There are people who seem to carry a certain sense of another time with them. Jeanne Zoë is one of them.

Jeanne has always been drawn to the things that ask for patience: horses that must be understood rather than mastered, stories that reveal themselves slowly, and places that seem to hold memories of their own. She has chosen a rhythm far removed from the rush of modern life, spending her days writing, caring for animals, and living a life full of wonder.

Guided by a profound curiosity about life, Jeanne has a gentle ability to find meaning in the ordinary. She approaches the world with both reverence and wonder, always looking a little closer and asking a little deeper.

We are delighted to share a glimpse into her world. The places that inspire her, the values that guide her, and the thoughts and stories that have shaped who she is today.

Welcome to a quiet life, deeply lived. 

"There are all the possessions and achievements I dream of rolling through my head, but I admit that peace of heart is what I seek most."

02 - A Quiet Life of Wonder

Meet Jeanne. A horse trainer, writer, and devoted lover of nature, she lives in the Swiss countryside, where her days unfold among horses, literature, and the quiet rituals of everyday life. Her world is one of beauty found in stillness and solitude; in long walks, old things, and the landscapes she calls home.

We spoke with Jeanne about her inner world, the rituals that fill her days, and the questions she continues to carry with her.


The Conversation


Tell us a little about who you are and where life has taken you.

My name is Jeanne Zoë, and it seems that since my very first breath 26 years ago, I have been obsessed with horses. Not outlandish, then, that I now mainly work as a horse trainer and riding instructor on our little farm in Switzerland. All my life, I have been drawn to nature, animals, and ideas. I love learning new things, and for that reason, my life looks mostly very calm and steady. I do my cooking and baking, I sew my clothes, knit some wool, raise my chickens, tend to my animals, go on long walks with my dog, read books, and write.


What are your sources of inspiration?

I draw inspiration from different sources: sometimes a painting, a poem, a prayer, a movie, a landscape, a conversation, or an old house. Usually, it comes over me unexpectedly, like a divine hand on my shoulder, and suddenly there is meaning in the ordinary moments of everyday life.


What is a piece of art or writing that says something about you that you could never put into words yourself?

The world and everything it holds is a deep mystery to me. And I have found solace in books, written by people who found more eloquence to describe what I feel than I have myself:

„I have been thinking the whole of my life that I would demystify the universe. But what has happened is just the contrary. The deeper I went into existence, the more the mystery deepened. I am dying full of wonder, I am dying in wonder.“


Do you think we lose our sense of wonder as we grow up?

In my youthful realism, I used to think that childlike, open-minded fascination and curiosity about mystery would fade with age. I thought growing up would „demystify the world and God.“ But in reality, the more I grow, learn, explore, and question, I find that the mystery deepens. Albert Einstein said it beautifully: „One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality.“


What values guide your life?

I am deeply rooted in biblical values. I take Christ’s teachings as my guardrails. I strive to follow God’s ultimate meaning for life on this earth, although I would never go so far as to state that I have even the slightest idea of where I’m heading.


What drew you to MOCHA in the first place?

It came to me with friendship. I was fortunate enough to gain insight into the core of the brand as more than just a customer. I connect with its values and aesthetic, and I admit I have a whole drawer of MOCHA pieces that accompany me through summer days.


How do you define success?

Success. A broad word. There are all the possessions and achievements I dream of rolling through my head, but I admit that peace of heart is what I seek most. I strive to obtain it and keep it, no matter what the world throws my way.



"The world and everything it holds is a deep mystery to me. I have found solace in books, written by people who found more eloquence to describe what I feel than I have myself."

Is there a personal project you have been working on?

I have been writing on a particular book for several years now. I would call it a lyrical memorial. 


What inspired you to write this book?

At first, I used writing as an escape, to contemplate myself, to understand, to observe my own thoughts in retrospect. But with time a red thread was created and it grew into the form of a book. I read it often, re-evaluate and add new chapters, I write notes in my journals and put it all together in this one story. 


Do you see yourself publishing it one day?

It’s deeply personal and I don’t know if I will ever publish it. I usually joke and say, that my children and grandchildren might read it after my death and come to the conclusion that I was crazy. But we’ll see. 


Is there a particular passage or idea that feels especially close to you?

This book is founded on my inner world, softly tainted by the idea that the world within is a garden. It all plays out in one specific place, coated with memories, fictional and real. 

It’s drenched with personal ideologies, conclusions, revelations, dreams and experiences. It’s almost like a long conversation with myself while walking through my garden. Very vulnerable, very true to myself, that is why I don’t think I will ever be brave enough to share it.


Is there a particular place where you feel most creative?

Yes, our family house in France. This 300-year-old French mill sparks my creativity like little else, and I often seclude myself there to rest and recharge. Its quiet surroundings, the little lake sitting quietly in front of the house, the wide pastures where cows graze, the old roads, and the forgotten houses. Whenever I need to think, when I need solace, when I feel worn out and want to be undisturbed, I withdraw to this place, and my cup is filled again.


Any favorite books you would recommend?

My recommendation for books is a whole long list, there are many for every part of life. I could never choose my favorite ones but I can note down three that moved me this year.

First, The Bible, the ultimate source of wisdom, comfort, and guidance throughout my whole life. Then, I recently read 'White Nights' by Fyodor Dostoyevsky, a story of a lonely dreamer, of heartbreak, connection and longing. A deeply moving story. Among others, I am presently reading 'The Confessions' by Saint Augustine, the eloquence, the raw depth, it’s deeply inspiring. 

Is there a piece of art or object in your home that means a lot to you?

A painting my mother made when she was young. It shows an old French manor, placed on a field between trees. Sheep are grazing in its gardens and the light is so beautifully captured that when I place it on my window, where it usually sits, and the sun shines through, it looks like a real place. It speaks to me, I long for this place that only exists on this canvas.

"I am dying full of wonder. I am dying in wonder."

What are you looking forward to?

I think that starting a family, raising soulful children, and creating a peaceful home far away from the noise of the modern world is my true life's work, and it is what I look forward to above all else.