Relentless Joy: Finding Freedom, Passion, and Happiness

by Rachel Joy Baribeau

"It's rare that a book actually makes you a better human, but that's exactly what Rachel Baribeau has done in Relentless Joy ."--Laura Rutledge, ESPN Sports host and reporter

We all want more joy, but what happens when life kicks you in the gut? How do you maintain hope or look forward to the future? Relentless Joy will show you how to

· reclaim joy when your life feels barren or burdened
· throw off the chains of what you are "supposed to be"
· see God working in surprising ways you may have missed
· identify the unique dream that sets your soul on fire
· serve others and walk in joy for the rest of your life

With gut-level honesty, award-winning storyteller and former national sportscaster Rachel Joy Baribeau shares her own story of changing the narrative of her life from stuck, overwhelmed, and anxious to confident in her identity and joyful in her life's purpose. With the odds stacked against her, Rachel became the first female sportscaster to host on SiriusXM College channels and hosted the very first College Football Playoff National Championship game. She has shared the secrets to her trailblazing journey with over 100,000 fans and students through her live events and her movement, I'm Changing the Narrative.

Relentless Joy is not just another book about how to be happy. Instead, Rachel reveals how to embrace commonly missed opportunities to experience joy and share it with others. No matter your circumstance, you can always change the narrative.

Your story isn't over. The best is yet to come!

***

"I always encouraged the young men in my football program to surround themselves with people who will make their lives better. At the top of that list for me is Rachel Baribeau. Her book, Relentless Joy , is a fantastic read for all ages."-- Coach Bill Snyder , former head football coach of Kansas State University

"In Relentless Joy , Rachel Baribeau explains how she has survived, thrived, and arrived to deliver the recipe of an overcomer. Do yourself a favor and jump on the joy train!"-- David Tyree , former New York Giants wide receiver and Super Bowl champion

Genres: Self Help

224 pages, Paperback

Published June 20, 2023

Reviews

[Nursebookie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Relentless Joy is an amazing book! Rachel Baribeau is a gifted storyteller and truly an inspiration in finding joy, peace, and self worth! I find many application to Rachel’s writing as a mother, wife, and a leader. This is a wonderful book for anyone needing a lift and seeing the joy in life.

Highly recommend!

[Kathleen Ryder · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first line of this blurb drew me in immediately:

Do you feel like life's kind of kicking you around a bit? Do you feel yourself sinking, trying to get back to the surface but weighed down by regret, frustration, or grief? This book is for you. Or maybe life is great--the job, the kids, the house, the partner--but you want more. You know there is more joy, more abundance, more peace. This book is for you too!

Award-winning storyteller and former national sportscaster Rachel Joy Baribeau is the friendly hand reaching for you right now. She knows what those dark moments are like. And she knows the profound joy of healing and finding happiness again. With gut-level honesty, she shares her own story of changing the narrative of her life from stuck, overwhelmed, and anxious to confident in her identity and joyful in her life's purpose. Then she helps you do the same with your one precious life.

Inspired by Rachel's contagiously indomitable spirit, you'll be encouraged and equipped in your journey to finding joy, peace, and inspiration in your own new narrative. Because your story's not done yet--and the best parts are yet to come.

I was hooked, I really enjoyed this book, I especially loved the straightforward way in which all of the information is delivered, the practical steps that anyone can take to change the narrative of your life.

This will be one book that I buy in paperback, just so I can add notes and highlight passages to refer back to again and again.

Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to read this book in return for my honest review.

[Lizzie Morse · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been reading a ton of amazing memoirs this year and this one doesn't disappoint, although this is a mix of self help and memoir. The woman who wrote this book is also the woman who wrote a post on Facebook that ended up going viral and I remember reading it. She wrote about the sexual allegations happening in college football and also talked about being a victim herself. She decided to start a movement, #ImChangingtheNarrative.

There are so many parts of this book that I enjoyed and it's hard to talk about all of them. I've picked out a few quote or parts that really stuck out to me, but I highly recommend getting this book and reading it for yourself.

One of the first quotes I love is "Your greatest purpose is often born from your greatest pain" for me, my book which I often think and hope will be my purpose. I created it from the struggles I have dealt with between COVID, my asthma, my autoimmune disease, and my back pain.

I loved reading about the relationships in her life and how they have shaped her along with the loss. She talks in length about her mom, and how they didn't get along for most of her life until her grandmother died. After it was like a new found friend and they bonded so much over 7 years until she passed. Along with this- you need to let out the pain - either being a person, loss, for me actual pain I feel, hurt, anything. She says to get it out and to let it go through you. The more you hold it in the more it will hurt you.

Last quote I ❤️ - "you may never know who or how you affected others in this life, your ripple will live on".

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an inspiring message! Joy is a choice and relentless joy is a lifestyle choice. Rachel's heart is infectious! We have all felt inadequate, having a poor self-image, and thinking we are alone. But Rachel has faced these battles (even as far as being suicidal) and come out on top. She says, "As long as you are breathing, there is a chance to change your narrative and chase joy with a fervor that will make hell nervous." I want to be able to feverishly chase joy, capture it, and share it with others. Her examples from her own life and the lives of others show there is hope for the reader, too.
I have marked this book as "re-readable" because I will go back and underline, star, and highlight the parts that speak to me. I want to take her suggestions and insights to heart and change the narrative. I will make Post-it notes as reminders of my desire to change.
We all need to look for humor in a situation, to look for others we can help, to look for the fingerprints of God in every situation. As Rachel repeats often, "The word 'coincidence' is not in the Hebrew language."
Thank you, Rachel, for writing this book! I needed to hear this.

Thank you to Revell Books and LibraryThing.com for gifting me this book in a giveaway. I am usually a fiction reader. But I couldn't pass up a book titled "Relentless Joy". The opinions are my own.

[Carol Standish-Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Firstly I must point out that this is a Christian book, so it is written from a faith perspective. If that isn't your thing, stop reading. However, I absolutely love this beautiful book. It is engaging, well written and so full of wisdom and advice. It is like having a beautiful meal, full of flavour and so much to savour. Each chapter is a joy to read and it can be read in any order you want. Start at the front, middle or work backwards. It makes so much sense and really is a Relentless Joy. We can choose to find joy in each and every situation, good or bad. Each chapter ends with a Joystart prompt and what help to ask God for. This is a book I will be returning to again and again and buying for friends. We need more joy in our lives, not just those happy moments, but also those dark moments. We can learn that relentless joy is something we can have as a reality in our lives. Thank you Rachael for this beautiful, impactful book. It is a rare gem and greatly appreciated.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC, all views are my own honest opinions.

[Shari Summers · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Relentless Joy, Rachel Joy Baribeau invites readers into her life with a transparency that feels like sitting down with a close friend over coffee. If you're searching for a step-by-step guide to finding joy, this may not be the book for you. However, if you’re someone who finds value in learning from others’ experiences, this book is a treasure. Rachel candidly shares both her struggles and her triumphs, offering lessons drawn from each chapter of her journey. Her writing is warm, inclusive, and empathetic, making readers feel truly seen and heard. Each chapter also includes actionable steps, encouraging you to actively pursue a life filled with joy and purpose in the places where God has placed you. This book is a heartfelt reminder to make your life count and to find joy in the everyday moments.

Thank you, NetGalley, for an ADR in exchange for my honest review.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book blurb is exactly what you get in this very good read. Rachel Baribeau is filled with an infectious joy and a deep faith that she openly shares in a warm and wonderful way. This book helped me reset my perspective on several things which I appreciated. I was going to say that this book crossed my path at just the right time, but there is no wrong time to read this uplifting book! U highly recommend this read.

My thanks to Revell for allowing me to read a DRC of this book via NetGalley. Publication is scheduled for 6/20/23. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and are freely given.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good philosophy for life, take what works for you

The author is a staunch Christian and draws on scripture throughout the book. Whether you have any beliefs or not the philosophy is one of kindness, compassion and respect and service to others. The exercises Rachel provides focus on reviewing our experiences, thoughts and feelings to better understand ourselves so we can find joy and focus on our true purpose.

I took what I felt was beneficial for me and finished the book feeling thoughtful and positive.

I was given this book from the author via netgalley only for the pleasure of reading and leaving an honest review should I choose to.

[Jennifer Robb · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

There's some good advice in this book. I enjoyed the last third of the book more than I did the early part of it. Not sure why, but it's so.

The overwhelming positivity got to me about midway through the book. Not that the author doesn't address difficult things in the book or admit to having problems etc. And of course, not having the positive message would negate the title of the book.

I knew nothing about the author prior to reading this book.

I received this from LibraryThing Early Reviewers which requests but does not require an honest review.

[Savannah Hendricks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Get your highlighters ready, readers! This book is part memoir, part motivational conference, part Bible lessons, part self help/confidence. Get ready to learn, listen, and do. My copy is highlighted, worn, and has many comments in the margins - although there is a spot for journaling in the back. Rachel dives into finding the positives in life, all around you, and teaches you to believe in yourself through her JOYSTARTER joyfulness through honesty and hope.

[Alison E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I usually pick out fiction books when choosing what I want to read, but was drawn to the cover of this book. Her writing style is easy to read and motivates you to keep reading, but I took it slowly, reading a chapter a day, except the last day when I read three chapters. I wanted time to think about what she wanted us to write down, and I used the blank spaces and journal pages to do so.

[Krissy Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing book. A fabulous mix of storytelling, self-discovery, and healing! The amazingly wonderful human that Rachel is comes through in her book like no other. If you want to be inspired, read this book! And, buy a few for your friends. 😊

[Anke Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book a lot even thought it would not have been a book I would have chosen to read. It was recommended to me by a friend and I admit it really motivated me to look at life with more joy and purpose.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I cried at least once a chapter. Minimum. She’s full of one liners that need to be written down. Radical authenticity and realistic prompts to take your life towards joy, free of judgement, condemnation, or BS. Big fan.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook.
An interesting read for Christian woman. If you like those type of books give this one a shot.