Middle Lane – Running, Alcohol & The Lies We Tell Ourselves

In this episode of Clean Break Chats, Andy and Rich dive into the uncomfortable middle ground of alcohol use - the space where you're functioning, coping… but quietly struggling.They explore the idea of being “not bad enough” to quit, yet not truly thriving either. From emotional reliance and the fading bias effect, to using running as a mask rather than a solution, this conversation gets honest about what alcohol was really doing behind the scenes.Andy reflects on the anxiety-filled mornings he never wants to relive. Rich opens up about vocational dependence and the subtle ways alcohol embeds itself into identity and routine. Together, they unpack why so many men in their 40s feel stuck - and why removing alcohol might be the first real step toward clarity, not restriction.This episode is for the runner who drinks. The dad who feels the pressure. The man who looks fine on the outside.If you’ve ever wondered whether alcohol is helping or quietly holding you back....this one’s for you.