You Are Not a Rock

A Step-by-Step Guide to Better Mental Health (for Humans)

By: Mark Freeman

Narrated by: Stephen Graybill

Mental health is . . . being yourself.

A prescriptive and positive guide, making the case that mental well-being, like physical health, can be strengthened over time and with specific techniques

We all want to feel less anxiety, guilt, anger and sadness. We want to obsess less and be less lonely, free ourselves from our demons, compulsive habits, and stress. But as humans (unlike rocks) we experience all of these. And paradoxically, trying to avoid and control them only makes things worse.

Having struggled with serious mental illness for many years himself, Mark Freeman has become a dedicated mental-health advocate and coach. He makes the case that instead of trying to feel less and avoid pain and stress, we need to build emotional fitness, especially our capacity for strength, balance and focus. With wit, compassion, and depth of experience and anecdotes, he shows that we can recover from many mental disorders, from mild to very serious, at all ages and stages of life, and even if other methods have failed. Freeman's innovative approach makes use of a range of therapeutic techniques, mindfulness training, peer support, humor, and common sense.

Critic reviews

“The best book, by far, I’ve read on mental health and fitness. Mark has become a trusted friend, thought-partner, and counselor. By reading this book, you too can gain a wealth of knowledge and actionable steps to live a richer, fuller, and more present life. I really couldn’t recommend it more.” —Brad Stulberg, co-author of Peak Performance: Elevate Your Game, Avoid Burnout, and Thrive with the New Science of Success

“Mark Freeman has created a roadmap to calm the worried mind, chock-full of useful practices, no-nonsense strategies, and trench-harvested wisdom.” —Mark Wolynn, author of It Didn’t Start With You: How Inherited Family Trauma Shapes Who We Are and How to End the Cycle

“This sensible and highly practical approach to mental health offers a welcome antidote to the fear-based thinking that has become all too prevalent in our culture. Try some of Freeman’s exercises for yourself—you might be surprised by how readily even longstanding emotional roadblocks can be cleared away!” —Gail A. Hornstein, author of Agnes’s Jacket: A Psychologist's Search for the Meanings of Madness

A very helpful book with practical exercises

Someone struggling with Anxiety, OCD, and other mental issues will find this book very HELPFUL!!!
If you know someone struggling with mental issues, please give this audiobook to him/her. It will help them dramatically in regaining the mental health. Mark speaks with the authority of someone who struggled with many anxiety issues and was able to improve his mental health to the point of living a life free of them. I am not sure if he kill "The monster" or just tamed it, perhaps I will ask him in his YouTube channel this question.
Note to Mark: I hope this is one more of many more books to come to help all people struggling with mental issues.
Thank you for writing this book ! God bless you.

“Mental health is the practice of being yourself.”

Life changing. This man overcame all his worst fears and was kind enough to make a book to help others not only accomplishing mental fitness, emotional fitness but finding and becoming our true better self. God bless you Mark, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

One of the best books I’ve ever read

This book has changed my life. I’m so thankful for Mark Freeman. I see the world so different now

Overall message

Amazing book from start to finish would definitely recommend to a friend! Enjoy the journey

Great book!

I first found this audio book online at my library. I liked it so much, I decided to get my own copy. The author is witty and offers practical exercises. It also keeps my brain engaged so I don't spin so much on my thoughts during this challenging time.