Solubrae Circle Member Spotlight

Real people, real stories: Why Johanne's choosing to feel every moment and how it changed everything.

At Solubrae, we believe feeling your best shouldn't mean missing out on the moments that make life fun. That's why we love hearing how Solubrae fits into the everyday lives of our community. Today, we're sharing Johanne's story, one that goes far beyond wine. Johanne found that choosing alcohol-removed wine became part of a much bigger shift toward living with intention. Here's how she learned to stay present, celebrate fully, and raise a glass to the moments worth remembering.

“For me, mindful drinking isn’t about restriction. It’s about intention. After surviving being shot five times in February 2025, the way I looked at my life began to change. Recovery taught me that being here is something I never want to take for granted. I became much more conscious of what I put into my body, how I spend my time, the environments I place myself in, and ultimately, how I want to feel.

That mindset naturally carried over into my social life.

I’m still someone who loves going out, celebrating, getting dressed up, spending time with friends, traveling, and enjoying a beautiful drink. But I started realizing that alcohol didn’t always have to be at the center of those experiences. I could enjoy the ritual and social connection without necessarily wanting the effects of alcohol. That’s where mindful drinking began to make sense for me.

Today, I’m balancing a career, fitness, advocacy work, entrepreneurship, and some very big goals for my future. Boxing
and fitness have also become an important part of my life and my recovery. I want to wake up feeling clear, energized, and ready for whatever I have planned—not feeling like I lost the next day 
because of what I drank the night before.

Choosing a non-alcoholic option sometimes doesn’t make a celebration feel any less special. If anything, I’ve learned that I can
be completely present for it. And I think that’s the biggest misconception about changing your relationship with alcohol: it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Mindful drinking, to me, simply means giving yourself the ability to choose. Some people may choose to stop drinking completely. Others may drink less
frequently or alternate alcoholic drinks with non-alcoholic options. There isn’t one correct way to do it.

For me, it’s about asking myself one simple question: “Does this choice align with how I want to feel and the life I’m building?”

I survived something that could have taken my life. Now, I’m intentional about living it. And sometimes, the best thing I can raise my glass to is simply being present enough to remember every moment.”

-Johanne