Solemate Runners recorded this episode on 25/05/26 to mark Paul’s 1,000 days sober, with a warning about swearing and discussion of addiction, drugs, and drinking. Paul explains his history with drugs and heavy drinking, describes giving up alcohol for eight years before returning to it after relationship changes, and shares the turning point that led him to quit again after blacking out at a family barbecue. He discusses how social situations feel harder without alcohol, why he can’t stop at one or two drinks and why he avoids non-alcoholic tipples. They connect sobriety loosely to running, address claims he’s swapped addictions, explore why he chooses extreme ultramarathons, touch on ADHD questions and dyslexia, and end with Paul accepting he is an alcoholic and encouraging others to keep trying to quit.
00:00 Welcome to Solemate Runners
00:30 Why This Episode Exists
00:54 Content Warning and Themes
01:29 The 1000 Days Milestone
04:07 Setting the Interview Format
04:42 Early Drinking and Drugs
06:54 Childhood and Drinking Culture
10:00 Trying to Quit Before
12:47 The Barbecue Turning Point
20:03 Living Sober Around Drinkers
27:36 Will He Ever Drink Again?
28:27 Running and Sobriety Link
31:36 Addiction and Ultramarathons
35:24 All In On Ultras
36:30 Chasing Extreme Events
37:40 Tunnel 200 DNF
38:11 Bridge 200 Comeback Plan
39:41 Why Push So Hard
46:00 ADHD And Labels
52:55 No Regrets Mindset
54:51 Hospital Reality Check
01:00:28 Am I An Alcoholic
01:04:51 Final Wrap And Thanks
Thanks for listening!
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