Story – Clean Break

This is a story about a messy breakup. You know the kind. When identities have become so entwined, you’re not sure which choices are your own anymore and which are being made at the behest of the relationship.

It started with a teenage love affair that made social interactions easier and more comfortable. Soon, we were working together, travelling the world, opening doors to new and exciting opportunities. Our identities were as one.

I didn’t notice at first that our relationship had stopped working.

Sure, I felt sluggish, tired, lacking drive and desire. It was only when I took a short break that I realised what had been causing my sense of ennui.

It wasn’t age but…my relationship with alcohol.

This isn’t a story about all the ways that alcohol did me wrong. In many ways, my relationship with booze has taken me to giddy heights both socially and in my 20+ year career in the alcohol industry. It simply stopped working, and as a result, I needed to find another way of being.

At the time I hadn’t considered the impact that this might have on my career, it soon became clear that a) this was unlikely to be a short-term change, and b) it felt somewhat in conflict with my day job…I was actively distancing myself from the very thing which I was being paid to promote & sell. I felt like a hypocrite as my career no longer matched my lifestyle, and in many ways my new values.

Walking away from a career which I’d built over all those years was incredibly hard, not least because I had no idea what I now wanted to do…I knew what I didn’t want to do anymore and that was sell alcohol. So, I found myself somewhat lacking in purpose, and to some degree felt a loss of identity given that alcohol had been the foundation for my lifestyle and career for so many years!

Thankfully, whilst this shift was happening, I had also begun to invest in myself, my mindset, and my wellbeing, and had made real positive progress in all these areas. So, combined with a new level of creativity, energy and clarity thanks to my new alcohol-free lifestyle, an idea was hatched which would allow me to follow a dream and long-term aspiration to start my own business.

I could see the world clearly for the first time since my teenage years. I experienced what it’s like to take a clean break and how much joy could be found in being fully present and switched on to my senses.

I became fitter, stronger, and even more passionate about running.

I took a clean break from a lifestyle which was no longer serving me.

I made a clean break from a career which no longer fulfilled me.

And by doing so, I created the freedom, focus, and mindset required to re-design my life on my own terms; a life beyond limitations and a lifestyle to bounce out of bed for.

I want everyone to access that feeling of expansion and capability, even if just for a moment.

That’s why I created Clean Break, a health and lifestyle practice that helps you overcome limiting beliefs and makes running and taking a break from booze simple, enjoyable, and exhilarating, through 121 coaching and tailored group programs.

Of course my background in the drinks industry has been a huge advantage in getting things up and running, but I’ve also been lucky enough to work with some incredibly talented people in order to bring my idea for Clean Break to life. Huge shout outs in particular have to go to Jordan Childs from Mash Gang, Mike Williams of The Brewers Design Society and Neil & team at Allendale Brewery.

Where Clean Break goes, I have no idea. But I’m grateful to once again be enjoying the journey and the path it’s taking me on, and along the way I hope to inspire others to do the same and help them make #positiveprogress in their own lives.

Cheers, Rich

Promise

The very first thing we did when creating Take A Clean Break (well maybe the second thing, after registering the business at companies house!) was to make a promise to always

‘do what feels right & make others feel great’

To help us live up to our promise, our founder Rich created our mission, vision & values, and these have gone on to form the basis for every decision we’ve made since.

Mission

Vision

Values

Open and honest communication leading to strong & fulfilling relationships.
Freedom to choose a life that works for you on your own terms.
Seek opportunity and adventure and embrace all that life has to offer.
Going above and beyond to deliver excellence in everything we do.
Respect & inspire others to courageously embrace their heroic potential.

Be OPEN & HONEST

We believe in the power of talking and sharing how we feel with others, and where some would see showing this level of vulnerability as a weakness, we see it as a sign of strength and resilience. Openness & honesty is a foundation to good communication and good communication is essential to building long lasting and strong relationships.

Seek OPPORTUNITY & ADVENTURE

We only get one go at this wonderful thing called life, and before you know it, it’s gone. And it can become very familiar, very quickly, but by seeking opportunity & adventure at every turn and embracing a growth mindset, we believe everyone can live a purposeful & fulfilled life.

RESPECT & INSPIRE others

We are all perfectly imperfect. But also capable of doing amazing things. Let’s encourage and help each other to follow our dreams. Apparently, Albert Einstein once said ‘The most important decision we make is whether we believe we live in a friendly or hostile universe’……..choose your universe. Ours is overwhelmingly friendly.

Positive Progress Plan

From day 1, Rich knew he had an opportunity to not just build something incredible for himself, but to also help others along the way. And so, the Positive Progress Plan was born with the sole intention of helping others to make positive progress in their own lives.

The idea started life as a commitment to donate a percentage of profits to charity, until Rich realised that there was no guarantee that the business would make any profit, and of course 10% of nothing is……. well, nothing!

But for a consumer to know that a guaranteed amount of money from every purchase that they make would go to charitable causes……. now that really would fulfil the promise to always do what feels right.

We’ve committed to donating 10p from every unit sold (can or pint) to support the work of our chosen charity partners.

Clean Break Brewing are extremely pleased to support the below charities or causes, and donates 10p from every unit sold, net of certain expenses, to the excellent work carried out by them. To learn more about the fantastic work that they do, please visit their website using the links provided:

The Running Charity uses an active-wellbeing programme to improve the resilience, physical fitness and mental wellbeing, of vulnerable and homeless young people.

The Running Charity, a charitable incorporated organisation, is a registered charity in the UK (number: 1157501). Further details can be found at http://www.therunningcharity.org

The Burnt Chef Project is a globally recognised not-for-profit Social Enterprise fully committed to making the hospitality profession healthier and more sustainable by focussing on people’s wellbeing first.

They provide a wide range of tools, services and education to help challenge the stigma of mental health whilst beginning to create a culture of care and compassion. Together we will pave the way to a healthier, happier and more sustainable hospitality industry.

https://www.theburntchefproject.com/