From Wine Mom to Sober Advocate: Kim Bellas' Journey
Episode Overview
Kim's journey from wine-drinking mother to sobriety advocate The impact of sobriety on Kim's relationship with her son The founding and mission of Sober Is The New Cool Kim's commitment to supporting others in their sobriety journey Challenging stigmas and advocating for mental health
I don't drink. And I think being on Instagram and whatever, most of the people that knew me were around the world. And it wasn't until lately in Montreal that a lot more press came to Sober the New Cool. I don't really care. And my son can't drink. I can't change up, but I can help somebody else find a life that's better than having alcohol and if it's a problem for them.
Imagine discovering that your teenage son can no longer join in on the typical party scene because of a health issue. That’s exactly what happened to Kim Bellas in 2013 when her 15-year-old started having seizures. Like many teens, he loved socializing, and alcohol was often part of the mix. Faced with this challenge, Kim realized she needed to show him that life without alcohol could still be fun. But here’s the twist—Kim herself was a frequent wine drinker.
The hypocrisy hit her hard. To support her son, she decided to give up alcohol for three months. Those three months turned into six, and before she knew it, she had found a happiness she hadn't felt in years. Fast forward to today, and Kim has been proudly sober for a decade. Her journey didn't just stop at personal sobriety; she founded 'Sober Is The New Cool' to help others find joy and community in a sober lifestyle.
In this episode, Kim chats with host Jason LaChance about how ditching the 'Mom Wine Club' transformed her life and strengthened her bond with her son. They dive into the ups and downs of her journey, the challenges of parenting an ill child, and how her advocacy work is making waves. If you’re looking for a story that combines personal growth, family love, and a dash of inspiration, this episode is for you.