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Gospel of Wellness: Gyms, Gurus, Goop, and the False Promise of Self-Care

The Gospel of Wellness: Gyms, Gurus, Goop, and the False Promise of Self-Care

By Rina Raphael

"Next-level revelatory. " --Sarah Knight, New York Times bestselling author of The Life-Changing Magic of Not Giving a F*ck "Excellent. . . Rina really knows her shit. . . I'm so thankful for this book. " --Jameela Jamil, actress and host of I Weigh Journalist Rina Raphael looks at the explosion of the wellness industry: how it stems from legitimate complaints, how seductive marketing targets hopeful consumers-and why women are opening up their wallets like never before.

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Book Information

Publisher: Henry Holt & Company
Publish Date: 09/20/2022
Pages: 352
ISBN-13: 9781250793003
ISBN-10: 1250793009
Language: English

What We're Saying

September 22, 2022

Rina Raphael brings us this wonderful book that investigates and sheds light on products, fads and techniques that may have you scratching your head and reconsidering your daily wellness routines. READ FULL DESCRIPTION

September 19, 2022

Wellness promises women the one thing they desperately desire: control. READ FULL DESCRIPTION

August 03, 2022

August is National Wellness Month, and we've got a list of books to support you year-round. We see you and we read you. READ FULL DESCRIPTION

Full Description

"Next-level revelatory."
--Sarah Knight, New York Times bestselling author of The Life-Changing Magic of Not Giving a F*ck "Excellent...Rina really knows her shit...I'm so thankful for this book."
--Jameela Jamil, actress and host of I Weigh

Journalist Rina Raphael looks at the explosion of the wellness industry: how it stems from legitimate complaints, how seductive marketing targets hopeful consumers-and why women are opening up their wallets like never before.
Wellness promises women the one thing they desperately desire: control. Women are pursuing their health like never before. Whether it's juicing, biohacking, clutching crystals, or sipping collagen, today there is something for everyone, as the wellness industry has grown from modest roots into a $4.4 trillion entity and a full-blown movement promising health and vitality in the most fashionable package. But why suddenly are we all feeling so unwell? The truth is that deep within the underbelly of self-care--hidden beneath layers of clever marketing--wellness beckons with a far stronger, more seductive message than health alone. It promises women the one thing they desperately desire: control. Vividly told and deeply reported, The Gospel of Wellness reveals how this obsession is a direct result of women feeling dismissed, mistreated, and overburdened. Women are told they can manage the chaos ruling their life by following a laid-out plan: eat right, exercise, meditate, then buy or do all this stuff. And while wellness may have sprung from good intentions, we are now relentlessly flooded with exploitative offerings, questionable ideas, and a mounting pressure to stay devoted to the divine doctrine of wellness. What happens when the cure becomes as bad as the disease? With a critical eye, humor, and empathy, wellness industry journalist Rina Raphael examines how women have been led down a kale-covered path promising nothing short of salvation. She knows: Raphael was once a disciple herself--trying everything from "clean eating" to electric shock workouts--until her own awakening to the troubling consequences. Balancing the good with the bad, The Gospel of Wellness is a clear-eyed exploration of what wellness can actually offer us, knocking down the false idols and commandments that have taken hold and ultimately showing how we might shape a better future for the movement--and for our well-being.

About the Author

Rina Raphael is a journalist who specializes in health, wellness, tech, and women's issues. She was a features contributor for Fast Company magazine and has also written for the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times , CBS, NBC News, and Medium's Elemental , among other publications.

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