What happens when you’re excellent on paper—but falling apart in private?

In this episode, Anne and Chris sit down with Jessica Dueñas (Bottomless to Sober, former teacher, Kentucky State Teacher of the Year) for a conversation about body image, achievement, stigma, and the moment sobriety stopped being a “band-aid” and became a full identity rebuild. This is Clean Play game film for anyone who’s been praised for performance while quietly losing themselves.

Takeaways (5)Timestamps (3–6)Resources / Guest Links Mentioned:

• Achievement can’t heal old wounds—it can only distract you from them for a while.
  

• Alcohol doesn’t de-stress; it delays—and the bill shows up the next morning.
  

• Recovery needs the right fit: support that works for you beats shame-based “one way.”
  

• Medication isn’t a moral failure—it can be crutches while your nervous system heals.
  

• Worth is inherent: “Your sobriety does not determine your worth.” Full stop.
  

• [01:10] Meet Jessica + why this conversation matters
  

• [03:25] “Born to teach” + seeking affirmation outside the home
  

• [11:12] The stress of education: standards, systems, and no wiggle room
  

• [17:09] Trying to quit alone + why treatment became necessary
  

• [21:10] Building a recovery path that fits (therapy, medication, writing)
  

• [34:56] Worthiness, body image, and parenting without passing the shame down
  

• Jessica Dueñas: Bottomless to Sober (website + Substack + podcast)
  

• Instagram: @JessicaDuaneis24
  

• Mentioned: The Four Agreements (Don Miguel Ruiz)

  This Naked Mind (Annie Grace)
  

In this episode of Clean Play, Anne and Chris start with NFL chaos, grieving a tragic loss in the Cowboys organization, and end up exactly where they always do: life beyond the game. They talk about the pressure athletes feel to “play through the pain,” Anne’s three-year sobriety milestone and the moment she finally asked for help, and how alcohol quietly becomes a way to replay our old highlight reels. Then they pivot to Section Yellow at Lambeau Field, sober fan sections, and real-world tips for surviving your first (or fifth) sober Thanksgiving—without forfeiting football, family, or joy.

Takeaways and Timestamps

• Winning has to include your whole life, not just the game. If the only scoreboard you’re watching is performance, your mental health will always come second.
  

• Some things are not worth pushing through. The same mentality that gets athletes through injury can make it really hard to say “I’m not okay” out loud.
  

• Identity after sport is tender ground. When the jersey comes off—whether as a player or coach—alcohol can sneak in as a way to relive old highlight reels.
  

• Sober fans still belong. From Section Yellow at Lambeau to sober tailgates and NA beer at the bar, you don’t have to drink to be part of the moment.
  

• Holidays need game plans too. Time limits, movement, NA options, and post-holiday rewards can turn a dreaded Thanksgiving into a sober win.
  

• [00:00] Government names, Thanksgiving vibes, and NFL chaos this season
  

• [04:30] Grieving a Cowboys player’s death and the hidden cost of “just push through it”
  

• [11:30] Anne’s three years sober, depression after sport, and finally asking for help
  

• [21:00] Life beyond the game: when identity, alcohol, and old highlight reels collide
  

• [25:30] Section Yellow at Lambeau, sober tailgates, and belonging without booze
  [34:30] Real talk holiday coaching: sober Thanksgiving tips, boundaries, and permission

If you’ve ever felt that quiet “I think I might be done with this version of myself” moment — this one is for you. This episode hits the real tension: when your old role, your old grind, or your old identity stops serving you… and you can feel the pivot coming — but you don’t know what the next version looks like yet.

Episode Summary Anne and Chris talk honestly about retirement from a core identity — not just from sport, but from a chapter. We get into what it means to sunset a season with intention, what it means to pivot instead of cling, and how clarity (in alcohol-free life) makes that shift cleaner. We also unpack the WNBA Finals, Asia Wilson’s leadership, the illusion of fairness in sports betting, and the difference between chasing a hit vs building contentment. Keywords naturally integrated: life after sport, navigating identity shift, alcohol-free athlete.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why sunsetting a season is a power move, not giving up

• How Aja Wilson models leadership without hype

• Why sports betting is breaking fan trust

• What contentment actually looks like in the day-to-day

• How clarity in alcohol-free life supports smarter pivots

Listen in — this one hits deep and current.

You don’t need another hype video—you need a game plan you can actually sustain. If you’re an athlete navigating life after sport or sober-curious about what comes next, this episode gives you a pace that wins in the long run.

We break down the “slow burn” approach: controlled pace, load management, and one-day-at-a-time habits that keep you healthy, present, and competitive—on the field and off. From tricky identity shifts to pressure from fans, family, and feeds, we get honest about building as an alcohol-free person without burning out.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why “go slow to grow” beats quick fixes in sport, business, and recovery

• How load management applies to training, work, and your nervous system

• A simple “one glass at a time” habit frame that actually sticks

• The difference between looking busy online and doing real work in the dark • How to navigate identity shifts after sport without losing yourself

Press play now and pick up a pace that helps you last—not just launch.

Resources & Links:

• Clean Play Coaching — coaching for athletes navigating identity shift and sober living - www.cleanplaycoaching.com

• “Faster Than Light” by Chris Marshall — the “slow burn” ember we reference - Find Chris’s Book Here: https://www.amazon.com/Faster-Than-Light-Alcohol-Free-Revolution/dp/B0FB9GCPRF/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1QV2WRWPNOXG9&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.S2sdVPqKTcbvPz99O0ZZhTiaVKyu0oUSeaPVt-zzFt9L-EG5lDyYzjASp8Lgp3g8UxXIHgcZeLIYL3TfmR-krs6CzwfRdh3KICJ5vOeN-Kmkl1E7CaLN0_CryRObGpAR5Z695qWpvkNWW1jsywIrv37ApRbvyMZ7xzNEnXb_LdE-1ylaNymO2TlOeA7fwAsz-qqZeeTE4wDVwTvfdCbpxb1ALToRmpiJbwAZMvakfKY.lHMr_RdeosALo1fPET4XAMCr8mHAhrqXW_XXM1xKJOs&dib_tag=se&keywords=faster+than+light&qid=1758149209&sprefix=faster+than+light%2Caps%2C166&sr=8-1

• Sans Bar Academy & Mocktail School — skill-building for an alcohol-free life - https://www.thesansbar.com/

When the game is on the line—fourth and one—you either play it safe or you go for it.

Athletes know that choice. So do people rebuilding life after sport or navigating sobriety. This episode breaks down what it really means to step into pressure moments and live with the outcome—win or lose.

Chris and Anne take the conversation from the NFL kickoff to Taylor Swift’s “Mamba Mentality” to personal stories of choosing risk in entrepreneurship, relationships, and sober living. If you’re an athlete asking, “Who am I now, and what does it look like to go all in on myself?”—this one is for you.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why “going for it” is about more than the outcome—it’s about identity and resolve

• How lessons from sport translate to life after sport and sobriety

• The difference between fearlessness and the courage to live with both winning and losing

• How risk, resilience, and resolve show up in entrepreneurship and recovery

• Why practicing tough moments prepares you for when it’s truly fourth and one

Press play to hear why choosing courage over comfort changes everything—on the field and in life.

Resources & Links:

• Clean Play Coaching

• Follow Anne on Instagram: @cleanplaycoaching

Follow Chris on Instagram: @sans_bar

Stop Consuming. Start Creating.

If you’ve been feeling stuck, drained, or like life after sport has lost its spark, this one’s for you. Mark Cuban once said, “Humans were designed to create. This is why you get depressed when all you do is consume.” In this episode, Anne and Chris break down what that means for athletes, sober folks, and anyone trying to rebuild their identity beyond the scoreboard.

Instead of sitting on the sidelines watching everyone else play, what would it look like to create your own version of the game? From basketball practice to writing books, from sobriety to showing up in meetings—you’ll hear how discipline, repetition, and creativity actually feed each other.

• Why athletes struggle when they stop “creating” through sport—and how to reclaim that spark in sobriety. • The difference between watching from the stands and actually getting in the game of your own life. • How discipline and repetition unlock creativity (yes, even off the court). • Why passive consumption (scrolling, watching, lurking) leaves you unfulfilled—and what to do instead. • Practical ways to shift from “sideline mode” to actively creating your own path in life after sport.

If you’re tired of just consuming and ready to step back into the game—press play now.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why athletes struggle when they stop “creating” through sport—and how to reclaim that spark in sobriety. • The difference between watching from the stands and actually getting in the game of your own life. • How discipline and repetition unlock creativity (yes, even off the court). • Why passive consumption (scrolling, watching, lurking) leaves you unfulfilled—and what to do instead. • Practical ways to shift from “sideline mode” to actively creating your own path in life after sport.

If you’re tired of just consuming and ready to step back into the game—press play now.

Resources & Links:

• Connect with Anne: www.cleanplaycoaching.com
  

• Learn more about Chris’s work:

  https://www.thesansbar.com/

In this episode of the Clean Play Podcast, Chris and Anne dive deep into the concept of “staying in the gym”—the discipline of showing up consistently for your growth, whether you’re training for a championship, building a sober life, or leading yourself through personal transformation.

From football season anticipation to obscure but entertaining sports (tortilla slapping, anyone?), the conversation flows into the parallels between athletic preparation and life’s bigger challenges. Anne and Chris share personal stories about proximity, persistence, and why the basics matter more than the highlight reel.

They unpack:

• Why “staying in the gym” is about mindset as much as skill
  

• The difference between showing up and really showing up
  

• How possibility doesn’t guarantee success—but success can’t happen without it
  

• The trap of chasing external validation and how to root growth internally
  

• Lessons from Kobe Bryant, Ja Morant, and unexpected moments of opportunity
  

• How to avoid burnout in sobriety, sports, and personal development
  

Whether you’re a coach, an athlete, or someone navigating life’s transitions, this episode will challenge you to think differently about discipline, growth, and purpose.

Resources & Links:

• Clean Play Coaching – Download your Unleash Your Mamba free guide and sign up for your complimentary scouting report at www.cleanplaycoaching.com
  

• The Mocktail School – Learn the art of crafting alcohol-free cocktails with Chris Marshall and mixologist Lila Vulcas at The Sans Bar
  

Listen now and find out why staying close to the work—your “gym”—is the secret to lasting transformation.

Title: Slowing Down to Get Ahead

Description:
In this episode, Chris and I dive deep into a counterintuitive truth we’ve both lived in sports, sobriety, business, and life: sometimes the fastest way forward is to slow down. From the pace of an NBA Finals game to the lessons of a NASCAR track, we explore how intentional pacing builds clarity, confidence, and long-term success.

We share personal stories—like the time I learned to stop trying to play like someone else and lean into my own strengths, and the moment Chris’s rush to keep up with others cost him $10K during the pandemic. We also talk about identity, running your own race, and why blocking out the noise (both criticism and praise) is key to staying true to yourself.

Whether you’re an athlete, entrepreneur, or simply trying to live a more intentional life, this conversation will challenge you to think about how you’re setting your pace—and remind you that slowing down isn’t the same as falling behind.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why pace is a critical skill in sports and in life

• How rushing from a place of fear can cost you—literally and emotionally

• The difference between slowing down because you’re unprepared vs. because you have a plan

• How to block out external pressure and stay true to your identity

• Why clarity only comes when you’re willing to pause

• The unexpected ways rest can actually accelerate your progress

Links & Resources:

• Chris’s book: Faster Than Light – [Available wherever books are sold]

• Follow me on Instagram: [@CleanPlayCoaching]

• Follow Chris on Instagram: [@SandsBar]

How you can support the podcast:

• Leave a rating & review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

• Follow, comment, and share on social media—it’s free and helps more people find us

• Share this episode with a friend who needs a reminder to slow down