SPOTLIGHT ON: Emerald Coach Stephanie Strickland From Functioning Alcoholic to Freedom
As I read Stephanie’s story about life with a functioning alcoholic, the statement “you NEVER know what someone might be going thru” rang true once again. Stephanie is a light and a joy and seeing her now, I never would’ve known what she’s come out of. THIS is what coaching is all about. It’s a life change! I appreciate and admire her openness and honesty in sharing her story of living with a functioning alcoholic. In that, she has found freedom:
Life with a Functioning Alcoholic
“In 2010, I weighed 195lbs and could barely fit into my size 16 jeans. Let’s be honest. They were too small. I was told by my doctor that if I didn’t start doing something, I would have to start taking pills for my cholesterol and my blood pressure. Not wanting to become that person, I started getting busy. I started walking and reading everything I could about getting healthy. This is how my coach Morgan Alexis found me. She introduced me to Beachbody back in late 2011. I was a little skeptical at first, but I listened. After thinking about it and doing some research, (I had never heard of Beachbody), I signed up for my first challenge group. Turbo Jam was the program we choose. I also signed up as a coach so I could get the discount. It was fun and I LOVED it. I started seeing results. I was losing weight and feeling really good about myself. Then everything kind of went to chaos. You see, I live with a functioning alcoholic (WOW! It took a lot for me to say that.) Not fully understanding alcoholism, I would let his issues become my 
issues (so unhealthy). So, to try to keep peace, I stopped taking care of myself. I stopped taking part in the group and the weight that I lost came right back. I ate for comfort, not realizing I was slowly becoming depressed with life. Feeling hopeless and tired of the madness, I said a prayer and decided to take my life back. After all, I was allowing alcohol to become my problem and I don’t even drink. This is know to happen when you are close to a functioning alcoholic. First thing I did was found someone to talk to. Yes, I started going to therapy and I am not ashamed of it. It was the best thing I ever did and I renewed my relationship with God. During my sessions, I was told to find something I enjoy and do it and start reading books on personal development. You see, I had lost myself. I love to run and workout, so I took her advice and started back doing the things I LOVED. I started back running, and ordered my next Beachbody program, Body Gospel. I started seeing results, so I stepped it up and ordered Insanity. All I can say is WOW! This program really changed a lot of things for me. Not only did I lose the most weight with this program, but it gave me unbelievable confidence! About this time, I started becoming more curious about the coaching side. I started participating more in my team, “Dare to Dream”, and I was seeing that others on my team were doing well with coaching and I thought, I COULD DO THIS! I reached out to my coach, Morgan, who never gave up on me. I told her I was ready and stepped out in a leap of faith and have never looked back.
Life NOW!
Fast forward. It’s 2013. I am 55 lbs lighter and four sizes smaller. I am training for my sixth marathon. I have added weight training to my regiment, thanks to Les Mills Pump. I am an Emerald Coach and working on building a successful team. I learned to take care of myself FIRST. It’s not selfish to do this. I stopped letting others control or enable me. Each day I strive to become a better ME through my workouts and personal development. I work at being an example that others can follow. My relationship with my husband is an on going process, but I can say each day it is getting better. It took a lot for me to share “my story” but I have learned by sharing, you never know who you might help.” To connect with Stephanie on Facebook, click here.
Digging Deeper, Jessica Bowser Nelson
P.S. If you are currently struggling in life with a functioning alcoholic, we want you to know, there is hope for you!