To 50 and Beyond podcast Lori Massicot

Hey there, friend! 
This quickie episode is all about changing your mind to honor yourself and not overextend yourself, which can lead to burnout. 
I've decided to take an extended podcast break to avoid burning out and enjoy my Sober Gal Summer. 
Inside this episode, I share my thoughts on why it's hard to change your mind, and why you should, and what to expect in the Fall from To 50 and Beyond. 
Want to stay in touch weekly? 
Join my email community to learn more details about the podcast and get guidance in staying alcohol-free this summer. 
Join here. 
Want to create your own Sober Gal Summer? 
Join Team Alcohol-Free before 7/31 to gain access to meetings, resources, and daily support that will help you make the best experience out of being alcohol-free. 
Join Team Alcohol-Free 
 
Mentioned in this episode: 
Sober Gal Summer episode - What's In and Out
The Hello Someday podcast
The Sober Powered podcast
 
 
Get your Daily Sobriety toolkit here. 
 
 
 

Episode 297
Are you planning a vacation and want to stay alcohol-free but feeling unsure if you can manage it?
I've been there too. When I stopped drinking, I struggled with the idea that a vacation could be enjoyable without alcohol. For me, alcohol and vacation were intertwined in my belief of what made a trip fun.
It took one sober trip to realize that vacations could be just as enjoyable without alcohol.
In this episode, I share seven of my favorite tips for preparing for a sober vacation, along with strategies to help you stay on track during and after your trip.
What you’ll hear: Why we associate vacations with alcohol and how to change the associations one trip at at time
My first sober travel experience and what I learned
The benefits I’ve experienced from traveling without drinking: Keeping my wits about me, longer (slow) days I remember, and not needing a vacation from my vacation.
Seven tips to help you prepare for your vacation before you leave:
1. Define your purpose of the trip.
2. Get clear on what challenges you are concerned about to create a plan when/if they come up.
3. Communicate your intentions not to drink with a travel buddy or someone at home.
4. Focus on Nourishment
5. Invest in something to carry with you as a reminder of your intention to stay a/f.
6. Write down you reasons why you don’t want to drink and make an “if this, then that” plan that you can carry with you.
7. Write a Dear Me letter to open when you return. In this letter, you will talk about how you experienced your vacation without drinking and how grateful and proud of yourself you are.
 
You are not alone if you’re not that excited about alcohol-free vacations, but I want you to know that if you are choosing not to drink on vacation when you would normally - it is a badass move that can be life-changing.
 
If you need extra sobriety support, join us inside Team Alcohol-Free before enrollment closes on 7/1/24.
Inside The Team this summer, we are kicking off our First Annual Sober Gal Summer Camp on July 15th. 
Join Team Alcohol-Free

Episode 296
free download.
This episode is for the Sober Gal who wants to spend her summer with that Sober Gal vibe - freedom from alcohol.
Freedom to do more things SHE wants to do.
Invest and give herself back the time, money, and energy alcohol took from her and have fun on her own this summer - no alcohol required. 
➡️Do you feel like you’re missing out because you don’t have a glass of alcohol when you’re sitting on your patio? 
➡️Are you starting to give yourself a summer pass for drinking because you’re on vacation? 
➡️Saying things like - I’m traveling internationally; alcohol doesn’t count? 
➡️Are you doubtful that you will be able to show up at BBQs and get-togethers and say, I’m not drinking?
I totally get it! I felt this way when I stopped drinking in August of 2013.
But hold up before you grant yourself a drinking pass because it’s summer, and listen in while I share what’s in and out for Sober Gals during our one-and-only summer of 2024.
I had the same summer experience for decades and I didn’t realize it until I stopped drinking. 
Different year. Same old stuff. Alcohol-centered, not me-centered that is why I’m creating the very first Sober Gal Summer in 2024!
 
What you’ll hear: An explanation of what it means to have a Sober Gal Summer: it’s a mindset, an attitude, and a celebration of elevated self-care regimes and rewards. Both tangible and intangible. Think freedom, peace, and being present.
Why summer is a challenging time to stay sober for most midlife women
A list of What’s In and What’s Out for Sober Gals this summer (hint: what’s in: pleasing ourselves first)
How to create your In and Out Sober Gal Summer list by using my free download.
My mission to bring our midlife community together this summer to build more confidence in ourselves and our choice to be free from alcohol.
 
If you’re ready to make 2024 the summer of you.
Join us inside Team Alcohol-Free and get the inspiration, support, and fun you deserve this summer. 
Inside The Team this summer, we are kicking off our First Annual Sober Gal Summer Camp on July 15th. 
Enrollment closes July 31, 2024, until Fall.
Join today!

Join Team Alcohol-Free  

Episode 295
In this episode, I share my personal journey and experiences with sobriety, addressing the common question: When does sobriety stop being hard?
I’ve shared my story since the beginning of this podcast. I had a tough time in the first and second years. I went it on my own. In 2013, I didn’t know about podcasts or books about sobriety.
Change and transition are tough, even if you appreciate change in your life. When we’re talking about our bond with alcohol and transitioning out of having it in our lives, it’s tough. 
No matter how much or how long you spend drinking, we all face a challenge when we quit, but we don’t all feel the same way.
Here is the good news - if you are going alcohol-free today, you have many wonderful resources that offer hope and support, from in-person groups to online. It’s a GREAT time to get sober in midlife and in this day and age. 
I’m here to give you hope and suggestions to help you through the hard moments.
Always remember that time is your best friend when it comes to overcoming challenges in early sobriety. Be patient with yourself.
 
What you’ll hear: Why it’s important to stay in your lane and not compare your sobriety to anyone else.
The importance of having realistic expectations about the time it takes to recover.
Strategies to help you through the hard parts of early sobriety and beyond.
Why physical activity and music can change your attitude and mood in a short amount of time.
How to implement creative outlets like gardening, creating vision boards, and doing puzzles to keep you occupied during moments when you want to drink but want to stay sober.
The importance of finding a supportive community that keeps you on track, inspired, and motivated.
 
Mentioned in this episode:
The Daily Sobriety Toolkit
Join Team Alcohol-Free
 
 
Q & A Series
The Hardest Part of Getting Sober
Wondering if Your Drinking Isn’t “Bad Enough” to Quit?
The Benefits of Staying Sober When You’re Alone
Starting Over on Day One
How I Managed My Anxiety When I Quit Drinking

Episode 294
In this episode, I’m answering a question from a To 50 and Beyond listener, Maggie.
Maggie sent me an email and said: I’ve heard you talk about your social anxiety when you were 14 and started drinking as you got older. Did having anxiety hold you back from quitting drinking? And how did you manage it once you stopped drinking? 

Anxiety has been one of the most difficult things I’ve had to experience and manage throughout my life. I didn’t talk to a doctor about my anxiety until I was in my 40s. I wanted to hide it. Pretend like I had everything together, and even during public panic attacks in my 20’s and 30’s, I would say, “I’m fine.” 
I wasn’t anything but fine for decades, and I used alcohol to take away my anxiety so I would feel better.
In this episode, you will hear: When and why did my anxiety start at eleven after losing my dad.
Why I first started drinking at the age of 14 - to fit in and lessen my social shyness.
Where my anxiety comes from (hint: I was trying to control my anxiety, not manage it with drinking).
How I approached the “anxiety roadblock” that held me back from going alcohol-free.
The basics that I stuck to in early sobriety, and today, that help me manage my anxiety.
 
If you are someone who experiences anxiety and using alcohol to cope, I understand how you feel.
Alcohol is not a sustainable approach to anxiety. I learned this after I quit drinking.
There is help for you and support. You are not alone.
I felt alone in my anxiety for far too long. I’m with you.
Thank you for listening!
 
Mentioned in this episode:
The Daily Sobriety Toolkit
Join Team Alcohol-Free
Please contact me if you have a topic for the podcast or need a friend.
 
Q & A Series
The Hardest Part of Getting Sober
Wondering if Your Drinking Isn’t “Bad Enough” to Quit?
The Benefits of Staying Sober When You’re Alone
Starting Over on Day One
 
Help me spread the word! There is another option besides drinking in midlife. If you liked this episode and want to take a few minutes to support the podcast, I encourage you to leave a positive rating and review on Apple Podcasts.
So many women out there don’t know there is an “alcohol-free” option and are struggling with their drinking.
Your support will help these women find the podcast this week and learn about an alcohol-free lifestyle later in life.
➡️Click here, scroll to the bottom of the page, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.”
I read my reviews and will hug you when I see yours.
Make sure to “follow” To 50 and Beyond to get all the wonderful episodes coming your way. If you don’t click “follow," you will miss hearing what’s coming up.
Thank you!

Episode 293 
Day One. There is so much possibility there. I love day one!
I don’t love how “starting over” can make you feel when you are working so hard at staying sober in midlife.
In this episode, I discuss the feeling of starting over and how you can feel and reframe it. I also share my experience of starting over on Day One for the last time.
If you are in a program where resetting your clock is required, stick to your program. This episode is for the gal who is DIYing sobriety like I did.
If you’re tired of going back and forth with your drinking, I understand how you feel. I’ve got you!
 
During this episode, you’ll hear:
How to track your progress in a way that feels good to you and helps you stay sober
Why tracking didn’t work for me, and how some of the women I know and have worked with track their sobriety progress
What to do the day after a “slip” to make sure you don’t drink (and why this matters)
My story about having 45 days of sobriety and going back to drinking during a family brunch
Lots of love and encouragement for persevering on your road to alcohol freedom!
 
Mentioned in this episode:
TAF sobriety app suggestions: I am Sober, Recovery Path, Since, Try Dry, Reframe.
The Daily Sobriety Toolkit
Join Team Alcohol-Free
Plan A Private Coaching
  Q & A episodes:
The Hardest Part of Getting Sober
Wondering if Your Drinking Isn’t “Bad Enough” to Quit?
The Benefits of Staying Sober when You’re Alone
 
Thank you for listening! Wanna help me spread the word!  There is another option besides drinking in midlife. If you liked this episode and want to take a few minutes to support the podcast, I want to encourage you to leave a positive rating and review on Apple Podcasts.
So many women out there don’t know there is an “alcohol-free” option and are struggling with their drinking.
Your support will help these women find the podcast this week and learn about an alcohol-free lifestyle later in life.
➡️Click here, scroll to the bottom of the page, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.”
I read my reviews and will hug you when I see yours.
Make sure to “follow” To 50 and Beyond to get all of the wonderful episodes coming your way. If you don’t click “follow," you will miss hearing what’s coming up.
Thank you!