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From Burnout to Balance: How Busy Moms Can Drink Less, Feel Better, and Prioritize Their Health with Ashley Schwartz from The Busy Mom Method
- Erica Mallery
- May 29
- 3 min read
By Erica Mallery, Founder of ShameOver | Moderation Coach for Women Who Feel Too Much, Do Too Much, and Just Want to Feel Good Again
If you're a busy mom who's ever poured a glass of wine (or 3...) at the end of the day and thought, “Why is this the only thing that feels like relief?” — you’re not alone. And more importantly, you’re not broken. You’re just burned out, overloaded, and craving something to soothe your nervous system, not sabotage your health.
In a powerful recent episode of the ShameOver Podcast, I sat down with the incredible Ashley Schwartz, founder of The Busy Mom Method, fitness + nutrition coach, and a real-deal mama who gets it. We talked about everything from hormone shifts to handling stress to how she changed her relationship with alcohol without losing her social life or identity.
And y’all… this one hit DEEP. 👇 Here's a bit of what we get in to...
💡 Why You’re Drinking More Than You Want To (And How to Stop Without Going Sober)
Let’s get real: most moms aren’t drinking because they want to be getting drunk on wine every night.
They’re drinking because they’re:
Exhausted from the invisible mental load
Drowning in to-do lists
Overstimulated from noise, screens, and tiny humans (or big humans - they definitely count!)
And feeling like the only break is that 5pm pour
But as Ashley shared, there’s another way. And it’s not about restriction, rules, or shame.
It’s about reclaiming your power, learning to understand your body, and building a system that actually works for your life—not against it.
💬 Ashley’s Top Tips for Moms Who Want to Feel Good Again (Without Quitting Everything They Love)
Ashley dropped so many gems in our conversation, but here are a few standouts:
🔹 1. More Protein, More Power
Protein isn’t just for bodybuilders. It’s for busy moms who want energy, muscle, and fewer cravings (yes, even for wine). Ashley breaks down why how you eat matters more than how little you eat.
🔹 2. Strength Training > Endless Cardio
Long gone are the days where we spend hours on a treadmill. Ashley shares why lifting weights is one of the best tools for perimenopause, metabolism, and mental health.
🔹 3. Progress Over Perfection
Ashley and I both agree—whether it’s fitness or drinking, the all-or-nothing mindset is the problem. Learning to reset, reflect, and move forward is what builds lasting change.
🍷 What We Really Talked About: Alcohol + Motherhood
One of the most powerful parts of our convo was diving into how alcohol plays into stress relief and identity—especially in motherhood. Ashley grew up around Alcoholics Anonymous, and her perspective on cutting back in a sustainable, empowering way is something every woman needs to hear.
Whether you’re:
Curious about drinking less
Wanting to reset after a chaotic season
Feeling like moderation just isn’t working for you...
This episode will make you feel seen, supported, and ready to take the next step.
👯♀️ The ShameOver Approach: Moderation with Compassion, Not Control
This is what we’re all about at ShameOver™—helping deeply feeling, high-achieving women break free from the shame spiral and create a healthier relationship with alcohol, without giving up their lifestyle, friendships, or joy.
You don’t need to hit rock bottom. You don’t need to quit forever. You just need support, strategy, and self-awareness.
✨ Final Thoughts: You Are Not Alone
Ashley’s story reminds us that you can rewrite the script. You can be a present mom, a strong woman, and a social human—without the hangovers, the guilt, or the self-doubt.
So if you’ve been Googling things like “how to drink less without quitting” or “what to do instead of drinking wine after work,” bookmark this page. Because you just found your people.
🎧 Listen to the full episode with Ashley here.
You can learn more about Ashley's The Busy Mom Method here:
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💛 P.S. Want to feel more joy and less need to “check out”?
Join my Joyful June experience—a 30-day challenge to help you rediscover what lights you up (no wine required). We’re talking daily check-ins, soulful prompts, and real support inside my private community. 🎉 Learn more + join here.
Don't forget to follow me on IG!
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