"You're too fat." "You're too dark." "You're not enough." These were the criticisms that haunted Ari Baker from grade school to adulthood. From the rejection of her childhood crush to the recurring bullying faced in puberty and again in adulthood, rejection became the running narrative in her mind. That is, until she found an outlet in bulimia, excessive working out, and other unhealthy ways of losing weight. Then the applause of others was loud and clear. But her self-esteem was still tarnished by her father's absenteeism, the disappointments of unrequited love, exclusivity from the in-crowd, and even domestic abuse. When the claps from others didn't suffice, she realized she had to find acceptance within.
Follow the story of Ari's ability to discover true happiness that couldn't be found from outward approval but from the ongoing journey of self-love, which every woman can relate to.
A renowned fitness instructor, Ari invites readers into her most sacred, intimate moments with body dysmorphia, low self-esteem, and eating disorders. If you're a woman struggling with any of these experiences, one epiphany you will gain from Ari's story is, you're not alone.
