The Sober New Yorker

Rachel Hechtman is a certified life coach, content creator, and founder of Sober in Central Park—a vibrant community redefining what it means to live alcohol-free.

Since beginning her sobriety journey on January 3, 2021, Rachel has become a leading voice in the sober movement, using storytelling, mindset work, and social media to help others break free from limiting beliefs and create lives they love.

She consults for non-alcoholic brands, hosts wellness events across NYC and The Hamptons, and is building Soft Bar—a non-alcoholic bar and event space designed to reshape how we connect, celebrate, and socialize.

Follow her on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/soberincentralpark/

Next time you're in Brooklyn, check out SoftBar:

https://www.instagram.com/softbarcafe/

Steve is a Sarasota, Florida–based Physical Therapist Assistant who once lived and breathed the craft beer lifestyle. What started as a hobby turned into a habit—and eventually into major health concerns. At over 100 pounds overweight, Steve realized he was a ticking time bomb. On New Year’s Eve 2022, he made a life-changing decision: he set down his last craft beer.

Now two years and eight months sober, Steve has transformed his life in remarkable ways. He recently celebrated his 58th birthday by joining The Sober New Yorker podcast, where he shared his story with humor, honesty, and plenty of laughs. Steve is also the host of The Craft Free Podcast, where he dives deep into sobriety, resilience, and current events—with the occasional conversation with his beloved dog, Cheeky Pint, just for fun.

When he’s not podcasting, Steve immerses himself in Stoicism, travels with his fiancée, and fully embraces the beauty of a sober life. His journey is proof that change is possible, joy is accessible, and life outside the bar can be even more rewarding.

Catch Steve's podcast on spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/2FHzpQ3CnsNyiZbNbuvxF1?si=42b08379bf1040b2

Follow him on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/craftfreepodcast/

Ed Latimore is a former professional heavyweight boxer, Army veteran, and trained physicist who grew up in the projects of Pittsburgh. After getting sober in 2013, he’s been writing and speaking with unflinching honesty about life, discipline, and resilience. He’s the author of Sober Letters to My Drunken Self and Not Caring What Other People Think Is a Superpower, and his forthcoming memoir, Hard Lessons from the Hurt Business, explores what boxing—and life outside the ring—taught him about pain, self-respect, and the power of perseverance.

Kate Vitela is a Certified Addiction and Mental Health Nurse and the founder of Rewired Sober. As a sobriety coach and podcast host, she helps people rewire their brains and thrive in recovery. After struggling with alcohol herself and receiving a DWI while working as a psychiatric nurse, Kate turned her life around and is now seven years sober. With medical expertise, lived experience, and deep empathy, she offers transformational coaching, supporting clients in building tools for lasting sobriety. A proud sober woman, Kate is a dedicated advocate for mental health, harm reduction, and long-term healing.

Follow her on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/rewiredsober/

In this solo episode, I’m celebrating two years alcohol-free and sharing what truly came alive for me in year two. I open up about my three biggest breakthroughs—and how each one was born from stepping beyond my comfort zone. From doing the things that scared me most to realizing that fear is often the signpost pointing toward growth, this year has been about expansion, courage, and joy I never thought possible. If you’ve ever wondered what’s waiting for you on the other side of fear, this one’s for you.

Ali, from Long Island, New York, is living proof of the transformation that’s possible through recovery. After years of struggle and multiple stints in rehab, she’s now three years of sober—with the help of AA and the 12 steps. Her journey is one of resilience, self-discovery, and service, as she gives back through volunteering and supporting others on their own paths. Today, Ali’s life is filled with connection, purpose, and hope, offering an inspiring testament to what’s possible when you commit to change.

Abby Calabrese – Podcast Host, Content Creator & Alcohol-Free Rule Breaker

Abby Calabrese is a podcast host, content creator, and unapologetic voice in the alcohol-free space. As the host of The Alcohol-Free Rebellion, she invites women to break the rules, ditch the expectations, and finally question the “normal” that never felt right.

In our conversation, we laughed, we reflected, and we celebrated the radical choice to walk away—not because we hit rock bottom, but because we knew we didn’t have to. For Abby, that moment came when she began recognizing patterns that echoed the behavior she witnessed growing up. Instead of letting history repeat itself, she made the powerful decision to rewrite the story—not just for herself, but for her children.

Abby’s message is clear: you don’t have to wait for things to fall apart to know it’s time to walk away. She’s living proof that you can exit before the impact, embrace your wild, waiting self, and live fully without the numbing.

Be sure to follow her on Instagram!

https://www.instagram.com/alcoholfreeabby/

Kat made the courageous decision to share her sobriety journey publicly just three days after putting down her last drink. What began as an act of accountability quickly grew into a powerful message of hope and resilience. One year later, she has not only maintained her sobriety, but transformed nearly every aspect of her life—losing 30 pounds, completing a half marathon, and reconnecting with her role as a present, engaged wife and mother.

Her honesty, vulnerability, and unwavering commitment to change have made her a relatable voice for anyone navigating early recovery. Kat is living proof that when you choose to show up—for yourself and the people you love—everything can change.

Follow Kat on Instagram for daily inspo!

https://www.instagram.com/iamkat_rose/

Born and raised on Long Island, New York, Yonah is a proud alum of the University of Vermont and a graduate of Hofstra Law School. In his mid-30s, he made a bold move to Israel, where he built a life with his wife and together they are the proud parents of four incredible sons, ranging in age from 13 to 23.

Though he maintained a professional and personal balance for much of his life, his relationship with alcohol began to shift in his 50s, evolving into a pattern of weekend binge drinking. He didn’t experience a traditional rock bottom, but a series of life circumstances compelled him to reevaluate his habits. That reflection led to a powerful decision: to take a break from alcohol.

Since March 10, 2023, he has been living alcohol-free—embracing a journey of clarity, growth, and intention.

Connect with Yonah:

https://www.facebook.com/yonah.david

https://www.linkedin.com/in/yonah-david/

Todd Kinney didn’t think he needed to quit drinking. He thought he needed to learn how to drink differently.

For years, Todd tried to moderate his alcohol use. He made rules, took multiple 90-day breaks from drinking, tried to reset his relationship with alcohol, and repeatedly convinced himself that this time he would be able to control it.

And for a while, it would work.

Then the same drinking patterns would slowly return.

Todd didn’t experience the dramatic rock bottom he once believed someone needed before getting sober. He had a successful career, a family, and a life that looked good from the outside. But internally, he was exhausted from constantly thinking about his drinking and breaking promises to himself.

Eventually, his children began noticing too.

One question from his 14-year-old son forced Todd to look at his relationship with alcohol differently and confront what his drinking was costing him as a father.

After 25 years of evidence, Todd finally accepted something he had spent years trying to avoid: he wasn’t going to figure out how to moderate his drinking.

Today, Todd is approaching six years of sobriety and is the author of I Didn’t Believe It Either: One Dad’s Discovery That Everything Is Better Without Alcohol.

In this episode, Todd and Melissa talk about alcohol moderation, gray area drinking, taking breaks from alcohol, trying to control your drinking, parenting and alcohol, quitting drinking without hitting rock bottom, and why life without alcohol turned out to be far better than Todd expected.

If you’ve ever found yourself wondering whether you drink too much, making rules around alcohol, taking breaks from drinking, or repeatedly trying to moderate, Todd’s sobriety story will probably feel familiar.

📚 Todd’s Book:
I Didn’t Believe It Either: One Dad’s Discovery That Everything Is Better Without Alcohol

https://www.instagram.com/tkinney111/

https://www.toddkinney.com/