Meet Ken Makimsy Middleton | Alcohol-Conscious Writer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ken Makimsy Middleton and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ken Makimsy, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I don’t have my own business, but my inspiration for writing Bamboozled was related to my desire to help others recognize the tremendous number of ways that alcohol was holding them back from creating the best version of themselves.

I recognized this when I gave up alcohol in 2018 and have never looked back since. The reason I wrote Bamboozled was to help individuals who have a “casual” (some would say “normal”) relationship with alcohol realize that this doesn’t mean that it’s still not preventing them from achieving the level of results they desire for their lives.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
In regards to my “art”, I just love to write and inspire others with my writing.

I have been working on improving my craft for about as long as I can remember, and my ultimate goal is to make this my main day-to-day focus.

My writing is meant to educate others by using science and facts, while also inspiring them through entertaining story-telling that will keep them engaged and wanting to learn more.

One of my writing heroes is Malcolm Gladwell, and I always aim to achieve that great balance with his writing that makes you interested in things that you never thought you would be.

My writing is designed to help people change the way they think and realize there is a much better and enlightened version of themselves waiting to come out if they’re willing to give it a chance.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
In Atlanta, there are so many great places, that it would be hard to pare them all down, but here are a few of my favorites that I would probably make sure that we hit before they left.

Farmer’s Market – Peachtree Rd Farmer’s Market and Piedmont Park Green Market

Best random spots for food – Slutty Vegan (any of them), Dat Fire Jerk Chicken, Eatz Atlanta, Upbeet

Nightlife – Suite Lounge

Best Breakfast Spot – Original Pancake House or Snooze Eatery

Random fun outing spot – Putt Shack or Revery VR

Dinner spot – STK

History – National Center for Civil and Human Rights

Sports – College Football Hall of Fame, Braves, Falcon, or Atlanta United Game

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First, I would have to give it to my amazing wife, Lena. Without her by my side, constantly cheering me on and supporting me, I wouldn’t be the person I am today.

Second, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that Annie Grace’s This Naked Mind was a big reason for who I am today. When I first decided to give drinking a break, I didn’t know how long it would be. Fortuitously, I had a 9-hour flight to Dublin with my wife shortly afterward and was able to consume this book by Annie.

After reading this book, my entire outlook on alcohol changed. My mind was open to all of the misconceptions and beliefs I had about alcohol being harmless as long as I kept it “under control.” What this book helped me realize was there was no true way to prevent alcohol from hindering my life without giving it up completely.

Website: https://thebamboozledbook.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kenmmiddleton/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenmmiddleton/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kenmmiddleton

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ken.middleton2

Image Credits
Image credit to @hakimthewiseguy (Instagram)