Episode #79 - Sobriety by Mark Heller

On this episode of Survive & Thrive 8791 Podcast, I welcome Mark Heller to the Buck & Honey’s remote studios.. Mark led a normal life in high school. He was a good student, participated in sports, and abstained from alcohol. After high school, that all changed. Experimenting with alcohol became part of his social life, and partying in college became his new normal.

As he started his professional career, Mark stayed active in local USTA tennis leagues around Madison, Wisconsin. Alcohol remained present, especially after matches. Mark's turning point came when he realized he started to drink by himself alone. The depression he already faced from childhood was now exasperated by drinking to numb his feelings. His drinking started affecting his job. He was missing work due to hangovers, and would eventually lead to a separation from his girlfriend. 

In the last days of his drinking career, Mark was drinking before work, during lunch, and couldn’t wait for the work day to be done so he could drink.

Recognizing that alcohol was taking a toll on his life and health, Mark took the leap of faith and made the courageous decision to quit. Supported by his family, his girlfriend, and his workplace, The withdrawal process, sparked by everyday consumption of alcohol, would test his resolve. 

Today, Mark has been alcohol for over 2,200 days and hopes his story can inspire others struggling with alcohol dependence to believe that recovery is possible.