Testimonials

I didn’t identify as someone with a rock bottom addiction but knew my alcohol use was holding me back from being my best self. I just didn’t know there was something for the sober curious called Gray Area Drinking. That is until I found Kari.

What started off as a discovery call about Questioning the Drink, turned into a life-changing event. I decided to work with Kari as my coach to change my views on alcohol use. Turns out, she helped me ask better questions about my self and in turn, was able to have a huge mindset change. Once you see the possibilities you can’t turn a blind eye to the past. Kari finds a way to pull the Why out of you and get clarity on what is most important in your life.

I highly recommend working with Kari!

Nate P.

Kari Schwear helped me through a particularly difficult time in my life which manifested itself in an increase in my alcohol intake; to the point that it caused me to “question the drink”. Through our weekly conversations and a very detailed personality assessment, I was able to learn a lot about who I am, and more importantly why I am. A lot of dots were connected. I’ve never been someone who easily opens up to people, but Kari was able to make me feel comfortable talking to her. She truly cares for her clients! After going through her program I’m not only in a much better place, but I also know now how to better handle difficult times. A big thanks to Kari!”

EM - Richmond, VA.

Kari provides an insightful overview of alcohol abuse and it’s implications in the workplace. Her personal passion and deep expertise are compelling.

Dale Fickett, President & Co-Founder of RVA Works

Kari is a kind, passionate person that speaks straight to the heart from the heart. She is courageously open, non-judgemental and has way with people that is wonderful.

David B.

I was living a double life for so long. On the outside, I was your every day church-going stay-at-home-mom who enjoyed a couple of glasses of wine after getting kids in bed or getting together with friends. But the truth is, I was drinking WAY more than that and was absolutely reeling. I was in a slow downward spiral and had no clue how to stop. I wanted to quit….yet quitting didn’t seem like a viable option.

AA was out of the question for me at that time. (I wasn’t “that” bad!). That‘s why the very moment I got in touch with Kari was life-altering…a true turning point for me. All of a sudden, I wasn’t alone and there was hope! I never imagined I could give up alcohol completely. It didn’t happen overnight, but it began the process of realizing the fullness of life you can have without alcohol. She was there for me (during some pretty ugly moments) and helped me through those HARD, early steps towards sobriety. She did this with zero judgment… it was refreshing to hear from someone who fully understood and spoke from experience.

Today, I am 322 days sober, and I honestly would not be here if it weren’t for Kari‘s support, help, and guidance. I will forever be grateful to her, and so will my husband and 3 children. I am finally the clearheaded, productive, and present individual, wife, and mother that I always wanted to be. Sobriety rocks!!

Tiffany M.

I would highly recommend Kari to anyone who is looking for a life coach, seeking guidance for career, relationships, and/or health matters. Her ambition, motivation and optimism is exceptional. She is caring, organized, upbeat, committed and non-judgmental. Her friendship and advice is special and important.

Amy P.

Words are not enough to express my gratitude and appreciation to Kari. She has given me so much over this past year. I hear her in my head every day! She has shown me how to shift my thoughts, how important thinking plays a role. And gratitude! I’ve had a stunning awakening to gratitude. I thought I was a person of gratitude, but Kari has shown me that I have so much room to grow.

For so long I have beaten myself up and felt so negative about this humbling “Gray Area Drinking!!!!” Now I simply say “I choose not to drink!” Such a little change has made such a HUGE difference. She has such an unbelievable willingness to be there and help! Kari would drop everything to be there for me! I feel it day and night. Her passion – it’s unmatched and she does it with grace and love.
Grace… Kari has shown me how to live with grace through this all.

Lastly and most importantly, her faith in God. He is the center of my universe and she has the ability to tie all of her earthly knowledge in with our heavenly Fathers’ instruction and plan for our lives.

So from the bottom of mine and my families heart, we want to say THANK YOU! Those two words will never be enough.
The world and those she helps are more beautiful because of this amazing journey she is taking on for us all!

Amy A.

Kari is not only a super cool person but her life coaching focuses on mindset which I believe to be the key to truly making sustainable changes and shifting beliefs!

Missy B.

When you meet a person who has taken a personal experience that could make or break them and they decide to use it to not only evolve themselves but to help others, that’s when you know you met someone special. Kari is passionate about what she does and is helping people to achieve their goals and overcome their challenges. I highly recommend you contact her whether it is to speak or help you directly.

Dr. Phil A.

Kari is both knowledgeable and personable. She brings clarity to each of her clients and couples that with compassion, good questions, and accountability. I recommend Kari if you are ready to embrace a new version of yourself and stop relying on your old crutches.

Hannah L.

Kari is so down to earth! Her mission to help women get a handle on overdrinking and helping them find self-love, from the inside out, is so important. When we need help with a sensitive area of our lives, it’s so very important to find someone that speaks from experience and that takes the time to get to know you without judgment.

Michelle K.

Kari is passionate about helping people overcome the things in their life holding them back from being their best and experiencing authentic joy. Her own story of understanding addiction and the “gray areas of life” as she calls them are inspiring and let you know she works with her clients from a place of empathy and genuine care. She wants to see lives changed and has the training and tools to help empower to do so!

Rachel K.

Kari is a rockstar coach! Her caring nature and knowledge of mindset coaching make her so easy to work with.

Mary D.

Kari is an exceptional coach who helps her clients move forward and embrace their lives authentically. She is a real change-maker and extremely passionate about helping others move into their greatness.

Cheli G.

I rarely come across real talents who stand out like Kari’s ability to provide the best outcome for her clients. Working together to achieve the best possible outcome is very valuable to her and is intended to be transformative and supportive. Upon completion of her course, you will feel a wave of inspiration and motivation to leave you happier with your life. You will look at the next chapter in your life with optimism and be eager for what life has to offer.

Dan S.

I decided to work with Kari one-on-one and it was the best decision I ever made for myself. She has so many life experiences that relate to all walks of people. She also has a way of making you feel welcomed, loved and so very important. She makes you feel like the most important person in her life and invests all of her heart into you and your personal journey. She creates a loving and safe environment for you to grow and become the better person she sees in you.

Molly B.

Kari and I have recently worked together and she was an inspiring coach and cheerleader. She helped me on numerous fronts including my current mindset and vision for my future. No stone was left unturned during our twelve weeks together and her thorough and consistent follow-up challenged me every single week to grow and stretch myself on many fronts including my relationship with alcohol. Having worked with many other coaches throughout my life, Kari is second to none – always striking the right balance between providing motivation and demanding discipline. Because of the way Kari structured our time and the substantive tools she provided me, I am in a much better mindset and striving to be just a little bit better each and every day – always striving for progress but never beating myself up for a lack of perfection. She provides the roadmap, encouragement, and substance to take you to the next level in your life.

WPC

I took a leap of faith joining Kari’s Question the Drink/Try Dry for 30 program. I thought my drinking was far too bad to consider something ‘less than’ AA as a way out. But I felt led to reach out to her, to find out if her program could actually help me. From our first correspondence (and she is really connected with her clients!! you never wait to hear back from her!!), I felt like I was in the right place….I felt safe and I felt like I could be vulnerable and learn right alongside the others who were like me. Kari coaches from personal experience, that’s the amazing part. She understands what we’re going through, leads from the heart with no judgment, walks alongside us. What I didn’t expect from Kari’s program were all the takeaways! Each week we wracked up tools to help us be successful after the program is done!! I will use those tools with intent every day going forward. Kari changed my life in 30 days, without her I would not consider myself sober today. I am so grateful she encouraged me to take a chance and ‘start’.

Thank you Kari!