Ep 96: How Quitting Alcohol Made Space for Meaning with Dan D’Souza

Have you ever questioned whether alcohol might be quietly dimming the best parts of your life? In this episode of The Big Drink Rethink, Anna Donaghey chats to Dan D'Souza, co-founder of MUUSH to explore how quitting alcohol made room for more meaning, creativity, and connection. From high-flying networking in boozy city jobs to finding real nourishment in purpose and daily joy, Dan shares his journey through the “grey area” of drinking and the practical, inspiring steps he took to rethink his relationship with alcohol.

Here are the Highlights:

00:00 Intro: Dan D'Souza, co-founder of MUUSH, quit alcohol to prioritise purpose, and connection

04:00 Missed grades led to studying marketing at Sussex

09:54 Alcohol remains a social expectation and facilitator in business

15:54 Drinking can still be a problem if it depletes or distracts you

17:33 A turning point in 2023, after losing a bag with a phone and laptop

21:08 Focus on what feels good and kind

23:57 Removing alcohol creates space for reflection, opens new chapters, and fosters clarity for life's next steps

27:44 Spending less on alcohol allows for more purposeful spending

35:24 Focus on identifying priorities

37:07 Bridging taste and function in non-alcoholic drinks

43:00 Balance values and small pleasures while maintaining clarity and energy

46:02 Seeking professional help and finding inspiration from others

49:14 Friendships can evolve to provide emotional support

Anna’s group coaching community ‘Unstuck!’ helps identify your alcohol ‘stories’ and beliefs, breaking the cycle of alcohol and all the shame that goes with it. For more information and to find out how to join, please follow this link: https://www.winetowatercoaching.com/unstuck-1

To further explore your relationship with alcohol, check out Anna’s self-guided programme, The Big Drink Rethink Experiment: https://www.thebeliefscoach.com/the-big-drink-rethink-experiment

And apply the code POD99 to purchase for just £99 as a podcast listener.

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About the host Anna:

Anna is a certified Alcohol Mindset Coach, trained by Annie Grace of This Naked Mind. Drawing on her own journey out of alcohol addiction, she now helps others explore and control their drinking. With a career spanning 25 years as a Strategist in the Advertising industry, she combines her own lived experiences, with great insight into what makes us tick and what influences us to behave the way we do.

Connect with Anna:

Website: thebeliefscoach.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annadonaghey

Instagram: instagram.com/bigdrinkrethink

Produced by winteraudio.co.uk

About Dan D’Souza:

Dan D’Souza, co-founder of MUUSH - Lion’s Mane-based drinks brand. On a mission to bridge taste and function with Lion's Mane based drinks.

10+ years marketing experience at household name brands including Virgin, Octopus investments, Citibank.

His story really captures the grey area so many people find themselves in with alcohol.

Dan stopped drinking in October 2023 whilst working in previous businesses and felt there needed to be more functional and non-alcohol drinks available.

Connect with Dan:

Linkedin:: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-d-souza/?originalSubdomain=uk

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dan_d.souza/?hl=en

Linkedin (MUUSH): https://www.linkedin.com/company/104243925/admin/dashboard/

Instagram (MUUSH): https://www.instagram.com/drinkmuush/?hl=en

Website: www.muush.co