In The Gospel of Wellness: Gyms, Gurus, Goop, and the False Promise of Self-Care by journalist Rina Raphael examines the wellness industry and reveals how it exploits women's desires for control and well-being through manipulative marketing and pseudoscientific claims. With the rise of social media and influencer culture, women are pursuing their health like never before. Regardless of the trends, there is something for everyone.
The industry has grown into a $4.4 trillion behemoth from its modest roots. The wellness industry promises health and vitality in an accessible way. Behind the layers of clever marketing lies a market that offers women something more than just health alone; it promises them the one thing they desire: control.
The book was an interesting read, and it made me re-evaluate some of my habits. For example, I would see a trend promoted by a popular influencer, and I wouldn’t even consider the research they were basing that claim on, or if they were just trying to sell something. It reinforced and reminded me to look at claims critically and do my own research before believing that something is true.
While I enjoyed portions of the book, I felt it could use more clarity. A few times, I wondered what the relevance was for a story the author brought up. I felt the ending left me unsure if the author was suggesting that people be wary of the wellness culture or to avoid it altogether. I also felt that the book jumped around a lot, making it hard to keep track of what was said and how everything is related. I appreciated parts of the book, and I will be more cautious about health claims without evidence to support them. However, I wish the author hadn’t criticized women to convey her point. While I would be open to reading another book by the author, I probably wouldn’t if it’s on the same topic or about the same industry.
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