IF IT IS TO BE, IT IS UP TO ME

A debut author blends personal narrative and self-help in this testimony to the power of personal discipline.

There’s an “amazing connection between our mind, body, and spirit,” writes Vale, who adds that a focus on all three is “the key to creating the life we want.” Much of the book draws on the author’s personal experiences in overcoming life’s obstacles to inform her exhortation to embrace a mindset and lifestyle of holistic well-being. After a childhood accident left her paralyzed on her left side, Vale was told by doctors that she’d never walk or talk again. Despite this dire prognosis, the author’s mother “refused to accept” the permanency of Vale’s condition and created her own rehabilitation exercises that combined physical therapy with an unyielding confidence that her daughter would recover. The author would go on to compete in triathlons and live a full life as a model, entrepreneur, yoga instructor, and life coach. Blended with the book’s memoir passages are motivational anecdotes from other women who have overcome adversity, such as artist Frida Kahlo, who was unashamed to portray her true self in her portraits. Offering advice on topics ranging from overcoming social expectations to adapting to change, Vale urges readers to reframe their vulnerabilities and defeats as “the foundation for [their] greatest strength[s]” and as opportunities to “rewrite [their] own stor[ies].” In a chapter on manifestation, for instance, she rejects antiquated stereotypes that connect the practice to extrasensory perception and instead offers a pragmatic approach to manifestation’s real-world applications. By aligning our desires with daily affirmations and visualizations, per the author, “our thoughts and beliefs start to influence our actions to align accordingly.” While not an overtly spiritual work, the book references Vale’s studies with Buddhist monks and classically trained yogis to emphasize the interconnectivity of physical, mental, and spiritual health. Coming in at fewer than 125 total pages, this concise book effectively blends practical self-help advice with consistently optimistic, inspirational anecdotes.

A compelling blend of memoir and practical insights into holistic well-being.