What do you think?
Rate this book
And Then Em Died...: Stop The Insanity! A Memoir
And Then Em Died... Stop the Insanity! A Memoir is three-time New York Times best-selling author Susan Powter’s latest book. It is reminiscent of an intimate fireside chat which brings an unprecedented view inside the journey that is Susan’s incredible life.
This courageous and astonishingly honest account of her experience is sure to evoke the deepest emotions. Susan weaves a beautiful narrative that encompasses the entire spectrum of inspiration, authenticity, humor, and self-realization that is undeniably relatable. Her remarkable story will grip the reader from page one all the way through to the very last word. It is an absolute triumph!
This courageous and astonishingly honest account of her experience is sure to evoke the deepest emotions. Susan weaves a beautiful narrative that encompasses the entire spectrum of inspiration, authenticity, humor, and self-realization that is undeniably relatable. Her remarkable story will grip the reader from page one all the way through to the very last word. It is an absolute triumph!
183 pages, Paperback
Published October 20, 2024
33 people are currently reading
80 people want to read
About the author
Susan Powter
52 books14 followersSusan Powter is a motivational speaker, dietitian, personal trainer, & author. She is an advocate of 'whole real foods'. She sets herself apart from others in her industry for many reasons - but mainly because she condemns the diet industry.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
October 24, 2024
Susan is back
Susan Powter is one of the three most important people in my life. I met her in my early 50s and the six years that I worked out with her— in person in Seattle and then online— got me out of an abusive marriage and into a lifetime of fitness. Our society is a pretty brutal place for women in their 60s and I think this book is going to resonate. My deepest thanks to the editors and the publisher for bringing Susan’s story to her audience and beyond.
Susan Powter is one of the three most important people in my life. I met her in my early 50s and the six years that I worked out with her— in person in Seattle and then online— got me out of an abusive marriage and into a lifetime of fitness. Our society is a pretty brutal place for women in their 60s and I think this book is going to resonate. My deepest thanks to the editors and the publisher for bringing Susan’s story to her audience and beyond.
October 31, 2024
Read this in a day, it was that engrossing.
Susan Powter writes that if you're over 40 she likely doesn't need an introduction. I remember the infomercials and I read her early books. Within the billion dollar diet/fitness industry, she made sense and I still apply some of her advice to my daily life. This book is short and might omit some true dark moments, but it serves well as a cautionary tale for people seeking fame - and Susan didn't appear to want to be famous in the reality show sense. I get from her that she truly cared about women in general and wanted to help.
How do you go from being the face of a multi-millon dollar empire to working for Uber Eats to survive? Susan bit the hand, and while it didn't help her financially at least she got to walk away with her soul intact. If you get anything else out of this, it's the importance to keep Social Security and Medicare intact. Susan paid into hers and got it when she needed it the most. I wish her the best in her third act.
Susan Powter writes that if you're over 40 she likely doesn't need an introduction. I remember the infomercials and I read her early books. Within the billion dollar diet/fitness industry, she made sense and I still apply some of her advice to my daily life. This book is short and might omit some true dark moments, but it serves well as a cautionary tale for people seeking fame - and Susan didn't appear to want to be famous in the reality show sense. I get from her that she truly cared about women in general and wanted to help.
How do you go from being the face of a multi-millon dollar empire to working for Uber Eats to survive? Susan bit the hand, and while it didn't help her financially at least she got to walk away with her soul intact. If you get anything else out of this, it's the importance to keep Social Security and Medicare intact. Susan paid into hers and got it when she needed it the most. I wish her the best in her third act.
October 26, 2024
Cannot wait for Chapter 2
I admired Susan in the 90s and had no idea what had happened to her. I look forward to reading about this next chapter in her life because this memoir gave me hope for her, for me, for women.
I admired Susan in the 90s and had no idea what had happened to her. I look forward to reading about this next chapter in her life because this memoir gave me hope for her, for me, for women.
December 29, 2025
I purchased this book after seeing Stop the Insanity: Finding Susan Powter. I remember her from the 90s, and the documentary intrigued me. Powter is a no nonsense person who embraces her own experiences unabashedly. She sees her responsibilities in her own highs and plateaus, and shamelessly details her relationship with her struggles within her projected “successes.” She tells you about some truly awful moments, experiences, and actions of others without baiting you for pity or sympathy. Sometimes life and relationships can go very wrong, and that’s a fact.
Is this book literary genius? No. But it gets my five stars because it is the most honest piece of writing I’ve read in a long time, and there is something truly special about that. She self-published, it’s not polished, but it’s exactly what she wanted it to be, and she’s sharing her narrative on her terms. Learning more about her story makes her way of going about this book even more respectable, relatable, and captivating.
In a world increasingly manipulated by veneers, lies, smoke and mirrors, and half truths, this book was refreshing. You can read this book in a sitting, and you probably will, not because of the style, but because of the clear, strong, and true voice of a woman who sees the purpose in the hustle, the worth in her struggle, and the joys of a life authentically lived.
I hope you get that RV, Susan, and keep doing you, never being too proud to be the realest of real.
Is this book literary genius? No. But it gets my five stars because it is the most honest piece of writing I’ve read in a long time, and there is something truly special about that. She self-published, it’s not polished, but it’s exactly what she wanted it to be, and she’s sharing her narrative on her terms. Learning more about her story makes her way of going about this book even more respectable, relatable, and captivating.
In a world increasingly manipulated by veneers, lies, smoke and mirrors, and half truths, this book was refreshing. You can read this book in a sitting, and you probably will, not because of the style, but because of the clear, strong, and true voice of a woman who sees the purpose in the hustle, the worth in her struggle, and the joys of a life authentically lived.
I hope you get that RV, Susan, and keep doing you, never being too proud to be the realest of real.
June 12, 2025
I did not put this down until I was done. I have a soft spot for Susan Powter from the good old days when everything was different, slower, less automated, and more personal. She is nostalgic for me. Her book is a memoir of her rise and fall from fame and fortune, how it never really resonated with her, how she always just wanted to talk to the women and give them hope, and be grassroots. She loses everything, winds up living in the worst roach-infested hotel in the worst, most dangerous area of Las Vegas, driving from 5 am to late at night for Uber Eats to make $80 a day to survive barely. At some point, the story takes a happy turn, and she signs up for Social Security to get Medicaid after a health scare that was induced by the incredible stress and survival, not to mention the heartbreak in her life. That small SS check turns her life around in an excellent way, along with a better living situation in a 55-plus retirement community that is quiet and clean. It is the small things that we take for granted until they are gone. When someone is stripped down to nothing, a slight change in money and living situation can make all the difference to a person's spirit.
This book made me think of how little we actually need and why we should never let someone else tend to our money or take control of our lives. We need to be wise with our funds and think ahead, be true to ourselves and be grateful for the little things because when we don't have them, we realize how important they truly are.
This book made me think of how little we actually need and why we should never let someone else tend to our money or take control of our lives. We need to be wise with our funds and think ahead, be true to ourselves and be grateful for the little things because when we don't have them, we realize how important they truly are.
August 9, 2025
Warrior Woman
I just read Susan’s memoir and I am blown away by her story! We all know Stop the Insanity! But now we know Susan Powter the Woman, The Warrior! It is a MUST READ for women of ALL AGES! Can’t wait to watch Susan Powter the Movie! Until then - Keep on Motivating us via Social Media! 💜
I just read Susan’s memoir and I am blown away by her story! We all know Stop the Insanity! But now we know Susan Powter the Woman, The Warrior! It is a MUST READ for women of ALL AGES! Can’t wait to watch Susan Powter the Movie! Until then - Keep on Motivating us via Social Media! 💜
August 3, 2025
Susan Poster is making a comeback!
How could you not be inspired by this book? Susan has been through the ringer, but despite everything that she's been through, she's still finding a way to keep going. She was inspirational to me when I watched her infomercials in my younger years, to still being inspirational to me now. I'm rooting for you!
How could you not be inspired by this book? Susan has been through the ringer, but despite everything that she's been through, she's still finding a way to keep going. She was inspirational to me when I watched her infomercials in my younger years, to still being inspirational to me now. I'm rooting for you!
October 28, 2024
wow! Susan Powter is my hero!
I couldn’t put the book down. I am looking forward to more of Susan Powter. I am so happy for her. What a good story. Can’t wait for the next chapter.
I couldn’t put the book down. I am looking forward to more of Susan Powter. I am so happy for her. What a good story. Can’t wait for the next chapter.
February 26, 2025
I couldn't put this book down! Heart breaking and inspiring at the same time. So raw and honest. The most interesting memoir I've ever read. I hope that she gets lots of love and support from the community during her book tour.
December 31, 2025
Last week I watched the new Susan Powter documentary, 'Stop the Insanity: Finding Susan Powter' produced by Jamie Lee Curtis on Prime Video (rented for $3.99). Directly thereafter I purchased her memoir self-published last year 'And Then Em Died ...', as well as her 'Stop the Insanity' book written in the 1990s (which will be delivered next week).
I received 'And Then Em Died ...' via an Amazon delivery last night and read it this morning in it's entirety. Anyone who followed her in the 1990s will be sobered by her life story after her immense success, and yet so inspired in some deeply-profound way by her self-revelations, her humility, and her toughness.
'And Then Em Died ...' picks up from her life in 2024 when her rescue dog, Em, dies unexpectedly from cancer. She has no money for vet bills, no money to save her (although the cancer was so far advanced, no amount of money would have changed the outcome) and is working as an Uber Eats driver for 8-10 hours a day. It was in the moment that Em passed, she took stock of how she was only barely surviving her new life after losing millions and decided she had to do something to find herself again. It sounds like years and years of bad luck, bad management and being screwed over in every way imaginable, she reached rock bottom.
Because I was so moved by her story, I sent her an email via the contact address provided in her book. I told her how I was inspired by her, her authenticity, her hard life story and I hoped that the documentary would provide her a jumping off point for renewed success.
Gosh. I love this woman.
I received 'And Then Em Died ...' via an Amazon delivery last night and read it this morning in it's entirety. Anyone who followed her in the 1990s will be sobered by her life story after her immense success, and yet so inspired in some deeply-profound way by her self-revelations, her humility, and her toughness.
'And Then Em Died ...' picks up from her life in 2024 when her rescue dog, Em, dies unexpectedly from cancer. She has no money for vet bills, no money to save her (although the cancer was so far advanced, no amount of money would have changed the outcome) and is working as an Uber Eats driver for 8-10 hours a day. It was in the moment that Em passed, she took stock of how she was only barely surviving her new life after losing millions and decided she had to do something to find herself again. It sounds like years and years of bad luck, bad management and being screwed over in every way imaginable, she reached rock bottom.
Because I was so moved by her story, I sent her an email via the contact address provided in her book. I told her how I was inspired by her, her authenticity, her hard life story and I hoped that the documentary would provide her a jumping off point for renewed success.
Gosh. I love this woman.
July 25, 2025
The formatting of this book was absolutely awful, but it was a quick read and totally kept my interest. I think it took some courage to write this book, and I love that Susan Powter self published. Not only is that just cool to me, but it also proves that she puts her money where her mouth is--she likes to maintain creative control of her works, and she did.
November 16, 2024
Inspitational and Hopeful
I remember Susan from the ‘80s. I loved her energy then and I love her energy and hopefulness at the end of this book. I laughed and I cried. I think EVERYONE should read this book and takeaway hope and determination to live life to the fullest!
I remember Susan from the ‘80s. I loved her energy then and I love her energy and hopefulness at the end of this book. I laughed and I cried. I think EVERYONE should read this book and takeaway hope and determination to live life to the fullest!
March 2, 2025
This is a straight forward no BS memoir from Susan herself. She is not crying poor me or boohoo but states the facts of her rise and fall. Raw and honest. I have never read a book and felt so much energy coming off the page. Just like the author herself. Love.
December 21, 2025
Its truth andcit real and raw.
Amazing I can't wait to see what becomes of the comeback bc I loved her back in the day and the inspiration she has spoken on tiktok not just weight loss and encouragement. But life abd truth and wanting to tell it all.
Amazing I can't wait to see what becomes of the comeback bc I loved her back in the day and the inspiration she has spoken on tiktok not just weight loss and encouragement. But life abd truth and wanting to tell it all.
February 14, 2026
She is back and better than ever ! What a great read and my hat is off to her for never giving up !!
January 14, 2026
She’s back!
Incredible story she wrote. I laughed, I cried for her, and I understood everything she said. I followed her back in the day, as we are close in age, and I swear, she’s about the only person who’s motivated me. I wish she gets that second chapter of incredibleness. I’m rooting for her.
Incredible story she wrote. I laughed, I cried for her, and I understood everything she said. I followed her back in the day, as we are close in age, and I swear, she’s about the only person who’s motivated me. I wish she gets that second chapter of incredibleness. I’m rooting for her.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews