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The Turning Point
Too Strong For Your Own Good is an intimate blend of memoir and guidance that invites readers to explore the hidden cost of chronic strength and to show exhausted high achievers how to reclaim health, joy, and self-leadership by listening to their bodies. Why was this an important book for you to write?
This book wasn’t something I decided to write—it was something that asked to be written through me.
For decades, I lived the life of the “strong one.” The high achiever. The helper. The woman who could handle anything—until my body finally said no. After surviving multiple cancer diagnoses, chronic illness, and profound burnout, I realized that the very strength I had been praised for was slowly costing me my health, my joy, and my sense of self.
As I healed, I began to recognize this same pattern everywhere. In my years of coaching leaders and high performers, I watched capable, compassionate people quietly disconnect from themselves in the name of responsibility, success, and survival. The strongest people were often the most exhausted and the least supported.
I wrote Too Strong For Your Own Good so others don’t have to spend decades learning what nearly cost me my life—that real strength includes the wisdom to rest, the courage to feel, and the trust to finally come home to yourself. This book is both a truth-telling and an invitation to evolve from survival-based strength into a more soul-aligned way of living and leading. It’s the book I wish someone had handed me years earlier.
When did you first realize that being “strong” had become harmful rather than helpful?
I realized it when my body stopped responding to willpower. I could no longer push through symptoms, override exhaustion, or “mindset” my way forward. What once felt empowering began to feel like self-erasure.
As I slowed down enough to listen, I saw something more clearly: the strength I had relied on wasn’t a conscious choice-it was a survival strategy I had developed very early in life. Proving my worth through constant doing had once helped me feel safe, capable, and in control. But over time, it came at a cost.
Being strong became harmful the moment it required me to abandon myself. When saying yes to everyone else meant saying no to my own body, my own needs, and my own truth, I knew something had to change.
That realization was humbling and clarifying. I understood that my body wasn’t betraying me-it was protecting me. It was asking me to stop living from adrenaline and proving, and to begin listening. That moment became the turning point not only in my healing but in how I now guide others.
How does burnout in leaders quietly ripple into families, teams, and organizations?
Burnout doesn’t stay contained. Even when leaders are highly competent, their nervous systems set the tone. Chronic stress shows up as urgency, control, emotional distance, and reactivity- often without anyone naming it.
Families feel it as an absence. Teams feel it as pressure. Organizations feel it as disengagement and quiet erosion of trust. When leaders are operating from survival, they unintentionally teach others to do the same, moving faster, bracing tighter, and normalizing constant pressure.
Sustainable leadership isn’t just about resilience or performance. It requires regulation, presence, and self-trust. When leaders feel safe in their own bodies, they create environments where others can do their best work without burning out.
What does sustainable healing actually look like day to day?
Sustainable healing is quiet and relational. It looks like pausing instead of pushing. Listening instead of overriding. Setting boundaries that honor the body. Making decisions that feel congruent rather than impressive.
Day to day, it’s less about adding more practices and more about removing what no longer fits. It’s learning to notice when we’re slipping back into survival and choosing to respond with honesty and care instead.
Healing becomes lasting when strength is redefined – not by how much we can carry, but by how well we stay connected to ourselves.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Anette Demattio | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Website | Amazon
Too Strong For Your Own Good reveals the hidden cost of pushing through, pleasing, and holding it all together—while your body quietly pays the price.
After surviving six cancer diagnoses, Anette DeMattio realized her body wasn’t broken—it was speaking. Now, with over 25 years of experience in transformational coaching, she helps high achievers and caregivers turn survival patterns into embodied self-leadership.
In this book, you’ll learn how to:
• Understand your symptoms as signals—not setbacks
• Break patterns that silently drain your energy
• Rest in a way that feels safe—not scary
• Lead and live from calm, clarity, and soul
This isn’t just a book about healing. It’s a powerful invitation to return to your truest self—strong, soft, and fully alive.
If your body is whispering for relief…
If you’re tired of pretending you’re fine…
If you want peace without burnout and strength without suffering…
Let this book show you how to stop surviving—and start living, vibrantly and freely as the real you.
Taking Control of Your Health
When East Meets West offers readers a self-care toolkit derived from both Eastern and Western practices. Can you share with us a little about the research required to put this book together?
I have spent many years learning about complementary care, alternative medicine, and integrative healthcare. I completed a course on Complementary Therapies in my graduate program and a class on Hypnosis in my doctoral program. In preparing to write this current edition of the book, I spent months reviewing the literature on every topic in this book. Although many of the topics do not have strong research evidence, there are many anecdotal articles about the potential benefits and harms of the various self-care practices. This book serves as an introduction to the various practices and readers are strongly advised to consult with their healthcare providers and do their own research before incorporating these practices into their health and wellness plan.
What is one misconception you believe many people have regarding self-care?
One misconception regarding self-care is that it can replace modern medicine which can result in harm to self or others. I think it’s important to integrate self-care practices into your daily health and wellness regimen. For example, if you have hypertension (high blood pressure) it is vitally important to treat it with antihypertensives that are prescribed by your healthcare provider. However, it is also important to eat healthy, exercise, and reduce stress. The use of meditation, essential oils, and journaling can help to decrease stress levels. This is an example of how to integrate self-care practice.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from When East Meets West?
I hope readers will understand the importance of taking a holistic approach to their health and well-being and that reading this book will serve as a starting point in this journey. Taking control of one’s health and knowing you have the power to do so is so important. You may not be able to prevent certain illnesses but you can manage them betterwith a holistic/integrative approach.
Author Links: GoodReads | X | Facebook | Website
Discover the empowering world of complementary and alternative medicine in this approachable, informative guide to enhancing your health and well-being. Drawing on personal experience as a critical care nurse and lifelong learner, the author blends scientific understanding with holistic wisdom to offer a balanced, practical path toward integrative care.
Inside, you’ll explore the benefits, uses, and precautions of:
Essential oils and custom blends for mood, relaxation, and vitality
Herbal teas and tinctures that nourish the body and soothe the mind
Superfoods that can help optimize wellness from the inside out
Mind-body practices like meditation, journaling, therapeutic touch, and self-hypnosis
Energy work techniques to help restore balance and harmony
Whether you’re looking to complement traditional (Western) medical treatments or explore Eastern-inspired wellness methods, this book provides both the knowledge and inspiration to create your own personalized self-care plan. You’ll also find real-life stories-ranging from easing anxiety with meditation to surprising experiences with therapeutic touch-that illustrate just how transformative these practices can be.
This book is not a replacement for medical care-it’s an empowering companion for those who want to take a more active role in their health. With a “best of both worlds” approach, you’ll learn how to blend the precision of modern medicine with the timeless wisdom of holistic practices-helping you not just manage illness, but truly thrive.
When East Meets West: An Integrative Guide to Self-Care
When East Meets West is a warm and wide-ranging guide to self-care that blends Eastern and Western practices into an easygoing daily toolkit. Author Deborah Dolan Hunt walks readers through teas, essential oils, tinctures, foods, body-based therapies, mind-centered habits, and spiritual practices. She mixes personal stories with straightforward explanations. The book moves from herbal infusions and oils to yoga, meditation, hypnotherapy, and folk traditions. It also highlights the need for safety, moderation, and collaboration with a healthcare provider. The author urges readers to build a personal wellness plan that is realistic and kind.
I appreciated Hunt’s honest tone. The simple way Hunt describes her own anxiety and how meditation helped her made the material feel real. I liked how she shared moments of discovery, such as learning therapeutic touch or making her own tea blend. Her writing is plainspoken, almost conversational. It felt like sitting at a kitchen table with a friend who wants to help you feel better. The long lists of benefits were helpful, though I sometimes wished for clearer examples or stories to bring them to life. Still, the variety kept me turning pages because I never knew which soothing idea might show up next.
I found myself reacting emotionally to the mix of family warmth and practical advice. The book is full of heart. I smiled when she talked about her kids asking for her “magic” and felt moved when she described using energy work to help a friend’s dog. Some sections felt dense because of the many bullet points, yet the gentle spirit underneath held it together. I appreciated that she never positioned these methods as cures. She consistently framed them as supports. That made the book feel grounded and trustworthy.
I would recommend When East Meets West to anyone who wants a simple and friendly introduction to holistic wellness. People who enjoy herbal teas, gentle rituals, or calming daily routines will find a lot to try. Readers who feel overwhelmed by jargon-filled health books will, no doubt, enjoy the down-to-earth voice here. It is welcoming and steady. It would suit beginners, busy people who want small habits, and anyone curious about blending modern care with old traditions.
Pages: 144 | ASIN : B0G18V65H7
The Alchemy of Shadow Work: Sacred Relationships Unveiled
The Alchemy of Shadow Work by James A. Poke and Tanasia Poke delivers a powerful guide to creating relationships that flourish beyond the constraints of generational patterns. Rooted in their transformative H.E.A.R.T. method (Holistic Engagement Alchemizing Relationship Transformation), the book offers a wealth of practical exercises and meditations. It invites readers to embark on a profound healing journey that nurtures emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual growth, both individually and as partners. Messages of healing childhood wounds, unraveling the desire for control, and rewriting relationship narratives make the experience deeply immersive and impactful.
What truly impressed me was the book’s practical approach. It doesn’t just offer theories; it asks you to do the work. With spaces to reflect and write, the book becomes a personal journal of discovery. I found the exercises revelatory, particularly a prompt that asked me to “write about a time when you felt the need to hide your true feelings in a relationship.” It challenged me to confront hidden parts of myself, and I emerged more honest and unashamed, even embracing desires I had previously suppressed. Nature lovers will find themselves captivated by the book’s integration of the natural world into healing practices. The poetic language and the imagery tied to nature create a beautiful, almost meditative reading experience. One prompt even inspired me to visit a park and allow “the sights, sounds, and smells of nature to comfort the wounds of” my inner child—a testament to the book’s ability to connect readers deeply with the environment around them. The flow of the book ensures that readers feel guided, not rushed. Each chapter builds thoughtfully on the previous one, with thematic depth and clear directions making the process accessible yet deeply engaging. The authors encourage a patient approach, inviting you to savor the journey and allowing each chapter to unfold naturally. This creates a rhythm that feels both gentle and powerful.
The Alchemy of Shadow Work is packed with rich resources. It covers enlightening topics, offering psychological insights that help readers understand themselves and their partners more profoundly. The meditations are especially uplifting, providing therapeutic tools that support a harmonious relationship and personal well-being. Every page feels like a masterfully crafted piece of a larger puzzle designed to transform love and nurture growth. This book is a must-read for anyone committed to personal and relational transformation. It’s a masterclass in shadow work, presented in an engaging, poetic, and practical way. Whether you seek to deepen your bond with a partner or simply want to understand yourself better, The Alchemy of Shadow Work is a guide you’ll return to time and time again. Highly recommended!
Pages: 145 | ASIN : B0DFN2Y751
The Energy That Makes Up Everything
In The Soul Family, you explore the intricacies of relationships and how to navigate them while remaining true to oneself. What inspired you to write this book?
I’ve always known that the people that come into our lives are there to teach or show certain lessons. I saw the pattern with every person who entered my life. I saw the patterns in people around me and the stories they would tell me. Everyone has pain from childhood. Everyone has their own traumas and triggers and experiences. These are all valid, and they shape the Ego to react in certain ways, which makes us feel separate from everything. I have been in the philosophy and Eastern healing modality sector for a long period of time, but it wasn’t until I met my own Twin Flame and my entire perception of “reality” merged into this deep understanding and “knowing” of the universe as a whole with relation to me, that things shifted. I wanted other people who were possibly struggling with the same Ego versus Energy things to know they were not alone and they are understood. There’s a reason for all of this, though, in the end, the reason doesn’t even truly matter.
I found the topics explored in The Soul Family to be fascinating. Can you share a little about your research and writing process?
When you’re a Spiritual teacher, I think it’s important that you can speak to energy in a way that the Ego understands and can believe. Otherwise, it’s just blind faith. You hear these spiritual throw-around terms like “Twin Flame,” “Universal Consciousness,” “Karmic Relationships” and sometimes just roll your eyes at them. So my first step was to spend months upon months doing research on Quantum Physics, String Theory, and Quantum Mechanics. I wanted as much “proof” as I could give that we are truly all the same and everything is interconnected. After that, I took my years of studying Western Philosophy; Eastern Philosophy; meditation; energy healing; chakra healing; my own experiences and clair senses; and the stories I had been told by hundreds of people regarding their connections, and put together a type of roadmap. When you truly remember that you’re the universe manifested in physical form, everything is One, and therefore you are the creator, the Ego is able to submit more freely to whatever probes it in its
perceived reality.
What is one thing you hope to see readers take away from your book?
I honestly wrote this book and started my YouTube channel in the hopes of helping people navigate through their connections with others with the ability to understand why they feel such strong connections to some and why the Ego goes out of control during these interactions. I hope that readers can come away with a deeper understanding of themselves, the people in their lives, the “reason” for their Egoic hardships, and the energy that makes up everything. Because truly, we are all the same.
Can we expect to see more from you soon? What are you currently working on?
I currently have a YouTube channel where I teach about Soul Family relationships every week. Book-wise, I am currently in the planning process of two: one delving deeper into the lessons we may come across and are presented with, explaining how they may appear and how to see them more quickly so we can get through them faster. The second is on Ego in general and learning to change our perspective on anything that may seem painful, whilst cultivating non-attachment to the dualistic attributes of everything.
Author Links: Goodreads | Website | YouTube | Amazon
This book is about understanding energy by breaking down the Ego and seeing past perceived “reality.” It is about remembering who you are, not by who society dictates you to be, but rather your true nature. And it is about learning to see the lessons shown to you by every person playing a role in your life, navigating more easily through your connections, and remaining non-attached as you heal your traumas.
Whether you’re struggling with Karmic relationships, Soulmates, Soul Tribe members, or a Twin Flame, Alexx will help guide you through. Utilizing Quantum Physics, String Theory, biology, epigenetics, Samkhya philosophy, energetic healing modalities, astrology, and stories on each Soul Family member, you’ll gain a deep comprehension of what lessons you chose to learn in this incarnation, and how they’re being presented to you.
The Soul Family: A Guide to Karmic Relationships, Soulmates, Soul Tribes, and Twin Flames
The Soul Family, by Alexx Shaw, offers a compelling exploration into the intricacies of spirituality, presenting a blend of scientific concepts and spiritual teachings. Shaw delves into the microscopic foundations of human existence, drawing parallels between our physical composition and the nature of our interpersonal connections. The book serves as an enlightening guide for readers seeking to deepen their understanding of the ego and other spiritual aspects, with a particular focus on the Twin Flame dynamic. Shaw articulates the complexities of this concept, highlighting the intense pursuit of connection and the underlying desire for control often masked as patience.
Shaw’s work also sheds light on lesser-known spiritual terms, such as ‘false flames,’ and offers a clear explanation of various dimensional states, including the often-misunderstood 3D, 4D, and 5D realms. Her exploration into the fifth dimension is especially enlightening for those curious about this advanced state of consciousness. A key element of Shaw’s narrative is the concept of Core Karmic Lessons, which she attributes to familial influences from early human incarnations. She skillfully breaks down these lessons, which center on self-worth, self-love, and non-attachment, providing an in-depth discussion on each.
Additionally, Shaw introduces the reader to the holographic principle, suggesting the universe as an illusory construct. This revelation might require a second reading for full absorption and has the potential to shift one’s worldview significantly. The book also touches upon the Maharishi Effect, a concept that stimulates further thought and research. Shaw masterfully complements the scientific aspects of her book with engaging, relatable stories that effectively illuminate her points, enhancing the reader’s understanding and enjoyment. These narratives not only simplify complex ideas but also enhance the book’s accessibility.
The Soul Family is densely packed with information, making it a valuable resource for those interested in deepening their spiritual journey. Alexx Shaw’s work is recommended for readers eager to explore the realms of spirituality and consciousness.
Pages: 235 | ASIN : B0CP1R9G6Q
