The Upside of Being Down: How Mental Health Struggles Led to My Greatest Successes in Work and Life

Written by Jen Gotch

Narrated by Jen Gotch

A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

An entertaining, humorous, and inspirational memoir by the founder and chief creative officer of the multimillion-dollar lifestyle brand ban.do, who “has become a hero among women (and likely some men too) who struggle with mental health” (Forbes).

After graduating from college, Jen Gotch was living with her parents, heartbroken and lost, when she became convinced that her skin had turned green. Hallucinating that she looked like Shrek was terrifying, but it led to her first diagnosis and the start of a journey towards self-awareness, acceptance, success, and ultimately, joy.

With humor and candor, Gotch shares the empowering story of her unlikely path to becoming the creator and CCO of a multimillion-dollar brand. From her childhood in Florida where her early struggles with bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety, and ADD were misdiagnosed, to her winding career path as a waitress, photographer, food stylist, and finally, accidental entrepreneur, she illuminates how embracing her flaws and understanding the influence of mental illness on her creativity actually led to her greatest successes in business and life.

Hilarious, hyper-relatable, and filled with fascinating insights and hard-won wisdom on everything from why it’s okay to cry at work to the myth of busyness and perfection to the emotional rating system she uses every day, Gotch’s inspirational memoir dares readers to live each day with hope, optimism, kindness, and humor.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
• Release date: Mar 24, 2020
• ISBN: 9781508296690

Jen Gotch

Jen Gotch is the founder and chief creative officer of ban.do and an advocate for mental health and emotional well-being. In 2008, she founded ban.do with a friend, and with no prior business experience, was able to work with a small group of passionate people and transform it from a small hair accessories company into a beloved lifestyle brand that’s all about encouraging joy and personal growth. She lives in Los Angeles, California.

Reviews for The Upside of Being Down

[Joanna X · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wow! Entertaining, Relatable and Enlightening! Leaves you feeling like the end of a feel good romcom! Yet she is real and I love that about her!

[Tara · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It’s light and deep at the same time. Hilarious and sobering. Relatable.

[BrenLee Johnston · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Probably one of the best books I’ve listen to for someone who is completely honest and truthful and doesn’t just spout scientific facts about mental illness, I have recommended it to multiple people!

[Kristen McKendry · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I LOVED this book! I have so much in common with the author & I am diagnosed with the same exact mental illnesses. Nobody took me seriously or believed me. Nobody takes me seriously now. I have no support system at all. While I laughed at quite a few parts of this book, I cried for the majority of it realizing that I’m not alone, but how much a support system is & having a supportive husband. My husband puts me down instead! ?

[Alicia · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I had (and donated) the hardcover. It wasn't as relatable as I thought it would be.

[Marta Em · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I love you Jen Gotch <3
Thank you so much!

[Benedikte Barnett · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I Love this book! It made me feel seen and understood. Thank you!