In this episode, I sit down with Amy Guldner, a former big-law litigator turned wellness coach. We dive into the silent struggle many high-achieving professionals face: using alcohol as "medicine" for stress.
Amy shares her journey from being a "successful" attorney and mother to realizing that her nightly bottle of wine was actually fuel for a growing darkness and suicidal ideation.
We explore the mindset shift that allowed her to stop wanting to drink, the flaws in how the legal industry discusses substance abuse, and why self-compassion is the ultimate tool for peak performance.
Amy Guldner is a former litigator with over two decades of experience in BigLaw and freelance legal work. After transforming her own relationship with alcohol and stress in 2020, she became a certified coach and speaker specializing in helping high-functioning professionals find freedom from alcohol. She is also a certified Pilates instructor and an advocate for mental health and authenticity within the legal profession.
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
This Naked Mind by Annie Grace
Between Breaths by Elizabeth Vargas
Dr. Andrew Huberman (Huberman Lab Podcast)
Kristin Neff (Self-Compassion research)
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Host: Ariella Cohen Coleman
The Wellness Esquire: Authentic conversations showcasing all the ways to do law differently, for lawyers who want a thriving career and a happy life.
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