Dave Hughes on Quitting Young and Living in the Now

2026-08-09

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Hughesy!This was meant to be a chat about booze… but somehow Vic ended up being spiritually mentored by this legendary Aussie larrikin!Dave Hughes gave up alcohol at just 21 years old, after years of binge drinking, blackouts and waking up with no idea how he had got home. He had watched alcohol control his dad’s life, and one Christmas Eve in 1992, he realised he didn’t want it controlling his future too.Nearly 34 years later, Hughesy joins Vic to talk about growing up in Australia’s deeply ingrained drinkin...

Hughesy!

This was meant to be a chat about booze… but somehow Vic ended up being spiritually mentored by this legendary Aussie larrikin!

Dave Hughes gave up alcohol at just 21 years old, after years of binge drinking, blackouts and waking up with no idea how he had got home. He had watched alcohol control his dad’s life, and one Christmas Eve in 1992, he realised he didn’t want it controlling his future too.

Nearly 34 years later, Hughesy joins Vic to talk about growing up in Australia’s deeply ingrained drinking culture, why accepting that he would never drink again made sobriety easier, and how giving up the grog gave him the stability and confidence to begin his comedy career.

They also chat about coping with criticism, managing the addictive buzz of applause, and why getting sober dosnt always have to be about getting help - it can just be a really smart choice!

But this conversation becomes about much more than booze. Dave shares what getting sacked from radio taught him about ego, why grudges disappear when you stay present, and how real freedom comes from remembering that most of the things we worry about do not matter nearly as much as we think they do.

Can giving up alcohol teach you how to stop living in the past, worrying about the future and finally relax into the life happening right now?

Listen to find out! - (but if you don't have time the answer is yes!)

@dhughesy

Go and see Dave in his Australia stand up tour - https://davehughes.com.au/

📘 Victoria’s memoir – A Thousand Wasted Sundays

A brutally honest and hilarious look at motherhood, anxiety, and ditching the booze.

👉 https://amzn.asia/d/0aZ69GpK

Vic's book 'Mumming - A year of Trying (and Failing) to be a better parent - https://amzn.asia/d/0bUJTS2W

🎧 Listen to more Sober Awkward episodes

👉 www.soberawkward.com

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