From the awkwardness of first-time snowshoeing to summiting Everest Base Camp, the latest episode of the Sober Curator Podcast explores how embracing sobriety opens the door to adventure, friendship, and genuine joy.
From Awkward Beginnings to Authentic Adventures
The journey into sobriety is rarely a straight path, but as the Sober Curator Podcast illustrates, it often leads to unexpected places—sometimes with awkward falls, laughter, and a newfound sense of belonging. For guests Mary Tilson and Carrie Nicole May, two leaders in the sober travel and recovery coaching space, life after alcohol isn’t a sentence to boredom. Instead, it’s a passport to real adventure and meaningful connection.
The Pivotal Moment: Shifting Perspectives in Recovery
Every journey has a turning point. For Mary, it was moving from a high-pressure career in media (where “networking with alcohol” was the norm) to a transformative solo trip through Southeast Asia. “What was meant to be a three-month backpacking trip turned into arriving at my first yoga and meditation retreat in Cambodia… and from that moment on, I had this complete pivot in my life.” Trading nightlife for nature, she discovered a life of intention and purpose—one where living aligned with her values trumped the short-lived highs of her former lifestyle.
Carrie’s aha moment came through the pages of Annie Grace’s transformative book This Naked Mind. “It’s not that I can’t drink anymore, it’s that I don’t have to drink anymore. That was the biggest gift—I hadn’t really found the fun yet. I hadn’t owned my sobriety.” This shift from deprivation to empowerment marked the start of truly “owning” her sober identity.
Finding (and Building) Your People
Sobriety often necessitates rebuilding social circles and forging new kinds of relationships. As both Mary and Carrie agree, finding community is the secret sauce. For Carrie, this meant venturing out solo to events, meetups, and even hopping on buses or planes when she heard about something related to sobriety. Her determination led to a “meet-cute” with Mary at a sober bar—an encounter that sparked a fast friendship and professional collaboration.
“There’s something about connecting with other people on this path; you’re able to bond and share intense conversations right away,” Alysee observed. In the recovery community, the usual social walls fall away; authenticity and vulnerability form the foundation of new friendships.
Sober Travel and Purposeful Retreats
Adventure doesn’t evaporate in sobriety—in fact, it can blossom. Together, Mary and Carrie now lead transformational retreats, from women’s glamping in Moab to a once-in-a-lifetime trek to Everest Base Camp (with Carrie’s family joining in the fun). Their goal? Create safe, inclusive spaces for sober explorers to explore adventure, connection, and personal growth.
Mary emphasizes how retreat experiences offer a break from social pressures—spaces where, “when you’re sitting and having a meal, there’s no drink to stress about, it’s a non-issue.” Watching the sunrise, hiking new peaks, or simply laughing around a bonfire: these sober adventures are about rediscovering what it means to feel alive.
The Role of Pop Culture and Wellness in Recovery
Pop culture and media play a crucial role in shaping perceptions of sobriety. For inspiration, Mary tunes in to the Rich Roll Podcast, appreciating how stories of transformation and overcoming adversity are woven throughout. Carrie’s favorite? The candid, sometimes hilarious Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard, where talk of recovery is always just beneath the surface.
And wellness? Movement—be it yoga, hiking, or Zumba—is a tool for healing and connection. “There’s so much healing to be had in nature, and so many natural highs,” Mary points out. Whether you’re an introvert just dipping a toe into social connection or an adventure junkie, sober living is anything but dull.
Living Proof: Staying Sober is the Ultimate Life Hack
It’s not the absence of hangovers that defines a sober life, but the presence of real, lasting memories—ones you don’t need to piece together after the fact. From the awkwardness of trying something new (and sometimes falling) to the empowerment of leading others to new heights, sobriety is, as Alysse says, “the ultimate life hack.”
So go ahead—lace up those hiking boots, book that retreat (or podcast binge), and remember: “Getting sober matters. But staying sober? That’s what matters more.”
Follow Mary Tilson: @marytilson, @sunandmoon.soberliving
Follow Carrie May: @braverecoverycoaching, @chicagoafcommunity
SOBER RETREATS: with Senior Travel Sober Curator Contributor Teresa Bergen is your go-to space for alcohol-free travel tips, insider guides, and honest reviews from a sober perspective. Teresa blends her passions—animals, wildlife conservation, sustainability, geography, culture, outdoor adventure, and yoga—into enriching travel stories that inspire mindful exploration. From kayaking and hiking to visiting historic cemeteries and sacred spaces, she uncovers the beauty where history, art, and spirituality meet.
Planning a sober retreat? Fill out our Sober Retreats Form or email Teresa at Teresa.Bergen@gmail.com with your retreat name, dates, cost, URL, and a horizontal, high-res image for our calendar listing. Sober Events more your style? Click HERE.
✈️ Sober Adventures Wanted! 🏞️
Have you taken a trip without the booze but with all the epic vibes? Did you hike majestic trails, sip fancy mocktails poolside, or just find a quiet corner of the world where your soul could exhale? We want the juicy details (and the jaw-dropping pics)! The Sober Curator is putting together the ultimate sober travel guide—and your story could be the highlight.
Send us a postcard!
(And by that we mean… save the stamp and shoot us an email. We’re cool like that.)
