I quit drinking alcohol and jumped back on the bike

“90 days alcohol-free changed my routine, my mindset, and my life.”

OYNB Hero Story

Last Friday marked 90 days, and I started it with a 05:45 cycle — an hour on the road with a mate, then back home for breakfast with my kids before heading to work with a spring in my step. This has become my new routine a few days each week.

Before OYNB, I never did anything like this. I never even ate breakfast with my family midweek — I was usually rushing out the door, tired, foggy, and unfocused.

Now everything feels different.

I’ve experienced countless changes — some obvious, some subtle, some completely unexpected.

And I’ve had unwavering support from my wife. She’s even drinking less now, just because I stopped. People around me have accepted it, too. No big drama, no heavy conversations, no awkward reactions. Sobriety is almost the new normal — and that’s exactly how I want it.

Was Your First 90 Days Difficult?

If I’m honest — and honesty is the backbone of the OYNB group — I didn’t find the 90 days incredibly hard. I was determined. I’d managed 5–7 weeks before, and I’ve always been good at sticking to a challenge once I commit.

The daily OYNB emails helped more than I expected.They taught me how to break habits…how to stop the “I’ve had a crap day so I deserve a few beers” autopilot…how to rethink my default patterns.

My goal was simple:Do 90 days and learn to drink moderately — maybe 1 or 2 beers and stop there.Find the elusive off button that had escaped me for 25 years.

Why Did You Take the OYNB Challenge?

Throughout the challenge, my wife and I had a lot of honest conversations — some easy, some uncomfortable. We revisited times I’d drunk too much, embarrassed myself, ruined nights out, or become argumentative.

The hardest truth?

I didn’t care enough about the people around me to stop.Not because I meant harm — but because alcohol always won.

I wasn’t a violent drunk. I just became messy, repetitive, annoying, sometimes argumentative — the sort of drunk that drains the fun out of everyone else’s night.

Those conversations were hard, but necessary.A kind of emotional decluttering.

Have You Seen Changes in Your Life?

Absolutely.

Last week I rode my bike 5 days out of 7 — something I would have laughed at a few months ago. I never had the fitness, energy, or motivation before.

I’m training for a 160+ km ride in one of the most beautiful places in the world, and I’m not going into it half-prepared. I want to cross that finish line strong — and for the first time, I know I will.

My mind is clearer. My mood is better. My body finally feels like mine again.

Sobriety has created space in my life — space for better habits, better conversations, better choices.

Will You Let Booze Back Into Your Life?

In two weeks, I’m travelling to Europe to see a friend I’ve been drinking with for 25 years. I’ve imagined the moment: sitting outside, sun shining, sharing a cold beer like we always did.

Part of me thinks I could handle 1 or 2 now.Part of me says:“Don’t do it. Look at how good life feels right now.”

I’m not panicking about it. I don’t feel trapped or pressured.But yes — the question is there.

Do I continue with another 90 days?Do I test the “off button”?Do I keep this momentum?

I don’t know yet. But I’m okay with not knowing.

What matters is this:The change has been incredible. The benefits are huge. The challenge works.

Final Thoughts

Whether you take on 30 days, 90 days, 365 days, or a lifetime…just start.

My life is better, my mind is clearer, my routine is healthier, and my relationships are stronger.

I’m grateful to the OYNB team and everyone in this community who shows up day after day with honesty, courage, and commitment.

Keep going — and good luck.

OYNB Hero