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Bill H.

Goodreads Author


Born
in Whittier, CA, The United States
Website

Genre
Memoir, Self Help, Humor and Comedy

Influences
Don Miguel Ruiz, Jimmy Buffett, Bill Wilson (A.A. Big Book), Harry Cha ...more

Member Since
June 2026


Bill H. is the founder of Living Step Solutions and author of Gratitude, Grit & Giggles, an honest memoir on high-functioning alcoholism and recovery.



For 37 years, Bill thrived in the wine and beverage industry, earning multiple Salesman of the Year awards. On the outside, he was the picture of success.



Like many, Bill resisted his drinking problem—even after a cirrhosis diagnosis. It wasn't until facing a liver transplant that he finally embraced a 12-step program to save his life and learn the truth about himself.



Today, Bill channels his resilience into Living Step Solutions, helping others align their values with their goals. He proves that recovery isn't the end—it’s the first step toward a vastly more rewarding, and often humorous, life

 ...more

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Hi, since this is a biographical book, was it difficult to differentiate between what your memory of an event was, versus what others perceived the event to be? It’s often said that people are their own harshest critics. So, did you write your version of the “ truth” or ask for other people’s perspectives?
Bill H. That is a fantastic question and gets right to the heart of what makes writing a memoir so challenging. Memory is definitely a tricky thing!

To answer …moreThat is a fantastic question and gets right to the heart of what makes writing a memoir so challenging. Memory is definitely a tricky thing!

To answer your question directly: I wrote my version of the "truth," but I absolutely relied on the perspectives of others. Early versions of the manuscript were read by dear friends who helped keep me honest and grounded.

My old modus operandi used to be "whopping exaggeration," so I really had to work hard to avoid doing that in this book. I'll admit to a tiny bit of dramatic license—for instance, my wife Missy might not have literally crumbled to the floor in one particular scene, but she definitely needed the safety bar nearby to hold herself up!

For the most part, though, there were just funny moments where my memory totally clashed with reality:

The Details: Missy remembered a completely different Jimmy Buffett song playing at a wedding we watched.

The Timeline: I recalled a situation with a Choir Director as one single event, but I was told it was actually two separate occasions.

The Hard Proof: I remembered an incredible chef's dinner happening on our last cruise. Missy swore it was the cruise before that—and she literally produced the signed cookbook to prove her version was right!

The Blurry Moments: I can only recall portions of our last trip before my sobriety. I usually need people to remind me of stories or show me a photo to trigger the memory.

As for the second part of your question about being my own harshest critic: believe it or not, the biggest disagreement I get from people who read the book is my assessment of my past self. I describe myself back then as a world-class ahole, but a lot of people push back and say, "No, you were just a fun drunk!"

The truth is, most people didn't see me 24/7, and no one but me knew what I was actively editing out of their view. They thought I was just being the life of the party, when in reality, I was incredibly bored because I only cared about myself. That hurts to say, even now, but it is the truth.

Thank you for such a thoughtful question!(less)
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How/why do you feel your journey can help others change their behaviors (it can apply to many things-eating, smoking even shopping) before it becomes life threatening? When you were first diagnosed, why didn’t you stop drinking?
Bill H.
Hi Lynda, thank you for such a thoughtful two-part question.

To answer your second question first, because it really sets the stage: The reason I didn'…more
Hi Lynda, thank you for such a thoughtful two-part question.

To answer your second question first, because it really sets the stage: The reason I didn't stop drinking when I was first diagnosed was pure EGO. I convinced myself that "others are alcoholics, not me." I believed I couldn't possibly have a "common" disease because I was special. I thought I could manage it alone, which is the biggest lie addiction tells you. It doesn't care who you are, where you came from, or what you have.

That ego is actually tied directly to your first question. Originally, this book wasn't meant to help anyone. It started simply because my therapists told me to journal. In fact, my original concept was going to be called "12 Reflections from an Expert in Nothing," where I was just going to tell people what to do and what I thought (which is where chapters like the ones on martinis and music came from).

But as I wrote, I realized I had gone from being a "pontificator" to a guy who had to admit his ego was completely out of control.

I think that realization is exactly why the book can help people change their own behaviors—whether it's drinking, eating, or shopping—before they hit a life-threatening wall. I've been told by dozens of readers that the raw honesty, the focus on faith, and leading by example rather than being preachy has helped them recognize their own denial.

At the end of the day, recognizing a destructive behavior before it kills you requires exactly what the title says: the Grit to face your reality, the Gratitude that help is there when you ask for it, and the Giggles to not take your ego so seriously along the way.(less)
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Bill H.'s Blog

Coaching Quarterly Vol. 5 is Live!

Why Your Motivational Posters Are Lying to You (Coaching Quarterly Vol. 5 is Live!)
If you have ever stared at a framed poster of a soaring eagle in a corporate breakroom and thought, “This isn’t actually helping me,” you are in the right place.

I am excited to announce that Coaching Quarterly Volume 5: The Goals Issue has officially dropped.

In this issue, we are taking a sledgehammer to the beautif Read more of this blog post »
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Published on August 31, 2026 22:23 • Tags: addiction, bill-henry, gratitude, liver-disease, memoirs, midlife, recovery, self-help, transplant
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Bill’s Recent Updates

Bill H. is now following Tanya Dreke's reviews
Sep 01, 2026 07:28AM  · 
Bill H. added a status update: 📚 A little Kindle celebration! My book Gratitude, Grit & Giggles is just $2.99 on Kindle through August 30 to celebrate two years since my life-giving liver transplant. If you've had it on your Want-to-Read shelf, now's a great time to grab a copy. Thank you for being part of my journey! ❤️
Aug 24, 2026 10:10AM  ·   · see status
Bill H. answered Loraine K.'s question:
Hi, since this is a biographical book, was it difficult to differentiate between what your memory of an event was, versus what others perceived the event to be? It’s often said that people are their own harshest critics. So, did you write your version of the “ truth” or ask for other people’s perspectives?
Bill H.
That is a fantastic question and gets right to the heart of what makes writing a memoir so challenging. Memory is definitely a tricky thing!

To answer your question directly: I wrote my version of the "truth," but I absolutely relied on the perspectiv See Full Answer
Aug 10, 2026 02:57PM  · 
Bill H. liked Kevin Mahoney's review of Gratitude, Grit & Giggles: Reflections from My Perfectly Imperfect Journey:
Gratitude, Grit & Giggles by Bill H.
"Great story of a man's journey of what he did and how he recovered so far. He doesn't tell you how to recover rather how he has done it thus far."
Aug 04, 2026 09:25PM  · see review ·  preview book
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What Early Readers Are Saying About Gratitude, Grit & Giggles:
"5-star review: An unfiltered roadmap for anyone trying to find their footing when life knocks them flat." — Verified Amazon Review

"I thought I was in the driver's seat. Right up until the ...more
Jun 07, 2026 07:02PM  ·   · see review ·  preview book
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