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

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(as of Feb 27, 2026 19:59:28 UTC – Details)

“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.

From the Publisher

About Brand

Macmillan Publishers is a leading publishing company and home to some of the world’s most cherished authors and creators. Our imprints publish a wide range of genres and formats for every kind of reader — from adult fiction and nonfiction to many inspired children’s books. Our list features bestselling, award-winning literary talent, including the Nobel Prize, the Man Booker Prize, the Pulitzer Prize, the National Book Award, the Newbery Medal, and the Caldecott Medal.

As a part of Holtzbrinck Publishing Group, a large family-owned media company headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, we are firmly committed to our employees, authors, and core values — that are not just learned, they are lived. We strive to build a culture that is inclusive of diverse voices and perspectives throughout all levels of the company, where everyone feels supported and empowered.

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Holt Paperbacks
Publication date ‏ : ‎ Sept. 12 2023
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Print length ‏ : ‎ 352 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1250861535
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1250861535
Item weight ‏ : ‎ 380 g
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 14.73 x 2.24 x 22.86 cm
Best Sellers Rank: #312,359 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #573 in Gender Studies (Books) #694 in Women’s Health (Books) #897 in Women’s Studies (Books)
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