Meet Christie Walker

 

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Christie Walker. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Christie below.

Christie, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?

Growing up, I often felt like the odd one out. I didn’t quite fit the mold, and I spent a lot of time trying to figure out how to belong. But over the years, I’ve come to see that my tendency to march to the beat of my own drum is actually one of my greatest strengths.

I’ve learned how to connect with just about anyone—especially people others find difficult to relate to. That ability to build bridges, stay positive, and meet people where they are has helped me be effective, even when I’m the only one in the room who looks, thinks, or leads like I do.

As a Catholic woman and an entrepreneur working in the wellness and recovery space, I often bring a different perspective to the table. But that’s a good thing. I’m not there to blend in—I’m there to make an impact. And I’ve found that when I stay true to my values and lead with genuine care, people respond.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

Thank you! I’d love to share. I’m a life and sobriety coach who works primarily with Catholic women who feel stuck in a cycle of overdrinking—even when they’ve tried to cut back or stop in the past. I help them create a life of freedom, peace, and purpose without relying on shame, strict rules, or all-or-nothing thinking.

My own journey to sobriety began over 28 years ago. I got sober young through a 12-step program, but it wasn’t until years later that I experienced deep spiritual healing and stepped fully into my Catholic faith. That transformation shifted everything—not just personally, but professionally. It became clear that I was called to help other women walk this path with compassion, clarity, and real tools that work.

What I love most about my work is helping women uncover what’s really going on beneath the drinking—and watching them grow in confidence, purpose, and joy as they heal. So many women are carrying burdens silently, especially within faith communities. My goal is to create a space where they can be honest, find support, and learn how to rebuild from the inside out.

Right now, I’m leading a program called the Sober(ish) Summer Challenge, which blends brain science, journaling, lifestyle tools, and spiritual practices to help women reduce or eliminate alcohol in a realistic, supportive way. I also host of The Catholic Sobriety Podcast and YouTube channel called The Catholic Sobriety Coach, where I share encouragement, stories, and education for women navigating this journey.

I’m excited about expanding my work into more public speaking, group coaching, and a book I’m currently developing—designed to help women reclaim their peace, dignity, and God-given identity, whether they choose moderation or complete sobriety.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

1. Resilience has been key—especially in the early years of sobriety, building a business, and learning how to keep going when things felt uncertain. I’ve had to get comfortable with discomfort and trust that forward momentum often comes from just taking the next right step.

Advice: Don’t expect to feel confident all the time. Confidence grows from showing up and not quitting.

2. Emotional insight—what I’ve developed through coaching training and my own recovery work—has been transformational. My role isn’t to judge or fix—it’s to help women uncover what alcohol has been doing for them, and then build new patterns that truly support their life and goals. Often, alcohol is a symptom of deeper emotional overwhelm, stress, or disconnection. Learning how to recognize and work with those internal patterns—without judgment—has allowed me to help women find real, lasting change.

Advice: If you’re starting out, I recommend getting curious about your emotional habits, investing in coaching or mentorship, and learning how to hold space—for yourself and others—with compassion and clarity.

3. Following the nudge is something I’ve only recently learned to embrace. So much of what I do now—coaching Catholic women around sobriety, creating programs, sharing publicly—wasn’t on my “career plan.” But I felt a call, and I followed it.

Advice: You don’t need full clarity to begin. Pay attention to what lights you up, where others are drawn to you for help, and what God might be whispering that scares you a little. That’s usually where your mission lives.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

I’m always open to meaningful collaboration—especially with those who share a passion for helping women live more fully, freely, and faithfully. Whether you’re in the wellness space, recovery support, Catholic ministry, coaching, podcasting, or content creation, I’d love to connect if there’s alignment.

I’m especially interested in partnerships that:

– Help normalize alcohol-free living and reduce shame around the struggle

– Amplify the voices of women in midlife who are navigating big transitions

– Educate and encourage my audience in a way that’s empowering, faith-informed, and rooted in real-life tools

If you’re reading this and feel like our missions might overlap—or you simply want to explore a conversation—you can reach out to me at [email protected] or from my website TheCatholicSobrietyCoach.com

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