After Hours with Jimmy Thistle – Détails, épisodes et analyse

Will Gordon is an emergency liver and kidney transplant survivor who spent 15 years as a middle and high school teacher, shaping young minds while quietly battling a secret that almost ended him: alcohol addiction that left him with just two weeks to live at age 35. Hiding bottles and spiraling into isolation, he lost friends, his job, and nearly everything. Until a miracle transplant gave him a raw second chance.That rock bottom became a turning point, where he learned that recovery isn't a straight line or a highlight reel; it's about facing the hard truths, leaning on support when you're at your weakest, and rebuilding with honesty and patience, one day at a time.

Today, Will hosts The Willpower Podcast; dropping raw, unfiltered episodes every Friday on YouTube, where guests like athletes, mentors, and fellow survivors share their real stories of grit, trauma, and finding strength in sobriety when life feels overwhelming. He's created a global sober-mentoring program that's supported over 100 people through their most challenging moments, speaks at schools and events about transforming vulnerabilities into quiet resilience, and offers one-on-one coaching with the straightforward empathy he's gained from his own journey.

Catch the pod on:

YouTube @TheWillpowerPodcast

Instagram @thewillpowerpodcast

TikTok @thewillpowerpod

X @thewillpowerpod,

or reach out with “SOBER” for sober mentorship. Will's story is a reminder that we're all in this together, and small steps forward can lead to something truly meaningful.

My Instagram is:

https://www.instagram.com/recovery_jimmy

And you can find all my other links at:

https://linktr.ee/jimmythistle

Buy me a coffee…

https://buymeacoffee.com/afterhourswithjimmyt

Beth began drinking as a teenager in the 1990s, using alcohol to ease the social anxiety she had felt for as long as she could remember. What started as a way to feel confident and connected quickly became a pattern that followed her into adulthood. After her mother died when she was 17, her drinking escalated, and by university she had become known as the party girl, hiding behind a confident exterior that masked deep insecurity.

As the years went on, her relationship with alcohol shifted into what is often called grey-area drinking. She drank to manage loneliness, stress, and self-doubt, convincing herself it was normal. During lockdown, her drinking reached a point where she knew she needed to stop. Finding an online sober community changed everything, showing her that recovery could be built on honesty, connection, and shared experience rather than shame.

A later diagnosis of ADHD helped her understand the impulsivity, emotional intensity, and constant search for stimulation that had fuelled her drinking. With this understanding came self-compassion and a new sense of purpose.

Now over four years sober, Beth shares her story through her Click Sober platforms and volunteers within the sober community, helping women question their relationship with alcohol and find support. She is also the co-founder of The SOS Collective, a free online community for women.

You can find Beth on instagram here:

https://www.instagram.com/click_sober

Beth’s Linktree:

https://linktr.ee/clicksober?fbclid=PAdGRleAN4PVVleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA8xMjQwMjQ1NzQyODc0MTQAAafzlIxv_0A-hfL5li-FIKQF7kCeIb1kBQyfUCnXDTljlajPJTxSfEPfcSOjvw_aem_pe-oq35n271r5Fx4v_QooQ

Drinking a Love Story - Caroline Knapp

https://amzn.eu/d/55fBMhP

My Instagram is:

https://www.instagram.com/recovery_jimmy

And you can find all my other links at:

https://linktr.ee/jimmythistle

Buy me a coffee…

https://buymeacoffee.com/afterhourswithjimmyt

From a young age, Lexie was always a sensitive soul—an over-thinker who constantly felt misunderstood. As a child, the world often felt overwhelming, and as she grew older, those feelings only intensified. By the age of 16, she turned to alcohol and drugs—not for fun, but for relief. They gave her an escape, a way to silence the noise in her head and numb the pain of feeling different and socially awkward.

In her twenties, Lexie began to notice a clear difference between herself and her peers when it came to drinking. While others could have a drink or two and stop, she felt an uncontrollable, compulsive need to keep going. Still, when the thought of having a problem crept in, she pushed it aside. Denial was easier. It felt safer to normalize the behavior than to face the terrifying possibility that she might be dealing with addiction.

By November 2022, everything had come crashing down. Lexie had hit her breaking point. No longer making an effort to hide her drinking, she found herself completely dependent on alcohol—unable to function without it. Her life had become a performance played out behind a buzz, driven by fear of confronting what she had become. The irony was cruel and simple: she drank because she feared what her drinking had turned her into, and so, she drank even more.

Her behavior, at times belligerent and reckless, began to put her life at risk. Things had spiraled far beyond her control. The only consistency left was the toxic pattern that ruled her existence. The idea of going just 24 hours without a drink felt impossible.

The road to sobriety was excruciating and full of shame. Lexie didn’t attend meetings. She didn’t see a therapist. She did it on her own—a path she doesn’t recommend. The grief, guilt, and self-loathing were relentless. But even stronger than the pain was a deep, burning desire to live a life that was honest and joyful. That desire kept her going.

Taking a hard, honest look at who she had become allowed Lexie to finally see the potential of who she could be. The old version of herself was stripped away, and in that space, something new and resilient began to grow.

She learned to transform her inner dialogue from an enemy into a friend. What was once a source of self-sabotage became a voice of encouragement. By shifting her internal world, her external reality began to change in profound ways. It was proof of just how powerful the mind can be in reshaping a life.

There was a time when Lexie couldn’t imagine ever feeling free. But now, by embracing every single aspect of herself—the parts that made her proud, and even the parts that made her cringe—she found the space to stay sober. And today, she can say with complete honesty: she feels better than she ever has in her entire life.

Follow Lexie on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/thesoberexperience_withlexie

Lexie’s 5 concepts that helped Lexie thrive:

https://the-sober-experience-with-lexie.kit.com/5concepts?fbclid=PAVERFWAMlTzNleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABp6bAts6CAtYc8gSNvLD_GQuF6vBfwbxdko048THlY2Hx0Bh69a-t5wv1zVbj_aem_mi9FMNCoX85hTXZq_JBGjQ

Matthew Perry - Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing:

https://amzn.eu/d/hHaXF8X

My Instagram is:

https://www.instagram.com/recovery_jimmy

And you can find all my other links at:

https://linktr.ee/jimmythistle

Buy me a coffee…

https://buymeacoffee.com/afterhourswithjimmyt

"In 2017, Amber's sister Hannah passed away after battling alcohol addiction and experiencing homelessness. She was 38 years old. Hannah previously had her own flat, worked in childcare and had completed her degree in Early Years Foundations with the aspirations of progressing into teaching. She enjoyed her time in her garden, reading her books in peace. 

After Hannah passed away, Amber wanted to make a difference in her name and to keep her memory alive. This led onto creating Amber Lights in Oxford which focuses on raising awareness of homelessness and loving someone with addiction. It also sells Oxford Skyline and Pawsome clothing with all profits directly benefiting Homeless Oxfordshire, which is one of the places Hannah stayed and received support from. 

Currently, Amber has been delivering art workshops focused on Homelessness education in Primary Schools and has trained in Coaching and Positive Psychology to support those affected by a loved ones addiction. In 2023, she was awarded the British Empire Medal in the Kings Birthday Honours for her community work.' 

You can find Amber in Instagram at:

https://www.instagram.com/amberlightsinoxford

Amber's LinkTree:

https://linktr.ee/AmberLightsinOxford

My Instagram is:

https://www.instagram.com/recovery_jimmy

And you can find all my other links at:

https://linktr.ee/jimmythistle

Buy me a coffee…

https://buymeacoffee.com/afterhourswithjimmyt

Craig used to spend most of his time down at the pub, drinking to escape reality. Beer became his answer to everything—feeling anxious? Have a pint. Feeling low? Have two. Before Craig knew it, he was stuck in a spiral where the only thing he was really committed to was last orders. Three years ago, Craig decided enough was enough and gave up alcohol. Since then, his life has completely changed—He is sober, healthy and positive. He feels as though he has been given a second chance at life and is going to embrace it with all he can!

Listen to Craig's story here:

You can follow him on Instragram at:

https://www.instagram.com/hewins11

Listen to the Sober Stretch Podcast:

https://open.spotify.com/show/42nfv5PNruzVeGdJU4DbLW?si=7ee2208efa204322

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck - Mark Manson

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Subtle-Art-Not-Giving-Counterintuitive/dp/B01M9JOAFI/ref=sr_1_2?crid=74CXJGLDQ1RE&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.jINU5pZa9A1_8zEINJzG94_miYbioLikMP7sabSKE6cFaCBV9SaD4bP4dXO3r8irM5b5RDNOJrrGolWIqy8gmSbBeSzJLm1ZhuVzCmW13Nff7z-EAgzIBRH37UPXlcVTNBn-N6pSef1QWd17eAe-4OMAXTUp1l5XG0sGNn3Zm1ZTbw8GHhOwovQXl_w9mRwcgBj1XkWkszWaEo8tzsYDLeyzfC4Ff2Veh_KRsBdrPgQ.RZLITYVloRT4Ut-Pvoch9ST7jYGJ0ZQsbHh2RK_LGhw&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+subtle+art+of+not+giving+a+f+book&qid=1757177229&sprefix=teh+subtle+a%2Caps%2C92&sr=8-2

My Instagram is:

https://www.instagram.com/recovery_jimmy

And you can find all my other links at:

https://linktr.ee/jimmythistle

Buy me a coffee…

https://buymeacoffee.com/afterhourswithjimmyt

Mike Longthorn is the Alcohol-Free Introvert, a professional coach and qualified counsellor supporting those who want to change their relationship with alcohol and become aligned with who they are and live a life of meaning and full potential.

After running a successful fashion business for over a decade, Mike felt a misalignment in his business and wanted to contribute to society and help others. After 4 years of studying to become a counsellor Mike becoming alcohol free. During his journey of removing alcohol, he realised just what a change this made to his life. This led him to want to help others in this area, so decided to train as a coach with Andy Ramage on his 6-month diploma.

He now helps clients on a 1:1 coaching program to become alcohol free and build real awareness around their drinking which allows for lasting change.

You can find Mike on Insta at:

https://www.instagram.com/the_alcoholfree_introvert

Amy Liptrot’s book and film The Outrun:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Outrun-Canons-Amy-Liptrot/dp/178689422X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=13IDI0ABLMF54&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.D1-PHcm7TvzQghVYYXWObN2tAcwUm0Fv42e-wEVTfAiyogq4J3TO_xlnyolJ87rBY-2ZFzkJmV_0xXc3ohYUUHRNcnziFUv4vFLltypKgDvBqvOZFTzbnVb3YEKv-ifd5aG_gzJVNC0zUDikgig8adfvgsb_9fC7222IoSM-TfHuDkUlXmCDvonlyJE6ifL94LYyw6NSrL1tSBNeaU5CXh7cExbBjCejaNqwipZ51Ew.QBODoipvVAtPOcXGmISzdC6iY6rA9wgZ-KJBJNsz-pQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+outrun&qid=1752172429&sprefix=the+outrun%2Caps%2C86&sr=8-1

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11687002/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_8_nm_0_in_0_q_the%2520outrun

My Instagram is:

https://www.instagram.com/recovery_jimmy

And you can find all my other links at:

https://linktr.ee/jimmythistle

Buy me a coffee…

https://buymeacoffee.com/afterhourswithjimmyt

Jodi Clark is the founder of Sober Flourish, a powerful coaching platform and community supporting women who want to change their relationship with alcohol and reclaim their clarity, energy, and purpose.

After spending two decades in the corporate world and navigating her own transformation - losing 84 pounds, becoming alcohol free, and rebuilding her life from the inside out - Jodi now mentors other women to do the same.

She’s a certified alcohol-free and business coach, a digital entrepreneur, and a voice for women who no longer want to settle for burnout or blurred potential.

Her work blends mindset, wellness, and business growth to help sober and sober curious women build lives and businesses that truly reflect who they are now.

You can find Jodi on Insta at:

https://www.instagram.com/soberflourish

Her website is:

https://soberflourish.com/links?fbclid=PAQ0xDSwLsziFleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABp-pCGNuakhp9bJGrOvEaoe0kDkAPB11HfonuvDGREYK6jQ7R7EQ_qf-6VcX5_aem_yZidODOej-_pHOCqLmPk3Q

Alan Carr's book is here:

https://www.amazon.com/Allen-Carrs-Easy-Women-Drinking/dp/1785991477

And Holly Whitaker's Quit Like Woman:

https://www.amazon.com/Quit-Like-Woman-Radical-Obsessed/dp/1984825070/ref=sr_1_1?crid=29KLPK96R3PUC&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Mcg5OwlIhD9dNzC_Ceq5hAjXJVqSrrJVgRU-EBV1k8rgKtWqgJtQx2Be9k-OZTIA26ZZaNH0-ElwCmSs7U5XBV-FBatY6z3lBWSPfeK4TjCig1KwRiGZUPF2Z8yqKJC4BcStbeprQrt6jTaUvp2sQ3FOPVYLWayvgymV4HHzJzYvBQbrCBdws-LPMuacNEZeVnKft8eHAF4Kllq7b4e95vMPWo6v7b7G6vExmFGu4Ks.CSd_8j8ZgXVDYYxer_TxD--v3A8WOQ7p9PztXdIVQg4&dib_tag=se&keywords=like+a+woman&qid=1753214863&s=books&sprefix=like+a+woman%2Cstripbooks-intl-ship%2C284&sr=1-1

My Instagram is:

https://www.instagram.com/recovery_jimmy

And you can find all my other links at:

https://linktr.ee/jimmythistle

Buy me a coffee…

https://buymeacoffee.com/afterhourswithjimmyt

In 2022, Lucy lost her partner, Daniel, whose life was tragically cut short by the effects of alcoholism. Navigating the grief of his passing, she has found strength in sharing their story to raise awareness about the hidden impact of addiction on families.

Today, she honours Daniel’s memory by supporting charities like NACOA and standing alongside her daughter Amelie, whose letters to government have sparked national conversations about support for children of alcoholics.

You can find Lucy on instagram at:

https://www.instagram.com/lucy_norfolk_

NACOA can be found at:

https://nacoa.org.uk

My Instagram is:

https://www.instagram.com/recovery_jimmy

And you can find all my other links at:

https://linktr.ee/jimmythistle

Buy me a coffee…

https://buymeacoffee.com/afterhourswithjimmyt

Kristen Bear is the founder of Creative Sobriety, a multi platform resource for anyone looking to change their mindset on alcohol and its place in their life.

As a writer and actor, she sees sobriety as the key to unlocking our full creative potential and a true rebel move in a society that glamorizes booze.

Kristen is 5 1/2 years sober and splits her time between San Francisco and her tiny container house in rural Tennessee.

Follow Kristen on Instagram, Substack, and TikTok and listen to the Creative Sobriety podcast everywhere!

You can find Kristen on Insta at:

https://www.instagram.com/creativesobriety

Kristen is on SubStack at:

https://kristenbear.substack.com

And Kristen’s amazing podcast Creative Sobriety:

https://open.spotify.com/show/24X7Hfehh8mBNIRQ5jIIDU?si=c2186bba65244ad8

You can find Kristen at her website:

https://www.creativesobriety.co

Holly Whitaker quit like a woman

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Quit-Like-Woman-Radical-Obsessed/dp/B083JMMNL4/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2HT5SG3XAFKLF&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.3Yn57QR8gkOvHNDo4ihQ_mAQpfKtp5qcoefpcOf5lHkQWylqri3T5fRGcu9j_2jU4l-TCxYDx2TJXhT2aMQnyL_BUxVC6MD7z229JGeHAeqMDN3ZcyTScvUz6_Cb9mtL.cDc7Q1BBddZFA_7m8sBcjPddgYXB_4PPwgUSK7N9Dm8&dib_tag=se&keywords=holly+whitaker+quit+like+a+woman&qid=1751879674&sprefix=holly+whi%2Caps%2C93&sr=8-1

Jim Morrison: Life, Death, Legend:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jim-Morrison-Life-Death-Legend/dp/B079K7K4DN/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1M7WDTFZ6JB2I&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.N8kS6jz1_LaRb56dvPcFBVjDrEt8l51AFZGU33VEoeqt_K6AgtOZXzXbmzD4NcNKfeB4mriGwW5Y9Ep49Oc2Kdha317RJ25_0aQB5-bPyCk.bjbChenge5FLXAxpOBFtbxdF72jlliMEEbYGpLVct0I&dib_tag=se&keywords=stephen+davis+jim+morrison&qid=1751880664&sprefix=jim+morrison+stephen+%2Caps%2C84&sr=8-1

Professor David Nutt comments on safe limits of alcohol:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/05/30/drink-one-large-glass-wine-scientist/#:~:text=The%20human%20body%20can%20only,a%20year%20is%20around%20250ml. 

My Instagram is:

https://www.instagram.com/recovery_jimmy

And you can find all my other links at:

https://linktr.ee/jimmythistle

Buy me a coffee…

https://buymeacoffee.com/afterhourswithjimmyt

Ashton has spent most of her adult life escaping reality with addiction to alcohol and drugs.

When she hit 30 years old she realised her life had to change, now 6 months sober and still working as a bar manager, working with pure willpower she stays sober.

Helping others through her instagram journal, with her pure honesty about life before and after addiction.

You can find Ashton on her insta at:

https://www.instagram.com/teetotalbarmanager

Her TikTok is here:

https://www.tiktok.com/@teetotalbarmanager

The book she suggested was Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/216351768-the-let-them-theory

And the film with Mila Kunis is Four Good Days:

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10344522/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

My Instagram is:

https://www.instagram.com/recovery_jimmy

And you can find all my other links at:

https://linktr.ee/jimmythistle

Buy me a coffee…

https://buymeacoffee.com/afterhourswithjimmyt