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

By Rina Raphael

Book 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.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1250793009
• ISBN13: 9781250793003
• Release Date: September 2022
• Publisher: Henry Holt & Company
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 1.22 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 6.4" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

Read Before You Join the Gym or Buy a Supplement

I am a working member and participant in the “wellness industry.” I find it to be a frustrating and duplicitous space. Daily, I observe and listen to discussions of wild supplements and exercise regimes gleaned from YouTube or Social Media that are either useless or dangerous. The Gospel of Wellness is vital if you take supplements, exercise, follow fitness influencers, or read diet books. Snake Oil is abundant in this industry and full of people skilled at selling useless products and false promises. The allure of quick fixes and easy solutions can beguile even the most discerning among us. The Gospel of Wellness is an antidote to the seductive promise of effortless weight loss and body transformation sold 24/7 in our culture. What is wellness? We each have an image that is ours alone. To that image, there is a product being peddled. As we search for answers, they are looking for us, and suddenly, like divine intervention, we see an ad or video that provides straightforward answers to our concerns. Whether it be complex medical problems, weight loss, getting ripped, removing wrinkles, or growing hair - there is a book, video, product, or unique fitness method (based on ancient wisdom) - being sold to “help” you. However, true wellness is a long road, often requiring consistent effort over time—rarely achieved in just a few weeks. The Gospel of Wellness equips us to sift through the noise and recognize empty promises, helping us stay grounded in our judgment and reliable information, steering clear of flashy yet hollow offerings on our favorite platforms.