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Midlife Sparkle with Belinda Stark
Welcome to Midlife Sparkle with Belinda Stark – the podcast that celebrates the messy, magical middle of life.
I'm Belinda Stark – coach, writer, mum, and midlife cheerleader. I know firsthand how this season can feel like a rollercoaster: one minute you're craving change, the next you're clinging to what's familiar. Whether you're navigating menopause, identity shifts, career pivots, or relationships evolving, this podcast is your reminder that you're not alone – and it's not too late to reclaim your sparkle.
Each week, you'll hear honest conversations with inspiring women, expert voices, and real stories from the messy middle. We’ll explore everything from mindset and wellbeing to alcohol, ageing, motherhood, purpose, and the quiet courage it takes to start again.
This is your space for reflection, laughter, lightbulb moments, and gentle nudges forward – no perfectionism, pressure, or pretending required.
Let’s rewrite the rules of midlife, one story at a time.
Midlife Sparkle with Belinda Stark
Andy Ramage
In this episode, I sit down with Andy Ramage – a former professional athlete turned City broker who went on to co-create two multimillion-dollar businesses before walking away to reinvent his life. Andy’s transformation began when he realised his drinking was holding him back from his potential. He wasn’t addicted, but like so many of us, he was caught in that middle lane of drinking – fitting in with everyone around him, yet feeling the toll on his health, performance, and mental wellbeing.
Andy shares how a 28-day break from alcohol turned into an 11-year alcohol-free lifestyle that improved his consistency, mental clarity, and overall happiness. We explore the fears many people have about stopping – from worrying about social acceptance to believing alcohol is essential for fun – and how challenging those long-held beliefs can lead to real freedom.
We also delve into Andy’s career pivot, from the high-pressure world of broking to becoming a leading voice in the alcohol-free movement. Through his work co-founding One Year No Beer, writing bestselling books, training coaches, and now creating a documentary, Andy has helped over 100,000 people transform their relationship with alcohol.
Our conversation covers:
- How removing alcohol improves mental health, resilience, and self-acceptance.
- Why challenging your personal “map” of beliefs is key to lasting change.
- How to navigate social and workplace drinking cultures with confidence.
- The role of books, podcasts, and community in early sobriety.
- Andy’s recent adventure walking the Camino de Santiago – and how it mirrors the connection and openness of the alcohol-free space.
- The power of mindset in achieving big life changes.
This episode is about more than not drinking – it’s about designing a life you truly want, based on informed and mindful choices, and discovering that success, fun, and fulfilment don’t need to come from a bottle.