Nikki Potter
From a middle-lane drinker to rediscovering identity and purpose without alcohol.
Five years ago, Nikki Potter, a mum of two, realised that alcohol was dulling her potential. Prompted by the question “Who are we without alcohol?”, she took a break from drinking and began building a life that felt authentic, energised and rooted in her values. What started as an experiment helped her achieve clarity, confidence, and renewed purpose. Today, Nikki is a Positive Psychology and Alcohol-Free Performance Coach, dedicated to helping others discover the same freedom and authenticity she found from sobriety.
Nikki brings warmth, honesty, and humour to her coaching, talks, and workshops on wellbeing, identity, and intentional living. Grounded in science-based insight and lived experience, she creates spaces where people explore their relationship with alcohol and rediscover who they are at their best. Through her work, Nikki demonstrates that authentic living is possible and rewarding when we choose clarity over comfort.
About the talk
Nikki’s talk will share her journey from being a “middle-lane drinker”, functioning yet flat and disconnected, to quitting alcohol and rediscovering her authentic self. She will reveal how what started as a break became a breakthrough, changing her sense of self, confidence, and connection with her children. Nikki will explore societal drinking norms, and the false promises alcohol offers, inviting audiences to reflect on who they are and who they could become without alcohol clouding their identity. Through honest storytelling and science-based insight, she will inspire attendees to reconsider their relationship with alcohol and embrace clarity, authenticity, and genuine connection.
Interesting Facts
Interesting thing about you that people won’t know
I have anosmia – I have no sense of smell. Sometimes it’s great because I don’t notice the seriously bad smells, but it’s sad because I’ve come to accept that I was never going to make it as a sniffer dog!
What achievement makes you most proud?
Honestly? My kids. Even on the days they drive me absolutely crazy, I’m proud of the people they’re both becoming. Watching them grow has taught me so much about patience (and how much of it you actually need), unconditional love, and what really matters in life.
What do you get up to in your spare time?
I love cold water therapy. There’s nothing better than wading into a lake in your swimsuit when it’s 4 degrees!
Also, I love yoga, hiking, reading and spending time with my kids (when they’re not too busy with their social lives).
If you weren’t doing what you’re doing now, what would you be doing instead?
I’d love to own a coffee shop, with a bookstore attached to it. I’d have big wingback chairs and cosy blankets where people can come and have a coffee or an alcohol-free wine or beer and read a book. It would be a place to relax, feel safe, and just be calm for a while.