Clachnacuddin midfielder deciding to go teetotal has improved his life
RORIE Macleod says taking the decision to go teetotal for one year has improved him as a person both mentally and physically.
The Clachnacuddin central midfielder made the choice to give up alcohol for 12 months as he wanted to focus on aspects of his life.
As he is about to complete his challenge, the 26-year-old says he has seen huge benefits both in his football and work career.
Macleod, who works as an online personal trainer, says he was never a big drinker in the past, but would enjoy social occasions which would sometimes lead to a hangover the next day.
He says that he never felt great mentally or physically with a hangover and wanted to stop drinking to see how it would impact his life.
He says stopping drinking has been beneficial and is glad that he decided to make the decision to give up alcohol for a year.
He said: “I have never been somebody who looked to go out and drink all the time.
“However, if we ever had beers after the game, it would always be so rough and I wouldn’t feel great on a Sunday.
“I asked myself, what if I could put that to the side for a year and see how much I could get done?
“With working on a Sunday, I wanted to grow my business on those days and I just wanted to feel better too.
“If I had a hangover, Sunday would always be a write off and the whole day would get wasted.
“I just wanted to feel better and improve my own football performance by feeling better, fitter and fresher.
“It has worked really well, I feel like that I have doubled my business.”
Macleod says he will not remain teetotal in 2025, but says the experience has changed his views and will look to only drink in moderation in future.
He says the experience has also increased his willpower and doesn’t need to have a drink in the future if he does not want to.
He said: “I will drink in the future, just less than what I did before.
“I am at the point where I feel I don’t need to have a drink if I am at a social event.
“I won’t feel like I am forced into it if I don’t want to do it. I have strengthened my will power in the last year.
“I knew the challenge would be difficult, but it shows you can do anything.”
Clachnacuddin are in fourth place in the Highland League and will look to continue their good form against Inverurie Locos on Saturday.
Macleod says the Lilywhites have put in a lot of hard work to turn the club around and they are looking to continue their good form in the second half of the season.
He said: “Last season we were second bottom and it has been a massive turnaround at the club.
“But we are only halfway through the season so far. We want to continue on as we have and we need to take each game as it comes.”
Macleod is raising money for Mikeysline as part of staying teetotal for a year. Donations can be made by clicking this link.