Breaking the Groundhog Day Loop with Terry | Walking Sober

What if recovery begins with something as simple as showing up for yourself?

In this episode, I’m joined by Terry, the founder of Walking Sober, a growing community built around the idea that healing doesn’t have to be complicated—it can start with putting one foot in front of the other.

After seven years of sobriety, Terry began hosting Sunday morning walks along the downtown hike-and-bike trail in Austin, Texas. There’s no pressure, no fixing, and no lectures—just movement, conversation, and the quiet power of being alongside others who are choosing an alcohol-free life.

Our conversation explores how drinking can quietly become a habit loop we barely notice—until one day we do. Terry shares how journaling helped him begin to see the patterns in his own life, the moment awareness cracked open, and why the movie Groundhog Day became a powerful metaphor for the cycle so many of us find ourselves living.

We talk about the rebellion that can come with early sobriety, the influence of voices like Holly Whitaker and Laura McKowen, and the tipping point when you realize: whatever those people have in their lives, I want some of that too.

Terry also reflects on childhood experiences, grief, therapy, and why recovery is often about much more than alcohol itself. Over time, he began to build a recovery practice that worked for him—one rooted in curiosity, movement, and learning how to get back up when life knocks you down.

Because, as Terry says, the goal isn’t perfection.

It’s practice.

And one day, almost without noticing, you wake up and realize you’re free.

In this episode we talk about:

How habits form without our awareness
The moment you start to see the pain in your own patterns
Why Groundhog Day is such a powerful recovery metaphor
Finding inspiration from people a few steps ahead
Creating space in your life for the good things to grow
Why recovery is about more than just alcohol
What “Keep Walking” really means

Lace up your shoes and come walk with us.

Get in touch with Terry:

Website: WalkingSober.org

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@walkingsober

Facebook: facebook.com/walkingsoberclub

Terry's Story: Breaking the Groundhog Day Loop