Inspirational speaker and Paralympic champion Jessica Long shares her storyâand 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 historyâs most decorated athletes. Yet her true successesâand strugglesâare not about winning medals or setting world records. âOur worth cannot be placed in external thingsâour looks, job, or approval of others,â she says. âNo achievement will make us feel worthy unless we can love ourselves without judgment.â
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 facedânot 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 hardshipâand 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 withinâto 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 outwardâto challenge the cultural narrative and systemic forces that stand in the way of a more inclusive and equitable society.
âIn sharing my story,â says Jessica, âincluding 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.â
Beyond the Surface is a guide to fathoming the depths of your life experienceâto both that which makes you utterly amazing and unique, and the essential dignity and value we all possess.
Inspirational speaker and Paralympic champion Jessica Long shares her storyâand 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 historyâs most decorated athletes. Yet her true successesâand strugglesâare not about winning medals or setting world records. âOur worth cannot be placed in external thingsâour looks, job, or approval of others,â she says. âNo achievement will make us feel worthy unless we can love ourselves without judgment.â
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 facedânot 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 hardshipâand 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 withinâto 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 outwardâto challenge the cultural narrative and systemic forces that stand in the way of a more inclusive and equitable society.
âIn sharing my story,â says Jessica, âincluding 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.â
Beyond the Surface is a guide to fathoming the depths of your life experienceâto both that which makes you utterly amazing and unique, and the essential dignity and value we all possess.