Nick Jonsson · April 5, 2025

Podcast: Tribe Sober - inspiring an alcohol free life!
April 5, 2025 · 40 min
Listen to Nick Jonsson on Tribe Sober - inspiring an alcohol free life!.
Listen

#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.
Our guest this week is Master Coach and TED speaker Nick Johnsson
In this episode:-
Nick spent 11 years climbing the corporate ladder,
However when he did reach the senior roles he was striving for he felt unfulfilled and full of self doubt
Nick resigned from his job which led to divorce so he turned to alcohol for relief
Alcohol became his coping tool for stress and unexpressed emotions.
After 2 or 3 years of heavy drinking he reached rock bottom and found his health was collapsing
At age 40, he realized he needed help—he began to share his feelings with his new wife, got medical help, and joined a 12-step program.
He has been sober for nearly 7 years since that first meeting.
These days Nick is an executive and sobriety coach, studying psychology to become a therapist.
Runs men’s groups and peer support networks
He also works with corporates across Asia to address vulnerability, burnout, and connection.
We agreed on the "power of vulnerability"— which is central to our philosophy here at Tribe Sober
Being open and honest and sharing our feelings is so critical for healing and growth and it seems to happen naturally in our community as we have a common struggle that binds us
However I was intrigued as to how he could get hard nosed business men and women to be vulnerable
Nick explained that he uses keynotes and workshops in corporates to create safe spaces for open conversation.
He shares his own story and then encourages the most senior executives to lead by example, sharing personal stories to build trust and openness.
Executive Burnout & the importance of Resilience
Nick warns about three signs of burnout: denial, changed habits, and secrecy.
Defines resilience as seeking help and using support systems, not just “pushing through.”
Nick has written a Book called: Executive Loneliness
Based on a survey showing 30% of executives feel isolated.
75% wouldn't ask for help; 84% wouldn’t talk about their mental health at work.
Follow-up book in progress with case studies and a holistic leadership model.
Connect via LinkedIn or find his book Executive Loneliness on Amazon/Audible.
More Info
We’re including a free Masterclass, Membership and Coaching session to the next few people who book into the Tribe Sober Retreat in Bali in October
Talking of payment we have a 3-part payment plan – first payment reserves your spot then second and third payments are later in the year.
Check out the Bali Retreat info via this link and then email me on janet@tribesober.com and we’ll get you started on this life changing journey
Episode Sponsor
This episode is sponsored by the Tribe Sober Membership Program. If you want to change your relationship with alcohol then sign up today
Read more about our program and subscribe HERE
Help us to Spread the Word!
We made this podcast so that we can reach more people who need our help. Please subscribe and share.
If you enjoyed the podcast, then please leave us a 5-star review on Apple podcasts.
Take a screenshot of your review, and DM it to Tribe Sober’s Instagram page – see PS below for instructions. We’ll send you something special to say thank you!
We release a podcast episode every Saturday morning.
You can follow Tribe Sober on Facebook, Twitter, TikTok and Instagram.
You can join our private Facebook group HERE.
PS: How to Leave a Rating/Review in Apple Podcasts (on an iOS Device)
Open the Podcasts app. EASY.
Choose “Search” from the bottom row of icons and enter the name of the show (e.g. Recover Like a Mother) into the search field.
Select the show under Shows (not under Episodes).
Scroll down past the first few episodes until you see Ratings & Reviews.
Click Write a Review underneath the displayed reviews from other listeners. You’ll then have the option to rate the show on a 5-star scale and write a review (you can rate without writing too but it’s always good to read your experience).
Guest: Nick Jonsson
These Lads Are MentalRock bottom to Ironman: Nick Jonsson ReturnsSep 2026Play episode →
The Sober Fix PodcastSuccessful on the Outside, Addicted on the Inside | Nick's Recovery StoryAug 2026Play episode →
Kill ComplacencyWhy Do Men Struggle With Emotions? with Nick JonssonAug 2026Play episode →
Fidelis Leadership PodcastNick JonssonAug 2026Play episode →
A Geek Leader Podcast - inspiring technical and creative leaders around the worldAGL 483: Nick JonssonAug 2026Play episode →
S.M.A.R.T. Performance "A Leaders Blueprint to Sustainable Success!"Lonely at the Top - The Hidden Burnout Leaders MissAug 2026Play episode →
The Sober ConnectionThe Sober Connection - Guest Episode: My Chat with Nick JonssonJul 2026Play episode →
The Dave Pamah ShowThe Hidden Crisis of Executive Loneliness | Nick Jonsson on Leadership, Burnout & Mental WellbeingJul 2026Play episode →
The Modern Man PodcastHe Was Terminated Twice and Filed for Divorce. Sober Since May 5, 2018Jul 2026Play episode →175+ podcast & stage appearances. Remote or in studio, broadcast-grade audio.