The darker side of hope

I did not think this would happen so quickly.Not even a week into my 500-mile Camino walk across Spain.And already, the game-changing insights are beginning to surface.People walk the Camino for three reasons:ForgivenessHelpAnd thanksI am here to give thanks for everything I have.And I owe so much to one change! I will say this for a fact. Had I not quit alcohol, this adventure would NEVER have begun.There was no time, energy or clarity.I was stuck in survival mode.This week, on the Camino, I was in thrivival mode (That’s not even a word, but you get what I mean)As I walked, I was overwhelmed with gratitude.I am grateful that my relationship with alcohol woke me up.Woke me up to my authentic self.And I am so grateful that it has done the same for so many others.So this message is not too long. I will cover two of the insights, and I save the BIG ones for my Alcohol-Free Advantage podcast. Click the links below to listen to this week's conversation. The hardest move in yoga is getting onto the mat.It is the same for the CaminoIt is the same for all our goals in life.Once started, the adventure springs to life. “Whatever you can do, or dream you can; begin it. Boldness has genius power and magic in it.” Goethe But too many dreams and goals are never started.They get pushed into the background, drowned by the busyness of life.How many unfinished books lie dormant on laptops?How many businesses never make it out of the pub?How many meaningful careers never happen?The secret, therefore, to the Camino and all our goals is the boldness to begin.Stop worrying about the futureWhen you walk for hours without distractions, you hear your mind speaking. And mostly what it says is fear-mongering nonsense.A MAJOR insight for me already is that most of the noise in my head is about the future.As I continuously remind my coaches and clients.If it is in the future, it is made up.It can’t be a fact.All it is, at best, a best guess.But it's never a good guess.It is usually the worst possible imagined thing in the future. It is the crash and burn scenario. Well, that’s what I found in my brain.I now understand what  Mark Twain meant when he said,“I am an old man who has known a great many troubles, but most of them never happened”What a tremendous insight.I know this is not new wisdom, but it was the first time I have EVER had this experience of hearing my brain so clearly that I saw it for what it is.And now I will STOP trying to guess a made-up future. And begin to live more in the present.**I am already in danger of becoming like Uncle Albert from Only Fools and Horses, when he says, “During the war…” and everyone rolls their eyes - here he goes again.“When I was on the Camino….”My takeaway from this first week is to get out into nature and turn off your phone.And take your mind out for a long walk and see what you notice.Until next week, Buen Camino.Your Coach,Andy

12 Mai 202521min

5 Mai 202522min

5 regrets of the dyingHow to avoid them!Hi,We often throw away the line, “No regrets”But do we mean it?Bronnie Ware worked in palliative care for decades.She sat with the dying as they faced the end.And she found a deep love for life.Bronnie turned the insights she gained into an influential book called. ‘The Top Five Regrets of the Dying’.This book had a massive impact on me.It inspired many changes in my life.Including changing careers from running a brokerage to living the life of a coach. And on today's podcast, I will deep dive into each of the top five regrets.But there is one regret I wanted to focus on, and that I struggle with.“I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.”There's something magical about spending time with a good friend. We all know it and feel it.But I have been guilty of prioritising work over friendships. So I wanted to share out loud how the top regrets have inspired me to put more effort into my friendships.Recently, I flew to Ireland to climb a mountain with one of my best mates, and it was a joyful experience.Just this week, I got to hang out with a friend before he ran the marathon.Dressed as a Rhino! On Friday, we have over 100 people joining us for our coach graduation ceremony in London.This will be full of new connections as our coaches fly in from all over the world to meet in person for the first time, having been on a powerful learning adventure together. But it’s too easy to let friendships slide away. Many of us fall into this trap.We all get so busy.With family and general life.And top regret 2: "I wish I hadn't worked so hard", can zap the time required for friendship.But there is always time.Seneca said it best, “It’s not that we don’t have enough time, it’s just that we waste so much of it”Here is an important message for us all from those whose time has come to an end.Stop wasting time on the trivial and unimportant things.Make time for friendships.My no-regrets challenge to you is to reach out to one old friend.Today.Let me know how it goes.Your coach Andy

29 Apr 202520min

Why I am dropping EVERYTHINGI am dropping everything to walk the 500-mile French Camino.El Camino is a 1000-year-old pilgrimage. I am taking the French route. Which begins in Southwest France, then crosses the Pyrenees, and continues all the way west along the top of Spain, finishing in Santiago de Compostela.And it’s been calling me to adventure for over 5 years.When I first wrote it down as one of my goals.Now it is time.Why?In our 24/7 world, it will be the greatest gift to switch it all off for a month.And see what bubbles up.Just me, nature, and my thoughts.And a LONG walk.I have no idea what I will find.Who I will meet.Or what revelations I will experience. Each day, I aim to reflect on these insights and share them with you.*This might change; we will see.I won’t be doing the sharing or have any social media.Everything will be switched off.My wonderful team will help.So today, I thought I would flip the script and ask you for some advice.If you were about to set out on the adventure of a lifetime.What advice would you give me?Your coachAndy

22 Apr 202519min

YouTube channel - just about to rebrand and set this channel up !! https://www.youtube.com/@AndyRamageAFOn Thursday, slightly out of breath and very hot, I walked over the top of the O2 arena in London!As I looked at the city, a shiver went down my spine as I was reminded of my booze fuelled broking days.Then I smiled.And looked over at my daughter, who was with me at the top, and I felt so grateful.I never thought I would be able to leave that world.I thought I was stuck in a career that was making me sick.Drinking too much, stressed, unhappy and unfulfilled. Then, out of desperation rather than skill, I trained as a coach, and my life was changed. The skills I learned helped me to quit alcohol, and slowly everything changed.I felt my confidence return and eventually found the courage to leave the city to start my own coaching business. Here I was 11 years later with my wonderful daughter in the sunshine, feeling on top of the world. I felt so proud that my girl has never really known a dad who drank.Only a Dad who is up for a laugh, healthy, happy, following his dreams and loves an adventure. Although I'm not sure he loves the adventure as much as I do, as I usually drag her along!What I realised as I looked out at London was that the world has changed.I believe times up on alcohol.And we are at the vanguard of something special.A revolution that has taken hundreds of years to happen.And you are part of this alcohol-free revolution!!You are totally ahead of the game!!Your friends and family will look back on these days and know you were the first to lead the way.Think about this - How many times in life do you get a chance to say, you changed the world a little?Archimedes said, “Give me a lever long enough and I shall move the world”We are the lever!And we have moved the world's relationship with alcohol, and it's never going back!What a win.So today I wanted to say thank you to you personally!!Thank you for being part of the movement, making a difference to millions of people's lives.Keep rocking it Dryy.Your Coach AndyPS - Closing soon - Train with me in April.At some point on your alcohol-free adventure, you will want to give back. I think this is the most important moment! Follow this impulse; you never know where it will take you—I am a great example of this. So, if you want to learn the skills of a coach, to give back, and make a real contribution to this short and precious life, come and train with me in April before the final spaces are filled!Click here for more details

15 Apr 202515min

Are you lacking connection?Why connection is vital to our health We instinctively know how vital connection is to our health.But you might not know what I am about to tell you.I was flying to Kerry in Ireland on Friday when a lady walked down the plane towards me.She was looking towards me, but I thought it must be the person behind.But she came right up to me and, with a lovely warm smile, said, “Andy I just wanted to say thank you, I’m 6 months alcohol-free and it has changed my life. I am a better parent and feel much better every way.”I was delighted!!!We both had a wonderful moment of connection. And the connections kept coming. My great mate Col Carrol had invited me to climb Ireland’s highest mountain, Carrauntoohil. The weather was amazing!! (Always sunny in Ireland)We had a few Guinness 0.0s and a couple of incredible hikes.It was joyous.To be with my mate, no alcohol. The buzz was adventure and being in nature.And I was grateful my alcohol-free fitness allowed me to take on the challenge and feel strong.Just after we reached the peak, something unexpected happened. Another lady stopped me to say that she also loved the alcohol-free life and had just recommended my IG & the podcast to a friend!Unreal.After two days of walking and talking, here was my BIG learn:The best things in life are connection and the outdoors. Biking, hiking, running, walking, talking…Being outside. Lights me up.I think it lights us all up.On the Alcohol-Free Advantage podcast this week, I discuss the science of connection and some research that will transform your thinking about connection! Click links below to tune in.Here is my challenge to you this week:With this lovely weather, go for a long walk in nature with a friend.And have some real connection time.Let me know how you get on,Your coach,AndyPS - Train with me in April on my 6-month Coaching Diploma. You will LOVE it. This is not a training course but a transformational experience.Click here for more info www.andyramagetraining.com

8 Apr 202522min

1 Apr 202520min

For the main website to train with me - www.andyramagetraining.com Below are some of the main points I covered in this conversation:You have limitless potentialYou get a choice!You have to take full responsibility Tough things make you strongerIt’s not events that shape your life but your beliefs about themControl what you can You get to paint your future, not anyone elseAlways have a goal Every master was once a disaster Work harder on yourself than you do on your jobPrioritise your body and mindAdd value to the world, and the world, we will reward you for itYour network will be your net worthYour partner and family will be the best thing you have in your life!Get your head up. There is a whole world of opportunity waiting for you!

25 Mar 202530min