Chelsea Mitchell shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Chelsea, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
I think one of the biggest misconceptions about my business and the industry is that if you choose to drink non-alc beverages, it must mean you’re in recovery or that you have a problem with alcohol. While that’s a valid and important reason for some, it’s not the whole picture. Most people choosing these alternatives aren’t completely sober. In general, people just want to pace themselves and enjoy the moment without the negative after-effects.
There has been a shift toward a more mindful approach to drinking. People are rethinking the role alcohol plays in their lives. It’s less about restrictions and labels and more about making choices that support how you want to feel . Non-alc is not a “less than” option by any means. It’s a category that’s full of unique craft and creativity and it belongs on every menu. We’re not just slinging Shirley Temples anymore. The non-alcoholic space has evolved into something innovative and intentional. Many of today’s zero-proof options feature adaptogens, nootropics, and functional botanicals designed to help you feel exactly how you want to feel; whether that’s energized, calm, focused, or simply more present.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Chelsea Mitchell, the founder of Present Mind Drinking and a certified mixologist with over 9 years of alcohol-free living. Through Present Mind Drinking, I’ve begun to help bars, restaurants, and events create intentional non-alcoholic offerings that feel just as thoughtful and satisfying as their “leaded” counterparts. My approach is rooted in hospitality and creativity, with a deep understanding of what makes a great drinking experience, whether it includes alcohol or not. Everything I create is designed to help guests feel seen, supported, and inspired. I blend my experience as a mixologist, artist, and gardener to craft beverages that are both rooted and imaginative—from garden-forward highballs to complex stirred sippers. My work supports spaces that want to welcome all kinds of drinkers, from sober to sober-curious to simply seeking something beautiful without the buzz.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
That I am somehow damaged or broken. At age 4, I was diagnosed with a brain tumor and underwent surgery to remove it. Growing up, that experience shaped the way I saw myself. I felt weird, different, and apart from everyone else. Kids can be cruel, and my peers were no exception. They’d tease me about the craniotomy scar on my neck, calling it a “butt crack,” which only reinforced the idea that I wasn’t “normal.”
For years, I carried around this idea that I was defective. It took me a long time to realize that my differences didn’t make me broken; they made me resilient, adaptable, and uniquely equipped to handle life’s curveballs. The things I once saw as flaws have become the very things that fuel my creativity, my empathy, and my ability to connect deeply with others. I no longer see myself as damaged. I see myself as someone who’s been through a lot and come out with a story worth telling.
Is there something you miss that no one else knows about?
I rarely speak about this, because people often expect me to only talk about the positives of living alcohol-free. This alcohol-free life is the greatest gift I’ve ever given myself and I wouldn’t trade the clarity, peace, and growth I’ve found for anything. But I’d be lying if I said I never miss certain parts of my drinking days. There are moments when the thought crosses my mind: what if I just threw away these 9+ years of progress for one night of escape?
I will forever choose recovery over alcohol and amphetamines, because I know where that road leads for me. But the truth is, some of those nights weren’t all bad. The late nights at the bar that blurred into early mornings at Waffle House aren’t all blacked out tradgedies. I made friendships in those years that are deeper than family, born out of shared chaos and wild adventures. There was a freedom in being able to “turn off” and check out, even if it came at a high cost.
These days, I’ve learned healthier ways to find connection and release, but there’s still a part of me that remembers the fun mixed in with the mess.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Whose ideas do you rely on most that aren’t your own?
When in doubt, I call on
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
What I was born to do. Every challenge, detour, and hard lesson has led me here. I’ve always had a passion for connection, creativity, and making people feel seen, and my work in the mindful drinking space is the intersection of all of that. I get to create beautiful, intentional experiences around something as simple as a drink, but it’s really about building community and changing perceptions.
No one told me this was the “right” path. This was never the example set for me and this industry barely existed when I broke up with alcohol. Following my instincts and trusting the pull toward work that lights me up has been the most fulfilling decision of my life.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/presentminddrinking/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/presentmind
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561167067122
