Introduce yourself and tell us what you do!
My name is Fiona Hepher, I’m the Co-Founder of Sansorium. We’re an alcohol-free wine and spirit agency and consumer marketplace in Canada. I’m also a mother, community birth doula, writer and advocate on sobriety!
What are your non-negotiable morning rituals Before Life Happens?
If motherhood has taught me one thing, it's the power of routine with a healthy dose of flexibility. So, on a spacious day, I wake up, open the windows, make the bed, prepare a warm shilajit tea and my cold AG1. I enjoy meditative movement, journaling for a few minutes, and then doing my skincare/hair/teeth before waking my daughter up to prepare for school. If the day calls for flexibility, I get my daughter ready for school and that's a success.
Amidst all the holiday parties and gatherings, how do you maintain your commitment to self-care and sobriety while still partaking in the celebratory spirit?
One of the most significant outcomes of my sobriety has been discovering my innate spirit and authentic joy. I've come to understand that true celebration is not centred around alcohol but revolves around meaningful connections and joyful experiences—truly exceptional ones! In reality, alcohol doesn't contribute to my self-care, my joy, or my connections; so prioritizing sobriety is a natural choice for me.
What other self-care practices do you have that support you in feeling your best?
I'm recovering from a bad concussion that happened at the end of August. It's taken me a few months to get back on my feet and what was most surprising were the mental health struggles that came with it. My biggest self-care right now is allowing myself to be slow; to be helped by my community, to let messages go unanswered, and social events go unattended. To not push through a tough day, but to move through it with compassion.
Other supportive practices that have proven themselves long-term: Investing in my community is some of the best self-care I've found. I've also been an avid user of Fresh Prep for the last couple of years; simplifying my relationship to food. Cold plunging weekly for the last 4 years has, without a doubt, strengthened my resilience. And lastly, since my early twenties, I've been conscious of what I put in and on my body with as many non-toxic products as possible. The significance I will discover in the long run, but it certainly makes me feel lighter.
Could you share your favourite non-alcoholic cocktail recipe with us?
My favourite non-alcoholic cocktail is an orange creamsicle margarita with Free Spirit Tequila, citrus and coconut cream - and yes, I'll drink it year round. But particularly during the holidays, I'll be with a bottle of premium alcohol-removed sparkling shiraz (a cult Australian classic!)
How do you end your day?
A clean-up around the house always supports my well-being, followed by nighttime skin care, brushing and flossing (of course). Turning on a sleep story or meditation gets me down quickly, but many nights I fall asleep under my daughter — happily.
