The Gospel of Wellness
Gyms, Gurus, Goop, and the False Promise of Self-Care
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4.5 • 2 Ratings
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- $12.99
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- $12.99
Publisher 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.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Fast Company reporter Raphael declares that "the wellness industry isn't well" in this sharp and evocative account. Documenting a plethora of dubious claims and empty promises, Raphael contends that wellness companies have stepped into the "a void created by the unreasonable expectations that torment us." She vividly describes boutique fitness studios such as The Class and SoulCycle and weekend retreats like the Ganja Goddess Getaway, explaining how participation in these "churches" of wellness culture offers women some of the benefits of traditional belief communities but can leave them feeling abandoned and alone when a real crisis hits. Raphael also highlights how the conflation of thinness and health and the "subtle pressure to always be improving" drive the clean eating, supplement, and fitness sectors of the wellness industry, while the appeal of easy and attractive lifestyle solutions is touted by "hyperconsumerist" companies such as Goop. Sympathizing with women whose dissatisfaction with the medical system makes them susceptible to pseudoscience, Raphael makes clear that "the status quo isn't cutting it" ("We go to yoga because we need a moment to slow down") and guides readers to a more critical consumerism and an understanding that systemic solutions and community focus are required. This astute and revealing investigation packs a punch.
