In this week’s Sober Life Rocks Podcast, we sat down with sober event creator Rachel Hechtman—an alcohol-free advocate, coach, and all-around force of nature. Rachel’s story is one of radical transformation, fueled by honesty, clarity, and a passion for building joyful, sober social spaces.

The Early Years: Anxiety, ADHD, and the Search for Relief

Rachel grew up struggling with undiagnosed ADHD and anxiety. By middle school, alcohol became her coping mechanism. A pivotal moment came when a teacher asked her if she’d taken her medication—leading to an ADHD diagnosis and a new chapter in her life.

College Life and the Spiral of Social Drinking

College life in Manhattan brought new challenges. Drinking was the norm, and Rachel leaned into the party culture to manage her anxiety. Behind the fun, she felt overwhelmed and disconnected.

COVID Gave Her the Pause She Needed

When the world shut down, Rachel took stock of her life. With toxic routines removed, she was still anxious—leading to a powerful realization: maybe the problem wasn’t everything around her. Maybe it was time for something new.

Dry January and an Unexpected Breakthrough

What started as a reluctant agreement to try Dry January with her mom turned into something bigger. Day by day, Rachel felt better. The mental fog cleared, and by February, she chose to keep going.

Losing Old Friends and Finding Her People

Many of her drinking friendships faded. But then she attended a San’s Bar pop-up—a non-alcoholic event that changed everything. It sparked her mission to build sober social spaces for others like her.

Building an Alcohol-Free Community

Rachel began hosting alcohol-free pop-ups, partnering with restaurants, and curating zero-proof drink tables. Her Instagram blew up. People resonated with her vibrant energy and were eager to join her events.

From Coaching to Creating Soft Bar NYC

To offer deeper support, Rachel trained as an alcohol-free coach. Now, she’s preparing to launch Soft Bar NYC, a full-fledged non-alcoholic bar where sober and sober-curious folks can connect without compromise.

Living Loud, Sober, and Proud

Rachel isn’t just surviving sobriety—she’s thriving. Her story shows that sobriety doesn’t mean isolation. It means freedom, clarity, connection, and joy.

Final Thoughts: From Self-Medicating to Self-Empowered

Rachel Hechtman’s journey is proof that sobriety isn’t about what you’re giving up—it’s about what you’re gaining. Confidence. Clarity. Real connection. And a life you can be proud of.

Resources:

• Follow Rachel on Instagram: @soberincentralpark
• Learn more about Soft Bar NYC: https://soft-bar.com/
• Coaching: https://www.soberincentralpark.com/

The post Episode 61: Sober Event Creator Rachel Hechtman: From Boozy Nights to Building a Joyful Alcohol-Free Life first appeared on Sober Life Rocks.