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Warning: This Is Not a Motivational Story

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*Running time: 4 hours and 2 minutes *

Warning: This book is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any of your problems.

In actuality, this book expresses all of the problems I’ve encountered in my life since I was a child. Hi, my name is Yousef Saleh Erakat aka Fousey. I am a YouTuber, Actor, Wannabe Motivational Speaker, Artist, and a Depressive with over 15 million total YouTube subscribers, a couple of Hollywood movies on my resume, some big awards on my shelf, and for the first time, I will be opening up about how I survived my struggles with depression, anxiety, fame, suicidal thoughts, and addiction. Welcome to my life.


©2021 Yousef Erakat with Martin Svensson and Leif Eriksson (P)2021 Tantor

4 pages, Audible Audio

First published September 28, 2021

3 people are currently reading
63 people want to read

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5 stars
25 (30%)
4 stars
16 (19%)
3 stars
11 (13%)
2 stars
11 (13%)
1 star
20 (24%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
1 review
September 28, 2021
As many of the reviews mentioned this book is poorly written. The author should definitely not be writing any more books ridiculous price for such garbage.
1 review1 follower
September 28, 2021
This book is written very poorly it sounds like a narcissist high schooler’s diary that’s should not have passed Amazon’s review process. Terrible book I will be requesting a return.
1 review
September 28, 2021
Wasted my time reading this terrible waste of paper, the work of a man child not an author, very disappointed I preordered this trash.
1 review
September 24, 2021
I've read a lot of books in my life, sometimes worse, sometimes better ... this book got to be one of the worst I have read so far. Mr. Erakat shouldnt call himself an author, not only because of the poor quality and storyline of this book, but also because 2 other authors wrote the whole book for him in the first place. one think 3 brains would do a better job... this book is full of made up stories and childish "wanna be" mental health and motivational tipps... this book has no category and is a bad bad read. I would not buy it and will return this waste of paper...
1 review
September 28, 2021
The work of a narcissistic man who can’t accept the fact that his career is over. This book is written like a child’s work overall terrible quality do not waste your time or money.
1 review
September 22, 2021
Please do not buy this book. I regret reading this because it is rather a collection of narcistic memories of a man, or should I say boy, who never grew up and is seeking constant aproval of everyone around him. I doubt that more than 20% of the stories in this book happend like the author writes about them. DONT BUY!
1 review
September 28, 2021
After reviewing amazon's new releases I decided to give this book a chance only to be very disappointed and quite frankly disgusted by some of the material in this book. This should have a warning because some of the passages are extremely sick. Overall terrible book, there is no reason why anyone should read this let alone spend hard earned money on it.
1 review
September 28, 2021
My honest and unbiased opinion on this book-not worth the buy at all to some it up it’s a narcissist and clout chaser that can’t get over not being the center of attention anymore and constantly wants to be. Boom saved you $12
1 review
September 28, 2021
The author hyped this book up so much just for it to be absolute trash.I will be getting my month back false advertising this is hardly a real book
1 review
September 28, 2021
Terrible read, I gave this book a chance and was extremely disappointed. Watch out for the obviously bias reviews and save your money.
Profile Image for Ahmed B.
2 reviews
September 28, 2021
To my knowledge, this book dropped on the 28th of September, 2021. Almost all reviews, if not all of them, have been written before-hand due to their love/hatred to the author - I would advise to look past their wrongful and immature judgments and listen to an unbiased reader. I am only a few pages in and I cannot stop reading this book, almost as if each word causes a chain reaction to keep pedaling through. It is evident that the author is FULLY transparent with the audience, which in my eyes, deserves nothing but the utmost respect. I genuinely can't wait to keep reading this book and would 100% recommend it to anyone, whether or not you feel Yousef's words can resonate with you. Thanks again for the amazing read, Yousef!
Profile Image for Allie Rodriguez.
40 reviews
July 28, 2025
Real rating: 1.5/5 stars

First, I want to clarify that I rate things based on how well they meet my personal expectations, not on their general quality or how they compare to other books.

Second, I am not very familiar with Fousey or his content. I found this book at a thrift store and was curious about his account of recent events, especially since I recall his public mental breakdowns and wanted to hear his firsthand perspective.

Honestly, this book could have been an online article or open letter. It’s long enough to be a lengthy piece but short enough to feel like reading a thick pamphlet.

Additionally, the book wasn’t very engaging. While Fousey shares some very human moments, he generally seems out of touch and mentally unstable. I don’t like to criticize, but these are my main impressions from the book.

I hope he finds the strength to heal, grow, and create a better life for himself.
1 review
September 29, 2021
This book is really poorly written and almost feels like something to throw out into the world just to make quick money. It’s almost scandalous how badly written it is. It is clear fousey wrote the book by himself which is a big mistake. The script of the book should of been sent to actual author who can make it interesting and readable. The majority of the book consist of just one dimensional sentaces stating a fact and followed by another fact. He’s sex addiction sounded strange and almost manufactured.
Profile Image for Joe Marquez.
1 review
September 28, 2021
This book has just been released on September 28 2021 and people are bashing it without reading the book. I know for a fact that many didn't even purchase the book and are on their keyboards writing away because it is a trend to hate the writer. Do not let the opinion of others sway you away just because they have hate towards an individual they have never met. Keep an open mind and actually read the book before posting a review.
1 review
September 19, 2021
this book brings no added value, is boring and is more reminiscent of the school essay of a confused teenager than the work of an adult man. page after page one forces oneself to imagine a narcissist who is writing this book for a quick buck. hands off! there are books on the subject by real authors rather than failed internet personalities.
1 review
September 29, 2021
It seems like the same deranged person spent hours making fake accounts to bomb Yousef’s book when they obviously never read it. They probably can’t even afford it, because no one with a job would spend their time doing that. That person is a coward, but Yousef Erakat is the OPPOSITE. I haven’t read this book just yet, but the bravery of people like Yousef is part of what is making this world become a better place. Yousef, you were one of the first people brave enough to be yourself and talk about the struggles of mental illness on such a huge public platform, even though it led you to be tormented mercilessly by others. I recommend everyone who cares about improving humanity to read books like this one that help us understand and empathize with all those around us. There are tons of people around the world that aren’t empathetic or intelligent or kind, and spend their time kicking people like you down, but your light shines brighter than theirs ever will. Yousef’s vulnerability has already impacted many of us who have gone through rough times, and I know this book will add on to that!
1 review
September 28, 2021
This book is fire, definition of good reads ignore the trolls especially before the book came out. Buy the book and see for yourself, this book has me reading pages and pages. Best book I have ever read, can't stop reading I'm hooked. Ignore the trolls, Imma finish reading this I respect people like Mike Mijalik and Youssef who left it all out on the book and don't care what people say because they left it all out there, no one can say anything now unless you have no life. Love u Youssef, u my dawg!
1 review
September 2, 2021
Literally the worst book ever written or produced. nothing interesting or motivating in nature. I completely regret purchasing this book. I am just in awe at how this book made it past Amazon's rigorous review process for listing add-ons. I urge Amazon to unlist this book off their listing directory as it may cause a severe augmentation of depression and side effects in vulnerable minded people.
1 review
September 29, 2021
I’m sure someone decided to spam these reviews w bots. Surely, there might be critics but all the criticism sounds the same and hate driven.
I am almost halfway through the book, and I’m having a. hard time putting it down. I have never enjoyed reading books but the storytelling behind this one shakes you up. Fousey touches up on details about life many of which can’t discuss and for that I’m grateful. It makes you feel safe that someone has experienced the same stuff, maybe worse.
If you’re younger than 25, I definitely recommend picking up a copy.
Profile Image for Emma Johns.
82 reviews
January 2, 2022
Great book. I assume anyone that comes across this book is or has been a fan of Yousef or some of his friends at some point so I would definitely recommend reading it. It’s an easy read and I like how honest he was about his struggles and it’s clear that he put everything into this book. Very brave to share what he has especially being from a Muslim family and it was great to find out more about the struggles of someone I’ve watched and followed for years.
Profile Image for KnowledgeSpecter.
133 reviews
August 9, 2022
I’ve been watching Fousey since his early YouTube days and have seen his struggle with mental health.

I found out about this book from his podcast with Roman Antwood. Listening to this book and getting an intimate look on Fousey and his struggle was healing.

I could see myself in some of his struggles and I’m glad he wrote this book even though he now regrets it. I hope he keeps getting better.

Love.
1 review
September 28, 2021
OH MY GOD… INCREDIBLE… DRIPPING…

These are three statements which best describe my journey reading this amazing well written book.

I was hooked from page 1, i eagerly turned each page until the last.

P.S: please ignore all reviews left before 28th september 2021 the book was only released today and it seems like some “haters” have left reviews without reading.
1 review
October 3, 2021
Dear Yousef, Thank you for being partly honest and finally admitting that you constantly rented prostitutes in massage parlors, as Vitaly noted years ago and you denied it. Still, I am missing a few things in the book:

Why did you never mention the kid with cancer you promised to support financially and never did so? It was a big part of why people started to dislike you...
Profile Image for Araara.
8 reviews1 follower
March 22, 2022
great book

If you are from a Middle Eastern background or Muslim you would relate lot to yousef’s story. I feel for him. And I’m proud of him not giving up what he has been through is not easy.
1 review
September 18, 2021
Yousef has been through ups and downs.
I'm going to respectfully read this.
ps. Bruh burh since 2015
Profile Image for Abdullah Mirza.
48 reviews4 followers
October 26, 2021
Not quite Augustine's Confessions, but I'm still looking forward to part two...
Profile Image for Kanwar Anand.
323 reviews12 followers
May 22, 2022
My favourite youtuber writes a difficult book about his life where there are ups and downs. Not a pleasant read but an important one. I read this in 3 hours straight.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews

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