You may have heard me refer to the wellness industry or wellness culture as “the wellness industrial complex” before. I didn’t come up with that, but I certainly find it to be a great descriptor. Like, over time, we’ve done a great job of identifying the diet industry as predatory and distancing ourselves from it. But is that because it’s just been scarfed up by a bigger predator?
Truly, “wellness” is a behemoth.
(I definitely envision a big, hairy monster with twelve tentacles and a screaming, gaping, razor-lined mouth.)
Partly because there’s no one definition of it, or it’s ever-changing and elusive, and whatever definition does kind of exist includes so many things, now way beyond fitness and diet. And partly because no matter how you slice it, it’s run by the marketing and capitalism machine.
That combination serves to create a kind of fantasyland scenario.
One in which we struggle to navigate what’s real and what’s not. One which causes us to question our own truths and experiences and begin to believe a bunch of lies. One which does an efficient job of telling and selling us everything we need.
Like, wellness is good for you (because a paid spokesperson says it is)! Wellness is worthy and true (because a paid doctor spokesperson says so)! Wellness is not about losing weight, it’s about confidence (because a paid size 8 celebrity spokesperson has seen the light)!
(Oh, and here’s a discount [that makes me money too]!)
Alright, alright, I’m not writing this just to be a critic. Although, I do write it to encourage you to be your own critic of wellness. In the end, I’m part of the wellness industrial complex too, and I fully and freely acknowledge that. But I’m not here to prey on your beliefs and desires and weaker moments. In point of fact, I do the opposite – I invite you to explore, and offer ways of supporting you on your journey in your own time and your own way. And candidly, that’s a big reason why I don’t have a smashingly successful and influential brand and business by most modern standards, ie: raking in six+ figures and creating a following of millions. I do, however, have an honest business I wholeheartedly believe in, and that makes me prouder than a whole pile of money and a cult following ever could.
Anyway, what I am writing today to say is that even though most of the $4.5 TRILLION wellness industry makes me a little bit nauseated, there are little pockets of it that get me super excited. (Like this and this and this.) You’re probably not too terribly surprised to learn that I tend to attract like-minded folks who aren’t into scamming people into hating themselves more, but actually want to help and provide real ways to do so. For most of my career, I’ve been incredibly fortunate to be connected to lots of these people on a regular basis, and the trend has luckily continued in my move to Colorado.
My new BFF (seriously though, she’s probably getting so sick of me already because we’re spending summer camp level amounts of time together) is one of these people who gets me excited. She’s so fucking smart, she’s exceedingly kind and understanding, she’s super insightful, and she’s a master of all the technical and practical tools needed to foster wellness.
Honestly.
It’s entirely appropriate, then, that her practice is called Honestly Well, and her new course helps you to accomplish honest wellness for yourself.
Honestly!
Honestly Well, The Course is step-by-step, big rocks basics kind of stuff, and that’s the stuff we need more of. Plus, Marisa has a background in education, so she’s really great at teaching it in a way that makes sense and doesn’t overwhelm. If you’ve previously tried a bunch of nutrition or wellness courses and not found what you were looking for, I honestly believe this could be a great fit.
But, certainly, don’t take my word for it. Get your own taste of Marisa and her style. She’s hosting a webinar Tuesday evening – 3 Fads to Ditch to be Healthy, and you’re invited. It’s FREE99. And because we’re BFFs now, I got the free preview of what the 3 fads she’s doing to talk about are, and trust me, you want to know. They’re all super hot right now, you’ve definitely heard of them already, and there’s so much conflicting info out there about all of them. I promise, this webinar will help you sort it out – honestly. But you do have to sign up because space is limited.
If you don’t care about webinars and Honestly Well already sounds great, guess what?!? YOU GET THE BFF DISCOUNT. You can head straight to the course and use code UNLEASH at checkout to get $100 off. It’s good through Wednesday, 4/28.
By the way, this does not make me any money at all, in case you’re wondering. I’m not an affiliate, and strictly supporting and shine theory-ing because I believe in this program and in Marisa and YOU.
So I guess, in answer to the big question about honesty in wellness: yes and no. Like literally anything else in life – there are great things happening in the wellness industry, and there are damaging things lurking in the culture too.
It’s in our best interests to be curious and discerning in how we choose to engage with wellness and wellness practitioners.
Scratch at the shiny stuff, OK?
I know I’ve been saying it for years about a thousand times over, but you do get to choose. Despite what the complex would have you believe, it’s within your power, always.
Honestly.
You might remember my podcast conversation with Marisa. It’s another good place to start to get an idea of what working with her (and me) is like.
It was Marisa who encouraged me to (finally) develop a course myself! I’m terrified and excited all at once to offer you Fitness Unraveled: The Course in May. In the meantime, check out the upcoming mini-workshop series I’ve got going for you. It’s free, obv.
And don’t forget, you can sign up for weekly wellness emails from me that are actually honest, right here.
