In this episode of the EZ Conversations podcast, Andy shares his transformative journey of overcoming alcohol addiction and embracing a life full of adventure. Growing up in the Shetland Islands, Andy developed a lifelong addiction to alcohol despite achieving a successful career in various industries. His turning point came in his 50s, triggered by a profound realization inspired by Michael Jackson’s ‘Man in the Mirror’. Andy discusses how he leveraged neuroscience and a personal commitment to change his life, leading to adventures like cycling the Tour de France course and reaching Everest base camp. Throughout the conversation, Andy emphasizes the importance of resilience, embracing vulnerability, and the power of gradual, mindful progress. His story serves as an inspiration for anyone seeking to overcome personal challenges and pursue extraordinary goals.

A heavy drinker from age 13, Andy’s life was dominated by alcohol for nearly 40 years. Despite a hugely successful and award-winning career across the healthcare spectrum, inside, he was falling apart. He tried ‘everything’ to regain control of his drinking – AA, Hypnotherapy, Counselling, his Doctor – and when none of it worked, he assumed he was broken and unfixable. One day, inspiration came from the most unusual of places – the Michael Jackson song, ‘The Man in the Mirror’. This started a voyage of self-discovery and learning to work with the dark forces within him rather than beating himself up relentlessly. His turnaround in his relationship with alcohol was so profound it inspired him to seek new challenges – taking on the entire course of the Tour de France for a children’s charity, mountain biking across the Arctic Circle, and, in 2023, riding his bike to Everest Base Camp to inspire others that sobriety brings joy and fulfilment back into your life.”

00:00 Welcome to EZ Conversations Podcast

00:58 Andy’s Early Life and Struggles with Alcohol

02:39 Turning Point: Overcoming Alcohol Addiction

06:17 Life After Alcohol: Embracing Adventure

07:43 The Power of Asking and Self-Discovery

10:51 The Importance of Saying Yes and Facing Challenges

16:21 Lessons from the Tour de France

32:14 Building Resilience and Facing Fears

41:48 Finding Purpose and Helping Others

45:59 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Sponsors of the Podcast:

• BetterHelp: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://betterhelp.com/ez10⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for 10% off your first month of Therapy
• WeShape: https://weshape.postaffiliatepro.com/scripts/dcfogwyuk?a_aid=FurkhanDandia&a_bid=d7508fa8 for 35% all plans.
• Aura: https://aura.com/ez10 for a free two-week trial
• Plunge: https://plunge.com/ez
• Mint Mobile: ⁠https://trymintmobile.com/ez10⁠ for 15$ for an unlimited cell phone plan
• Mental: ⁠https://getmental.com/ez
• NuCalm: https://nucalm.com/free-trial?/ref=ez for a one-week free trial

If you would like to support EZ Conversations, here are all the ways you can do that:

• Instagram⁠⁠:⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/eunoiazen⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://m.facebook.com/eunoiazen⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• YouTube⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrqBp_zdRiIfBRV4wURSZ2A⁠⁠⁠
• LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/furkhan-dandia-ccc-mba-072a8a1ba/
• Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/EzConversations⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Or find Furkhan’s Book, Pursuit of Self Love: 30 Uplifting Messages and Reflections. The Kindle version is available on Amazon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.amazon.ca/Pursuit-Self-Love-Uplifting-Messages-Reflections-ebook/dp/B0C4D1XYL1⁠⁠⁠

Subscribe to the EZ Reflections Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ez-reflections-newsletter.beehiiv.com

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Furkhan Dandia Therapist and Coach

I am a men's coach, therapist, group facilitator, podcaster and author. My journey began five years ago when I was going through a separation. I found myself alone and in a shame spiral that our culture and society covertly exert on people due to the perceived "failure" of a marriage. Unfortunately, I personalized that message which led me to fall deeper into a hole, causing me to surround myself with people that did not serve me and engage in substance abuse. While seeking therapy, I was not making the wholesale changes I needed.

As part of my experience with therapy, I realized that I am not alone in the challenges men my age experience (I separated at the age of 34/35). I realized I could be a voice for men like myself and offer support in this space. In the middle of the pandemic, I applied for a Master's degree in Psychology to become a therapist. This change was a significant shift for me as I worked in the corporate world as an engineer. Once I leaned into the space of supporting other men, I also started a podcast to normalize these difficult conversations and started a men's group a year later with the support of a friend.

I thought I was giving something back when I started the men's group. However, I quickly realized I was getting substantially more from the connections I built than I initially anticipated. It was also something I needed because I was going through another breakup.

At that point, I also realized that I had not taken the time to heal, and I was outsourcing my healing through romantic relationships, substances, material acquisitions and superficial relationships. I decided to step away from the outgoing lifestyle and started to focus on my healing which was another phase of evolution for me on my journey. Over the last year and a half, I have become mindful of the people I spend my time with. I have cleaned my lifestyle of substances, toxic environments and behaviours. I have focused on my sleep, my health and my knowledge. I have improved my spiritual relationship with myself, which was lacking the most over the past five years. This is the best I have felt.

As part of my solitude journey and to find myself again, I also released a book encapsulating my journey, which I hope to share with others. My book is titled: The Pursuit of Self-Love.