Since the start of the year, I’ve been on a break from alcohol. It's not the first time I’ve done this, but this time, it felt different. The first time was in 2016, when I was a purple belt training for the World Masters Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Championships in Las Vegas. Back then, the goal was clear—I wanted to be in peak condition, so cutting alcohol for nine months was just part of the process. Having a tangible goal made it easier. But this time, there was no championship, no looming deadline—just a desire to feel better, to be better.
My last drink was on January 3rd, and I stuck to my break until a recent work event, where I made the conscious decision to have a drink. I was okay with it because I had told myself in advance that I would, but in doing so, I realised something important: I don’t actually miss alcohol when I’m not drinking. The hardest part isn’t avoiding alcohol itself—it’s breaking the habit, rewiring your brain to not reach for a drink out of routine.
To replace the ritual, I started drinking zero-alcohol beers. It might sound pointless to some, but it worked. It gave me that same end-of-the-day feeling of cracking open a beer without the side effects. No hangovers, no sluggish mornings, no regrets. Just the placebo effect of the experience.
Physically, I feel better. My training—both on the mats and in the gym—has improved. I’m stronger, more focused, and more consistent. Mentally, the change has been even more noticeable. I’m more present as a husband and father. I have more patience, more clarity, and, most importantly, I feel in control of my actions instead of being led by habit.
I won’t sit here and say I’ll never drink again. In fact, I have another event coming up—the Super Bowl—where I’ve already told myself I’ll have a drink. But what this break has shown me is that alcohol isn’t something I need; it’s just something I used to do. That’s a powerful realisation.
For anyone thinking about taking a break from drinking, I’d say this: the first few weeks are the hardest, but once you break through, you start to see just how little you actually miss it. Your sleep improves, your body recovers faster, and your relationships get better because you’re more engaged. And if you do go back to it, you’ll likely do so with more awareness and control.
This isn’t about preaching sobriety or claiming alcohol is evil. It’s about recognising patterns, making conscious choices, and seeing how much better life can be when you’re fully present for it.
Old Man Strength isn’t just about lifting weights or rolling on the mats—it’s about resilience, discipline, and taking control of your own path. And for me, this break from alcohol was one of the best decisions I’ve made.
Stay strong.