The Sober Fix Podcast

Successful on the Outside, Addicted on the Inside | Nick's Recovery Story

Nick Jonsson · August 28, 2026

Executive Coach · Author · TEDX Speaker · Leadership · Wellness · Life Coachin

Interview with Nick Jonsson

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Podcast: The Sober Fix Podcast

August 28, 2026 · 58 min

#addictionrecovery #recoveryjourney #soberlife Nick Jonsson looked successful on the outside—but behind the career, leadership, discipline, and achievement was a growing struggle with alcohol addiction.In this episode of The Sober Fix Podcast, Nick shares his journey from…

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Successful on the Outside, Addicted on the Inside | Nick's Recovery Story
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Key topicsWhy Success Makes Leaders Lonely-and Why That’s an Organizational RiskIsolation at the top isn’t a character flaw; it’s a leading indicator of burnout, secrecy, and bad decisions that can cascade through a company. Nick Jonsson-ranked the world’s #1 thought leader on Executive Loneliness and author of _Executive Loneliness_-turns a taboo into a leadership imperative. Drawing on lived recovery, global research, and years coaching senior executives, he reframes loneliness as a system problem that demands a system fix. His 5 Steps to Holistic Leadership™-Surrender, Connection, Purpose, Goals, Discipline-give leaders a practical, stigma-free playbook to move from silent strain to sustainable performance. Nick’s approach is disarmingly candid and deeply actionable: how to build psychologically safe peer forums, measure connection like any other KPI, and replace performative toughness with habits that boost engagement, retention, and decision quality. It’s the conversation leaders avoid-delivered by someone who’s been there, and knows how to get them out. Performance & Biohacking for Business LeadersDrawing from his experience as a top 2% Ironman athlete, Nick shares how leaders can optimize their energy, focus, and recovery through biohacking strategies. He connects physical conditioning, mental clarity, and executive performance, offering practical steps for leaders to sustain peak performance without burnout. What a Top 2% Ironman Athlete Does Differently on Low-Energy DaysNick Jonsson races Ironman in the top 2% of the field and spent more than two decades running businesses and teams across Asia before burnout and addiction stopped him. He argues that most executives treat a flat day as a discipline problem and push through it, when endurance sport treats it as data and changes the plan. He walks through what he actually does when the energy is not there: how he reads the signal, what he cuts first, how sleep, food and training get adjusted rather than abandoned, and why recovery is scheduled before it is needed. He points to his own record, from rebuilding after hospitalisation to hosting more than 300 episodes of The Limitless Podcast while training and coaching. Listeners leave with a practical way to handle their worst days instead of losing a week to them.View all topics →

About Nick Jonsson

Nick Jonsson, podcast guest

#1 Global Thought Leader on Executive Loneliness, International Bestselling Author and TEDx Speaker

900+ EGN Southeast Asia membersTop 2% Ironman athletes worldwide2026 GHP Most Empowering Mental Health Leadership Advocate#28 worldwide Global Gurus Top 30 Coaching Professionals

Nick Jonsson is widely recognized as the world's leading authority on Executive Loneliness. His pioneering work has earned him a dedicated Executive Loneliness Wikipedia page and international recognition, establishing him as one of the world's most respected voices on leadership, vulnerability, mental wellbeing, and authentic connection.

Ranked #28 in the world among the Global Gurus Top 30 Coaching Professionals, Nick is a TEDx speaker, international bestselling author of Executive Loneliness, Professional Certified Coach (PCC), Certified Master Coach (CMC), qualified Counsellor and Psychotherapist, facilitator, and certified Team Psychological Safety practitioner.

For more than two decades, Nick held senior international leadership roles, leading businesses and high-performing teams across Asia. From the outside, his career reflected success. Privately, however, he struggled with burnout, alcohol addiction, and overwhelming loneliness - experiences that ultimately became the turning point of his life.

Rather than allowing those challenges to define him, Nick rebuilt his life through recovery, vulnerability, discipline, and purpose. Today, every keynote, workshop, coaching engagement, and counselling conversation is grounded in both professional expertise and lived experience.

Nick works globally with executives, leadership teams, founders, and organizations through keynote speaking, executive coaching, counselling and psychotherapy, leadership facilitation, and Team Psychological Safety training.

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About this episode

#addictionrecovery #recoveryjourney #soberlifeNick Jonssonlooked successful on the outside—but behind the career, leadership, discipline, and achievement was a growing struggle with alcohol addiction.In this episode of The Sober Fix Podcast, Nick shares his journey from social drinking to alcohol dependency, hospital visits, failed attempts to control his drinking, and ultimately the moment he realized he needed help.Nick opens up about what it was like struggling with addiction while building a successful career, the loneliness that can come with leadership, and why vulnerability became such an important part of his recovery.We also talk about the early days of sobriety, medical support, therapy, 12-step recovery, making amends, rebuilding relationships, exercise, purpose, and the importance of finding a community where you can be honest about what you're going through.Today, Nick uses his experience to help others understand the importance of mental health, social connection, vulnerability, and asking for help—especially among leaders who may feel pressure to appear like they have everything together.If you're struggling with alcohol, addiction, loneliness, or simply trying to build a meaningful life in recovery, Nick's story is proof that asking for help can be the beginning of an entirely new life.📚 CONNECT WITH NICK JONSSONNick is the author of Executive Loneliness, a book exploring the often-hidden isolation and struggles experienced by executives and business leaders.📖 Book: *Executive Loneliness*🎙️ Podcast: The Limitless Podcasthttps://www.nickjonsson.com/podcast ⁨@NickJonsson⁩  🎙️ WANT TO SHARE YOUR RECOVERY STORY?If you've overcome addiction or have a powerful recovery story and would like to come on The Sober Fix Podcast, reach out to me. I'm always looking for people willing to share their experiences and help someone else feel less alone.thesoberfixpodcast@gmail.com🌐 www.thesoberfixpodcast.com📸 Instagram: @thesoberfixpodcast🎵 TikTok: @thesoberfixCHAPTERS00:00 Introduction and guest background01:02 Nick's journey to sobriety and current work02:05 Vulnerability and asking for help02:58 Growing up in Sweden and early career04:01 Injury and moving abroad04:48 Beginning of alcohol use05:52 Warning signs and escalating drinking07:09 Managing drinking during school and work08:04 Health scares and first hospital visit08:53 Alcohol use and risky behaviors escalate10:01 Trying to control drinking and relapse11:00 Training, discipline, and the Ironman journey12:07 The turning point and first day of sobriety12:59 Medical support and medication13:52 Early sobriety and withdrawal14:59 Building a new life and purpose16:49 Honesty and vulnerability18:04 Career changes and relationships19:03 Helping others and giving back19:54 Surrender and support networks20:51 Therapy, coaching, and continuous learning21:54 Making amends and healing relationships24:05 From hiding to authenticity26:08 Social health and finding your tribe27:11 Advice for newcomers to sobriety28:06 Nick's experience with 12-step programs29:02 His first day sober and medical intervention30:14 The first months of sobriety31:09 Tapering medications and mental health32:09 Living a fulfilling life sober32:49 The power of sharing your story33:55 Nick's TEDx talk on sleep and performance35:11 Exercise, mental health, and purpose35:56 The importance of social connection37:08 Continuing to grow in recovery38:46 Advice for anyone struggling with addiction40:55 Loneliness in leadership and life42:12 Building meaningful relationships43:08 Planning and intentionality43:49 Final thoughts and future goals45:05 Nick's message of hope#Sobriety #AddictionRecovery #AlcoholAddiction #Recovery #MentalHealth

Guest: Nick Jonsson

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