In this powerful episode of Clean Break Chats, we welcome Victoria Higgins, a full-time coach and former senior leader in the pharmaceutical industry. After 30 years in science, Victoria took a bold step to leave behind the world of corporate pressure to pursue her true calling, coaching.

With a rich background in mentoring, Victoria shares how she found freedom and purpose in her alcohol-free life and the deep transformation that came with it. From navigating personal trauma to empowering women in science, this conversation is a testament to resilience, self-discovery, and the power of stepping into your true potential.

Her inspiring journey will leave you reflecting on your own path, purpose, and the boundaries you’re willing to break. This episode is a must-listen for anyone at a crossroads or seeking a deeper connection with their work and life.

In Episode 08 of Clean Break Chats, Andy and Rich sit down to unpack one of the most overlooked truths in the alcohol-free journey:

👉 The opposite of addiction isn’t sobriety: it’s connection.

Fresh from a powerful weekend together in Leeds, the conversation flows from laughter to deep reflection as they explore how isolation fuels addiction and how authentic connection can be the lifeline that keeps us grounded and growing.

They explore:

• Why addiction loves isolation, even when alcohol is framed as social
• How society sells us the lie that we need alcohol to connect and what happens when we challenge that
• The shift from relying on alcohol for confidence or stress relief to relying on real human connection
• How over-consumption shows up in unexpected places, like self-improvement or even running and can become another form of escape
• The danger of using sobriety as a badge of honour and the risk of judgement in alcohol-free circles

This is a conversation about being human, messy, emotional, striving, stuck and how the way through isn’t perfect sobriety, but honest, vulnerable relationships with ourselves and others.

If you've ever questioned how to stay connected without alcohol, or felt that loneliness creep in during your AF journey, this episode will speak to your soul.

This week on Clean Break Chats, we sit down with Adam Mayhew — co-founder of A-Game Consultancy and a man who embodies calm, courage, and clarity.

Adam shares how he moved from the high-stress world of tech leadership and heavy weekend drinking into a life grounded in stoicism, stillness, and deep self-awareness. What began as curiosity became transformation — one breath, one decision, one moment of honesty at a time.

In this wide-ranging conversation, we explore:

How meditation kick-started a complete life overhaul

Why stoicism is not about suppressing emotion

The 4 virtues that guide Adam’s decision-making

How ‘doing hard things on purpose’ builds resilience

The true meaning of contribution — and how it shapes happiness

Why it’s not about perfection, but practice

Whether you’re at mile 12 of your long run, or sitting with the thought that something needs to shift, this episode might just be the perspective re-frame you didn’t know you needed.

Head over to the website - www.take-a-cleanbrak.com and find information on our current group coaching opportunities.

Sign up for our Next 1/2 Marathon and Marathon Cohort HERE - https://portal.take-a-cleanbreak.com/halfmarathon-6168

In this honest and wide-ranging episode, Andy and Rich dive deep into the mental game of running, the importance of showing up (even when it’s tough), and the connection between running, self-worth, and identity. They explore how running helps build resilience, how to avoid putting all your eggs in one basket, and why our beliefs shape everything we do—on and off the road. Plus, a real talk about setbacks, self-compassion, and the value of community.

From messy mindsets to marathon goals, this conversation is a reminder that we’re all a work in progress—and that’s okay.

In this deeply moving and reflective episode, Andy and Rich open up about navigating grief, connection, and the often-overlooked emotional depth of an alcohol-free lifestyle. Andy shares the sudden loss of a close friend in Spain - a man who walked with him through his entire alcohol-free journey.

Through heartfelt conversation, they explore themes of vulnerability, friendship, rejection sensitivity, and resilience.

This is not just a conversation about loss - it's also about love, courage, and finding light even in the darkest places. From celebrating the power of sober connections to embracing raw emotion without numbing out, this episode is a powerful reminder of what it means to feel and how sobriety gives us the tools to do just that.

They also reflect on the success of the Marathon Heroes, the strength of community, and even a little football banter to close things off.

In this powerful guest episode of Clean Break Chats, Rich Casement and Andy Delderfield are joined by coach, speaker, and mindset expert Adam Smith—a key figure in Rich’s alcohol-free journey and personal growth.

Together, they dive into the transformative impact of stoic philosophy, habit change, and living alcohol-free. Adam shares his raw insights on emotional regulation, ADHD, identity, and building self-awareness that actually sticks. Expect honest reflections, practical tools, and a deeper conversation about what it really means to live life on your “A Game.”

If you’ve ever felt stuck, reactive, or all-or-nothing in your thinking, this episode will give you the mental frameworks to shift into clarity and self-ownership.

🎧 Topics include:

• How stoicism can create emotional balance
• The trap of "self-sabotage" and what it really is
• Rewriting internal narratives
• Why removing alcohol might be the catalyst for lasting change
• How to identify helpful vs unhelpful ingredients in your "recipe for life"

Adam doesn’t hold back and this one will hit home.

Head over to the website - www.take-a-cleanbrak.com and find information on our current group coaching opportunities.

Sign up for our Next 1/2 Marathon and Marathon Cohort HERE - https://portal.take-a-cleanbreak.com/halfmarathon-6168

In this emotional and honest episode, Andy and Rich reconnect post-London and Paris Marathons to unpack two very different journeys to the finish line. From Rich’s mental battle, injury struggles, and reflections on performance, to Andy’s unforgettable experience running London in a full-body Save the Rhino costume, this chat goes deep.

They explore the pressure to prove growth through PBs, the healing power of running, what it means to be truly seen on the course, and why marathons are never just about the time on the clock. Expect vulnerability, laughter, and some very real talk about ego, gratitude, and why this sport continues to change lives.

Whether you're training for your first race or chasing your next PB, this one’s for anyone who’s ever toed the line and wondered what’s really fuelling their fire.

Head over to the website - www.take-a-cleanbrak.com

In this inspiring guest episode, Rich and Andy are joined by Carole Ray – one of our incredible Spring Marathon Heroes who has been training with us over the past 20 weeks with one powerful goal in mind: running her first-ever marathon at the age of 68.

Carole’s motivation runs deep. She’s taking on the London Marathon in support of Young Lives vs Cancer, after her nephew was diagnosed with cancer in 2023. Thankfully, he is now in remission – and his recovery became the spark that gave Carole her why. It drove her to chase something many thought unthinkable – and she’s done it.

Through training, Carole has shown pure grit, resilience, and an ability to “control the controllables.” She is the definition of what consistent hard work looks like. Now, 7 years alcohol-free, Carole is a lighthouse for us all – proof of the strength we can find when we commit to living life fully.

This is a raw, honest, and inspiring conversation.

Carole – just brilliant.