Margy - Art of Wine, Sober Wingman and Sober Inclusivity

“I said to this interventionist, ‘Look. If you take away my drinking. It's not going to stop the fact I'm a single mom or that I have this jerk of an ex-husband or that I work this crazy corporate job and that I’m barely making ends meet.’ He smiled and said, ‘No but it will change you.’”

Margy recently celebrated 19 years of sobriety on February 7th but it was just a little over four months ago when she made this a public statement.

She took her first sip at 8, disgusted with the flavor and burn but intrigued by the warmth. Her drinking was “normal” through adolescent and young adulthood but took a turn after her divorce. She was head of PTA, single soccer mom of two with a corporate job and never missed any events but also never missed a detour to the liquor store. Making it all look normal on the outside didn’t trick her family as her brother hosted a family intervention that set her sobriety on track.

Why 19 years of sobriety before being more public? At 10 years sober she shared her story on stage and was told by several influential people that she shouldn’t share that piece of her because she would be judged. She quit speaking her truth until now when her passion for creating inclusive spaces outweighs fear of judgment.

She shares the way she justified her alcohol use for years including that wine tasting was an art and part of a nice dinner to it wasn't a drunk driving accident that ended with the jaws of life but bad weather.

The power of having someone believe in you even when you don't and how seeing people doing what you don't think you can is such an inspiration. We talk about the need to create sober inclusive spaces at all events and making events less alcohol forward (even drinkers are on board with this) and how sober inclusive doesn't mean no booze but not just events focused around booze.

She shares her term Sober Wingman, those who drink but are your 100% cheerleader and support system, and what a key role they play in the sober inclusivity movement.

About Margy

Margy Schaller is a speaker coach and the co-founder of Sober Life Rocks. She has been sober for 19 years but only recently felt comfortable sharing her sobriety in her professional circles.

Sober Life Rocks is a membership-based community for people who are sober, sober-ish, sober-curious, and our favorite, our sober wingmen. Our primary mission is to ensure that no one feels alone at business functions. In addition to supporting each other in community, we are also working with meeting planners and event organizers to normalize sober choices by creating more sober-inclusive environments. In addition to providing alcohol-free options, this encompasses creating a variety of environments at parties where everyone can network and connect comfortably, regardless of what's in their cup.

You can learn more at www.soberliferocks.com or connect with us at info@soberliferocks.com.

About Sober•ish Uprising

At Sober•ish Uprising we find freedom from alcohol on our own terms. Founded by Holly Krivokapich, a former heavy drinker who started a sober•ish uprising of her own and everything changed, we know it's not about saying no to the drink but saying yes to you. Through our podcast, 1:1 coaching and her signature program The Sober•ish Experiment, we support those to create and live their own sober•ish journey.

www.soberishuprising.com