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Am I Ugly?
In today’s world of supplements, celebrity diets and social media, it’s very easy to be hard on ourselves about the way we look. With all this pressure to strive for ‘perfection’ aesthetically, it is easy to forget how damaging this can be psychologically. Michelle Elman is a leading part of the body positivity movement that has been gathering momentum to liberate people from these unrealistic standards, recognise that all bodies are equally valuable and broaden the billboard definitions of beauty.
Am I Ugly? is this inspiring woman’s compelling and deeply personal memoir that describes her childhood experiences of life-threatening health problems, long stays in hospital and fifteen complex surgeries that left her scarred, both mentally and physically. The narrative follows Michelle’s journey from illness to health, and from childhood to adulthood as she deals with her body-confidence issues to embrace both her scars and her body – and help others to do the same. This remarkable book grapples with the wider implications of Michelle’s experiences and the complex interplay between beauty and illness.
Am I Ugly? is this inspiring woman’s compelling and deeply personal memoir that describes her childhood experiences of life-threatening health problems, long stays in hospital and fifteen complex surgeries that left her scarred, both mentally and physically. The narrative follows Michelle’s journey from illness to health, and from childhood to adulthood as she deals with her body-confidence issues to embrace both her scars and her body – and help others to do the same. This remarkable book grapples with the wider implications of Michelle’s experiences and the complex interplay between beauty and illness.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published July 1, 2018
172 people are currently reading
1609 people want to read
About the author
Michelle Elman
9 books251 followersMichelle Elman is a five-board accredited life coach, broadcaster and author who is most known for her campaign Scarred Not Scared. Last year Michelle was named as one of The Sun's 50 most inspirational women in the UK and is recognised as one of the top 100 creatives creating change. Her second book “The Joy of Being Selfish” topped Amazon Charts when it was released this year and her debut book “Am I Ugly?” received rave reviews. She is often invited onto TV and radio worldwide for her expert opinion including features on Sky News, Loose Women, Channel 5 News, BBC Radio London, LBC as well as radio in Hong Kong, Ireland and Los Angeles. Michelle hosts her own podcast "In All Honesty" and is a prolific public speaker with her TedX talk being viewed 60,000 times. Known for her direct approach, her insight empowers people to stand in their power, set boundaries, and live life more honestly.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 129 reviews
July 25, 2018
I've been following Michelle for some time now on Instagram, joined her body positive book club on Facebook and watched her YouTube videos. When I found out she was writing a book I pre-ordered as soon as possible. And she did not disappoint, I finished reading in less than a week. Michelle has always been open about her medical and physical conditions and the many surgeries but in this book she is very detailed and personal about her childhood and puberty. Along the way you see her changes and challenges and it's a mirror. A mirror to look at my own life, past and the choices I've made. And while this book is far from self-help, it's an autobiography, you can't finish reading without reflection. It gives me such a boost to continue the (body positive) life I now live myself. Michelle, thank you for being a very unique and important role model for me and so many others!
November 19, 2020
Am I Ugly is the most realistic portrayal of the journey to body confidence I’ve ever read.
This powerful memoir is Michelle’s experience with undergoing life-threatening illness, 15 major operations, and learning to love her body unconditionally. I follow Michelle on Instagram and I can see how much she’s changed from the young girl who hated her scars at St Keyes to the powerful woman and inspirational body confidence coach she is now.
The strength of this book lies in how much the general audience will be able to relate to it. Nowhere in the book does she suddenly claim to miraculously have fallen in love with her body. Her story is like all of ours–she struggled a lot and took a long time to love her scars and body. But she ultimately did, and that’s all that matters really.
I will not nitpick this memoir like I usually do because this book deserves to be out there. This book deserves to be read. This book deserves more than the 5 stars I’m giving it.
This powerful memoir is Michelle’s experience with undergoing life-threatening illness, 15 major operations, and learning to love her body unconditionally. I follow Michelle on Instagram and I can see how much she’s changed from the young girl who hated her scars at St Keyes to the powerful woman and inspirational body confidence coach she is now.
The strength of this book lies in how much the general audience will be able to relate to it. Nowhere in the book does she suddenly claim to miraculously have fallen in love with her body. Her story is like all of ours–she struggled a lot and took a long time to love her scars and body. But she ultimately did, and that’s all that matters really.
I will not nitpick this memoir like I usually do because this book deserves to be out there. This book deserves to be read. This book deserves more than the 5 stars I’m giving it.
July 7, 2018
As some of my recent posts have indicated, I have a bit of a body positivity journey under way. So, when I noticed that Net Galley had Michelle Elman's book available, I had to request it right away, and thank goodness the request was accepted.
It's easy to think about body positivity as entirely about weight and fatness, but of course that's not true. It's about any characteristic that your body might have, and Michelle's book is an excellent reminder of that as the central characteristic being discussed is scars as a result of multiple operations across her life.
Her story is amazing, and thought-provoking, and honestly, one I'm not sure I could have come out of so positively, and I'm enormously impressed by her for having done so.
Of course, it also gave plenty to think about. How our early experiences in life can impact us later on. How hard it can be to share the most vulnerable part of our histories with new people - and how amazing when they are simply accepted. The people you meet in life who manage to completely change your outlook.
And how has this book impacted my own body positivity thinking? It's given some wonderful insight into body positivity beyond weight/fatness. It's one thing to intellectually understand that body positivity isn't just about being fat in a thin obsessed world, but it's another to actually read about what that looks like for someone else, which is important, and wonderful. Because really, body positivity is about being "real" (read, whatever you are) in a world obsessed with a perfection that does not actually exist, whether we're talking body shape, colour, texture, ability etc etc etc.
It also gave me a bit of a boost to continue with my anti-diet stance at a time when I have some health things going on that every statistic available says would be improved if I weighed less. And I'm prepared to believe it, but I'm holding tight to the notion that effectively starving myself is not going to improve any health indicator beyond my weight - and that only temporarily. If I happen to lose weight by listening to my body, then awesome, if not, then I need to trust my body that this is where it needs to be right now. Which is hard. But I'm determined.
Michelle's book really reminded me too how important it is to trust friends and family. Sometimes they can't or won't give us the exact support we need, but sometimes they will surprise us, and when dealing with your relationship with your body, remembering that people love us, even if we can't always love ourselves, is a big deal.
I have a suspicion that this is a book I'll come back to, that will bubble around in my brain and continue to make me think and reflect. Which I love! In the meantime, I highly, highly recommend this book. It comes out on the 12th of July 2018. WHSmith have signed copies. This book is one I'll need a physical copy of, and so I'll be getting one for myself!
It's easy to think about body positivity as entirely about weight and fatness, but of course that's not true. It's about any characteristic that your body might have, and Michelle's book is an excellent reminder of that as the central characteristic being discussed is scars as a result of multiple operations across her life.
Her story is amazing, and thought-provoking, and honestly, one I'm not sure I could have come out of so positively, and I'm enormously impressed by her for having done so.
Of course, it also gave plenty to think about. How our early experiences in life can impact us later on. How hard it can be to share the most vulnerable part of our histories with new people - and how amazing when they are simply accepted. The people you meet in life who manage to completely change your outlook.
And how has this book impacted my own body positivity thinking? It's given some wonderful insight into body positivity beyond weight/fatness. It's one thing to intellectually understand that body positivity isn't just about being fat in a thin obsessed world, but it's another to actually read about what that looks like for someone else, which is important, and wonderful. Because really, body positivity is about being "real" (read, whatever you are) in a world obsessed with a perfection that does not actually exist, whether we're talking body shape, colour, texture, ability etc etc etc.
It also gave me a bit of a boost to continue with my anti-diet stance at a time when I have some health things going on that every statistic available says would be improved if I weighed less. And I'm prepared to believe it, but I'm holding tight to the notion that effectively starving myself is not going to improve any health indicator beyond my weight - and that only temporarily. If I happen to lose weight by listening to my body, then awesome, if not, then I need to trust my body that this is where it needs to be right now. Which is hard. But I'm determined.
Michelle's book really reminded me too how important it is to trust friends and family. Sometimes they can't or won't give us the exact support we need, but sometimes they will surprise us, and when dealing with your relationship with your body, remembering that people love us, even if we can't always love ourselves, is a big deal.
I have a suspicion that this is a book I'll come back to, that will bubble around in my brain and continue to make me think and reflect. Which I love! In the meantime, I highly, highly recommend this book. It comes out on the 12th of July 2018. WHSmith have signed copies. This book is one I'll need a physical copy of, and so I'll be getting one for myself!
February 17, 2019
3.5 stars
I received a free digital copy of this book from the publishers/author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Michelle Elman has had a long road to accepting her body, and all that she’s been through with it. From the time she was a small child, Elman has had to go through a large amount of surgeries, and this continued into her early teens and again in her college years. Through it all, Elman had to struggle to accept her body, her scars and allowing herself to believe others could like her just the way she was.
This was an enjoyable read for me - most part because of Elman’s relatable writing style, and her great sense of humour that definitely shone throughout the writing. One of the weird reasons I enjoyed the first half of this book immensely is also because Elman spent a large part of her childhood in boarding school, and I lobe hearing about life in boarding schools!
Elman’s ability to tell her story despite how obviously difficult it must be for her- explaining the amount of PTSD she suffered because of the amount of trauma she had to suffer because of her ill-health - is really awe-inspiring and she seems like an amazing person.
I’m not a follower of Elman’s body positivity accounts (though I will be now) and I found this book more on the side of self-acceptance thorough health issues and scars of the body positivity sphere more so on the fat positive side - though Elman does dive into loving your fat body near the end. I felt by the time we got to the fat positive side of the story, the book was almost over and honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if Elman eventually brings out another book about being fat and proud because I feel like she could talk a lot more about it. This book just focused more so on her health and scars, and her childhood.
I received a free digital copy of this book from the publishers/author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Michelle Elman has had a long road to accepting her body, and all that she’s been through with it. From the time she was a small child, Elman has had to go through a large amount of surgeries, and this continued into her early teens and again in her college years. Through it all, Elman had to struggle to accept her body, her scars and allowing herself to believe others could like her just the way she was.
This was an enjoyable read for me - most part because of Elman’s relatable writing style, and her great sense of humour that definitely shone throughout the writing. One of the weird reasons I enjoyed the first half of this book immensely is also because Elman spent a large part of her childhood in boarding school, and I lobe hearing about life in boarding schools!
Elman’s ability to tell her story despite how obviously difficult it must be for her- explaining the amount of PTSD she suffered because of the amount of trauma she had to suffer because of her ill-health - is really awe-inspiring and she seems like an amazing person.
I’m not a follower of Elman’s body positivity accounts (though I will be now) and I found this book more on the side of self-acceptance thorough health issues and scars of the body positivity sphere more so on the fat positive side - though Elman does dive into loving your fat body near the end. I felt by the time we got to the fat positive side of the story, the book was almost over and honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if Elman eventually brings out another book about being fat and proud because I feel like she could talk a lot more about it. This book just focused more so on her health and scars, and her childhood.
March 22, 2019
The message itself is 5 stars, the reading experience a 3 star. Still worth reading
January 28, 2020
3.5. I’ve honestly lost track of how long I’ve been following Michelle on social media. I’ve wanted to read this for a while, and I’m glad I finally got my hands on it!
The sections about her health and trauma were, for me, the most captivating and eye-opening parts. My mom was very ill as a young adult, and I have a close friend who had a childhood that resembles Michelle’s. Michelle’s experiences really helped me picture what my loved ones have gone through, and the way illness impacts all aspects of life - while I knew this from growing up with my mom, I didn’t know it in the detailed way Michelle describes.
After my interest in these early chapters, I have to say that the memoir as a whole felt...choppy. Uneven. There are chapters that are so much more detailed than others that it’s jarring when you get to a “quick” chapter. Part of me wishes the book had just been about her medical history, but I think we need the other parts to have a balanced view of her life - we need the “normal” parts for the extraordinary sections to stand out. I do recommend this one!
The sections about her health and trauma were, for me, the most captivating and eye-opening parts. My mom was very ill as a young adult, and I have a close friend who had a childhood that resembles Michelle’s. Michelle’s experiences really helped me picture what my loved ones have gone through, and the way illness impacts all aspects of life - while I knew this from growing up with my mom, I didn’t know it in the detailed way Michelle describes.
After my interest in these early chapters, I have to say that the memoir as a whole felt...choppy. Uneven. There are chapters that are so much more detailed than others that it’s jarring when you get to a “quick” chapter. Part of me wishes the book had just been about her medical history, but I think we need the other parts to have a balanced view of her life - we need the “normal” parts for the extraordinary sections to stand out. I do recommend this one!
August 22, 2018
Ich weiss gar nicht was ich sagen soll, ausser dass es wirklich fantastisch ist und es quasi vorbeifliegt weil es so spannend ist und ich mich zeitgleich fuehle als haette ich so viel gelernt.
January 21, 2019
A brave journey from self-loathing to self-love.
I believe that all young women or men, all girls and boys, have asked themselves the question posed by the book’s title at some point in their lives.
“Am I ugly?”
“Am I too fat?”
“Am I acceptable or good enough?”
In a digitally-driven world overrun with photoshopped images of unattainable perfection and social media perpetuating ridiculous beauty stereotypes, it is difficult not to compare yourself, your outward appearance particularly, to others and not wonder if you are attractive enough…
Having done some research on the author before reading the book, I was very impressed with the movement she has initiated - which supports full self-acceptance despite flaws - before I even started turning the pages of “Am I Ugly?” And the book didn’t fail to disappoint either.
Elman effortlessly takes us on a journey from a traumatic childhood plagued with rare medical conditions and invasive, scarring surgeries through her adolescence fraught with crippling insecurities and external pressure to be “perfect” in every way to adulthood that does not leave one feeling on the emotional spectrum unexpressed.
Michelle’s own scarring, as a result of surgeries and surgical complications, takes centre-stage in this book about the shame associated with being different and the unrelenting societal pressures to do better and be better. It also speaks to the gross lack of permission we are given to express what is honestly going on for us on an emotional level. Many times, Michelle had to silence herself to be "the good girl", to be “ladylike and compliant”, which leads to profound suppression of conflicting and damaging emotions as a young woman. As she writes: “My tendency to vocalise my feelings was deemed an ‘ugly characteristic'".
She writes in such a way that you feel the scalpel cutting into her flesh each time and cry with her in unison “Why me?” as she is forced to limp along the long road to recovery yet again, having collected new scars to show for her unchosen bravery. While some of the other characters could have been written about with more depth, Michelle has you right by her side throughout the book, feeling in turns empathy, frustration, anger, self-pity and (once it is given a name) trauma.
The book also speaks to the complex relationship between the perception of beauty, chronic illness and mental health issues. When Michelle reluctantly seeks help in the form of therapy and is finally told that what she’s experiencing has a name, she is both relieved and confused. Therapy is only for "crazy people" the world around her bellows, and her journey with mental health care professionals appears to do more harm than good.
Elman’s believe that she only deserved ‘convenient love’ resonated strongly with me and I rejoiced with her when she eventually has a breakthrough and finds the path to self-acceptance and walks it without a trace of shame.
This book is a must-read for anyone who struggles with body issues or dysmorphia and for anyone who wants the elusive key to self-love. It is also an essential book about the role that emotional honesty needs to play in all individuals. When Michelle is given permission to be angry she realises that it was all she needed to “not be a saint or a survivor” but just to be human, flaws and all.
Desiree-Anne Martin
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review
I believe that all young women or men, all girls and boys, have asked themselves the question posed by the book’s title at some point in their lives.
“Am I ugly?”
“Am I too fat?”
“Am I acceptable or good enough?”
In a digitally-driven world overrun with photoshopped images of unattainable perfection and social media perpetuating ridiculous beauty stereotypes, it is difficult not to compare yourself, your outward appearance particularly, to others and not wonder if you are attractive enough…
Having done some research on the author before reading the book, I was very impressed with the movement she has initiated - which supports full self-acceptance despite flaws - before I even started turning the pages of “Am I Ugly?” And the book didn’t fail to disappoint either.
Elman effortlessly takes us on a journey from a traumatic childhood plagued with rare medical conditions and invasive, scarring surgeries through her adolescence fraught with crippling insecurities and external pressure to be “perfect” in every way to adulthood that does not leave one feeling on the emotional spectrum unexpressed.
Michelle’s own scarring, as a result of surgeries and surgical complications, takes centre-stage in this book about the shame associated with being different and the unrelenting societal pressures to do better and be better. It also speaks to the gross lack of permission we are given to express what is honestly going on for us on an emotional level. Many times, Michelle had to silence herself to be "the good girl", to be “ladylike and compliant”, which leads to profound suppression of conflicting and damaging emotions as a young woman. As she writes: “My tendency to vocalise my feelings was deemed an ‘ugly characteristic'".
She writes in such a way that you feel the scalpel cutting into her flesh each time and cry with her in unison “Why me?” as she is forced to limp along the long road to recovery yet again, having collected new scars to show for her unchosen bravery. While some of the other characters could have been written about with more depth, Michelle has you right by her side throughout the book, feeling in turns empathy, frustration, anger, self-pity and (once it is given a name) trauma.
The book also speaks to the complex relationship between the perception of beauty, chronic illness and mental health issues. When Michelle reluctantly seeks help in the form of therapy and is finally told that what she’s experiencing has a name, she is both relieved and confused. Therapy is only for "crazy people" the world around her bellows, and her journey with mental health care professionals appears to do more harm than good.
Elman’s believe that she only deserved ‘convenient love’ resonated strongly with me and I rejoiced with her when she eventually has a breakthrough and finds the path to self-acceptance and walks it without a trace of shame.
This book is a must-read for anyone who struggles with body issues or dysmorphia and for anyone who wants the elusive key to self-love. It is also an essential book about the role that emotional honesty needs to play in all individuals. When Michelle is given permission to be angry she realises that it was all she needed to “not be a saint or a survivor” but just to be human, flaws and all.
Desiree-Anne Martin
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review
May 29, 2018
I related to this book and its author like you would not believe. It actually had me sobbing at points, and smiling, happily reassured and inspired, at others.
(Full review to come on almostamazinggrace.co.uk)
(Full review to come on almostamazinggrace.co.uk)
April 15, 2019
Interesting story but just as she gets to acceptance, it ends and it feels premature. The lack of analysis of the reactions of the men in her life stood out as well. Interesting story but wouldn't really recommend in the slew of body confidence books.
July 19, 2018
A stunning read, beautifully written. Michelle’s story is remarkable and I couldn’t recommend this book highly enough
September 6, 2018
Incredible. Raw. Honest. Painful. Beautiful. I sobbed through the last two chapters. I know I’ll be re-reading this many times in my life. Infinitely grateful this book exits.
January 7, 2021
I put off reading this memoir because I knew once I started, I wouldn't be able to put it down. I have followed Elman on Instagram for years now and I already loved her voice and opinions, so I was thrilled to get to hear her life story in her own words. Elman has been through hell and back and she just keeps going. Surviving her surgeries would have been heroic enough for one lifetime, but she thrives. She has boldly embraced her story, her scars, and what she truly wants in this life. Whether she is calling out the abuse she received at the hands of multiple institutions as a child or boldly revealing her scars to her new friends on a drunken dare, Elman surprises and inspires with every chapter. An excellent read, especially for anyone who has endured medical trauma or struggled to embrace their "imperfect" body. Elman shows that you can truly show up as who you prefer to be if you make the choice.
July 20, 2018
I experienced a rollercoaster of emotions whilst reading this memoir by Michelle Elman. A story of immense courage and resilience, but the author wasn't afraid to show the other side of chronic illness - the anger, the tears, the 'why me?'. Her bewilderment at returning to school and her classmates being not one whit interested in what had happened, and her initial worry about how her scars would be judged, were two instances which really struck a chord. Anyone who has lived with a chronic health condition from a young age should read this book. You're not alone.
Thanks to NetGalley and publishers, Head of Zeus, for the opportunity to review an ARC.
Thanks to NetGalley and publishers, Head of Zeus, for the opportunity to review an ARC.
July 18, 2018
I've been following Michelle on Instagram for quite a while now, and the positive energy that she radiates on social media shines through even in this book.
Before reading this book I was aware of her many surgeries and scars, but this memoir was such a fantastic look into her life and her journey, from young girl at a boarding school, struggling with life-threatening illness and countless surgeries, to the woman she is today, and the obstacles she faced along the way.
Michelle is a woman who is so easily likeable, soft and caring but with perfectly timed moments of sass and claws, with a take-no-shit attitude that I absolutely love - but she's not perfect, and she hasn't always been positive and happy, and this book is a great reminder that no-one is.
Before reading this book I was aware of her many surgeries and scars, but this memoir was such a fantastic look into her life and her journey, from young girl at a boarding school, struggling with life-threatening illness and countless surgeries, to the woman she is today, and the obstacles she faced along the way.
Michelle is a woman who is so easily likeable, soft and caring but with perfectly timed moments of sass and claws, with a take-no-shit attitude that I absolutely love - but she's not perfect, and she hasn't always been positive and happy, and this book is a great reminder that no-one is.
September 23, 2018
This book is amazing, and has helped me more than any self help, confidence or self esteem book I have tried to read, I cried a lot sometimes because of what Michelle went through and a lot because I recognised myself and my feelings in Michelle. I recommend this book to anyone who follows body positivity is trying to learn to accept/love or be themselves it's a truly wonderful book and if I could give it six stars I would
September 17, 2019
Za mě nemastný, neslaný. Nic extra to nebylo a rozhodně se neřadí mezi nejlepší knihy tohoto typu. Četla jsem rozhodně i lepší životopisy i když tam nebyla žádná šikana a podobně, ale i tak byly lepší a rozhodně neplánuji jí dát druhou šanci. Nějaké kapitoly byly až moc zdlouhavé a ani ne tak moc důležité či nějakým způsobem zábavné. To se mohlo klidně vyškrtnout a knížka mohla být o pár stránek lehčí. Za mě rozhodně nic moc proto dávám průměr.
December 23, 2024
Michelle takes us on a rollercoaster journey of learning to love herself, and her story will resonate with so many of us out there. It's an inspiring and relatable read that offers valuable insights into self-acceptance and personal growth. A must-read for anyone on their own journey to self-love.
December 18, 2018
WOW
I devoured this book in just over 24 hours. I am passing it on to my friends. They need to read it. You need to read it too.
I devoured this book in just over 24 hours. I am passing it on to my friends. They need to read it. You need to read it too.
July 20, 2020
miluju a děkuju za tohle
November 26, 2020
This is a beautiful memoir that sees us walk hand in hand with Michelle through her life thus far and the surgeries that impacted her on the way. At its core, this is a book about belief, hope, and acceptance. I loved that psychology was woven through the narrative. From the chapters based in school to the those that see us explore different kinds of psychotherapy, Michelle is brilliant at deftly exploring her past with an insight and understanding of trauma and how it repositions our memories. This is an accessible and empowering book that I learnt a huge amount from.
July 6, 2018
I absolutely devoured Am I Ugly in two sittings over 24 hours. It is the definition of powerful and un put downable!
Michelle tells her story from age 11 onwards of how she suffered multiple illnesses and underwent several surgeries throughout her life. Intertwined with her experience at boarding school (which I always find fascinating) and then on to her uni years. Michelle is such a strong and powerful woman in the bopo movement and has inspired and encouraged me immensely.
I highly recommend this book and will be purchasing it for myself and our teen library!
I was given a copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Michelle tells her story from age 11 onwards of how she suffered multiple illnesses and underwent several surgeries throughout her life. Intertwined with her experience at boarding school (which I always find fascinating) and then on to her uni years. Michelle is such a strong and powerful woman in the bopo movement and has inspired and encouraged me immensely.
I highly recommend this book and will be purchasing it for myself and our teen library!
I was given a copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
November 12, 2019
“Your happiness is more important than other people’s opinions.”
”Illness is the greatest equalizer in life.
It doesn't discriminate between the old or the young, the rich or the poor, the good or the bad...”
”Wrinkles made a person seem more beautiful to me. When I saw crow’s feet around someone's eyes, I thought of all the laughing they must have done in life, how many moments lived and enjoyed...”
”Illness is the greatest equalizer in life.
It doesn't discriminate between the old or the young, the rich or the poor, the good or the bad...”
”Wrinkles made a person seem more beautiful to me. When I saw crow’s feet around someone's eyes, I thought of all the laughing they must have done in life, how many moments lived and enjoyed...”
July 8, 2023
Jednoznačně 5/5❤️
July 3, 2018
Incredible book by an incredible woman, a journey that is relatable, thought provoking and much needed in the world!!!
June 20, 2018
I was hooked to story straight away. It is both a heartbreaking story and yet its inspirational all in one. I’m in total awe of Michelle Elman and her journey through her illness and how she dealt with all the obstacles that she came across. Also how she over came adversity.
This book for me teaches about lessons in life and how to learn from our life experiences.
I shall be following Michelle journey through social media.
This book for me teaches about lessons in life and how to learn from our life experiences.
I shall be following Michelle journey through social media.
October 27, 2020
When I was reading this book, I saw me - the scared teenage girl in a hospital bed wondering if she’ll ever go home and wondering if her parents regretted having a kid with complications. For years growing up, I always feared going back, to the point where I wasn’t really living my life. I hated my body and thought it was always working against me.
Finding the body positive movement changed my life. I’ve started to do the things I always prevented doing for fear of winding up back in hospital. I’m learning to accept what my body decides to do as I age and love it for keeping me alive. I want to educate people on my condition in case there’s any new parents out there that have a child and feel lost. I want to give them a positive outlook on a fulfilling life.
Thank you Michelle ❤️
Finding the body positive movement changed my life. I’ve started to do the things I always prevented doing for fear of winding up back in hospital. I’m learning to accept what my body decides to do as I age and love it for keeping me alive. I want to educate people on my condition in case there’s any new parents out there that have a child and feel lost. I want to give them a positive outlook on a fulfilling life.
Thank you Michelle ❤️
March 3, 2019
I hate giving this book 2 stars because I love Michelle & she inspires me everyday.
I appreciate Michelle & her courageous journey in life - I couldn’t imagine going through half of the things she has - but I just didn’t find her book engaging. I love a story about a woman learning to love herself but I was so disappointed I couldn’t get into it.
I felt like there were random stories thrown into the book to fill it up rather than to add value.
Sorry Michelle. I still love you ❤️
I appreciate Michelle & her courageous journey in life - I couldn’t imagine going through half of the things she has - but I just didn’t find her book engaging. I love a story about a woman learning to love herself but I was so disappointed I couldn’t get into it.
I felt like there were random stories thrown into the book to fill it up rather than to add value.
Sorry Michelle. I still love you ❤️
January 2, 2018
A stunning read - bold, powerful, uplifting and strong. Would highly recommend to anyone who likes to be inspired by their stories.
May 21, 2018
An absolutely stunning read - brave, beautiful and inspirational. Couldn't recommend more!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 129 reviews