Sober Curious with Laura Naylor

Intro: Welcome to the Sober Yoga Girl podcast with Alex McRobs, international yoga teacher and sober coach. I broke up with booze for good in 2019 and now I'm here to help others do the same. You're not alone and a sober life can be fun and fulfilling. Let me show you how.

Alex: All right. So, hi, everyone. And welcome back to another episode of “Sober Yoga Girl”. I am super excited to have Laura Naylor on the show today. And Laura has been one of the original “Mindful Life Practice” community member since the very beginning. So if you've ever been to a class, you've probably met Laura. She is also the host of “The Radio 2 Breakfast Show” in Abu Dhabi. So welcome to the show, Laura.
 
Laura: Oh, thank you so much, Alex. I'm so excited about this. Thanks for inviting me on.
 
Alex: I'm so happy to have you here. So I was wondering, I want to know more about you and kind of your journey. So I know that you're from the UK, you're in Abu Dhabi here. That's how we met. But how did you end up here? And, like, what has been your journey to this point in your life?
 
Laura: So I was doing-- presenting in the UK, in London. I’m from Preston, but I was living in London for eight years. And then I saw this job that I'm doing now, advertise on a website, presenter website. And I thought it was quite fun. So I thought, why not even though I've never been to Abu Dhabi or Dubai or the Middle East before. I just thought, why not just try it out? And so I applied and then I didn't hear anything for a while. So I forgot about it. And then I got an email, then I had some interviews and then got the job. And then I was like, okay, let's go.
 
Alex: Wow. And how long ago was that?
 
Laura: That was four years ago.
 
Alex: Okay. So we would have come to Abu Dhabi around the same time because I've been here for four years as well.
 
Laura: Yeah 17.
 
Alex: Yeah. Cool. I think we've talked about that before. And were you always on this, like, when you came over, were you always “Breakfast with Rich” or were there other things you did?
 
Laura: No. When I first started, I was on “Breakfast with Rich”. And then I’ve done every show on that station, I've done “Midday”, “Evenings”, “Drive”. But it's been really good. It's been really good experience for me that I've got to do all the different shows. And now I'm back on Breakfast, which I'm really loving apart from the early morning starts, but everything else, I’m loving it.
 
Alex: Oh, my God. Yeah. It's so early. I don't know, I actually thought of you this morning because I had a yoga class at 09:30 and I pretty much got out of bed at, like, 09:25. And I thought of you be like, I don't know how Laura does it. It's like four in the morning, right?
 
Laura: Yeah. Well, usually around half four. But the thing is, I thought it would get easier in time. I thought, you know, after a few months or even after a few years. But it still does not get any easier either. Even if I go to bed at 08:00 at night, I'm still really tired in the morning. But you know it's a small price to pay.
 
Alex: Yeah and then you end work at, like, noon, right?
 
Laura: Well, no. Sometimes a bit before that. All right, so I mean--, this is what I mean.I shouldn't moan about being tired because sometimes I'm out of the door at, like, ten past 10. It's like 4 hours a day. I can't moan about that.
 
Alex: Yeah, it's pretty great. And then I always see your Instagram photos at the beach or the pool or whatever. So that's really nice.
 
Laura: Beach life. Pool life.
 
Alex:  And I can kind of relate to this of like me also having a really unusual work hours. And so for me, it's actually kind of the opposite. I have most days. I don't start until, like, 04:00 p.m., teaching classes. And I kind of have a bit of freedom in my schedule. And so it's kind of the opposite, but the same in that. It's not like a typical nine to five. As most people do. Yeah. So tell me about a bit about-- we talked about this right before the episode started. So right when I met you, you know, you came and did a few of my yoga classes. I had you on social media. And I remember seeing you fund raising for brain tumors. And you had shared a little bit about having a brain tumor yourself. And I wanted to ask you about that because we never talked about that. Like, what was that like?
 
Laura: Well, I mean, obviously it wasn't great. When I first diagnosed of that when I was 21, it happened.
 
Alex: Wow.
 
Laura: So basically I started losing hearing in my right ear. But that was-- that started happening since I was, like 12 or 13. And I have really bad tinnitus in my ear, which is like really loud ringing. It’s like it just sounds like hair dryers going off in your ear like all the time. So I went to the doctors a few times and they just said I was fine. Like I obviously had no symptoms apart from the hearing loss and the tinnitus. So then when I was 21, I moved. I started working on cruise ships. So I went to Tahiti of all places, and then for some reason and I don’t know why, I never know what. Well, obviously, I do, you know what I believe in the higher force universe, God, whatever you want to call it. I went to the doctor on the ship one day because I thought Oh I'm really tired and sick of this ringing in my ear. So anyway, on the cruise ship, we got amazing health care. It's amazing. So they sent me off the ship to the hospital to have scans and things. And then they were like, oh, you need to go home back to the UK.. And I was thinking, what the hell? Obviously, I didn't think anything had happened was serious. So I went home like, you need to go and like have scans and things like that. So I went to the hospital and they did lots of tests on me. But I still didn't think there's anything wrong because I was absolutely fine. Apart from that ringing in my ear, and then they said, oh, you need to have a brain scan and then they were like, oh, yeah. We found this tumor.
 
Alex: Oh my goodness.
 
Laura: Which obviously was absolutely horrific but the worst I mean, so then that was that and then they’re like, you have to have an operation to remove this tumor. And so I was like, oh, my gosh. You know, I don't want to have an operation. And then he just literally looked at me and said, if you don't have this operation, you will die like this. You have to have your operation. So, but luckily, now looking back, at least, like, you know, there's no social media, really then. Otherwise I would have been looking online, looking what it was, what it you know the-- how serious it was. So I had that removed the year after I got the diagnosis, and it all went really well. Like, I had the best professor. And then they said that come back after a year. To say we need to check that it's not come back because these tumors can grow back. And luckily, it wasn't cancerous. So that was amazing. But when I went back the second time, the second year, they were like, okay, we're really sorry to tell you this, but we've now found another tumor on your other side on your other ear. So, I mean, obviously, my mom was like, they're absolutely devastated. I mean so was I. But I was just thinking, I don't know why, but something inside me, told me I was still gonna be all right. I knew I was gonna be all right. But then they were like, you know come back into the hospital. And, I mean, this was probably one of the worst days of  my life. I would say there was like, 15 doctors around the table, me and my mom and dad. And they were like, listen, you’ve got-- we think you've got this condition of tumors on your spine, tumors in your head. You're going to have you know all your family going to have to learn sign language. You're going to have this ear removed because of all my right ear now is removed. They’ll take everything out there. So I’ve got nothing in this ear.
 
Alex: Wow.
 
Laura:  Yeah. So obviously, that day I was like, oh, my God. This is absolutely like, all my family were devastated, obviously, because of all that. And then the fact that you could get tumors on your spine and at any time. So then I went home from that. And then they like, come back again in another year. So I had a year of thinking, oh, my God. This is horrendous. But then the year after that, I went back to the hospital, and the doctor, the professor who I had all the way through, said to show me the scans. And he was like, it's gone. Like, the tumor has disappeared. So I was like, well, where is it gone? And he was like, I don't know. So this to me, is a miracle, because he even said himself and he's at the top professor. Professor Ramsay. I don't even know if he's still at Manchester United, Manchester Hospital now. But he didn't know where that had gone. So I mean, I've always been very-- I’ve always had a very strong faith. I've always believed in something. But obviously for me to have that happen was proof to me, because where did that tumor go. It was taken away. Thank God. Like, you know, so yeah. I mean, I can talk about it now. Like I'm fine now, but obviously at the time it was awful. But at the same time and I know this sounds really weird. I kind of knew that I was always going to be all right all along. So I now believe that me telling this story will give hope to other people that maybe have tumors, cancer. All these awful things happen because they can disappear because obviously, they can, because I've had it. So I know that it can happen, you know?
 
Alex: Wow.
 
Laura: So thankfully. I’m sorry for that.
 
Alex: What a powerful story and something so scary to go through at such a young age.
 
Laura: Yeah.
 
Alex: You are alone.
 
Laura: It was really awful. I mean, it was awful. And I think the worst thing was every year, having the scans and waiting for the results to come back because these tumors do grow back. So, you know, having to wait to find out what was the result, was awful. But then amazing. When you get the result, when it’s like it's all fine. Nothing’s come back.
 
Alex: Yeah. Do you do that? Do you still do that? You got a scan?
 
Laura: No, I’ve got one more scan to have now. Well, I think. I mean, I'm fine.
 
Alex: Yeah. Wow. And it's so powerful because you know, you meet people like you in particular. You have this like energy that is like infectious. You're just so positive and so happy and so like loving to everyone. And you meet people like you and you just have no idea like what someone has been through in their life. You know what I mean?
 
Laura: Yeah. I mean, that's the thing, you know, and I am a very happy person, as you know. Like you know, I'm not fake. I don't put on this positive attitude. That is me. I mean, but then I look at my why, what have I not got to be happy about you know. But I do really sometimes think, I think a lot of people, I think a lot of positive happy people. I think this happened to a lot of people, but people think they've never had anything happen to them in their life. It's like, well, oh well Laura’s alright. Well what’s wrong with-- what she ever had happened to her. But actually, I have had stuff happen in the past. It's just the way I now choose to live. Well, I have always lived my life like that, but I think it's you know, and I know people that are very upbeat and positive and they kind of get not left behind, but it's always kind of like, well, he's alright. She's alright. Like, you've never had any hardships in your life. That's the thing when people don't think you've ever been through anything hard, but actually everybody has to some extent, haven’t they.
 
Alex: Totally. I completely agree. There was someone commented one of my posts. I posted something about, like, the Tropicana commercial, not liking the way they you know, were glamorizing alcohol. And someone commented being like, wow, your life is so wonderful that the only problem you have is this commercial. And I was like, okay, this person clearly doesn't know me at all.
 
Laura: No, it's really interesting, Alex because I think you know, and I on my Instagram when I post single Instagram, whatever. Like you know some people are like, oh, you know, you're always so happy. You're always so positive, but your beach life, this pool life, this-- but actually, that is my life. I am at the beach all the time. I am at the pool all the time. I've got a great life. I've got a great job. I'm really happy. But a lot of people didn't see me when I have no money. I was crying at the bank in London when I had to try and extend my overdraft and I'm running to auditions all day long in London trying to get something. I don't think people seem to realize that that has happened to me as well, you know what I mean.
 
Alex: Totally. Well, thank you so much for like being vulnerable and sharing that.
 
Laura: Oh no, you know I'm really happy to share it because it's weird because I didn't you know, when I first told people when I was doing this fund raising, I actually felt quite bad because even some of my closest friends, I never told them because, not that I didn't want to tell anyone, but it's just a little bit of a difficult conversation to get into, you know, hi oh, by the way, just let me tell you, I've had two brain tumors and this has happened to me, and that happened to me. It's not something that would come up every day, but if somebody asks me or what happened with that, I'll always tell them or always-- But I think I've shared my story. I will always share my story. If there's somebody in a situation where they're like, oh, my gosh, my dad's ill, my mom’s ill. I know I got this one with me. Then I will say, you know, just keep the faith because miracles can happen. Just got to keep believing.
 
Alex: That's the power of sharing our story. I think it's Brene Brown who says, like, you know, “Share your story because it might become someone else's survival guide”.
 
Laura: Yeah. Yeah.
 
Alex: So tell me about how like your journey getting into yoga. Were you practicing yoga before you and I met, or was it something that's been like a recent part of your journey?
 
Laura: Well, I didn't. I did yoga once I remember in London at Fitness First Gym, and I will never forget it because I was really excited about trying it out. And the teacher there, I don't know if I told you this story, but it was just awful because she-- there's probably about 25 people in the class. And I obviously had never done yoga before, didn't have a clue what I was doing. And then I was obviously looking around the class, like, seeing what everybody was doing. And then she was like, and you, you close your eyes. Close your eyes. Like, literally singling me out in the group. Close your eyes and  then I was like, oh, and I’ll close my eyes and I opened them again to look and she was like, no, close your eyes. Close your eyes. What are you doing? And I was like, oh, my God. I'm never, ever, ever doing yoga ever again in my life. That's it. And it really put me off, like, massively put me off because, yeah, because I was like, what the hell was that? But then and then I think I did it. A friend of a friend in London, she was teaching yoga, and she did one class with me, which I went to, which I thought was all right. But I wasn't like, massively into it. And then I did your class, did it at the room in Abu Dhabi.
 
Alex: Yeah.
 
Laura: And then I remember it because, remember at the end of the class, when I came walked to you, I was like, oh, and you got such a nice energy about you, got such a great energy about you. And I was like, oh, my God, l love that class. And then I was like, okay. And then you set up then “ The MIndful Life Practice”.
 
Alex: Yeah.
 
Laura: And that was it. And now I'm addicted.
 
Alex: And for a while, too like, I remember the class that you came to. It just happened to be like, I was subbing on a Saturday morning or something, because then I think the time of my classes for a while before “The Mindful Life Practice” weren't always working with your schedule, because it seems like you have evening stuff going on. I often taught later, like, 06:30 p.m., 07:30 P.M.. And you know, since you're up in the middle of the night, you have to go to bed really early. But once “The Mindful Life Practice” started and there's like the convenience of doing it from your home, and also my-- I was able to set my own schedule. So I was teaching earlier. It just worked. And now it's like, I think it's like 18 months later, and you've done yoga, like, almost every day of that time, which is wild.
 
Laura: Oh, my gosh. I'm so you know what I was thinking about today before I came on here, and I thought, oh, my gosh. Like, there’s so many times-- I sometimes think, what would I do if “The Mindful Life Practice” actually stops? And I like, I'm just like, oh, my God, that could never happen. That could never happen. Because now it's like a massive part of my life, honestly. But you know what, Alex? I have to say that-- and I'm not just saying this, those classes, your classes completely saved me during that-- last year during the whole-- when COVID first hit. And it's absolutely horrific for me. And now I’m you know, this is another thing that people’s did, I think last year with the whole-- everybody suffered in one way or another with COVID. They did, and even the people that said they didn't, they did because we all-- it was, like such a shock for the whole world. But I think there was this kind of mentality at the time. It was like, well, if you still got your job and you're still earning money, you're fine. Again. It's like you're fine, don't you more no complain. You can't be stressed because you still got a job. But yet it was probably one of-- apart from obviously the whole illness and brain tumor thing, probably one of the most stressful times in my life. And I’d very rarely get stressed.
 
Alex: Yeah.
 
Laura: And I was, you know, working from home. As you know, I'm not very technical.
I’m doing-- I can't even click on a Zoom link to make that work. But doing a radio show  from your home, I mean, it was just-- I’d get up at five in the morning, 06:00 and the-- WhatsApp messages would be continuous till 9:00, 10 o'clock at night. And then I just remember that hour of yoga every day. It was just, like, the best possible thing ever. Ever.
 
Alex: And, you know, it was really it was, like, selfish for me, too, if that makes sense. Like, it was-- I was in as much of a spiral as everyone else, just like, what is happening right now in the world. And for me, it was like I started doing it because I needed to do it for my own mental health, you know. And so just to hear, I don't know, the way it like benefited and anchored people, like it was-- I'm just so glad that people got the benefit from it that you know I did as well.
 
Laura: Oh, my gosh, it was so good. I remember at one point, I remember my dad saying to me on the phone, these yoga classes have completely saved you. Like they’ve said. And they did. And it's really hard to explain whenever I explain to my friends who have never done yoga. And it's weird because, you know, like I talk about yoga and I love it so much, but I'm not-- but I know you always say, you can't say you're not good at yoga because there is no good and bad. But, like, I'm not flexible. I'm not great with all the positions. But there's something about it. Remember when I said to you that time and I said, what is it about yoga? Like, how does it-- I remember especially during the last year when I start the class and be like, oh, my gosh, I'm so unbelievably stressed. And then by the end of it, I was absolutely fine after one hour of yoga, like, fine, like a different person.
 
Alex: It's amazing.
 
Laura: But remember, what was it that you put? I think you posted something saying yoga is magic or yoga is a miracle, but it actually is, Alex, isn't it? Like it's hard to explain like what it is that does it to you, but it does.
 
Alex: Yeah. 100%
 
Laura: And that’s right now, I couldn't imagine not doing yoga now. Like, even if I miss a couple of days, if I'm on holiday or away for the weekend, I'm like my body and my mind. I'm like, oh, my gosh. I need to go. I need to do a class. I need to do a class.
 
Alex: Yeah, totally. I have a question for you. Have you ever thought about becoming a yoga teacher?
 
Laura: Oh, my gosh no. No. No. Do you know what I do? I like the whole like, and I wouldn't mind doing it. If I could do it well, but I can't do the poses that well. But also, this is the thing as well, Alex, about you is that you know sometimes I've been to classes and don't get me wrong. Yoga is great wherever you go, but there's something about your style of teaching. I love it. Like, you tell your story. There'll be like, quotes thrown from in there. I live a good quote, as you know. But that's what I think makes it for me because anyone, not anyone. I'm not saying anyone can stand there and go, okay, downward dog. Okay, stand like this. Do this. Do that. And that's all well and good. But I think there's something when you-- I think when you find the right teacher or for me now with your-- with the right community of people, that makes a difference. Because I always say to my friend, whenever my friend, like, if my friend is going through a difficult time, I'll be like, oh  just try yoga. Like, just try yoga. Oh, I don't know that but it has to be Alex’s yoga. Like, it has to be “The Mindful Life Practice”, because otherwise, it won’t be the same.
 
Alex: It means so much to me, honestly, to have your support.
 
Laura: But it is, honestly Alex. It's so true. Like, I'm so grateful for all the classes, honestly.
 
Alex: You're going to be a yoga teacher.
 
Laura: No, I'm not. So even you know, what I find as well with the yoga. Like, with the--I mean, I know you do a lot of meditation, but that is something that I've really struggled with. I've tried a couple of times, not your meditation, but I'm like, oh, I can't, because my mind's always racing, but in a way,  yoga is also meditation, isn't it?
 
Alex: Totally.
 
Laura: Because you're off your phone first.I'm always on my phone, so at least it gives me an hour without phone. So you've got your thought. Your mind is clear whilst you're doing that, yoga class.
 
Alex: Yeah, it's like a moving meditation, like moving with the breath and the poses. And I'm similar to you. When I started meditation in itself, sitting was just not possible. Even like, the yin classes were very difficult for me in the beginning. So much stillness. And then it's kind of like a muscle that grows over time and you know you do a little bit sprinkled in here and there, like at the end of a Asana yoga practice. But no, I can totally relate to that.
 
Laura: But I would like to try the meditation. I'm going to do that, actually, I'm going to try that.
 
Alex: Yeah, we have a lot on the website. A lot on--. I used to do Instagram lives. Actually. I used to do Instagram live meditations. And then there were just so many weird messages, people watching and commenting, like, I want to date you. I was like, I can't do this.
 
Laura: Who needs Tinder when you’ve got meditation on Instagram.
 
Alex: So I want to ask you a bit about your sober curious journey. So tell me a bit about your relationship with alcohol.
 
Laura: So alcohol I think for me has always been around my-- and I would say my job because when I first started, when I first left home when I was 18 and I went to work on Holiday parks in the UK as an entertainer, it was-- alcohol is everywhere every night entertainer’s the drinking. And you’re going you know, you're meeting all the holiday makers. Drink, drink, drink, drink, drink. Then I worked on cruise ships after that. And that was like heavily, you know, influenced by alcohol, the crew bar. I mean, don’t get me wrong. It was a great lifestyle but it’s alcohol here, alcohol there, then you know, working in London, in events, TV, it's alcohols everywhere offered to you all the time. So, you know, and I did obviously drink and socialize and take the free drink whenever I got it. But then I think I start-- I think it was mainly really  when I met-- when you started the sober curious thing. I was thinking oh actually, maybe I should have a look into this because I remember what it was when I had started that class with you and I followed you on Instagram, remember?
 
Alex: Yeah.
 
Laura: And then I saw on your Instagram, you put “Sober Girl” or something. This is before you set up “The Sober Curious” thing. And then I came, went to came up to you the next class and said, oh, II know It’s on your Instagram, you don't drink. And I was like, why do you not drink? But then at that time it was really weird, you know, that I believe in all this, like signs and all this. I think I told you this, that a guy who I knew in Dubai who was a presenter at the time. I met up with him and he had also told me this story of how he doesn't drink. And he told me all this stuff and I was like, alright. And he said, you know, I don't know when to stop drinking. It's not good for me. So he tell me this stuff. And I thought, okay. And then I saw-- I stumbled across that “One Year No Beer” on Facebook and it said everybody should try not drinking for three months and see how it changes their lives. And then I was like, right, that's it. It's a sign. I'm going to Alex’s thing and I'm going to try it out because you know it’s we-- I mean we-- I think everyone you know you can go out and enjoy your drink. Don’t get me wrong. I'm very social, and I love to drink. And I love to hang around with my friends. And I think for me, it's a very social thing, the drinking. But then at the same time, not now, but when I was younger, you know, I did have a massive problem with not knowing when to stop drinking, which I actually think a lot of people have this problem, you know, and I think-- what I think I love about your sober curious thing is that it's making people, as it says, curious, because people are thinking, well, actually, I don't know when to stop. People listening to this now will probably be like, oh, actually, I don't know when to stop drinking either. That's the point. I might have a little look at this because there's so many people that have it, and especially you know with the UAE, with the situation with the drink here. It's everywhere, isn't it? Like it's part of your life here.
 
Alex: Totally. And it's so interesting here because, like, I remember back when I was teaching yoga at the gym publicly, I wasn't sure-- like I didn't talk about my sobriety in my classes because I wasn't sure what I could say and what I couldn't say. Because on the one hand, you have the expat party culture, which is just extreme. You know like It's 01:00 P.M. on a Friday, and people are playing flip cup, and you're like, what is happening. It's like a College frosh week. And then on the other extreme, you have people in the traditional local culture who alcohols a part of their life. And so it's a really interesting combination. And I think because of that, there isn't, like, much discussion and awareness about you know the harmful effects of drinking, and there just isn't really like, I think I'm the only kind of sober curious advocate in the region that I know of. It's just not really talked about.
 
Laura: No and I think it's really interesting that you know I think a lot of people are like, okay, what is this sober stuff, well this is ridiculous. Like, there's nothing wrong with you. Like, come on, you know you've not got a problem. You don't need to at least giving up drink. And then there's the other people that are massively into the sober thing, which is brilliant because now it's becoming the trend and it's a craze to be sober, you know, and which is fantastic. But I also think that it's important to mention that it’s-- you know you're not doing this for people that get up in the morning and have a vodka at 06:00 A.M.
 
Alex: Yeah.
 
Laura: People like me, like, I go out to a brunch with my friends. I love to socialize. I love to have a drink with my friends. I'm not an alcoholic. I'm not getting up in the morning having vodka. But do I sometimes go out and drink too much? Yes, I do. Do I sometimes go out and think and not think, oh, my gosh, I should be stopping now. Yeah, I do. So it's for, like, people that are like, you know, I mean, there's so many people that I know, like on Friday, brunches they’ll go out. I mean, we've all done it. Forget what we've done. Forget what we're saying. We’ve messaged people we shouldn't be messaging. Oh we feel horrific the next day. Oh, my gosh, we'll hang over. And then it starts again the following week and the following week. But you know, I remember at my birthday brunch, and I think because I did those three months sober, didn’t I? Last year with you, and I think that completely changed everything for me then, and I've become a lot better now. But I remember looking around and because I still went out. I still did everything I would have done if I had been drinking and I didn't feel like I missed out at all. In fact, I had a better time doing not drinking. But like, even at my birthday brunch, I remembered I don't know if you were there. And that girl, there was a girl there that she got carried out by the security at one point and because she was that drunk. And I remember sitting, watching, thinking, I feel so sorry for that girl because I thought she’s gonna feel her tomorrow. Everyone would be laughing at her, but nobody else felt sorry for it. Everybody else or my other friends were like, oh, my gosh, look at the state of her, did you see that girl? Oh, my God. And it's like, really, who the hell wants that? Nobody. But it's not and it's like, you don't realize, I think until you actually stop and look at the situation and go, well, actually, this is not-- it's not nice and it's not healthy and it's not good. And also what I've noticed as well since like being that sober curious is friends of mine and, you know, people that, you know, Alex, have given up alcohol and their lives have transformed since they stopped drinking. And there's quite a few people that have been watching their stories going along. And I think, well, this is not a coincidence because it's happened too many times to too many different people now. So one should give up the drink. All other areas of your life improve, that the careers have skyrocketed, the you know relationships, everything has changed for the better.
 
Alex: Totally.
 
Laura: You know, like you don’t think you ever hear anybody saying, I wish I hadn't given up drinking? Do you? Never.
 
Alex: Never.
 
Laura: But even though I'm saying this and I'm still drinking, so I'm not saying I don't agree with drinking because I do like to have a drink, but I just like, to have and to drink a few drinks, not to go too crazy. That’s I want to view that now which I can more or less now I will say, apart from the old time. I have learned to get, you know, quite good with that. But then I am still curious to think, well, what would my life like if I gave it up completely? You know, like I said for you, so, like, I'm at the stage now where I'm really-- I'm only having a few drinks, I’m not going mad, which I used to go crazy when I was younger. So that's a massive improvement already. So I feel happy for that. And I feel thankful to you for that, for like, you know, just with the--even with the Instagram post with the social media, and it's really good. But then I think, what would your life be like, if you completely gave it up? And I remember seeing that guy I know, I always say, I tell the story, too. But you know the guy who does--who used to do the “One Year No Beer”.
 
Alex: Andy.
 
Laura: Andy, yeah. And it was his Facebook video that came up that time. And I was like, okay. And he said, you know, if you're going out to an event, say, like, I have to me so many times, I'm thinking, okay, brunch today. I don't want to go crazy. I don't want to be hang over tomorrow. So in my mind, I'm like, okay, right. What I'll do is I'll have some prosecco say, I'll have four glasses of prosecco. And that's it. But then and then you all--when you are at the brunch, you're thinking, okay, right. Oh, my gosh, right. I can't have anymore. Can’t have anymore. Can't drink after the brunch. But then, like, he was saying that it's so true. Like, for all that extra energy that you're pouring into your mind, going, right, don't drink that. Oh, no. Oh, my gosh. Somebody’s brought a shot or but you can't have that shot. Oh, my God, no, no, no. Then you have the shot. And then you're like, oh, no. Now we're going somewhere else. Should I go somewhere else. Should I drink? What should I drink at this part? It's like, it can be exhausting that.
 
Alex: Yeah.
 
Laura: So then, like, he was saying, like, why just don't drink? Just don't drink the alcohol when you go out. I mean it's easy, said than done. But he's right.
 
Alex: I remember actually speaking of that--
 
Laura: That’s what’s really interesting about the whole thing, you know?
 
Alex: Yeah. I was gonna say it reminded me of-- I remember at your birthday because we had talked about it before, and you saying that you were just gonna have one beer. And then I remember people kept handing you, like, giant bottles of grapefruits. And like wanting to take pictures of you with them. And, you know, I don't care. I'm like, I'm not judging like whether Laura drinks or not. It doesn't matter to me. I'm here as like her friend, her birthday. But I just thought it was so funny because you were like trying to like--
 
Laura: I was like, Oh I thought that did you know what I did? I did to have that beer. And I did have a couple of glasses of champagne that someone gave me, but I was absolutely fine. And it was probably, like, one of the best birthdays I've ever had because I wasn't like, completely-- I didn't go too far. But that's the thing. But then the thing is, though, it's easier said than done, because sometimes you'll go out and it would depend on, like, you know, especially for me getting up at half four in the morning. So Thursday nights now I'm like, I can't go out on Thursday night and drink because I'm so tired. That you know being tired affects how much hard drink affects you and what's happening to you at the time. Like, if you're going through whatever you're going through, you might want to drink more. And it's just-- it's really it's not really worth it. But I think there's a lot of people that can go out and just have one or two drinks and be fine. But there's also a lot of people, more people I would say that will go out drink and not know when to stop and then feel horrific. And then it’s like, well what actually is the point in this?
 
Alex: Yeah.
 
Laura: Especially when I was younger. I'm a lot like-- now I'm a lot better now. But when I was-- especially like in my 20’s, in my early 20’s, like the stuff that I would be you know going out drinking, not stopping drink, it was just like, and I remember one time I went out and my sister said to me, but this is the thing, and it's actually quite scary when you look at it, because we went out somewhere in Manchester. Then we went-- we had loads of drink. And then what got back to our sister’s friends house. And I was like, right. Come on, then. Let's have another bottle, let’s open another bottle of wine. And my sister was like, oh, my God, like how can you even think to be opening another bottle of wine. We’ve drank so much. But I genuinely like, especially when I was younger, did not-- I have no-- there was nothing in me that knew when to stop drinking, nothing at all. But I think a lot of people have that, because and you know, if you don't know when to stop, then you're not going to stop, are you? And like, you know, I think it's interesting because people who will list you know and then if you're a good-- because for me, I am a good if I'm drunk, I'm not bad drunk. I'm not an angry drunk. I'm happy. Sometimes I fall asleep. But that's what I will do. So people will be like, oh, my gosh, Laura, like you’re really socially happy. You’re fine. And that's another thing. I think when people like you’re fine, you’re fine, you’re fine because then you're like, oh well, I am fine.
 
Alex: Right.
 
Laura: But actually, it just sometimes I just think it's just easier just to stop. And there’s so many stories that are similar to this that I've heard from friends, friends of friends. And it's just like, oh, you know, and that guy that told you about the guy that a friend of mine who was a presenter in Dubai but he's not here anymore. He had said to me and it would always stuck with me. He said, I gave up drinking because he said he had a horrific night and he was drunk farting, which didn't know when to stop. And he said, I thought, okay, I'm going to have to stop, I’m stopping drinking I said because I thought, if I don't stop now, what am I going to do, wait until it's too late. Until something awful happens to me.
 
Alex: Right.
 
Laura: And actually, I mean, I know it sounds dramatic, but the stories that you hear about what alcohol-- because it changes your whole perception, doesn't it? And then people will say, well, you know, it's not the same, but it's similar. Like my mom will always say, you know, she struggled with her weight all her life. Then she'll eat too much. So she'll say, you know if I've got a packet of biscuits on the table, here a full packet biscuits. I’ll eat all those biscuits because I want to eat them because I've got this thing with food. But then my mom would say to me when I was younger, but if there's a bottle of wine there, you wouldn't be able to just drink one glass. You drink two or three glasses. So, but then I always used to say, yeah, but the difference is, mom, with food and alcohol, you're not waking up in the morning after you’ve had them biscuits going, oh, my gosh, what did I do? What did I say? I can't remember getting home, whereas the alcohol, you are sometimes. I mean, when I was younger, I mean it was. And I remember, always remember what my dad said once, and I actually do think this is true. I know a lot of people might disagree, but my dad always said to me and my sisters, growing up, alcohol is the worst drug because in a way, because it's legal, it's fine. Everyone’s eyes, you’re social, you’re with your friends, you’ve been sociable. But if you have too much, I mean, God knows what actually could happen, really. So that's why I think when you set up this, I said all right, let me have a look at this because it's interesting really as well to me. But I'm saying this and even people will be like, oh, Laura look at you, you’re doing the sober thing of that, but we’ve just seen you out. Well don't get me wrong, but this is coming from me. And I love a drink. And I you know, I'm very aware that at this moment in time, but I'm not giving up at the moment. But I do think it's important that you only drink what you can manage.
 
Alex: Yeah.
 
Laura: You know, and also it's embarrassing. And I remember when I first got to Abu Dhabi, I mean, oh, my gosh, I was like a kid in a sweet shop out every weekend.
 
Alex: Me too.
 
Laura: I don't know how I did it. I was like, oh, my gosh. Like getting up in the morning and during the week at 05:00 in the morning, 04:00 in the morning, then rocking in at 05:00 in the morning on you know, Friday, Saturday mornings. But it was like, like that was the culture that well, it's still is the culture. But now I think I'm like, I can't do that anymore. But it's so easy. And now we’re looking around when you see people, you know, the brunches they all start off so civilized, and then it just ends in--
 
Alex: Shambles.
 
Laura: Yeah. Shambles every time.
 
Alex: Every time.
 
Laura: Yeah. But then, you know, and somebody was saying to me the other day, Oh you know I’ll just wish that we could go to brunches and just go home after the brunch. But I don't know. I mean, I've been here for four and a half years and I've not known one person to go home after a brunch. I haven’t and it's like and then it's the after part, and that's spirals out of control. And it's just like oh.
 
Alex: Yeah, it's amazing that you've been able to you know, moderate and like reduce in the culture that we are in now. And I think even just having, like, a curiosity about it right now, no one's journey is completely linear. And, you know, so kind of having a curiosity taking your 90 day break moderating, like, those are all, it’s like mindful drinking, you know.
 
Laura: Yeah. And I think another thing I think I’ve said this to you before about, you know, I was thinking even this month, I thought, you know, what I'm going to do, like, dry August, I'm going to have a break from, you know, drinking. But I thought, oh, no. Well, I've got a week. I've got that each holiday. And I've got this. Oh, maybe I'll do September. Then I've only got friends birthday’s in September. But I think we, like, associate, like, drinking with these-- think like, holidays, birthdays, Christmases, you know? Oh, you’re celebrating something. Let's have a drink. You’re sad about something. Let's have a drink.
 
Alex: Totally.
 
Laura: Isn't it? Like and really, I think it's everything. Well, I do believe everything's in your mind, but I think the same for the alcohol as well. That's why I'm so, like, curious about it, because I find interesting. As well as the fact that it’s you. You know I've cut down a hell of a lot. And I'm proud of myself for doing that because it is easy to--, you know, but I think, like you know, some people are like, oh, well, you know, all it is if you go out and have a few drinks and then sometimes you go too far. That's what every single human being does. But then I think other people that have had, you know, when I was younger, I did have that issue of not being able to stop. I think it is important for me to be like, aware of. And be-- and this is really I think it's great what you’ve set up, Alex, because nobody else is doing this kind of thing, are they? I think like other people are like, right. Stop drinking. Whereas, you're not like that. You're like it's your own journey, but you are allowed to be--, you can be curious about it without giving up the alcohol.
 
Alex: Totally.
 
Laura: You know, and everything in moderation. But like, my mom used to say to me when I was younger. Everything in moderation. But then if you don't know when to stop, then you shouldn’t, well, that’s the thing. Isn’t It? You know, but I think only you--, each person that they-- if they’re curious, they'll find their own like path. And what helps that-- Yeah and what's for them.
 
Alex: Well, if you ever decide that you want to take another break again.
 
Laura: Yeah, you want to do that. And you know what, Alex? Last time I took that break, it was honestly one of the best things I've ever done. And even, like friends of mine would say to me, oh my gosh, you can tell you're not drinking anymore because you look different. Like you look so much better. Whereas I wasn’t think I look better. But it's like everything. And also another thing that I think I heard, I think Jasmine said this on her podcast with you. And like for the weekend when she was like, you know, you drink-- so if you're out at Friday brunch, I can't possibly meet you on Saturday morning because I'll be hang over. So Saturdays out.
 
Alex: Right.
 
Laura: Like, the whole day of your week is out because, you know, you're going to be hang over from that day. But that's really sad, isn't it? It's the thing. Oh my gosh, that that day is gone now because--and then when I was about three months, when I was up every morning doing yoga, doing whatever. And I remember my friend said to me, my friend, a really good friend of mine in Australia. She messaged and sent me a voice note once and she said, Laura, she's like, you're at your best when you're not drinking and you're doing yoga. And I was like, that's true. It was like, that's when you're at your best.
 
Alex: Yeah, it’s so true.
 
Laura: Yeah.
 
Alex: Well, if you do ever are curious about it again, we have the new-- since you joined last time. We now have the Sober Curious Yoga school. So it involves like meditation and yoga and also journaling. You probably really like it actually these workbooks. So whenever you're ready for exploring it again, I'm here.
 
Laura: Yeah, I'll definitely definitely do it again. Definitely.
 
Alex: Awesome. Alright, I have a very important question for you. So yesterday, you posted a picture of Carrie and Big together from “Sex and the City”. And now the debate is happening on my Instagram. My Instagram poll. I have to tell you, it's like the most voted for poll that I've ever gotten on my Instagram story. It's like hundreds of people that have voted and majority are team Aidan. Unfortunately, I know your team Big.
 
Laura: You know what? It's so funny because I was like, I love Big. I love Mr. Big. My friend message was sent me a massive message into my Instagram. And he was like, oh, my God. Laura, are you actually serious? Team Big, God’s sake. Like, what is wrong with you? But you know what? Mr. Big has got something about him. Like, you know, for Aidan, don’t get me wrong, Aidan is a lovely guy. Like, Aidan is very sweet and everything.
 
Alex: But Big does have this charm. He 100% does. I loved him when I only saw the movie, like, movie one, I was like, oh, my God, this handsome, charming, rich guy who gets the penthouse with a walk-in closet. You know, like, it was very, very charming. And then when I watched the whole season, I was just like, I mean, to be fair, I also watched the whole season, the summer when I was like experiencing depression. So it's like, maybe that was not impacted my view of him. My mood was just like, bad that summer. But no, I'm an Aidan fan.
 
Laura: It just made me laugh. And you said, oh, well, fair enough, he bought her a walk in closet. No, but you know what it is about Mr. Big? I think Mr. Big is one of those guys who got lots of layers, many layers, you know, and you’ve got to peel down the layers to get to the core. I do quite like guys like that. Adrian’s nice so obviously. Yeah.
 
Alex: I'll have to watch the whole series again. Now I feel re-inspired before the next movie comes out. We can do a “Sex and the City” marathon. That would be fun.
 
Laura: Yeah, yes, definitely. Yeah.
 
Alex: So I'm wondering, last question before we wrap it up, do you have any advice for someone who wants to start a yoga journey or a sober curious journey or both?
 
Laura: I think definitely try your-- because you do like I mean, I know you used to do, like, the weeks free trial or something don't you?  Like we do that.
 
Alex: Two weeks.
 
Laura: Two weeks. That's it. Yeah. And I would definitely, a 100% recommend your-- and I'm not saying this because I'm your friend and I'm doing this on this podcast, but I would definitely recommend your classes or anybody else’s, the MLPC. And you know,I didn't have any yoga experience before I started with you, and I'm not you know, flexible in anything like that, but It has really, honestly and I cannot thank you enough Alex, it has seamlessly changed my life, these classes. I could not live without these classes now, honestly, seriously. And with the “Sober Curious Yoga”, not just your other sober curious. I think everyone should try it. Alex, I think if you've ever been out and about whether you're in the UAE or wherever you are and you've had hangovers, you've woken up the next morning. And, I mean, oh, my gosh. I remember all from feelings when I was younger, waking up still in your clothes, lights on, can't find your phone, where is your bag. Where is your wallet. How did you get home. If you've ever experienced that in your life and you’re still experiencing it, then you should be curious to think what would my life would be like without that in it? And it's not saying. Do you know what I mean? Alex, you're not preaching to people. This is the thing. And I think some people get a little bit confused thinking of, oh, my God. Like, what this or giving up alcohol. But you're actually not saying that. It's just people that are curious that, you know, and let's be honest. I mean, I love a drink. Our lives would be better without it for many different reasons. And I think we all know that. And I think the interesting thing is whoever I speak to about my friends, and they're like, oh, my God. Laura, why are you doing that? You don't need to give up. You're fine, which I am fine. But I then think, actually, you're curious because you keep asking me about it. So that's also interesting because I think they wouldn't keep asking me or giving me their opinions on it, if they weren't curious, were they? And these are also drinkers, that I've had hangovers, that I've had anxiety, that had all this kind of thing. So it's like, well, actually, why don't you just try it and see what it does for you.
 
Alex: Totally. Just give it a whirl.
 
Laura: Now everyone-- anyone sees me out and about with a wand and be like, right. Excuse me. How many of you had.
 
Alex: Well, Laura, thank you so much for coming on the show. It was honestly so fun to just sit down and chat with you and get to know you better. And I really appreciate you taking the time to be on the show, so thank you so much.
 
Laura: Thank you so much. Alex. You've been so nice to chat to you, as always. And thank you so much for the classes. I really do appreciate you and all teachers.
 
Alex: Thank you, Laura. And you have a class soon now, right?
 
Laura: Yes, I do.
 
Alex: So I'll let you get going to do that. Take care, Laura. Bye.
 
Laura: Bye.
 
 Outro: Thank you so much for tuning into this episode of Sober Yoga Girl with Alex McRobs. I am so grateful for every one of you. Don't forget to subscribe so you don't miss the next one and leave a review before you go. See you soon. Bye.