Happy New Year - and welcome to the first Clean Break Chats episode of 2026.

In this conversation, Rich and Andy reflect on what 2025 really taught them: that success isn’t measured by a bank balance, but by the joy, gratitude, connection, and meaning you’re building day-to-day. They talk honestly about alcohol-free life over Christmas (what felt easy, what still shows up), the “placebo” rituals of special occasions, and the tricky, nuanced question of moderation - especially when alcohol has been part of your identity.

They also explore one of the most powerful tools in any change journey: creating a gap between stimulus and response. Because when you think you’re craving alcohol, you’re usually craving a feeling - relaxation, connection, excitement, relief - and you can learn to meet that need without pouring a drink.

From there, the chat opens up into running, coaching, and what’s ahead: why process goals beat destination goals, why community race-weekends (like Valencia and Benidorm) matter so much, and what 2026 might look like when you “remove what isn’t important” before piling more on.

Andy shares what stepping into 50 feels like (spoiler: it’s not fear - it’s fuel), why the gym suddenly matters for the next challenge, and how he’s thinking about productivity, accountability, and building strength to match big endurance dreams. Rich talks marathon plans, focus, and doubling down on what matters.

If you’re doing Dry January - or just feeling that “new year reset” energy -this one will help you simplify, refocus, and start building momentum.

Mentioned in this episode

• FREE 28-day Alcohol-Free Challenge (code: FREEMAKEACHANGE) - https://portal.take-a-cleanbreak.com/alcoholfreechallege
• Group coaching: £75/month (weekly running + mindset call + weekly alcohol-free call) - https://portal.take-a-cleanbreak.com/memberships
• 1:1 coaching: from £150/month - https://portal.take-a-cleanbreak.com/memberships
• Free discovery call (30 mins) to figure out the best option for you - https://calendly.com/rich-cleanbreakcoaching/clean-break-coaching-30min-discovery-call

In this very special Clean Break Chats Christmas Special, Andy and Rich are joined by members of the Clean Break community for an honest, moving and uplifting reflection on the year that’s been - and the year ahead.

This episode isn’t about perfect training blocks, PBs or rigid plans. It’s about connection over perfection.

Together, we explore:

• Navigating injuries, setbacks and frustration - without walking away
• Why community matters more than motivation
• What it really means to train smarter, not harder
• How being alcohol-free creates space for deeper connection - with yourself, your running, and your family
• Patience, sustainability, and learning to play the long game
• The emotional power of running - especially when shared with others
• Identity shifts: “I’m not a runner” → “I am a runner”
• Why failure isn’t the end - it’s part of the path

You’ll hear raw, real stories from Liz, Stacey and Kris - covering injury, sobriety milestones, weight loss, mindset shifts, family inspiration, and the courage to keep showing up when things don’t go to plan.

If you’re finishing the year feeling tired, stuck, injured, inconsistent - or quietly proud of how far you’ve come - this episode is for you.

🎄 A reminder this Christmas:
You don’t need to be perfect.
You don’t need to do it alone.
And you’re probably doing better than you think.

Victory in Valencia.
But not in the way most people think.

In this deeply reflective episode of Clean Break Chats, Andy and Rich unpack everything that happened before, during, and after the Valencia Marathon - from the electric race-weekend atmosphere to the mental battles after 30km, the heat, the crowds, the doubts… and the breakthroughs.

This isn’t a “what time did you run?” episode.
It’s a conversation about process over pace, connection over consumption, and why the real win happens long before the finish line.

We talk about:

Why marathon success is earned in the months before race day

Managing expectations, nerves, logistics, and controllables

Running alcohol-free and why clarity beats chaos every time

Trusting the process (even when doubt creeps in)

The power of mindset, belief, and staying present in the pain

Why PBs are a by-product - not the point

Community, coaching, and doing hard things together

Whether you’re training for a marathon, returning to running, questioning your relationship with alcohol, or simply navigating a demanding season of life - this episode is a reminder that you’re not behind, you’re building.

🎽 You’re running your own Olympics.
And you’re allowed to be proud of the effort - not just the result.

🎧 Listen now and take what you need from the journey.