“For most of my teens and early 20s alcohol had become pretty prominent in my life. Whether that was drinking myself or observing others drinking habits - the damaging effects were definitely more prominent than the perceived benefits. 

Coming from a rugby background, drinking was a pretty central aspect of socialising (especially at university), there were occasions where I’d consume a full 700ml bottle of vodka in one night. 

My hangovers became gradually worse, to the point of being sick multiple times and not being able to leave my bed until 7pm. With my life being pretty heavily oriented around fitness I never actually drank that often; however, on the occasions that I did, it was often to excess.

Nearing the end of 2023 I decided on the goal of not drinking in 2024 as I wanted to use the time that would’ve been otherwise wasted on days being hungover. I look at it as unfulfilled potential; if I was hungover once a week, it would mean 52 missed days of working on myself - something I’m not willing to sacrifice. 

I’ve personally never had a major problem with drinking, but things don’t always have to hit rock bottom for a positive change to occur.”