Travel Job Series: Hilary Sheinbaum
When you’re in an industry with fleeting moments and glittery surroundings, it’s hard not to get jaded or swept up in the star-studded industry. A former red carpet reporter has never lost her focus, and in fact, flipped the alcohol industry on it’s head with a simple Dry January bet.
Please meet Hilary Sheinbaum.
Hilary Sheinbaum is a journalist and the author of The Dry Challenge: How to Lose the Booze for Dry January, Sober October, and Any Other Alcohol-Free Month (HarperCollins), a judgment-free guide to giving up alcohol for a month-long period. She started participating in Dry January, accidentally, in 2017 after she made a spontaneous bet with a friend on New Year's Eve. The premise was to see who could go an entire month without alcohol. Spoiler alert: Hilary won the bet, and she's completed Dry January every year since.
Fast forward to now, 8 years later: Hilary is a prominent figure in the sober curious/nonalcoholic beverage space. She is an advocate for dry months and exploring fun, new and different ways to live a happy, adventurous, big life.
In 2023, she was featured extensively in news articles and on broadcast segments including: MarketWatch’s piece on nonalcoholic options on St. Patrick's Day, The New York Times which calls "Ms. Sheinbaum, the Dry January M.V.P.,” The Wall Street Journal in a front page story, Good Morning America in a dry dating segment with Michael Strahan, on NY1 mixing a N.A. cocktail, and discussing Dry January tips on CBS NY, CBS Miami, The Tamron Hall Show, and NBC Streaming. Hilary also regularly appears on Good Morning America’s Instagram (3.6 million followers) and website, making her own N.A. concoctions. .
What is your background and education?
I was born in New York but moved to South Florida before Kindergarten, so Florida is home. I grew up playing sports, writing --I was the editor of my high school's yearbook (so not a ton has changed)-- and reading a ton. I didn't travel much when I was younger, so I make up for lost time now. I attended Florida State University for two years of undergrad before transferring to The University of Florida, where I graduated with a bachelor's degree.
What's a typical day for you on the job?
It sounds cliché but there is no typical day! I've worked from home for a decade (before it was cool), so some days I'm on air talking about nonalcoholic beverages or doing a workout at F45 with Mark Wahlberg and other reporters (OK, it just happened once!). I'm often interviewing and writing about a variety of subjects-- wellness, travel, weddings, celebs, and more-- and I attend events to learn about new products and wellness trends. I travel for work, too, and that has taken me everywhere from Super Bowl parties to hiking in Southeast Asia to swimming with stingrays in the Maldives.
What are some of your current projects & wins?
Currently I'm coming off of a crazy Dry January -- always my busiest season. I partnered with a few nonalcoholic brands, including Free Spirits and Curious Elixirs, to throw Dry January events ranging from a Dry Dating Panel to Pickleball. They were so much fun. I was quoted in a number of amazing publications this January, including Adweek, Forbes, NY1, FOX5NY, Shape, and more! More bylines and dry fun to come in 2024... but I can't talk about it yet
What do you feel is your biggest career risk?
I quit my desk job in 2012 to pursue journalism. I started freelancing to support myself until I found a full-time job. I ended up not going back to the office. I've written for 60+ publications. I would not have had the opportunities I have now if I hadn't made a leap!
Do you have career advice or a tip you can share?
Talk to strangers. As a journalist, you talk to a number of sources for stories, and it's important to gain different perspectives on a topic. The same goes for your career — talk to other people about what they are doing for work and how it works for them. You won't learn as much by simply observing! Ask questions, and then ask more questions.
What are some of your career highlights?
Being called "The Dry January MVP" by The New York Times is up there! Going on Good Morning America is another, and publishing my two books, of course! And, generally, just being really happy with what I do for a living. I've learned so much, met many amazing people, and traveled a ton. It's given me an endless amount of joy.
What's your most memorable trip and why?
There have been so many! Going to Iceland was amazing -- snowmobiling on glaciers and the Blue Lagoon were extraordinary experiences. Biking through Marseille with my cousin and my friend Amy this past summer was so fun and spur of the moment. A recent memorable trip was when I went to Maui for the first time with my friend Jaimi. It was such a fun girls’ trip. We hadn't spent much time together in so long, and it was great to catch up and chill in nice weather. Truthfully, I can't imagine doing Road To Hana with anyone else -- we spent 5 days together and 8 hours in the car during Hana....and we didn't annoy each other.
What would you tell your younger self?
Get more sleep. Limit your alcohol.
Some people don't grow up, and it's ok to outgrow people / places / things / jobs!
Tell us a fun fact about yourself!
I have three brothers, and they're in professional fields that have nothing to do with journalism, writing or being creative. I'm definitely the odd one out.
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Thank you for sharing your journey, Hilary! As someone who’s known you for many years now, I enjoy the many ways you’ve
You can find her The Dry Challenge Book here with her portfolio. Follow her for many ways to get creative about approaching the sober curious community and her next endeavors.
