Episode Details

What if rethinking your relationship with alcohol wasn't about restriction, but about discovering a new version of yourself? Anna Donaghey introduces a raw and funny conversation between the Gavin Sisters, who went from "beer-swigging, Chinese takeout comedy double act" to thriving, teetotal vegan wellness entrepreneurs.

Starting with Sharon's health crisis, the Gavin Sisters share how identity naturally shifts when you let go of the rituals that no longer serve you. Through illness, single motherhood, and career shakeups, they show how quitting drinking can open up a bigger life. If you worry you won't be "you" without alcohol, this episode offers a hopeful, relatable new script.

Here are the Highlights:

00:00 Intro: The “identity question” behind drinking habits

02:14 The Gavin Sisters’ old routine: comedy, wine, and takeout

04:08 Sharon Gavin’s illness, diagnosis, and the wake-up call

08:19 Loretta Gavin on why she couldn’t imagine life without alcohol

10:40 How pressure and pain pushed both sisters to make a change

11:45 Why quitting alcohol was the “biggest needle mover”

14:35 Firsts: sober holidays, Christmas, hens, and the surprising joy

16:07 Sobriety doesn’t fix everything but it brings energy for real problems

22:15 How stories about “who you are” can limit or liberate you

25:02 Key advice for anyone in an identity shift: give it time

28:37 Sharon Gavin on seeing wine as “anxiety in a glass”

29:00 Fourteen years alcohol-free: real freedom and zero regrets

30:00 Why it’s okay to just give up for a month

30:45 Gratitude for Anna Donaghey and the journey

Anna’s book "What Are You Thirsty For? Rethinking Alcohol and The Life You Want", is now out in the world for you to buy!

Order your copy, access her free tools and explore her coaching programmes at: https://thebigdrinkrethink.com/

The Thirsty For More Mindset Lab is Anna’s ‘inner circle’ - a calm, thoughtful space where conversations continue, patterns are explored, and things begin to make sense. Find out more at: https://thirstyformore.substack.com/

If you appreciate the podcast and would like to show a bit of love, you can donate the cost of a coffee here. It helps support the time and care that goes into making the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/bigdrinkrethink

About the host Anna:

Anna is a certified Alcohol Mindset Coach, trained by Annie Grace of This Naked Mind. Drawing on her own journey out of alcohol addiction, she now helps others explore and control their drinking. With a career spanning 25 years as a Strategist in the Advertising industry, she combines her own lived experiences, with great insight into what makes us tick and what influences us to behave the way we do.

Connect with Anna:

Website: thebigdrinkrethink.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annadonaghey

Instagram: <