9 Self-Help Books That Inspired Me to Become an Author

This month, I became an international bestselling co-author with my book Break Free to Health and Vitality. Big shoutout to mentor, publisher, and co-author Seema Giri and the other incredible co-authors who contributed their powerful stories to this anthology. Counting down the days to the book’s release, I was nervous. Sharing your story as a speaker and coach with a couple hundred people is one thing. Sharing it with thousands, potentially millions of people around the world is another! Eeek! As I reflected on my journey, I realized that I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for the books and the authors who inspired me. I’m standing on their shoulders. Here are 9 self-help books that inspired me to become an author.

1. The Gifts of Imperfection, by Brené Brown

“The dark does not destroy the light; it defines it. It’s our fear of the dark that casts our joy into the shadows.”

This is the very first self-help book I read. I love it because it’s short and easily accessible, but also packs a powerful punch. I was inspired by Brené Brown’s vulnerability talking openly about her struggles with addiction. I loved the idea that things we would deem imperfect are actually gifts in our lives that can be used for good.

2. Untamed, by Glennon Doyle

“I will not stay, not ever again – in a room or conversation or relationship or institution that requires me to abandon myself.”

This book is a call to action. It’s not possible to read this book and not feel called to do something. It makes you laugh, cry, and lights a fire under your ass. I particularly love Doyle’s writing on getting in touch with her intuition and the bravery it takes to follow her “inner knowing”.

3. You are a Badass, by Jen Sincero

“What other people think about you has nothing to do with you and everything to do with them.”

This book helped me to identify where I was self-sabotaging. It inspired me to take a deeper look at the how and why – the beliefs behind self-sabotage and how I could change my behavior. I realized that overworking myself was a form of self-sabotage. I would get to the point where I’d have to break down and stop everything because I pushed myself too hard. The belief behind it was that I wasn’t worthy of rest, unless I was physically incapcitated. Today, I build rest into my schedule. I know I am worthy of rest.

4. The Celestine Prophecy, by James Redfield
 

“We must assume every event has significance and contains a message that pertains to our questions…this especially applies to what we used to call bad things…the challenge is to find the silver lining in every event, no matter how negative.”

This book opened my eyes to a new way of looking at energy and life through a spiritual lense. It reads more like a novel than a self-help book and has some wonderful golden inspirational nuggets. It is based around twelve insights which are intended as a guide to life. Notificing synchronicity and trusting that the world has a spiritual design were two of my favorites.

5. What I Know for Sure, by Oprah Winfrey
 

“There is one irrefutable law of the universe: We are each responsible for our own life. If you’re holding anyone else accountable for your happiness, you’re wasting your time. You must be fearless enough to give yourself the love you didn’t receive.”

For me, this book is about creating a life of pure excellence. Some of the key takeaways are the power of practicing gratitude and leveraging experience to become stronger and more successful. Today, I make it a point to start and end my day with gratitude.

Before, I would wake up and think things like: “Uhhhg it’s so early,” “I’m so tired, why do I have to get up right now?” Now, when I open my eyes in the morning, I say things like: “Good morning beautiful morning” or “I am so grateful for this day”. It’s amazing the difference this new inner monologue makes.

6. Becoming, by Michelle Obama
 

“For me, becoming isn’t about arriving somewhere or achieving a certain aim. I see it instead as forward motion, a means of evolving, a way to reach continuously toward a better self. The journey doesn’t end.”

This is such a great book! For me, it’s all about finding your voice and realizing that your voice matters. We each have a unique story to tell, don’t be afraid to tell it! You never know who it might help. This book continues to inspire me each time I tell my story, sharing it with larger and larger audiences.

7.Eat, Pray, Love, by Elizabeth Gilbert
 

“This is a good sign, having a broken heart. It means we have tried for something.”

For me, this book is about being true to yourself. Gilbert’s book reminds me to resist being consumed by societal norms or others wants and needs, and to instead follow my own path. I continue to read and reread this book during each major transition in my life. It helps me to stay grounded.

8. The Ride of a Lifetime, by Robert Iger
 

“Don’t be in the business of playing it safe. Be in the business of creating possibilities for greatness.”

This book inspired me to say YES. It’s about taking opportunities and going for it. I read this book at the beginning of 2021 and it has really shaped my year. It’s become my year of YES. This year, I became an international award winning speaker, launched two online courses, started a podcast, organized an international conference, I’m getting married, and I’ve become an international bestselling author. It’s amazing what can happen when you say YES!!!

9. Self-Compassion, by Kristin Neff

“Rather than wandering around in problem-solving mode all day, thinking mainly of what you want to fix about yourself or your life, you can pause for a few moments throughout the day to marvel at what’s not broken.”

The first time I read this book was in 2011, the year before I was diagnosed as terminal. I read the first four pages, then had to put it down. It was so profoundly and deeply stirring. I couldn’t handle it at the time. I picked it back up five years later when I was ready.

For all the self-help books and topics out there, I believe that self-compassion is truly the most important. It’s the root of everything. We need it to make other positive changes in our lives. It’s needed to care for others. We need it to be able to live the passion of our business and our dreams. Yet, self-compassion is one of the most challenging and hardest things to practice.

If I’ve learned anything when it comes to self-help books, it’s be gentle with yourself. It’s OK if something is hard. If reading about self-compassion is hard, it’s not self-compassionate to ram it down your own throat. We get the messages that we need at the time of reading it. Divine timing is real.

I hope these books inspire you as they have me. If you haven’t already, I invite you to order a copy of the international bestselling book I co-authored – Break Free to Health and Vitality – a collection of wisdom from health practitioners, health coaches, holistic healers, and transformational leaders. I am so grateful to my amazing co-authors, especially Seema Giri for bringing this amazing book into being.

More About Break Free To Health and Vitality Book

We may no longer be in a health crisis, but we’re in a state of a health emergency. The rise of stress-related disorders around the globe is at its highest. Heart disease, autoimmunity, hypertension, diabetes, anxiety and depression, increases in environmental toxins, pandemics, and epidemics. The good news is there is a solution.

The solution is you.
You can achieve optimal health.

How? By taking complete ownership of your health and vitality. You can do this by making the right personalized lifestyle choices for you.

When it comes to a healthy lifestyle, there is no one-size-fits-all program. Each person has their unique blueprint so is the approach to healthy living. Break Free to Health & Vitality is a collection of wisdom from health practitioners, health coaches, holistic healers, and transformational leaders who want to help the readers choose the best possible approach to a holistic lifestyle. You can integrate mind, body, and soul so that you can live your life full of vibrance, energy, and vitality.

Each expert powerfully shares their journeys to breaking free to health and vitality, sharing encouragement, tips, and insights to help you break free to live more fully and powerfully than ever before. It covers everything from mindset to overcoming health challenges, embracing self-care without the guilt, and breaking powerfully free to shine fully and achieve lifelong wellness.

Get your copy here!