Compared to before I started is night and day – Curtis Cochrane

From Friday binges to family Fridays: my OYNB journey

I was never a during-the-week drinker – but as soon as Friday came, I would get this feeling that I’d “completed” the week and it was time to reward myself.

It was my cue to wind down and relax, because I was giving so much of myself to my clients, kids and work. Friday was the day I would let loose. I had this constant feeling that I had to be somewhere, doing something, with anyone.

The same Friday texts went out every week:

“Hi mate, what are you up to, what’s your plans tonight?”

I’d send that to multiple people, then pick the “best” option. In reality, I was just using people to get drunk with.

Before OYNB

I was a classic binge drinker – drinking to get drunk.

That meant:

• horrible hangovers

• entire weekends written off in bed

• sleeping the days away instead of living them

I was missing out on time with my kids, leaving my wife to take them out on her own while I nursed a self-inflicted crash.

I had stopped drinking once before, for eight months, while training for a fight – so I knew I could do it. But then I snapped my knee ligaments. I couldn’t train, felt low and frustrated, and drifted straight back into drinking… this time even more, using alcohol to numb the frustration and depression of being sidelined.

Starting my OYNB journey

This time I was determined to stick to it.

I wasn’t expecting anything miraculous from joining the OYNB Alcohol-Free Challenge, but I was genuinely intrigued by all the incredible success stories I’d seen online. I signed up to give myself structure, accountability and extra motivation.

Over the course of my challenge, the biggest lesson has been learning to be comfortable at home on a Friday and not feel like I have to be somewhere else.

Now I can be completely content:

• just sitting on the sofa

• with my girls

• watching a movie or having pizza

No FOMO, no urge to chase the next night out, no scrolling through contacts to find a drinking buddy.

The physical benefits have been huge too:

• I’ve lost over 20 lbs in weight

• I train every day

• I no longer waste three days recovering from a weekend binge

• my memory and mental clarity have improved

• my focus is amazing

Because of that new focus and energy, I’ve finally done the things I’d talked about “for years” but never started:

• built a games room

• started the extension on the house

• taken on football coaching at the weekend – a responsibility I genuinely love

OYNB really helped me to reach this place

The structure and support made all the difference.

I looked forward to the daily emails – checking what day I was on and soaking up whatever inspiring content they contained. On days I felt myself wavering, I’d dive into the success stories from other people and remind myself why I started.

Today:

• I have a fully stocked bar at home

• my friends are welcome to drink from it

• it doesn’t affect me one bit

I don’t even think about drinking anymore, and I’ve set my sights firmly on reaching the 365-day challenge milestone.

Right now, I feel that if I ever chose to drink again, I could probably do so in moderation – but honestly, at this point I have no interest in drinking at all.

I’ve learned so much from this process, and compared to where I was before I started, this is night and day. I don’t want to go back there, so I’ll do everything I can to stay on this path.