Six Years Sober: Brandi Babb on Somatics, Gratitude & Zero-Proof Living

June 11, 2025

Listen to Episode 03 of The Zero Proof Life Podcast

Why This Conversation Matters

If you’ve ever wondered “Could I really enjoy life without alcohol?” Brandi Babb is living proof. Six-and-a-half years ago—after one too many “wine-o’clock” evenings—she traded Pinot for presence. In this kickoff episode of The Zero Proof Life podcast, Brandi sits down with host Becca Snider to unpack:

The slow-burn process of questioning her relationship with alcohol
How somatic practices rewired cravings from the body up
Daily gratitude rituals that keep motivation high long after Day 100
Tips for navigating relationships when your partner’s timeline is different

Whether you’re sober-curious, newly alcohol-free, or years into recovery, you’ll find mindset shifts and practical tools to build a life that doesn’t need a drink to feel full.

From Nudge to Wake-Up Call — Brandi’s Path to Sobriety

Brandi didn’t wake up one morning and toss every bottle. Instead, a string of quiet inner nudges—fatigue, brain fog, a creeping sense of “wasted potential”—built until a late-night walk home felt like a line in the sand. She decided she was “done wasting sunsets feeling numb.”

Brandi’s “proof stacking” looked like Whole 30 rounds, sober-October challenges, and yoga retreats where wine wasn’t an option. Each 30-day stint gave her evidence that cravings passed and mornings felt amazing. By month four, the experiment turned into a lifestyle.

Somatics 101: Letting the Body Lead Recovery

“The body whispers long before it screams—listen early.” – Brandi Babb

Cravings aren’t just in your head; they live in muscle tension, breathing patterns, and the nervous system. Brandi discovered somatics—mind-body practices like breathwork, fascia release, and grounding techniques—and noticed two big wins:

Faster craving relief: Slow nasal breathing + a hand on the sternum signaled safety to her nervous system, dropping urge intensity in under two minutes.
Better emotional regulation: Learning to feel anxiety in her rib cage (instead of numbing it) meant she could ride the wave without pouring a drink.

Try it now:

Inhale for 4, hold 4, exhale for 6. Notice the shift from jittery to grounded—that’s somatics in real time.

Gratitude That Sticks After Day 100

Many people hit “pink-cloud” euphoria in early sobriety but plateau later. Brandi dodged the slump with a body-based gratitude list:

Quadriceps: “They power my sunrise hikes.”
Lungs: “They keep up on the bike trail.”
Vocal cords: “They let me sing Taylor Swift in the car with my kids.”

Focusing on what her body can do—instead of what she “can’t have”—reframed sobriety as expansion, not restriction.

Relationship Real Talk: When You Stop & They Don’t (Yet)

Brandi’s husband kept drinking for almost two years after she quit. Here’s how they stayed connected:

No ultimatums. She shared why she was changing, not why he “should.”
Clear boundaries. Friday craft beers moved to the porch; the kitchen stayed alcohol-free.
Invitation, not pressure. Eventually he joined her journey—his own decision, his own timeline.

Three Take-Home Practices for Your Own Zero-Proof Life

Track Tiny Wins
Write one “life is better because…” note each night—better sleep, lower anxiety, a genuine belly laugh. Momentum grows.
Body-First Craving Reset
• Feet flat on the floor
• Inhale 4 – hold 4 – exhale 6
• Repeat for 90 seconds. Notice urge intensity drop.
Gratitude Re-frame
Swap “I can’t drink at the party” for “I get to drive home clear, sleep deeply, and crush tomorrow’s workout.”