Her Story
About Erinn
Erinn O’Neill is a founder, podcast host, and community builder based in the New York City metropolitan area. She is the co-founder of 2 Sober Girls, a modern sobriety and wellness platform that has grown into a global community through podcasting, events, retreats, and digital content. With more than one million podcast downloads, her work focuses on reshaping how people think about alcohol, health, and connection in contemporary life. She is also a health and lifestyle coach and a vocal advocate for redefining sobriety as a pathway to greater vitality, purpose, and personal freedom.
Erinn’s journey into wellness and advocacy was shaped by her own lived experience. After years as a stay-at-home mother and former collegiate athlete, she found herself navigating a difficult relationship with alcohol that ultimately led her to seek treatment and begin a long-term recovery journey. That turning point became the foundation for her professional mission. Through recovery programs and ongoing personal development, she began to explore a more holistic approach to health—one that extends beyond abstinence to include nutrition, movement, sleep, community, and emotional well-being.
Today, Erinn continues to expand her work through media and education, including her podcast The Optimization Code, which explores health optimization, longevity, and human performance. She collaborates with founders, wellness brands, and organizations focused on the future of health and connection, while building alcohol-free spaces that emphasize authenticity and growth. At the core of her mission is a commitment to helping people create more energized, connected, and purpose-driven lives, and to normalizing wellness-centered choices as part of everyday culture.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Erinn
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success and my ability to help others to my own recovery journey, including my experiences in rehabilitation and Alcoholics Anonymous, which gave me both perspective and resilience. I have also been deeply influenced by strong mentors and coaches who guided and supported my growth along the way. In addition, my ongoing curiosity about health and wellness, combined with a willingness to remain vulnerable and serve others, has shaped both my personal progress and professional purpose
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have ever received is to find a mentor I admire and ask them to teach me, and to take that step immediately rather than delaying it out of fear. I’ve learned that if I wait too long, I am likely to talk myself out of opportunities that could help me grow. This advice has reinforced the importance of mentorship and humility in my career, reminding me that growth often comes from being willing to ask for guidance and learn from others.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering my industry is to start today, even if you feel scared or unprepared, and to resist the urge to wait until everything feels perfect. Growth comes from action, not perfection. I also encourage seeking out a mentor you admire and directly asking them to teach and guide you, as mentorship can significantly shape both confidence and direction. Above all, I’ve learned that mentorship, teamwork, and humility are far more valuable than ego, and they create a strong foundation for long-term success.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Like many professionals in my field, my career has been shaped by both significant challenges and meaningful opportunities. Rather than viewing obstacles as setbacks, I see them as catalysts for growth, innovation, and deeper purpose. One of the ongoing challenges is addressing stigma, access barriers, and limited resources for individuals seeking support, which can delay or limit care for those who need it most. At the same time, there are powerful opportunities in the growing awareness of mental health and recovery, the expansion of peer and community-based support models, and the increasing openness to holistic approaches that allow us to better reach, connect with, and support individuals in meaningful ways.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are trust, vulnerability, reliability, humor, and a genuine love for people. I believe in being open about the messy and imperfect parts of life because that is where real connection happens. By sharing honestly and showing up authentically, I hope to remind others that they are not alone and that everyone is worthy of love, understanding, and compassion.
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