First, We Make the Beast Beautiful cover art

First, We Make the Beast Beautiful

A New Story About Anxiety

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First, We Make the Beast Beautiful

By: Sarah Wilson
Narrated by: Sarah Wilson
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About this listen

Sarah Wilson is a New York Times and Amazon #1 bestselling author, entrepreneur and philanthropist. She's the founder of IQuitSugar.com, whose 8-Week Program has been completed by 1.5 million people in 133 countries. A former news journalist and editor of Cosmopolitan, she was the host of the first series of MasterChef Australia and is the author of the international bestsellers first, we make the beast beautiful, I Quit Sugar: Simplicious, I Quit Sugar and I Quit Sugar For Life. Her latest book is I Quit Sugar: Simplicious Flow. She is ranked as one of the top 200 most influential authors in the world.

Sarah blogs in an intimate fashion - on philosophy, anxiety, minimalism and anti-consumerism - at sarahwilson.com, lives in Sydney, Australia, rides a bike everywhere, is a compulsive hiker and is eternally curious.

In first, we make the beast beautiful, Sarah directs her intense focus and fierce investigatory skills onto this lifetime companion of hers, looking at the triggers and treatments, the fashions and fads. She reads widely and interviews fellow sufferers, mental health experts, philosophers, and even the Dalai Lama, processing all she learns through the prism her own experiences.

Sarah pulls at the thread of accepted definitions of anxiety, and unravels the notion that it is a difficult, dangerous disease that must be medicated into submission. Ultimately, she re-frames anxiety as a spiritual quest rather than a burdensome affliction, a state of yearning that will lead us closer to what really matters.

Practical and poetic, wise and funny, this is a small book with a big heart. It will encourage the myriad sufferers of the world's most common mental illness to feel not just better about their condition, but delighted by the possibilities it offers for a richer, fuller life.

©2018 Sarah Wilson (P)2018 Macmillan Australia Audio
Aging & Longevity Anxiety Disorders Personal Development Mental Health Funny Heartfelt Inspiring

Critic Reviews

"Probably the best book on living with anxiety that I've ever read." (Mark Manson, best-selling author of The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F--k)

"At once a nomadic journey, a cri de coeur and a compendium of hard-won wisdom...." (Professor Patrick McGorry AO MD PhD FRCP FRANZCP FAA FASSA, 2010 Australian of the Year)

"A witty, well-researched and often insightful book about negotiating a new relationship with anxiety." (Andrew Solomon, Professor of Clinical Psychology and author of The Noonday Demon: An Anatomy of Depression)

What listeners say about First, We Make the Beast Beautiful

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For those after an easy not overly technical read

A really great book that's not overly technical or scientific. It is more about the day to day anxieties and examples of how it impacts every day life. Great stories, quotes, and references throughout. Sometimes listening to things like this helps you realise you aren't alone and that's enough.

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Life Changing

Absolutely amazing. Sarah’s personal journey and the way she reads is such a wonderful experience!

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Amazing woman

Amazing inspiring story! Could not have been more perfect. Hooked on audio now! Excited to start the work.

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Frank and challenging

Sarah bears all. I would have felt more comfortable without her abundant use of the 'F' word but maybe it taught me how to sit through it. Be blessed as you find your healing

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the best book I have read in my 49 years on earth

the best book I have read in my 49 years on earth! mauri ora x

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Full hearted

I think the end quote says it all beautifully: For the raindrop, joy is in entering the river. Unbearable pain becomes it’s own joy.

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Thanks Sarah

To me this book is an open reflection of Sarah’s experiences, stories, inner thoughts and outer actions or reactions that have landed her where she is in life. Interesting to listen to but also relatable to your own life in a way that makes you think “thank god I’m not the only one who thinks / does that”.

A big reminder that everyone has their own struggles and their own story. Except maybe “life naturals” ;)

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wow

Loved it, lots of tips and ecplainations to help peeps with anxiety and or depression.

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a truely inspiring read

loved this book, learnt so much about myself and how highly functional people can still jave anxiety

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Appreciated honesty in service

I cried all the way through this. Sarah’s honesty about anxiety really touched me and has led me to face myself. And whilst excruciating at times it has been just as liberating. That probably makes no sense. Just read the book and I hope you get as much out of it as I did. X

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