Calling in from (near) Manchester, UK!! ...it is my pleasure to welcome FRASER FRANKS to the show.

In his own words:

Fraser Franks
Trying to live, love and learn more every day ❤️🙏🏼
Alcohol-Free 🌅
Dad, husband, speaker, writer, athlete & former Professional footballer.
www.asipofsobriety.com

FRASER has an incredible story, I cannot wait to share this with you all.
(He has agreed to come back for a Part 2, you will soon see why...)

Fraser is a retired pro football (soccer to you North Americans ;)

He was forced to retire at the peak of his career, at the age of 28. While playing in the most high-profile game of his career, Fraser began to feel light-headed and weak in the legs. He pulled himself out of the game.

As fate would have it - he would spend a decent period of time in the hospital as he was diagnosed with a heart condition.
His life changed in an instant.
His boyhood dream and his career were tragically cut short.

However, Fraser still has his life!
He and his wife had their baby girl 1 month after his forced retirement.

Topics include:
- Fraser did not have his 1st drink until age 19
- had the idea "alcohol is bad for you" drilled into him at an early age
- his dream of being a football star (from age 5) kept him wary of alcohol
- there was often the question "are you going to drink when you're older" from his peers
- he found himself not getting invited out for parties after turning them down enough times

- he started to get the perception he was "missing out"
- Fraser was quite shy around girls and in social settings, alcohol gave him "confidence"
- initially, he had a lot of guilt
- he had an "off switch" at first

- he went to 8 different football clubs over his career, which allowed him chances to reinvent himself
- he met his wife in his mid-20s (they've been married for 8 years)
- drinking ramped up at home after his forced retirement
- he began to hide the alcohol around the house, and desire time alone for drinking

Finally, Fraser heard a podcast with the guest of a retired cricket player that had a similar story to him. This podcast episode resonates with Fraser so much, he came clean.

There was one more bump along the way where Fraser attempted moderation after his first sobriety, only to fall into his old patterns.

Ever since then Fraser has been clean & sober and proud of it! He is using his story to inspire others.

At around the 6-month sober mark, Fraser discovered that he CAN do everything he used to need alcohol for...and he can do it sober.

Great stuff here.

✅ https://www.instagram.com/fraserfranks/