Becky Vollmer was not happy. She was working long hours in public relations, raising two kids, skating through her marriage, and drinking way too much. She was fried, and she didn’t like herself very much. She felt like her time was just slipping away, and that was time with her children that she’d never get back. And she felt like she didn’t have a choice. She felt trapped, in a prison of her own choices. She was stuck.

Vollmer chose a different path for herself. She had been a yoga student for 20 years, so she leaned into that, into the learning she carried in her muscles and in her soul. She realized that the life she was living didn’t align with her values, so she quit her job and created a life that would align with her inner truths. And now she helps others find their paths toward a more fulfilling life because, as she says, You Are Not Stuck.

Layered with a lot of personal stories, advice from other well-known inspirational writers, and tough (but compassionate) love, the book encourages readers to be honest with themselves about the areas of their lives that aren’t working and to be brave and make changes. She gives people permission to change their lives, to find something better, to take risks.

Vollmer understands that it’s not all unicorns and puppies when you start making these types of choices in your life. For her, her marriage fell apart not long after she quit her job and tried to make choices that came from her soul. It was devastating, but because she’d been taking care of herself, she could face her new circumstances and move forward with her first husband in a way that she felt protected their children from as much pain as possible.

It’s not easy to change your life. Even if you want to with all your heart, it takes stamina and heart and resources. And even with all that, you’ll still have to face your fears, your shame, and that voice in your head that loves to remind you of all the reasons you will fail. But Vollmer herself has made it through, and she can guide you through the pitfalls to the soul-driven life you’ve been craving.

The audio book of You Are Not Stuck is narrated by the author, so Vollmer is telling her story in her own words. She is sharing her own struggles and passions, so it feels very personal to listen to this book. She is a good teacher, using her own vulnerability and her successes to encourage others to find their own paths. There were times with the audio book that it felt a little slow, a little overly dramatic, but mostly it just felt like an older sister giving me really good life advice.

I liked You Are Not Stuck. It has smart ideas for moving forward and offers emotional support for the tough parts of the journey. I like that Vollmer has gone through it herself and figured out what worked for her. It made her advice feel authentic. And I liked that she included words of wisdom from many other authors.

I think that those looking for a way to change their life, a way to reconnect with their souls, will find help in this book. However, as the author herself admits, she comes at her advice and experience through the lens of a white woman in middle America who grew up middle class, so she doesn’t address struggles that could affect those of a different race, culture, class, any other distinctions, which might make a difference for some readers.

A copy of the audio book for You Are Not Stuck was provided by Macmillan Audio through NetGalley, but I bought the ebook myself.

Wonderful audiobook ! Highly recommend for any reader but especially those suffering from anxiety. I will def recommend to colleagues and friends

A beautiful look though how to utilize your inner light in life and how to make your life brighter. Pun intended. Highly recommend. Especially loved the reflection to true life to humanize my feelings and relate. I felt like this book was SPEAKING TO ME. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

You Are Not Stuck read by the author and was a great listen! I may go back and purchase the hardcover in order to dive a little deeper into the exercises and take notes, but overall this was a supportive and actionable self-help book. It left me feeling understood and motivated to take action. Recommend for anyone feeling a little stuck in their life (and don't we all after the last few years?).

"Becky Vollmer's You Are Not Stuck is a blend of straight talk, humor, and clear steps for action to help change-seekers reset their priorities, drown out the naysaying voices in their heads, and make bold choices."

If you're not sure of your path, this book is for you. Because Becky Vollmer will help you create a playbook for how to live your best life.

The audiobook is especially wonderful because she sounds like a best friend ought to sound. Her voice is kind and warm and smart -- similar to your favorite yoga teacher (because she is one). But she'll also toss in a few ef bombs to sound even more approachable. (My kind of friend)!

In "You are Not Stuck," Becky takes us by the hand and lets us know that we're not alone. Others are stuck in dead-end jobs, toxic relationships and yo-yo diets. Nearly everyone has bad habits to kick as well as negative self-talk.

She empowers us to see what's beyond the place where we cannot see for ourselves. Heck, she even shares plenty of examples of how she's transitioned her life out of a corporate workaholic and being a real-life alcoholic. Even if you're neither of these things, I still think you will find some really good nuggets in this book.

Thanks to Macmillan Audio for the advanced listener audiobook. I devoured it using the NetGalley app.

You Are Not Stuck: How Soul-Guided Choices Transform Fear into Freedom by Becky Vollmer
Narrated by Becky Vollmer
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Genre: Self-Help
Published: January 3, 2023

You Are Not Stuck by Becky Vollmer must read for anyone who feels stuck! Yes, at times, it can feel a little 'woo' but it is so spectacular! This is the book to keep nearby to re-read the parts when you need them most!

The narration by the author! I felt like I was listening to an old friend! She came across as sincere and relatable!

I thought this book was everything I needed right now. There is so much connection between the mind and how the body reacts and the section about breathing was on point for me.

I highly recommend reading this book! The author has a familiar and friendly style that made the book feel less heavy, but no less powerful. There is amazing stuff in here!!!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

A really beautiful book that inspires, motivates, and gets you moving towards the life you want and deserve. Highly recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Do you feel stuck in your life? Are there changes you want to make but you don't know how? This book provides practical tips and ways to get started. The author narrates this book and is comforting, reassuring, and makes you feel like you are not alone.

This book was fantastic. The timing that it came into my life was perfect.

Becky approaches mindfulness with reality; an understanding of how hard things can be, how we may fail, and the steps that are included in the process in determining what you really want and getting out from what you THINK you are stuck under.

The narratives and examples included in the book really show that this book is for everyone, regardless of your circumstances, goals, etc.

“We all have choices, we just need to be brave enough to make them.”

Everyone has felt like they’ve been stuck from time to time. Stuck in their job, stuck in a bad relationship, stuck with habits you don’t want for yourself. You Are Not Stuck was a great reminder that not only are you indeed not stuck, but you also are not alone in those feelings.

There wasn’t a whole lot of original information in this book, and as someone who has read a lot of personal development books, I recognized a lot of the references that Becky made. Although it was a lot of regurgitated information, it was all said in a way that was really engaging. Becky was exceptional with the narration of her audiobook and I ended up listening to the entire thing in a day. I didn't resonate with the chapter going indepth about yoga or her experience with religion, but I loved the exercises and journal prompts at the end of each chapter. This would be a great one to pick up if you’re just getting into personal development books!
3.5 stars

i really enjoyed this audiobook. Becky Vollmer approaches in various ways in how getting to your soul of you who want to be and how you want to spend your time. I enjoyed the journal prompts/further questions at the end of each chapter. It doesn't turn religious- you look to your soul or essence as you interpret it.
This is a wonderful book to start the new year!
The audio version read by the author was great and enjoyable to listen to.

I didn't love the narration on this one, which is awkward because it was read by the author! I'm not sure what it was exactly but I didn't feel super excited to continue listening. It might have been the writing or it was the narration as I said. Either way, it had a good premise and shared some great info, but it wasn't totally a good fit for me. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to listen to this audiobook.

I really, thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook and really needed to listen to/hear this one. It was educational and uplifting.

Grab a journal and a pen while you read You Are Not Stuck! I really enjoyed this book. It encourages the reader to really analyze their thoughts and behaviors by journaling and asking thoughtful questions. Like many of us, the last several years have hit me pretty hard with the COVID-19 Pandemic and everything else it wrought beyond the virus. The audiobook is excellently narrated by the author, who has a wonderful voice for narration! I found this book very motivating and insightful. It's a great place to start if you've been feeling stuck and want to change. Highly recommend!

Thank you St. Martin's Press/Macmilan Audio and NetGalley for this ARC. All thoughts are my own.