Julie Lively Featured on Women’s Insider:
Empowering Women Through Menopause and Life Transitions to Live Alcohol-Free
When life shifts—kids leaving home, careers evolving, marriages changing, bodies transforming through perimenopause and menopause—it’s incredibly common for women to lean on alcohol as a way to cope, connect, or simply get through the day.
In a powerful feature on Women’s Insider, Alcohol Freedom Coach Julie Lively shares how she helps women navigate these big transitions without needing to rely on wine to relax, fit in, or numb out. Her coaching is designed especially for women who don’t see themselves as “alcoholic” but know, deep down, that alcohol is quietly getting in the way of the life they really want.
This page highlights the key themes from Julie’s Women’s Insider feature and invites you to read the full article for her complete story and approach.
👉 Read the full article here:
Julie Lively Coaching: Empowering Women Through Menopause and Life Transitions to Live Alcohol-Free
Julie’s Story: When Alcohol Just Wasn’t “It” Anymore
Julie didn’t become an Alcohol Freedom Coach because she hit a dramatic rock bottom. Her turning point was more subtle—and in many ways, more relatable.
From the outside, she was doing everything “right”:
- Maintaining a generally healthy lifestyle
- Raising four children
- Navigating big life events, including leaving her corporate job after 9/11
- Showing up for her family day after day
Yet alcohol slowly became a constant presence: a glass to unwind, to celebrate, to get through hard days, to cope with stress and isolation. Like so many women, she was pulled into the cultural pull of “mommy wine culture”—the idea that wine is the reward, the badge of survival, the default way to handle it all.
As her life changed—her children grew, a difficult divorce unfolded, and her daughter with Down syndrome faced painful exclusion from activities—the emotional weight grew heavier. Alcohol seemed like an easy companion, but it left Julie feeling more alone and disconnected. She recalls sitting by herself, wondering if this was it: a life that looked fine from the outside but felt empty and numbed on the inside.
Her real turning point came when she became deeply curious about why alcohol had such a hold on her and why moderation never seemed to fully “work.” After multiple attempts at Dry January and cutting back, she realized:
- Moderation left her feeling stuck in a cycle of temporary relief followed by guilt, anxiety, and physical discomfort
- Alcohol was silently draining her energy, clarity, and confidence
- She wanted more—from herself, from her life, and from this next chapter
In an 18-month period, Julie made the decision to stop drinking completely. The result: a profound sense of clarity, calm, and renewed energy that became the foundation for the work she does now.
From Personal Shift to Professional Calling
Julie didn’t stop at her own transformation. She went on to become double certified as a coach through:
- This Naked Mind’s coach training institute
- Jolene Park’s Gray Area Drinking program
She also completed additional training in:
- Embodied Self Awareness
- Modern Co-Parenting
These programs, combined with her lived experience, shaped a holistic, compassionate approach that meets women where they are—especially during times of intense transition.
Who Julie Works With: Women in the “Gray Area” of Drinking
Julie’s coaching is designed for women who often feel unseen by traditional recovery narratives. Her clients typically:
- Don’t identify as “alcoholic,” but feel increasingly uncomfortable with how much or how often they drink
- Are navigating menopause, perimenopause, or midlife body changes
- Are moving through empty nest syndrome and shifting identities as mothers
- Are dealing with divorce, co-parenting, or major life transitions
- Feel pressure from social norms and “mommy wine culture” to drink in order to relax, connect, or have fun
Instead of asking women to fit into a label, Julie focuses on the relationship they have with alcohol—and how that relationship may be holding them back from the life they truly want.
What Makes Julie’s Coaching Different
Julie’s work is not about shame, willpower, or rigid rules. It’s about education, compassionate support, and reclaiming identity.
Key elements of her approach include:
- Education about alcohol and the brain
Helping women understand the emotional and physical impact of drinking—especially during menopause and major transitions—without scare tactics or judgment. - Personalized, one-on-one support
Every woman’s story is different. Julie tailors her coaching to each client’s life circumstances, goals, personality, and responsibilities. - Compassion over labels
Her clients don’t have to call themselves “alcoholic” or fit any particular mold. The focus is on freedom, not identity. - Holistic focus on the whole woman
Rather than zeroing in only on alcohol, Julie helps women rediscover:- Purpose and passion
- Identity beyond motherhood or marital status
- Self-worth and confidence
- Emotional regulation and resilience
The goal is not just to remove alcohol—but to build a life that feels full, energizing, and worth waking up for, alcohol-free.
Life Transitions: Menopause, Empty Nest, and Identity Shifts
The Women’s Insider feature emphasizes how vulnerable certain life stages can be for women when it comes to alcohol use. Julie sees this every day in her coaching.
Her clients are often navigating:
- Perimenopause and menopause
With hormonal shifts affecting sleep, mood, and anxiety, alcohol can seem like a quick fix—but it often makes symptoms worse over time. - Empty nest syndrome
As children leave home, many women are left with more time, more quiet, and big questions about who they are now. Drinking can become a way to fill the space. - Divorce and co-parenting
Emotional upheaval, loneliness, and stress can all drive increased reliance on alcohol as a coping mechanism. - Loss of identity and purpose
After years of caregiving and multitasking, women can feel unmoored when roles change. Julie helps them rebuild a sense of self that is stronger, clearer, and rooted in their own values.
The Results: Energy, Clarity, Confidence, and Real Freedom
Women who work with Julie often report:
- More energy and better physical wellbeing
- Improved mental clarity and focus
- Less anxiety and emotional reactivity
- More authentic confidence in themselves and their choices
- Deeper satisfaction with their relationships and daily life
Most importantly, they experience the quiet, steady freedom that comes from no longer needing alcohol to:
- Cope with hard days
- Handle social pressure
- Numb painful emotions
- Make life feel “good enough”
Instead, they build lives that feel inherently rewarding, aligned, and meaningful—without a drink in hand.
An Invitation to Women Ready for Change
Julie’s message, as highlighted in Women’s Insider, is clear:
You don’t have to wait for a dramatic rock bottom.
You don’t have to fit a label.
You don’t have to keep pretending alcohol is “no big deal” if it doesn’t feel that way anymore.
If you’re a woman navigating menopause, empty nesting, divorce, or any major life transition—and you’re ready to feel better, clearer, and more like yourself—Julie offers a supportive, nonjudgmental path forward.
Her work centers on one core belief:
You are capable of living a rich, connected, joyful life—
and you do not need alcohol to make that possible.
To explore Julie’s story and philosophy in more depth, read the full Women’s Insider feature here:
👉 Julie Lively Coaching: Empowering Women Through Menopause and Life Transitions to Live Alcohol-Free
And to learn more about working with Julie directly, visit her website and social platforms for current programs, coaching options, and resources for women.