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

Written by Rina Raphael

Narrated by Rina Raphael

How did a modest industry of diets and calisthenics evolve into this mammoth business of luxe self-care?

In this fun-filled dive into the wellness industry, journalist Rina Raphael looks at the roots of a sector that is now worth $4.5 trillion dollars and explores why it's been so alluring to women all over the globe, promising health and vitality in the most fashionable package.

At times both fun and funny, from interviews with leading players in the industry to adventures in more bizarre practices such as desert dancing while drinking your own urine, The Gospel of Wellness reveals how its growth is a direct result of gender inequalities and structural sexism within medicine and society, forcing women to look
elsewhere for health solutions. In theory a huge force for good, women are now looded with offerings from more exploitative areas of the industry, peddling snake oil and questionable ideas for a pretty price.

For anyone who values their exercise but has raised an eyebrow at the use of a certain jade egg, The Gospel of Wellness balances the bad with the good and offers a cool and steady look at a powerful player in today's society.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group
• Release date: Sep 22, 2022
• ISBN: 9781800810549

Rina Raphael

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.