Overview

""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.

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9781250793003

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In The Gospel of Wellness, Raphael articulates why women go on yoga retreats, start cleanses, and think we can only feed our kids organic, from scratch meals: because our bodies haven't mattered to male-dominated, mainstream medicine, and we've been told that taking 'personal responsibility' is the answer. Raphael debunks the mythology and marketing of wellness culture with humor and skill, but always holds space for the very real questions and struggles that drive us to detox in the first place. A smart, reassuring read that you'll want to keep on hand for the next time Instagram tries to convince you that this supplement or that expensive new workout trend is The One. --Virginia Sole-Smith, author of The Eating Instinct: Food Culture, Body Image and Guilt in America This groundbreaking book explores something I've always suspected: that wellness harbors a dark side impacting women's self-esteem, body image, and mental health. The Gospel of Wellness takes a much-needed magnifying glass to an industry left unchecked. --Rachel Bloom, Golden Globe winner for Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and author of I Want to Be Where the Normal People Are This book is an utterly juicy deep dive for wellness devotees and skeptics alike. The Gospel of Wellness is the perfect balance of criticism and empathy for a movement that meant well. --Jane Marie, creator and host of The Dream

In The Gospel of Wellness, Raphael articulates why women go on yoga retreats, start cleanses, and think we can only feed our kids organic, from scratch meals: because our bodies haven't mattered to male-dominated, mainstream medicine, and we've been told that taking 'personal responsibility' is the answer. Raphael debunks the mythology and marketing of wellness culture with humor and skill, but always holds space for the very real questions and struggles that drive us to detox in the first place. A smart, reassuring read that you'll want to keep on hand for the next time Instagram tries to convince you that this supplement or that expensive new workout trend is The One. --Virginia Sole-Smith, author of The Eating Instinct: Food Culture, Body Image and Guilt in America This groundbreaking book explores something I've always suspected: that wellness harbors a dark side impacting women's self-esteem, body image, and mental health. The Gospel of Wellness takes a much-needed magnifying glass to an industry left unchecked. --Rachel Bloom, Golden Globe winner for Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and author of I Want to Be Where the Normal People Are This book is an utterly juicy deep dive for wellness devotees and skeptics alike. The Gospel of Wellness is the perfect balance of criticism and empathy for a movement that meant well. --Jane Marie, creator and host of The Dream The Gospel of Wellness is a revelation and a revolution. With humor and insight, Rina Raphael excavates the world of wellness and reveals its warty and rotten underbelly. From Yoga to crystals, using journalism and personal revelation, Raphael separates our self care from consumption to show us that our best lives are not commodities. --Lyz Lenz, author of God Land

Author Information

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. Her wellness industry newsletter, Well To Do, covers trends and news and offers market analysis. Raphael has spoken on the wellness industry at national conferences such as the Global Wellness Summit and the Fast Company Innovation Festival. Previously, she served as a senior producer and lifestyle editor at TODAY.com and NBCNews.com.

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