Episode 66 | Guest Conversation: Fibromyalgia, Alcohol and Coping with Pain with Sarah Hexter

Sarah Hexter shares her personal journey with fibromyalgia, a chronic pain condition characterized by widespread pain and fatigue. She explains that the diagnosis often comes after a lengthy process of elimination due to the overlapping symptoms with other conditions. Living with fibromyalgia can feel like a constant struggle, as even simple tasks become exhausting, leading to emotional challenges such as frustration and hopelessness.

Hexter discusses her past reliance on alcohol as a coping mechanism for both physical pain and emotional distress. She reflects on how her chaotic family dynamics and unaddressed childhood issues contributed to her drinking habits. Over time, she recognized that alcohol exacerbated her symptoms, prompting her to stop drinking to better understand her body's responses to medication and pain. This decision allowed her to regain clarity and focus on her health.

Now, Hexter emphasizes the importance of a holistic approach to managing fibromyalgia, which includes addressing diet, emotional well-being, and personal relationships. She encourages women facing similar struggles to seek hope and recognize that recovery is possible. By sharing her story, she aims to inspire others to take control of their health and find joy in life again.

When you're living with chronic pain and relentless fatigue, a glass of wine can feel like much-needed relief.

But what happens when the thing you're using to cope starts making life harder?

In this episode of The Wine O'Clock Woman, I'm joined by Sarah Hexter to explore the relationship between fibromyalgia and alcohol.

We talk about drinking to manage pain, exhaustion and the emotional toll of living with a condition that others can't always see, and why alcohol can become such an appealing coping strategy.

If you've ever reached for a drink to escape how you're feeling, physically or emotionally, this conversation is for you.

Meet Sarah: Sarah is the founder of Mind Body Rhythm and creator of the Rhythm Reset Method, where she combines nervous system education with the power of music, rhythm and movement to help people reconnect with themselves and get more out of life.

After years of navigating chronic pain, stress and her own survival strategies, Sarah became fascinated by the ways we unconsciously learn to cope with life's pressures — and how the patterns and behaviours we develop along the way can become so ingrained that we mistake them for personality traits rather than learned responses.

Her approach is refreshingly down-to-earth, combining science, lived experience and a healthy dose of humour to help people connect the dots, understand their patterns and discover that feeling better doesn't have to mean taking all the fun out of life.

Connect with Sarah on Instagram here:

Visit Sarah's website here:

If this episode has left you thinking about your own relationship with alcohol, I'd love you to join me at Beyond the Booze Live, my free monthly 90-minute Zoom workshop.

You'll understand why you can promise yourself you won't drink in the morning, only to find yourself reaching for a glass that evening.

You'll begin to see what's happening before that first drink, why alcohol has become your go-to for feeling better, and how to start making different choices without relying on willpower alone.

Beyond the Booze Live: Come and understand your drinking better.

Find out more and save your free place here:

Find out how to work with me If you're ready to make changes- I offer two ways to work together:

The Homecoming Group Programme™ – six months of support to help you break the cycle of drinking, regain control and make choices around alcohol that feel right for you, alongside a community of women working towards the same thing.

The Homecoming Reset™ – private 90-day one-to-one support, tailored to you.

Explore both programmes