First published 2012
A.J. Jacobs lies in a hospital bed with tropical pneumonia, listening to his wife warn she doesn't want to become a widow at forty-five. His middle-aged body resembles a python that swallowed a goat. This health scare pushes the bestselling author into his most ambitious experiment yet: transforming every aspect of his physical and mental wellbeing over twelve months. Jacobs assembles a team of specialists including sleep experts, nutritionists, and dermatologists. He tests countless workout routines, from Strollercize to Finger Fitness to bouldering with modern cavemen. He experiments with raw food diets, veganism, extreme chewing, and calorie restriction. The author measures and monitors his progress obsessively, buying gadgets and equipment to track his transformation. His quest extends beyond weight loss or athletic achievement to maximum health from brain to fingertips. The journey becomes both physically demanding and emotionally revealing as Jacobs discovers what it truly means to pursue wellness in every dimension of life.
Genres: memoir, non-fiction, health, personal-development
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: self-discovery, transformation
402 pages · Hardcover · Simon & Schuster