August 7th 2021 was the last time I had alcohol.

August 7th 2022 (yesterday) I hit one year since that last day.

On my social media posts yesterday I didn't go too far into my journey with alcohol, I will do a bit more here because it might be helpful to you or a friend.

I know elaborating more will be helpful to me.

As a kid I wanted to be a professional athlete.

ESPN was the only channel I ever watched.

And growing up playing 4+ sports a week, playing every day, the dream was a possibility.

Through high school, sports kept me out of trouble.

I didn't smoke weed.

I didn't drink too much.

I wasn't around on weekends to "hang out."

Then senior year came around.

And the realization that even though I had put so much effort into athletics my entire life...

I was 99.9 percent sure that the dream to be a professional had died.

I was too "small."

Not skilled enough.

And deep down, I had picked a sport (soccer) that I didn't truly love like I loved hockey or other sports.

So I adjusted my focus.

Sports still remained a large focus for me...

But enter into the arena drugs and alcohol.

While I didn't know what it would feel like to go pro, I knew what it felt like to be a collegiate athlete and go to the "best" parties.

And at these parties EVERYONE'S focus was the same...

Get fucked up.

The one time 4+ sport athlete, now turned into a 4+ night per week drinker.

^^^

Sad part is, I am not unique.

I personally know dozens of other men who have similar stories.

And I am hoping to rewrite future paths for young athletes by telling my own story.

For 5 years of college (I transferred and switched majors) I drank heavily at a minimum 2 times per week.

"Thats typical in college CJ."

Let's reframe this ^^^

2 x 52 weeks in a year is 104 days drunk.

104/365 =.28 or 28% of the time I was drunk.

aka over 1/4 of my time spent in college, I was drunk.

Which means 1/4 of my life I was spending trying to escape reality, harming my health, and making decisions I wasn't proud of.

FORTUNATELY for me...

I started shitting blood after college.

LOL yes it was fortunate I started shitting blood.

Because it caused me to decrease my drinking substantially.

The reality of life smacked me real hard, real quick.

At 25, I found myself at times crying alone in my bathroom because I was afraid to potentially get cancer and die young. A very real possibility for me because of my genetics and family's health history.

That was my new reality.

When just a few short years prior I was partying like I had won the Super Bowl.... every week.

What's even crazier?

I knew alcohol was killing me slowly...

Yet, I kept drinking because of the social pressure.

What would I now do on Friday and Saturday nights?

Who would I be?

So from 25-30 I drank socially.

Maybe it was age.

Maybe it was the universe speaking to me.

IDK.

But at 30 I reflected on my life and asked myself what dreams I still wanted to pursue.

Professional athlete kept coming up in my mind.

The kid in me wanted to train like an athlete again.

His one true love since birth.... athletics.

So I began to train hard again.

I invested in tools and resources to help me improve.

Tools like blood work, books, WHOOP, Oura Ring, IV's, Chiropractors, massages... and more.

And I began to realize...

Alcohol was no longer a tool I needed.

In fact, it hurt my chances of achieving my dreams.

So last year, during Erin's 30th birthday party, I made up in my mind that it was the last time I was getting fucked up for the foreseeable future.

And just like everything else I do, I went all in.

I drank all day long.

And I loved every moment of it because I knew "that me" was about to die.

A new me rising the very next morning.

So now here we are, one year in.

How do I feel?

The best I have ever felt.

I am stronger and faster than I was as a collegiate athlete.

I have more energy than I had when I was an overzealous child.

And my mind is sharper than I ever thought possible.

The best part?

I love myself more.

I now easily say no to WHAT and WHO is not for me.

And my relationships with those I love most are now stronger because I chose to become stronger all-around.

^^^

I tell you all of this because maybe you want the same thing, yet you don't have anyone around you who would understand.

I will though.

You have me.

And I will tell you that you have the support of a lot of other people too.

I know this because I have felt it.

And I want as many people to feel it with me as possible.

.

.

.

I will be the first to tell you that I have no idea if this is a "forever" thing for me.

I will also say that I have nothing against people who choose to partake in drinking.

I literally go to social gatherings where drinks are flowing and I love everyone all just as much.

This was a decision I needed for me.

For my health.

For my sanity.

And for me to live my life on my terms.

I am so glad to say I will continue to be making decisions that help me achieve my dreams for the rest of my life.

My hope is for you to do the same.

#thriveon

CJ

p.s. today I am grateful for my wife, family, and friends who have supported me through all the different choices I have made in life. Your unconditional support is my fuel and I cannot fathom going through life without it.