From the Mat to the Bookstore: The Journey of Jan Raeder
Sometimes, a new approach to wellbeing sneaks up on you like a fresh cup of coffee on a cold morning. Jan Raeder, the SelfCare Sensei, knows all about springing surprises, thanks to her three-plus decades in martial arts and another hefty chunk of time tinkering with wellbeing science. Her latest creation, 'Strive for M.O.R.E.: What Wellbeing Really Means and How You Can Achieve It', isn't your typical self-care fluff. It's grounded in hard data and built to shake up how we think about looking after ourselves.
An Evolutionary Step Back from Bubble Baths
Here's the thing: bubble baths and lavender candles have their place, but Raeder's not holding her breath for anyone trying to change their life's trajectory with rose petals on a surface level. This book is entirely different. It’s 139 pages of distilled wisdom from the best in positive psychology, with Raeder’s spin on Martin Seligman's respected PERMA theory. She reimagined it with M.O.R.E.: Meaning, Optimism, Relationships, and Engagement. You don’t tick them off like a grocery list, though; it’s all about getting them to work in unison.
"The relationship you have with yourself is the longest relationship you are ever going to have," Raeder declared. "If you do not build that one, everything else suffers."
The Book That Sold Before It Launched
Even before the big release party, it hit the ground running. Word of mouth sold over 400 copies, catching the eyes of both everyday folks and brainy scholars. It even got a nod from a physician with a PhD—confirmation that Raeder’s tactics resonate across the spectrum, from the humble yoga mat to lecture halls of higher education.
Building a Bridge from Science to Real Life
The magic here is how Raeder translates dense psychological science into something that matters to you on a lazy Tuesday morning. She spent years absorbing and cross-referencing Seligman's research, then poured that knowledge onto pages anyone can parse. Raeder’s M.O.R.E. is less about telling you what to do and more about guiding you through exercises like 'What Went Well', a simple, daily reflection on positivity.
Raeder: A Martial Artist Turned Wellbeing Maestro
Jan Raeder's story isn’t just a tale of ideas bouncing off dojo walls. Her journey spans from national AAU karate championships to developing wellbeing programs at universities. She took the pandemic—a time of global standstill—and transformed it into a moment for introspection and growth, crafting a curriculum into a book. By the time she delivered her thoughts in an MIT keynote, the message was loud and crystal clear.
"There is no finish line," she bluntly states, insisting that wellbeing, like dental hygiene, demands consistency.
Accessible, Actionable, Approachable
Raeder’s book is designed for every curious mind, from high schoolers to veterans in wellbeing. It's thin enough to read on a weekend but backed by exercises rooted in peer-reviewed studies. What you end up with isn't just knowledge but a toolkit for real life—a way to feel better by doing better.
For anyone interested in ditching the quick fix for something truly durable, 'Strive for M.O.R.E.' is a must-have guide. It's straight-up good sense wrapped in a practical package, ready for you to dive into right now. No scented candles required.
