In this episode of Rewired Sober, I sit down with Leah Fulton Eng, a nurse, and the heart behind the Sober Mom Collective. Leah shares the truth about what it really looks like to get sober while parenting—and why community may be the most important part of recovery.

Together, we unpack how the illusion of “mommy wine culture” keeps so many women stuck, and how the simple act of showing up—being seen—can be the first step toward lasting change.

In this episode we talk about:

• Leah’s story of addiction, denial, and finally surrendering to recovery
• Why she didn’t think traditional 12-step recovery was for her
• The surprising power of a phone call from another sober mom
• What it's like to recover in the middle of motherhood
• The deep shame around secrecy, lying, and trying to do it all alone
• How visibility in community changed everything for her
• Why it took 4 months to tell her husband the truth—and how he responded
• The inspiration behind creating the Sober Mom Collective

Leah is the founder and CEO of the Sober Mom Collective, a certified holistic coach specializing in recovery, a postpartum doula, and a registered nurse. She is in recovery from alcohol use, cannabis use, depression, and anxiety, and is passionate about creating safe, inclusive spaces for moms navigating both sobriety and parenting.

Links + Resources:

• Learn more about The Sober Mom Collective
• Connect with Leah on Instagram: @sobermomcollective

Mentioned in this episode:

Gut Check: A Private Self-Inquiry Course https://kate-vitela.mykajabi.com/offers/2et4yoCH/checkout

In this episode, I take you on a raw and unfiltered ride through New York City—from gritty Canal Street lofts to unexpected moments of insecurity on the Upper East Side. I recorded this on the fly during a spring trip, reflecting on identity, recovery, and the unexpected ways old wounds still show up—seven years sober. What begins as a rant about bad hotel decor becomes a powerful story of self-awareness, self-talk, and rediscovering joy (and a little magic) on the sidewalks of Manhattan.

Key Takeaways:

• Even years into sobriety, old insecurities can resurface—and that’s normal.
• Comparison is sneaky and shows up when you least expect it.
• Sobriety isn’t just about not drinking—it’s about learning who you are and what still needs healing.
• You don’t have to have it all together to have a good time or be proud of your progress.
• A gritty hotel and a fashion icon can remind you how far you’ve come.

Mentioned in this episode:

Gut Check: A Private Self-Inquiry Course https://kate-vitela.mykajabi.com/offers/2et4yoCH/checkout

In today's episode I am speaking with a former coaching client and dementia specialist Tammy Pozerycki. With 551 days of sobriety under her belt, Tammy opens up about her long history of addiction—from food and smoking to alcohol—and the emotional roots that kept her stuck for years. She shares how body image issues, disordered eating, and generational trauma shaped her coping mechanisms.

Tammy reflects on the internal pain that motivated her to change, the chronic health conditions that reinforced her decision, and the role of coaching in helping her face the truth, shed the victim mindset, and commit to growth. Her honest and relatable story is a reminder that recovery isn’t linear, but it is absolutely possible—even later in life.

Key Takeaways:

• Addiction doesn’t discriminate—being in healthcare doesn’t automatically mean you understand recovery.
• Tammy’s addiction shifted forms throughout her life: from food to smoking to alcohol, always as a way to escape emotional pain.
• Emotional wounds from childhood, including body shaming and generational trauma, can fuel disordered coping habits.
• Long-term sobriety required Tammy to build accountability, especially through women's recovery groups and coaching.
• Her turning point came from emotional exhaustion and a heartbreaking comment from her husband—not a public fallout or external crisis.
• Chronic health issues like pancreatitis and liver damage later reinforced the need to stay sober, but she had already made the internal shift before diagnoses.
• Coaching, especially with someone who has lived experience, helped her unpack denial, build healthier narratives, and stop seeing herself as a victim.
• Reclaiming her life included confronting past stories, healing family wounds, and learning to finally put herself first.
• Sobriety isn’t just about not drinking—it's a commitment to becoming your authentic self, even if that means rediscovering who you are in your 50s.

Connect with Tammy:

https://www.facebook.com/tammy.pozerycki

Work with Kate: https://linktr.ee/KateVitela

Email Podcast: team@katevitelacoaching.com

The Gut Check: A Private Course for Self-Inquiry

Register here to gain immediate access to Gut Check—your space for clarity, relief, and next steps.

https://kate-vitela.mykajabi.com/offers/2et4yoCH

Mentioned in this episode:

Gut Check: A Private Self-Inquiry Course https://kate-vitela.mykajabi.com/offers/2et4yoCH/checkout