Born to Freak: A Salty Primer for Irrepressible Humans

by Sarah Bamford Seidelmann, Grace Kerina (Editor)

Anyone seeking humorous and playful ways to embrace and accept their differences will welcome life coach Sarah Seidelmann's refreshing alphabetical celebration of individuality and eccentricity. Through her personal work and work with clients and groups, she had made connections between attention-deficit disorder, high sensitivity, Asperger's syndrome, autism, addicts of every kind (sex, drugs, alcohol, gambling, shopping), the depressed, the anxious, the manic, the intense, change agents, black sheep, adrenaline junkies, irrepressibles, rebels, bohemians, life pirates, bad asses, artists, innovators, performers, comedians, and healers . . . and concludes that everyone is born to freak! She argues that not everyone is supposed to fit in, but that seeing things differently, ruffling feathers, and returning balance to the world and its communities is the real reason for our natural variety. Through the use of creative abilities, healing presences, and eccentric gifts, people can discover their own wondrous inner multitudes. And by confessing her own strangeness and sharing tales of epic freaky awesomeness, she hopes that other irrepressible humans might get the memo earlier in their lives that they, too, are born to freak.

Genres: Self Help

246 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Sarah Bamford Seidelmann MD is a 4th generation physician, accomplished writer, shamanic healer, artist, and coach. Her six books have all been instant Amazon best-sellers. Her What the Walrus Knows app for iOS has users in 65 countries. For twenty years, Sarah was a board-certified pathologist (what she calls a “disease hunter”). After decades of seeking out illness, she grew curious about what creates health. Through her own investigation and with the help of her spiritual ally, Alice, an elephant in spirit form, she discovered that creative self-expression is fundamental to our vitality and health. Sarah specializes in helping others foster a connection to spirit by spending time in nature and observing the birds and animals. Sarah has been an instructor and curriculum creator for Martha Beck’s Wayfinder Life Coach Training and an official contributor for Maria Shriver’s Architects of Change. Sarah is currently making art and preparing to publish her seventh book: a richly illustrated and entertaining volume about boundaries for helpers + healers. She co-leads a creative community called SHINE for writers and artists who are committed to showing up for their work, no matter what.

Reviews

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think there is more than one comedian in the Bamford family! I loved Sarah's first book, What The Walrus Knows. This, her second book, did not disappoint me. She is hilariously funny, salty, and completely serious in her approach, sometimes all at once. Sarah tells stories from her life as a mom, a wife, a physician and a life coach that make me laugh . . . and make me think. A lot. What I appreciate most is the many life lessons and opportunities to rethink how we think about our life and our choices that Sarah includes in these pages. An important message is that we aren't all alike, we do think differently, and that is just fine and dandy. In fact, it is the way we are supposed to be.

This is not a book that needs to be read from start to finish. The book includes topics from A-Z. Sarah also includes short autobiographical stories, introducing herself as a BEAN ARTIST, a CLIFF JUMPER, a HUNTRESS and a CREATIVE DIRECTOR, among others. The index and table of contents make it easy to find exactly what you're looking for. There is also a short guide called "Uncovering Your Own Multitudes" to help put into practice for yourself the lessons of this book.

[Julie Bernhardt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious, sweet and full of affirmations! I love how she re-frames personality traits for those of us outside the norm/mainstream as strengths. I have recommended to the really special people in my life!

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This singular book inspired tears by page 12, fodder for several therapy sessions, laughs, and a blog entry. I've recommended this book to my best friend and sister, who are in most immediate need of its message... but pretty much everyone I love is a freak: helpers, inappropriate jokesters, and artists of all kinds. Thank you, Sarah Seidelmann, for taking risks, writing books, and sharing your message with the world. I have oodles of support in my life and I'm a therapist myself. Yet reading these words, I've never felt less alone.

[D.M.S. Fick · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's much to delight in with this book. There's advice aplenty, all stitched into a tapestry of laughs, encouragement, and fun drawings. It's a balm to the worry of being "other"–indeed, it's a celebration. Don't worry about being a weirdo, celebrate it and make it work for you.

I found this book most effective read in a chapter-a-day (or so) doses. The chapters are short and they work like both advice and as affirmations. Read this way, the book can be your coach, cheerleader, and pal. It's encouraging and soothing at the same time.

Plus, lots of fun.

[Prasanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading it. I think I found the book at the right time in life, while I'm making big decisions in professional, personal spaces. It's humorous and serious at the same time -- yet rather uplifting in a self-help book but one that invites you to be yourself.

[Julie Franks-Murray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed it.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my book- which I write with help and insight from Alice the Elephant:). Hope it inspires more born to FREAK humans to blossom like lotuses:). Thank you for checking it out! ~ Peace and the courage of 100 honey badgers, Sarah

Here are a few reviews from readers on Amazon:
Learning to love my FREAK, January 23, 2013
By Anne Marie Rowe - See all my reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Born to FREAK: A Salty Primer for Irrepressible Humans (Paperback)
I have lived most of my life being afraid of what other people will think of me if I don't show up according to their expectations. I have been doing a lot of work on this for the last few years and am much better at living my life according to what feels good to me. I love Sarah's book because 1) The stories are funny but very eye opening and mind blowing at the same time. More than once I was relieved to know I wasn't the only one who... 2) I could be a rebel and not read it from cover to cover, I could skip around! It feels so good not to follow the rules. 3) I got even more comfortable in my FREAK. Today, I painted my nails black with glitter polish over them. My mom is going to "freak" when she sees it and I am totally o.k. with that. I can accept it with love and laughter. Thanks again Sarah for daring to FREAK and giving the rest of us permission to seek out and live our own FREAK!

This review is from: Born to FREAK: A Salty Primer for Irrepressible Humans (Paperback)
So I got it in the post and read the back and cried out loud. Like an animal. Was it written for me? Then within the introduction I thought maybe Sarah S had a hidden camera in my house. For I too have sat down to do something then found myself surrounded by at least three different notebooks, then thought about Tina Fey, Making salsa from scratch and about a million other different things. I'm too much. I'm intense (just last week someone said "Sarah's so intense" but instead of apologising and thinking about it for days I simply said 'I come as I am' with a smile and come love. For both of us. And I was only one chapter in. I'm so happy to have read this book - it's like a permission slip from the Universe to just be myself. Even if you are just an ordinary human who has to tolerate my folk, this is brilliant to get in touch with your freakier side and understand that we don't need fixing and we are important and lovely and move through life at a different pace on a different plane. And we are quite wonderful.
It's an easy-to read, easy-to follow, well sectioned and bite-sized A-Z of the wonders of being ... as you are
SS is funny, tender, real and has created this quite unique piece of writing the likes of which have been hinted at before but never ever been delivered so directly, intelligently, simply and comprehensively.
A must read if your think there's something wrong with your child/friend/parent/co-worker or if you ever feel you are or judge others as 'too much'.
LOVED IT

5.0 out of 5 stars An original, insightful, funny and authentic look at life, March 24, 2013
By Rebecca Drinnen (Ohio) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Born to FREAK: A Salty Primer for Irrepressible Humans (Paperback)
I think there is more than one comedian in the Bamford family! I loved Sarah's first book, What The Walrus Knows. This, her second book, did not disappoint me. She is hilariously funny, salty, and completely serious in her approach, sometimes all at once. Sarah tells stories from her life as a mom, a wife, a physician and a life coach that make me laugh . . . and make me think. A lot. What I appreciate most is the many life lessons and opportunities to rethink how we think about our life and our choices that Sarah includes in these pages. An important message is that we aren't all alike, we do think differently, and that is just fine and dandy. In fact, it is the way we are supposed to be.

This is not a book that needs to be read from start to finish. The book includes topics from A-Z. Sarah also includes short autobiographical stories, introducing herself as a BEAN ARTIST, a CLIFF JUMPER, a HUNTRESS and a CREATIVE DIRECTOR, among others. The index and table of contents make it easy to find exactly what you're looking for. There is also a short guide called "Uncovering Your Own Multitudes" to help put into practice for yourself the lessons of this book. If you are looking for a book that is both entertaining and full of insight, this book is the answer.