The Story Behind the Transformation
Nick Neve's journey reads like a cautionary tale that transforms into a beacon of hope. In 2013, he was broke, burnt out, and working three jobs just to survive. But it was a single night—a night that ended with him unconscious behind the wheel, wrapped around a tree in Bel Air—that became the catalyst for a complete life transformation.
What makes Nick's story so compelling isn't just the dramatic rock bottom moment, but what he built from the wreckage. Today, he's a successful entrepreneur, relationship coach, and writer helping others navigate their own transformations. His journey from addiction and isolation to building a seven-figure business and finding authentic human connection offers profound insights for anyone feeling stuck or searching for deeper meaning in their creative and personal lives.
Show Notes
[05:00] The Family Pattern That Shaped Everything
Growing up in a family that couldn't even say the word "alcoholic"
Watching family members die from alcohol-related causes without acknowledgment
How family silence around addiction creates dangerous blind spots
The normalization of dangerous drinking behaviors
[08:00] The Night That Changed Everything
Working as a server at Wayne Gretzky's former mansion in Bel Air
The progression from champagne to whiskey to bartending while intoxicated
Driving drunk down windy hills and crashing into a tree
Waking up two hours later to police at the window
[13:00] The Aftermath and Awakening
Blowing a .16 blood alcohol level hours after the crash
Losing $20,000 and having a breathalyzer installed in his car
The transformative experience of attending AA meetings
Discovering vulnerable, authentic sharing for the first time
[16:00] Building Success While Staying Sober
Meeting his sober wife and experiencing authentic connection
Taking the risk to start a vegan snack business on Amazon
Growing the company to seven figures while maintaining sobriety
Learning what he was truly capable of without substances
[18:00] Finding Purpose in Human Connection
Studying philosophy, psychology, and relationships
Recognizing that human connection is what people crave most
Becoming a relationship coach to help others break cycles
Understanding how technology both connects and isolates us
[24:00] Creative Practices for Sober Living
Evening creativity sessions for journaling and research
The power of gratitude practice and spiritual connection
Daily walks in nature averaging 10,000 steps
"Floor time" practice for physical and mental grounding
[32:00] The Small Steps Philosophy
Habit stacking: pairing new habits with existing ones
Starting with just 2-5 minutes daily for any new practice
How his business started with 5-10 minutes of daily work
Why there's no "right way" to live your life
[37:00] Fear, Anxiety, and the Sober Mind
How substances actually create the anxiety they seem to cure
The instant changes that happen when you quit
Learning to feel emotions fully instead of numbing everything
Faith and breath work as tools for dissolving fear
Key Quotes
"You cannot become your best self if you're using drugs and alcohol. You just can't. If you think that it makes you a better person, it's an illusion because you pay the price tenfold later on." - Nick Neve
"The very thing you are doing is preventing you from being that person, from living that life. And it's such a crazy thing." - Nick Neve
"As a human being, you are so much stronger than you think. You are so much stronger than that." - Nick Neve
"It doesn't just numb the anxiety feeling. It numbs everything. It numbs even your body... it actually numbs all emotions." - Nick Neve
"There is no box. That's the illusion. You can actually live on your own terms and really do whatever you want." - Nick Neve
Resources Mentioned
AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) meetings
Habit stacking technique
Floor time practice (inspired by Japanese culture)
YouTube and Substack for inspiration and recovery stories
Meetup.com for building social connections
Gratitude practice and spiritual connection
Where to Find Nick
Nick shares weekly insights on relationships and personal transformation through his Substack newsletter "Relationships with a Soul." He releases 12-15 minute podcast episodes every Tuesday covering common relationship challenges and features inspiring interviews with people who've overcome burnout and found their way back to authentic living.
Find him at:
Ready to Transform Your Creative Life?
Nick's story demonstrates that our greatest challenges often become the foundation for our most meaningful contributions. If you're ready to explore what's possible when you create from clarity instead of chaos, I'd love to support your journey.
Book a free Coffee & Connection chat if you're curious about coaching, feeling stuck in your creative practice, or simply want to explore what sober creativity might look like for you. Sometimes the most powerful transformations begin with a single conversation.
Feeling ready for deeper work? Explore Unfiltered Creation — my 90-day 1:1 coaching experience designed to align your work, sobriety, and creative purpose. Because your authentic creative voice is waiting on the other side of whatever's holding you back.
Thank You
A heartfelt thank you to
for his extraordinary vulnerability and wisdom in sharing his story. And to everyone who joined us live for this conversation—your presence and engagement make these conversations possible.What's Next
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Life unfiltered is where the real creativity lives.
Thanks for walking this path with me.
Josh
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