The Relentless Courage of a Scared Child: How Persistence, Grit, and Faith Created a Reluctant Healer

by Tana Amen

A shocking and hopeful account of one woman's extraordinary courage to face her past and embrace truth in order to help others find hope and healing

In The Relentless Courage of a Scared Child, Tana Amen shares her incredible story of transformation—of growing up in poverty, a bullied latch-key kid raised on sugary cereal and junk food, to becoming a world-renowned food and fitness expert.

Her challenging past of neglect, poverty, sexual abuse, thyroid cancer, and bouts of anxiety and depression set her on a path to find healing. Through her remarkable journey, we see more clearly the light that can shine through our own broken places and ultimately heal us: body, mind, and soul.

At once tragic and heartwarming, Tana’s story integrates cutting-edge psychology and proven wellness techniques from the Amen Clinics in a moving exploration of the healing available to each one of us, no matter the pain in our past.

 

“What a journey! With in-your-face honesty, Tana reveals how she was able to turn her pain into purpose. For anyone who has been faced with unspeakable loss, this message is so important.” 

 

—Jay Shetty, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Think Like a Monk, storyteller, purpose coach, and former monk

 

Genres: Memoir, Self Help, Nonfiction, Autobiography, Biography Memoir, Biography, Mental Health

239 pages, Hardcover

Published January 5, 2021

About the author

Tana K. Amen, BSN, has worked as a Trauma/Neurosurgical intensive care nurse and is the wife of Daniel G. Amen. Tana is the nutrition and fitness leader of the Amen household. She practices martial arts regularly, has a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, and enjoys a variety of other physical activities. Keeping her family focused on fitness and health is a primary value for Tana.

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Where you came from is where you get your strength ~ Daniel Amen
We repeat what we don’t repair ~Christine Langley
Sexual abuse, eating disorders, female insecurities and absent parents drove this story. The author lived in my same childhood area in California and I could relate to the area and the struggles. She also found her faith with Rick Warren and Greg Lori church. But I really don’t know much beyond that.
The narrator was pleasant, articulate and easy to follow along. I can’t quite put my finger on it but something about this story bothered me. I usually enjoy someone sharing their personal experiences, but this felt different.
I didn’t like the book. I did finish it and I’m giving it 3 stars.
Thanks to Thomas Nelson on Brilliance Audio via Netgalley for this free ARC. I’ve voluntarily given my honest review.

[TL *Humaning the Best She Can*]

I won this via Instagram giveaway from tlcbooktours, hosted by @wherethereadergrows
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I appreciate the Win 🏆but the book wasn't for me unfortunately. The author's voice was easy to read but the writing style itself I couldn't connect with. Not devaluing what she went through but it felt like we were kept arms length away at tines and sometimes the wording came off as clunky.

Try it if the summary sounds interesting to you but this was a miss for me.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the words of Ja Rule- “I too was hustled, scammed, bamboozled, hoodwinked, lead astray!”

I knew nothing about the author or her life. My sister in law said she’d heard the author and the author’s husband on podcasts and had been following her husband’s work for a while and sent me a copy of her memoir since she bought herself one. I barely looked into her other than her IG and thought they both sounded interesting, especially since my SIL is usually into things considered “woo-woo” or more holistic. Little did I know that the author attends/attended (unclear if this is past or current) the 6th largest megachurch in the US and I was about to go on a very God oriented journey.

I will not get into my beliefs but I am not religious and there was no mention of this being related to religion/Christianity. Was it still a good book? Yeah, I really enjoyed it and her life story was amazing to read. I personally would not have picked this up (nor would my SIL) had we known it was largely based on the authors journey with God. This is not a criticism of religion. I am not saying religion is a bad thing, it’s just not my thing.

Also, I know the subtitle of the book has the word “Faith” in it but that does not automatically mean religion and I would have liked a heads up. So this is your heads up if you are wanting to take this journey.

[Rachel Tambornino · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is impossible to rate and review someone else’s life experiences. While this books was engaging, I often found my self wishing for more detailed writing. The language used often seems cliché and repetitive. The story is compelling, but could have hit more emotional levels with a richer narrative voice.

[Nana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC from the author and Nelson books through NetGalley for an honest review. This was Tana Amen's memoir. This was an inspiring book because she had many challenges in life and when she had a choice to make, she made the choice to not be a victim.
This is her journey and all that she did. and the choices she made. The choices she made helped her find a plan for healing, and help find cutting edge psychology and proven wellness techniques from the Amen Clinics. This book isn't a textbook, it is the story of all that she went through and how she is sharing with others what has turned out to be a successful way of healing, hope, and the work she put into making it happen.
For me, everyone has broken pieces and we can find a way, not to be a victim but to rise above our brokeness and be a light like Tana Amen. As I wrote this sentence, I thought when I am seeing my brokenness it does seem like I am in darkness and as I work on myself it does seem like it gets brighter and lighter. Thank you Tana Amen for sharing your story and giving hope, inspiration, and having the courage to become the person you were meant to be.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Our past doesn't have to be our destiny."

[Alex A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful and deeply touching life story that helped me understand myself better.

[Žaba Čita Novine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well, this is a lot to happen to one person. Especially to a child...

However, I'm sorry to say that I don't buy good part of these things. Like, is it really that every. single. male. person. wanted to rape a girl from the age of 10ish to 20ish? Every person! And it's not only bad people she hangs out with, it's people on the street as well.

Also, random people hitting a streetlight because they were looking at her on the beach? Please...

And things like "doctors cry when I speak", "everyone says I'm gorgeous", "everyone's envious of my body" and maaaaany more similar shit - I was just sick of it all!

I loved the Mom, really, but I have no idea where she dissipated at one point of a book. It's a mystery!

Shortly, I enjoyed listening to the book to some extent, but I would have NEVER read it.

A big thank you to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for providing me with a free version of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very interesting book about a young woman's life and what she lived through. Her father was a pastor and walked away from her mother. Her step father was physically abusive. She began to deal with her problems by internalizing them and having an eating problem. She was even molested by one of her mother's boyfriend's. She overcame everything and got married and had a child. The marriage ended but she had a steady job and became self sufficient. She was going to church but not really getting it until she met someone who made her see that she was a victim and that she needed help to sent things right. He helped her with herself and then with her father, and then with her sister. Saving her sister became to much so they adopted her children. This is a very good book with a plot of how to take car of yourself and find the right help.

[Hannah-rose Russell · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Sometimes God calls us to help those we don’t want to help so He can provide healing for the broken parts of us.”

Tana Amen has lived a hundred lives in one. In an incredibly open and honest account of her life, Tana lays herself bare, encouraging readers to look past her outward appearance and see a woman who, despite her past, was able to forgive and experience transformation through the help of the Restorer of our souls.

Growing up in a poor yet eccentric family, Tana Amen’s childhood was anything but uneventful. With family members coming in and out of her life, her mother's business ventures interchanging whenever a new opportunity arose, and traumatic events that stole her innocence, Tana learned from a young age what it meant to fight for survival. However, through seemingly endless trials and tribulations, a light shone through the darkness, bringing newfound peace and love into her life.

“As much as we all like happy endings, the trust is we are all works in progress with broken pieces and, hopefully, with repairs. We win, we lose, we carry on. We soar, we crash, we pick ourselves up. Or not. The choice is always our own.”

Before listening to The Relentless Courage of a Scared Child, I had never heard of Tana or Daniel Amen. It was the description (and the dog on the cover) that drew me to request the audiobook on NetGalley. With no idea what to expect, I dove into this memoir headfirst and was stunned at the strength and perseverance Tana exudes through the pages of her life. The love, forgiveness, inspiration, and transformation Tana experienced were remarkable. Despite the heartbreakingly tragic events she had to endure throughout her life,  the way Tana picked herself back up and found the strength to live another day had me enthralled.

“In short, normal is a myth. Normal is the setting on a dryer. Normal is overrated.”

While unconventional, Tana Amen’s memoir is one of hope and faith. God broke through Tana’s thick walls, and He wants to do the same to each of us; however, we have to take the first step forward and accept His help. The road isn’t easy, and change won’t happen with the snap of our fingers, but when we look back and see how far we’ve come, we’ll find the strength and purpose needed to take another step forward.

The Relentless Courage of a Scared Child is an exceptionally written memoir that reads like a novel. I commend Tana Amen for being so vulnerable in the publication of this book. Her story will touch many lives and, I pray, will be the driving force others need to push on and not give up because the race isn’t over yet!

Positive content: 3.5⭐️
Language: 3.5⭐️ (The audiobooks is censored but I don’t know about the book)
Sexual content: 2.5⭐️
Violence: 2.5⭐️
Age: 18+

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a pre-release copy of this book. My thoughts and opinions are entirely my own!*

[Ginger Hudock · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a wholistic nutritionist, I have been aware of the work of both Tana Amen and her husband, Daniel Amen. I did not know anything about her personally, however. This book is Tana's autobiography and her story of overcoming a difficult childhood that included neglect and abuse, which led to her having bulimia and psychological problems. During her life, Tana has also become a strong Christian and this book tells her faith journey as well.
If you are interested in natural health, or like memoirs about people who have overcome difficult lives, this would be an inspiring book.
I received a complementary copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

For the most part I found this book very compelling. I appreciated Amen's vulnerability in sharing her story and tore through this book quickly. Part of that could be that I skipped ahead through the parts that felt like she was selling either her or her husband's books/programs (SO happy for her that she ultimately found something that worked for her, but that was not the content that I was here for). The story of finding your triumph over tragedy and doing the very hard work was what kept me engaged. One of my takeaway quotes from the book: "As much as we all love happy endings, the reality is that we are all works in progress, with broken pieces-and hopefully with repairs."

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tana Amen bravely shares her life story to inspire others to courageously live well. Revealing the roughest, most painful parts of her journey with honesty portrays how vulnerability truly makes us stronger. This is a beautiful example of restoration, redemption and healing and how one person's determination to grow prompts others to do the same.

I stayed up much later than intended to finish the book. Relentless Courage is riveting and challenging.

I received a complimentary copy of the book without obligation. This review is my opinion.

[Amy Hagberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read Tana Amen’s book just after Thanksgiving and was inspired by her journey toward emotional and physical health. Her memoir about growing up in poverty, neglected and abused, with God’s help. It was also to discover that her husband, Daniel Amen, developed The Daniel Plan for Saddleback Church.

Although her book was well written, there were a couple of major flaws. First, including Covid and the riots that took place in 2020 weren’t necessary and detracted from her life story. Second, parts of her narrative sounded like commercial for her other books, and those of her husband.

[Nicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned of Dr. Amen around 2007 and became curious about Tana’s memoir when I saw she’d written one, I knew nothing about her. Indeed, she’s had quite the journey. I felt that the narrator was a good fit for the audiobook and I thought the memoir was well written. It felt honest and transparent, believable. The docked star was for the last few chapters, as a reader it felt like the memoir ended and a different story began which I wasn’t as invested in. I began rushing through the end and feeling a little disconnected, but I loved the sharing of her story of becoming Tana.

[Lydia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't usually read autobiography, but I gave it a try since I was a fan of the work of both Dr. Amen and Tana Amen. I read halfway through but couldn't finish it, although I can associate with the condition the writer has, I find the narrative is not very straightforward or hard to catch the point of it. I think this book was supposed to be emotional rather than insightful. I can associate with how she finds it rather hard to help addicts at first because of the fact that she's judging them herself- which is pretty human, and how it takes courage to overcome the past and prejudice.

[Janilyn Kocher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Relentless is a good word to describe Amen's life. She endured relentless stress in her life, relentless family and personal drama. I admire her ethics and mantra. She's the rock of Gibraltar. I was impressed by her mother's drive and success, someone who came from nothing, but made her own success, and relied on no one but herself. I needed to read something inspiring as I struggle with the dark days of reality. Thanks to Edelweiss and Thomas Nelson for the early copy.

[Nicole Wrage · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hope-filled Healing

Beautiful, raw, enthralling story of Tana's trauma experiences and healing. It's relatable whether or not her details match yours. I had a wide range of emotions with this book, and it held my attention through each page. With so many angles, anyone would benefit and enjoy connecting with Tana through this book.

I received an advanced, complimentary copy, and this is my wholehearted review.

[Regi A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Phenomenal book. The author tells a brutally honest recount of her life, struggles and faith. I didn’t know who the author was prior to reading the book and I’m so thankful I got my hands on it. Tana has been through hell and back, and she doesn’t leave a single juicy detail out. So inspirational! Would highly recommend.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not a big reader in non fiction but this book caught my attention and then once I started reading it I really was interested in following Tana's struggles and to find out how she dealt with all of her demons. It was written so that it flowed and I found it easy to follow her story. Even the beautiful people have problems!

[Mary Lehnertz · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are many pages that I dogeared to return to if needed. Just a small quote from the book that I think portrays the whole story, “As much as we all love happy endings, the reality is that we are all works in progress, with broken pieces-and hopefully, with repairs.” Kudos to Tana Amen for sharing her life story to benefit not only herself but any that open to listening/reading her story.

[Rowena Ador Dionisio]

By far one of the best book I’ve read on strength and courage. Warriors Unite ! A must read !

The Relentless Courage of a Scared Child by Tana Amen. #TheRelentlessCourageofaScaredChild #NetGalley
[NetGalley URL]

[Stephanie Swallow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Personal and real

This book really spoke to the deepest wounds in my life and the lies that I believed for so long. This is how people can relate, making it personal and being vulnerable. Thank you so much and for the resources you mention in your book.
Blessings

[OjoAusana · Rating 4 out of 5]

*received for free from netgalley for honest review* I normally don't give memoirs low scores bc its someones life and i gave this 4 stars still (even if it was a bit preachy imo) bc i already knew from the title it probably would be. Really interesting life story to read

[Joan C. McCauley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great writing

Very accessible to many. Life stories are relatable and presented authentically. A quick and enjoyable read for anyone interested in how childhood trauma affects adult decisions.

[Letecia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am inspired by the raw honesty and compassion Tana Amen's writing. Amen shares hard truths about herself and her family of origin and brings us along her/their healing journey and how a family can return via resiliency to love and thriving.

[Lou · Rating 4 out of 5]

Moving autobiography of Tana Amen overcoming adversity. Recommend for anyone, especially women who have faced hard times in life. Only discredit is jumps in time line without enough tie in story at times.

[Lori Mast · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I’m a huge fan of a great success story despite the hardships they experienced. The author did a great job of sharing her personal story & using that to graciously help the people God placed in her life.

[Manal Mejalli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing. Kept having to remind myself it's a true story. Definitely had me feeling every emotion from happy to sad to tearful to unstoppable!!

[Sylvie M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG! This book triggered my memory of my teenage years.