Beyond the Surface
A Gold Medalist’s Guide to Finding and Loving Yourself
by Jessica Long
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Pub Date Oct 01 2024 | Archive Date Dec 01 2024
Sounds True Publishing | Sounds True
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Description
Inspirational speaker and Paralympic champion Jessica Long shares her story—and powerful principles to help you find your own path to unconditional self-acceptance.
Jessica Long is one of the most compelling figures of our time. From having her lower legs amputated as a toddler, she has gone on to become one of history’s most decorated athletes. Yet her true successes—and struggles—are not about winning medals or setting world records. “Our worth cannot be placed in external things—our looks, job, or approval of others,” she says. “No achievement will make us feel worthy unless we can love ourselves without judgment.”
With Beyond the Surface, Jessica offers an intimate exploration of the hard-won lessons she learned on her extraordinary journey. She opens up about the toughest challenges she faced—not just the trauma of multiple surgeries and prosthetics, but the anger, resentment, and insecurity of trying to find her place and identity in a world that viewed her as less than whole.
In each chapter, she reveals the resources and support that allowed her to overcome hardship—and translates them into practices to help you create a bedrock of self-acceptance that you can rely on even in the most difficult times.
Part 1 invites you to look within—to examine your beliefs about yourself, how they came to be, and how you can move from self-criticism and unworthiness to the freedom and possibility of unconditional self-love. Part 2 urges you to look outward—to challenge the cultural narrative and systemic forces that stand in the way of a more inclusive and equitable society.
“In sharing my story,” says Jessica, “including the ugly and uncomfortable parts, I hope to inspire you to love yourself just as you are. It is our differences that make us so incredibly beautiful and human and strong.”
Beyond the Surface is a guide to fathoming the depths of your life experience—to both that which makes you utterly amazing and unique, and the essential dignity and value we all possess.
Advance Praise
“Jessica Long will inspire you to define yourself, challenge the narrative, and write your own story. This book is a must read!” —Billie Jean King, sports icon and equality champion
“In Beyond the Surface, Jessica Long teaches us how to rise above the limiting beliefs that make us question whether we belong and proves that you can come from anywhere and do anything as long as you believe in yourself.” —Gabby Thomas, two-time Olympic medalist and public health advocate
“From facing adversity head-on to becoming a Paralympic legend, Jessica Long’s story is a testament to resilience, courage, and unwavering determination. And, despite all her accomplishments and her challenges, she’s here to show that our worth isn’t measured by medals or performances—true worth comes from within.” —Missy Franklin, five-time Olympic gold medalist
“In Beyond the Surface, Jessica Long shares real-life examples and insightful exercises to teach us how to use our available influence to create change. Let the power of this book transform you and help you show up for the world in a more meaningful way.” —Michelle Kwan, Olympic ice skater and U.S. Ambassador
“Prepare to be captivated, empowered, and inspired by Jessica Long’s story, one that reminds us our bodies and minds are far more powerful than we could ever imagine. Beyond the Surface sheds light on the path of true self-acceptance, and is a book I recommend for anyone encountering self-limiting beliefs and destructive thought patterns.” —Rachel Macy Stafford, New York Times bestselling author, speaker, and certified special education teacher
“A deeply moving, inspiring, and heart-opening call to action that illuminates how self-acceptance is possible and essential for every single one of us. Amidst our epidemic of not-enoughness, Jessica’s book shines as a bright light of actionable hope.” —Nataly Kogan, author of Happier Now and The Awesome Human Project
“It’s been said that the best writing ‘makes the personal universal.’ By bringing us into her story, mind, and heart, Jessica Long achieves this with flying colors. Beyond the Surface is a rallying cry to show up for yourself, your dreams, and your world—and will fire you up to do just that.” —Katie Horwitch, founder of WANT: Women Against Negative Talk and author of Want Your Self
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9781649630957 |
| PRICE | $25.99 (USD) |
| PAGES | 184 |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Whitney S, Reviewer
Beyond the Surface by Jessica Long is a powerful and relatable memoir that resonated deeply with me, even though I am not disabled. I have a rare genetic disorder, Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1), which is the most common genetic disorder, yet one that most people have never heard of. This condition, like Jessica’s experience, has made me grapple with feelings of anger, shame, bravery, and everything in between. Jessica’s journey to self-acceptance is one I found myself connecting with on many levels, and I found myself highlighting many of her words because they echoed my own experiences so closely. Her words resonated with me so much, because I could have written them myself, having experienced the same emotions and struggles.
Jessica’s story is not just about her incredible achievements as one of the most decorated athletes in history, but also about the emotional and psychological challenges of living with a visible difference. She writes candidly about the trauma of multiple surgeries and prosthetics, as well as the anger, resentment, and insecurity of trying to find her place in a world that often views those with disabilities as less than whole. Her words, “I didn’t want to be special; I wanted to be normal,” struck a chord with me, as I’ve also struggled with the desire to blend in while dealing with the challenges of my condition.
My disorder, Neurofibromatosis Type 1 affects people in various ways, from visible tumors and disfigurements to less obvious but sometimes significant symptoms. Like Jessica, I’ve had to navigate a world that doesn’t always understand or accept those who are different. Some people with NF1 have visible signs and face significant discrimination, while others, like myself, have manifestations that are not very noticeable. I’ve been fortunate that my condition is relatively mild and invisible to outsiders, but that could change, bringing with it a whole plethora of complications. Jessica’s acknowledgment of her visible difference and her determination to embrace it rather than hide it is both inspiring and empowering.
Because my body can’t produce neurofibromin correctly, cells may divide and replicate excessively, leading to tumor formation. NF (which includes all three types) is characterized by the uncontrolled growth of tumors along the nervous system. It can lead to severe disfigurement, deformity, deafness, blindness, brain tumors, cancer, death, shortened life expectancy, learning disabilities, scoliosis, bone abnormalities, short stature, an oversized head, and much more. The condition is widely varied, affecting everyone differently from mild to severe. Like Jessica, I understand the complexities of feeling different but wanting to be normal.
Jessica’s story is not just about her incredible achievements as a decorated athlete but about her struggles with identity, self-worth, and the challenges of being seen as “less than whole” by society. Her words about not being a victim to circumstances and the importance of harnessing self-love are powerful. Over the past year, I’ve also become an advocate, using my voice and sharing my story—a journey I once wanted to keep hidden. Jessica’s journey has inspired me to continue speaking out, not just for myself but for others who might feel the same way. She reminded me that we never know who is listening or who we might be inspiring and this is how we create change and acceptance.
As you can see, Beyond the Surface is not just a memoir about overcoming physical challenges, but a profound exploration of the emotional journey to self-acceptance and a call to embrace our differences and find strength in them. Jessica Long’s story is a testament to the power of resilience, and her words offer comfort and inspiration to anyone facing their own battles. Her words about not being a victim to circumstances and the importance of harnessing self-love are powerful. Her experiences remind us that our worth isn’t defined by external achievements or how others see us. Instead, it comes from loving ourselves without judgment. I found her story not only inspirational but also a comforting reminder that we can all find strength and beauty in our uniqueness. This memoir will leave you with a sense of hope and a renewed belief in the importance of self-acceptance
Thank you to the publisher Sounds True Publishing for providing an advance reader copy via NetGalley
