The Happy Sven

Finding a Reason

I reflect often on this photo and what it has meant to me over the last few years. It’s had different meanings at different times, but recently it’s been my motivation.

It’s a reminder that moments like this are more rare the less present we are, and places me in the mindset I cannot let them down. I won’t be the reason they didn’t have a home, a safe place, or love. I will be present.

Back on the Islands.

This trip was difficult and rewarding. For those who don’t know, I spend a considerable time in Hawaii and worked hard to built a successful business with an incredible set of clients.

However Covid, anxiety and more impact-fully, alcohol, almost ruined those relationships completely. Luckily with authentic and honest conversations, and the most genuine and forgiving people, things are moving in the right direction.

I had to own my failures and be willing to allow vulnerability and honesty steer the ship. I knew the risk, but I also knew that it was the way forward.

This trip will be a sticking point in staying sober, never again do I want to be in a place where losing all I worked for, is worth a drink.

For those struggling with alcohol or considering sobriety:

It’s never too late to change

Make the Decision today

You won’t regret it

Removing Alcohol Is the biggest and best decision I have ever made for my overall health. I challenge anyone who has ever asked themselves if they should change their relationship with alcohol to just give it a chance. I stared CrossFit 2 yrs ago. Back Squat In that time frame: First 21 Months - 225# to 275# Last 4 Months - 275# to 315# The difference? I finally got Sober. Removing Alcohol by itself didn’t increase my strength, but it directly improved the list below: - Gym Consistency - Sleep improved - Caloric intake and quality - Work Capacity - Anxiety Decreased - Enhanced Focus - Quality of my time - Gym Dopamine - Energy Efficiency - Recovery - Mental awareness I no longer sit on the fence when it comes to removing alcohol. It 100% will change your life for the better, when you remove it. Growth is always multi faceted, and will always require constant evaluation. But there are those things in our lives that if we have the courage and discipline to change can make huge leaps forward in our journey. I’ll say it again, if you ever have second guessed alcohol, give Sobriety a chance and see how it feels. Give it 30 days. You can always go back, but you will never know unless you give it a chance. As always. Forever Grateful to those who got me to this point @thesoberbodybuilder @lori_a_lane and Steve @csmorley @morley_caleb @xxk3nn3dyxx #sobriety #alcoholfree #soberlife #soberliving #sobercurious #gains #gym #backsquat #progress #health #consistency #discipline #bestdecisionever #livingmybestlife #mentalhealth #anxiety #crossfit #fitness #lifting #crossfitaddict #pr

It’s been a minute. I wish I could say it’s been intentional, and a part of the grand plan to step away from social media for a time. Truth is it’s been a challenging couple months as I crossed the 365 Day mark in sobriety, and keeping my head above water became the priority over everything else. Mental Health and Anxiety have approached new levels with a number of days wishing I could hid in a closet, Ignore the stress and hope it would all go away. Some days I give in. Some days I pull through. With all this, consistency and discipline took a heavy hit; no meditation, no journaling, no reading, exercise and nutrition down the drain. It was a brutal cycle and I had to fight to get back on track. Not there yet, but I recognize it and taking steps. It’s not all doom and gloom, my life today is far better than my life a year ago. Do not regret a single day, as sobriety has been the hardest and greatest decision I have ever made. There isn’t a single morning I don’t wake up grateful and blessed for what sobriety has given me: time with my boys, stabilization at my job, mental clarity, improved fitness and health, and a relationship with God, and so much more. My message at one year sober: It took turning my life into the hands of a higher power to make 365 days possible. While drinking took away pain, it also took away joy. Today I am grateful for the hard days and good ones, for the pain and the joy, for the challenges and the wins. For those struggling, remember, Progress over Perfection. April 19, 2022 #oneyearsober #365days #sobriety #sobercurious #mentalhealth #anxiety #meditation #journaling #healthandfitness #livingmybestlife #happyandsober #grateful #higherpower #joyandpain #blessed #progressoverperfection

Moments like this are invaluable. I am grateful they exist, grateful I am sober and experiencing the incredible joy that comes from connecting with my Sons. Moments with Connection become memories, not regrets. #moments #connection #family #sons #sober #sobercurious #livingmybestlife #mentalhealth #grateful #memories #joy #utah #utahgram