Episode 74: The Habit Loop That's Keeping Your Stuck (And How to Break It)

What if the habit you rely on to “take the edge off” is actually the thing keeping you stuck? In this episode of *Main Street Success Stories*, Jennifer Kok sits down with Cari Walters, a sober curious life coach, to explore the powerful connection between habits, emotions, and the way we cope as busy entrepreneurs. Cari shares her personal journey from years of habitual drinking — not out of addiction, but out of routine — to becoming alcohol-free through a process of curiosity, awareness, and intentional change. If you’ve ever reached for a glass of wine after a long day, scrolled your phone to unwind, or found yourself stuck in patterns that no longer serve you, this conversation will open your eyes in a powerful way. Jennifer and Cari dive into: - The difference between alcohol dependence and being “sober curious - How everyday habits form through the cue → action → reward loop - Why high-achieving entrepreneurs often avoid their emotions — and what it costs them - A simple but powerful tool called The Pause to interrupt unhealthy patterns - Cari’s “3 F’s” framework: *How do I feel? How does this feed it? Can I find another way?* - Why breaking habits isn’t all-or-nothing — and how to embrace the “gray” - How long it actually takes to build new habits (and why it’s longer than 21 days) This episode is a powerful reminder that the habits you build are either working for you… or against you. **Meet Our Guest:** Cari Walters is a sober curious life coach who helps individuals move from autopilot habits to intentional living. With a background in education and years of experience working with people through behavior patterns, Cari guides clients to understand their emotions, interrupt habit loops, and build healthier ways to cope, unwind, and thrive. **Connect with Cari:** Website: sobercuriouslifecoaching.com Instagram / Facebook / LinkedIn: Cari Walters – Sober Curious Life **Meet Your Host:** Jennifer Kok is a Profit & Growth Advisor and founder of Next Wave. A serial entrepreneur with more than 25 years of experience, she helps service-based women entrepreneurs increase profitability through financial clarity, strategic decision-making, and systems that support sustainable growth.   www.nextwavebusinesscoaching.com Focus Growth Collective Author of Make Waves If this episode made you pause and think about your own habits, share it with a friend who might need this conversation too. And remember — awareness is the first step to real change. My name is Jennifer Kok, and I’m a profit and growth advisor for service-based women entrepreneurs. I help women business owners make smarter, more strategic decisions so they can grow profitably, pay themselves consistently, and avoid burnout. Because the truth is, business owners make decisions all day long, but the ones that really matter are often the hardest ones. Should I hire? Raise my prices? Invest in marketing? Let go of a draining client? Expand, or simplify? Those decisions carry weight, and they can impact your time, your profit, your energy, and your long-term growth. That’s why I created the Focused Growth Collective, a virtual mastermind for women business owners who want support making the kinds of decisions that move a business forward. Yes, we talk strategy, but we also look at the bigger picture like mental load, health, profit, and long-term sustainability. My goal is to help women build businesses that pay them well, support their lives, and still feel worth leading 10 years from now. Connect with me: Website: Facebook: Instagram: LinkedIn: YouTube: