'It was a once-in-a-lifetime backpacking trip, but something didn't feel right'

Two decades ago, Gemma Nice embarked on a once-in-a-lifetime backpacking trip around the world. As she took in some of the planet's most breath-taking sights, something "didn't feel right".

Especially in Thailand, she became increasingly conscious the experience could have easily been ruined by one thing: A hangover.

It was then she decided to go completely teetotal. A decision even her own family thought was "odd". Though she drank a little in her late teens, Gemma says she has never been drunk and continues her sober lifestyle to this day.

READ MORE: The free app that helped mum shed over five stone in amazing transformation

The 41-year-old yoga coach has now opened up about her alcohol-free lifestyle – saying her own family thought she was “odd” for choosing not to drink.

Gemma, who lives in Brighton but offers online classes in Manchester, said: “I was in my early 20s and my husband and I backpacked around the world for seven months. We were at all these amazing backpacker places, especially in Thailand at the Full Moon Party.

“It just didn’t feel right that if I drank, I would potentially have a hangover and waste my day the day after. I drank a little in my late teens and got a bit tipsy, but to this day, I’ve never been drunk.

“I’ve always been into healthy eating and wellbeing, more so after coming back from backpacking, and that’s why I decided I didn’t need to drink to have fun. I am a yoga teacher and to me drinking alcohol is a wellbeing decision I’ve chosen to not drink.

“Some of my friends thought it was weird that we’d go out to the pub or go clubbing in my early 20s and I’d not drink. My brother and sister thought it was odd that they’d go out and get drunk and I didn’t.

“Before I went travelling, I