Why I Quit Getting Drunk

read on: themovementmemo.com

read time: 7 minutes 

Welcome to The Movement Memo, a bi-weekly newsletter where I share actionable tips to help you live your best day ever, every day.

Today's Programming 

• Movement: Metcon for time 

• Quote: Maxwell on routines 

• Lesson Learned: Why I quit getting drunk

• Optimization: My Friday night routine

Today's Movement 

Complete for time: 

• 50 Dumbbell Thrusters (35/25 lbs)

• 40 Pull-Ups

• 30 Box Jumps (24/20 inches)

• 20 Deadlifts (225/155 lbs)

• 10 kettlebell swings (53/35 lbs)
  
  
  

Today's Quote

Change doesn’t come with a grand gesture.

It’s not one big decision; it’s the quiet shift of a thousand small choices. Swapping a night out for an early morning, choosing clarity over the haze.

One by one, those choices add up. They shape who you are and, slowly, who you become.

This is how I quit getting drunk—not in a single moment, but in a string of moments that built a life I didn’t want to escape from.

Today's Lesson Learned:

Why I Quit Getting Drunk: Trading Hangovers for Highs

There’s a feeling we’re all chasing.

We want to feel alive, energized, and fulfilled. We want those moments that bring clarity, connection, and purpose.

For a long time, I’d get there with alcohol. Friday through Sunday, my nights revolved around bars, parties, and drinks. The Monday morning reality? I’d sober up just in time to be functional, dragging myself to work on fumes, just waiting for the next weekend.

It was fun—until it wasn’t.

Eventually, I started to feel trapped in this routine. I kept chasing the same highs, but they felt emptier every time. My mornings? Gone to grogginess. My energy? Tanked. 

The worst part? The regret.

I realized what I really craved was a state change—a way to feel alive without needing an escape. I wanted a high that lasted, a rush that didn’t fade with a hangover.

So, little by little, I started trading my Friday nights for early Saturday mornings. I swapped the bar scene for the gym. I replaced the buzz of alcohol with the thrill of a clear-headed day. And that subtle shift transformed my life.

This is why I quit getting drunk—and how trading hangovers for highs led me to a life that’s fuller, clearer, and one I’m excited to wake up to.

From Last Call to First Light

There was a time when I lived for the weekend. Bars, friends, drinks— I partied harder than anyone — it was the highlight of my week. But the pattern started to wear thin. Every Sunday felt like I was erasing progress, only to start over again on Monday. The cycle was exhausting.

Then, I signed up for a sprint triathlon. It felt bold, maybe even unrealistic. At the time, my “training” was barely a routine. But that one decision became a turning point.

The more I showed up, the more I craved that feeling that exercise brought. Early morning workouts gave me a clarity I hadn’t felt in years. Instead of trying to numb the pain of a hangover, I had the focused rush of progress. 

It was more addictive than any buzz.

I didn’t want to go back. Each time I chose a morning workout over a night out, I felt like I was reclaiming a part of myself I’d lost along the way. The old routine lost its grip, and the “last call” lifestyle no longer had a hold on me.

Sunrise Wins Over Sunset Regrets

There’s a weight that comes with regret. It’s heavy, and it builds up over time.

Too many Sunday mornings, I’d wake up with that weight pressing down—a reminder of wasted hours, poor choices, the dread of starting Monday behind and trying to piece together what happened the night before. The hangover wasn’t just physical; it was mental and emotional. It told me everything I didn’t want to hear.

But with each sunrise workout, that weight started to lift.

I’d wake up clear-headed, energized, and ready to take on the day. No guilt, no regret, no lost time to make up for. Instead of undoing the damage from the night before, I was building momentum.

Imagine the freedom of waking up unburdened by the weight of yesterday. When you let go of drinking, you’re not just giving up alcohol; you’re freeing yourself from anxiety, self-doubt, and wasted potential.

It wasn’t about saying “no” to drinking—it was about saying “yes” to clarity, confidence, and control.

Friends That Fuel, Not Drain

The hardest part about quitting drinking wasn’t the drinks themselves. It was the fear of missing out, of losing touch with people and memories.

But as my priorities shifted, so did my friendships.

I found friends who fueled me. People who valued mornings over late nights. People who showed up for sunrise hikes, long runs, and hard workouts. In run clubs, triathlon meetups, and the gym, I found my people—ones who didn’t need a drink to connect deeply.

Some of the best friendships I’ve ever made didn’t start in a bar at 2 a.m.; they started in the middle of a trail, at the top of a mountain, or in the sauna after a hard workout. These were my people, people with a purpose, goals, and discipline. Our conversations weren’t about who could take the next shot—they were about who could push a little harder, go a little further.

I’d traded surface-level interactions for friendships that made me feel alive. When you surround yourself with people who build you up instead of holding you back, life just clicks.

Powering Up, Inside and Out

Here’s the thing: quitting drinking isn’t just about avoiding hangovers. It’s about realizing your potential when you’re no longer held back.

Without alcohol, I felt unstoppable. My workouts became stronger, my focus sharper, and my energy limitless. I started training at my full capacity.

Every morning I woke up without a hangover was a chance to push further, to build a version of myself I could be proud of. It wasn’t just a physical transformation—it was mental too. My thoughts were clearer, my mood steady, and my days filled with purpose. I’d finally broken free from the highs and lows of drinking.

Every drink I passed up was an investment in my future. I wasn’t just giving up a habit; I was creating a life I was excited to live.

A Glass with a Purpose

But this isn’t about all-or-nothing. It’s about intention.

Today, I only drink when it truly adds to the experience. A wine tour in Napa? Sure, I’ll have a glass. But a random Friday night? I’d rather keep my clarity.

I call it the “Napa Rule”—drinking only when it enriches the experience. Not because of pressure, habit, or routine. Just pure, intentional choice. Life is meant to be lived. 

The freedom is in the control. I’m no longer tethered to alcohol. I can enjoy a glass without falling back into old patterns.

Think of it this way: drinking with purpose isn’t a restriction; it’s liberation. The choice to stay present, to protect my clarity, and to keep the life I’m building in focus.

Redefining a ‘Good Time’

We all want to feel like we’re living a good life like our moments have meaning. For years, I thought that meant going out, letting go, getting lost in the noise.

But today, a “good time” looks different. It’s a morning hike with friends, a long bike ride, and a sunrise lift. It’s a day filled with activities that make me feel fulfilled, not empty.

Redefining joy is powerful. For me, it meant finding new highs that aligned with my values. It meant letting go of a version of fun that no longer served me and choosing one that built me up.

What’s your version of a “good time”? 

Maybe it’s not the same as mine, but find it—and let it be the foundation of a life that excites you.

For me, quitting drinking wasn’t about losing something. It was about making space for something better. Whenever I chose a workout over a drink, I chose my future self.

If you’re stuck in a cycle that doesn’t serve you, know this: it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Start small. Trade one drink for one workout. Choose one sunrise over one late night.

In the end, it’s not about giving up anything. 

It’s about building a life that excites you to wake up every day, ready to take on what’s next.

Today's Optimization

My Friday Night Routine:

I take Dream Powder every single night, with no exceptions, about 30 minutes before bed. I froth it in a cup of goat milk or homemade nut milk, which makes it even creamier and more delicious. I start feeling it after about 10 minutes, this pleasant relaxing sensation. After that, it’s easy for me to slip into sleep. The next morning, I wake up feeling energized and ready to train.

I use a wearable called COROS to track my health. Here’s a screenshot of my sleep data after a night of Beam.

As an athlete, I am super up-to-date on the optimal sleep stats, and I notice that mine are MUCH better when I take Dream. This definitely translates to my training the next day. When I’ve gotten enough sleep, and REM and Deep Sleep at the proper amounts, my body functions optimally and I hit my targets more frequently. It’s just science.

REM sleep, which is responsible for emotional learning and memory, should account for approximately 20-25% of your overall sleep hours, and Deep Sleep, which is responsible for physical repair, should account for about 13-23%. And it’s common knowledge that adults require about 7-9 hours of sleep per night.

As you can see above, on a night when I take Dream, I pretty much hit all those targets. I slept 8 hours and 20 minutes total. My REM sleep sits at 22.6% of my total sleep hours, and my Deep Sleep accounts for 18.4%.

Dream has 5 natural sleep ingredients that work together to enhance sleep and lead your body through all 4 stages: Nano Hemp (for optimal absorption), Reishi mushroom, Magnesium, L-Theanine, and 3 mg of Melatonin (which is actually on the lower end for a sleep supplement, allowing me to wake up with no grogginess).

Today Beam is offering Movement Memo subscribers a deal: 15% off using code “ehinman” at checkout!

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Publisher: Eric Hinman

Editor-in-chief: Bobby Ryan