After a “lightening bolt” moment at Willingdon Beach two years ago, a stressed- out, overworked and hard-drinking international human rights advocate started working to help herself.
Now living a life of balance on the coast of Mexico, Powell River’s Caitlin Padgett said changing her relationship with alcohol helped her rediscover her gift for helping people.
“I was ‘go, go, go, go’ all my 20s,” said Padgett, “but I wasn’t where I was supposed to be. I was not happy and I wasn’t in a healthy place.”
A holistic health coach and author of a recently released book, Drink Less, Be More, Padgett said she wants to help more women talk about alcohol.
“Women need to be able to talk about alcohol safely and not feel shamed,” said Padgett. “Alcohol is keeping so many women from fulfilling their purpose and we need to shine a light on that issue.”
More and more Padgett said she came to rely on a glass of wine or two rather than her former love of dancing to help her unwind after work. And walking on the beach the morning after a particularly rough night, she said she knew she had to make a big change in her life.
“I didn’t have any enthusiasm,” she said. “I just didn’t want to be doing what I was doing any more.”
In order to be of service to others, Padgett said she had to prioritize her own health and work to calm her inner turmoil and doubt.
“I felt alone and unworthy,” said Padgett. “In the past I would ignore that feeling and drink rather than reflect on it.”
To change and build a healthy life, Padgett left her job, started studying holistic counselling and began moving in synch with her own rhythms again.
“Every part of my day is different now,” said Padgett. “I live a full, fun, satisfying life.”
The move to Mexico was part of that change. Living in Puerto Escondido with her partner and one-year-old daughter, Luna Azul, Padgett said she has built a life around healthy habits.
“I am happy in the heat,” she said. “Knowing how to start my day right and being honest about my habits has helped me stay true to myself.”
Although not a medical health professional, Padgett said her experiences dealing with her own alcohol abuse showed her that many women are discouraged from seeking help because of shame.
“Abstinence based programs like Alcoholics Anonymous don’t work for many women,” she said, ”because they are too ashamed to come forward and get help.”
From her laptop in Mexico, Padgett said she counsels clients over Skype or other international online forums.
“I’ve always liked to help people or speak up when there is injustice,” she said. “The one-on-one work is a joyful way to help women who are committed to making change in their lives.”
For more information about Padgett and her book, readers can go to caitlinpadgett.com.
