Review of (dis)Empowered

[Erin Dydek]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "(dis)Empowered" by Ellen Busch.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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Diagnosed with dyslexia at age six, Ellen transformed from a confident, happy child to a disempowered young woman. The gaslighting and trauma of being treated as a second-class citizen and being written off as unlikely to graduate high school or complete college caused Ellen to second-guess herself and lose all confidence. However, her future began to change when she shook off the demoralizing labels, found coaches and supporters who believed in her, and overcame the obstacles standing in her way. Follow her inspirational journey as she shares her stories of struggle and triumph in (dis)Empowered: How I Turned an Academic Death Sentence Into My Life’s Greatest Adventure.

Ellen Busch shares her riveting story in an inspirational memoir showing how determination and the pursuit of healing can empower a person to future success despite the limitations set by past experiences. I loved how the author candidly shared her frustrations and emotions from a point of victory. Throughout her story, she acknowledged the places she had been without letting the pain overwhelm her eventual triumph. The vast number of things Ellen accomplished was inspiring, and I loved how she revealed the secrets and successes that helped her release the traumatic experience and achieve the success she experiences today.

I enjoyed how Ellen related her life through the lessons she learned from mentors like her parents and her life coaches and through her outdoor adventures. The combination of exercise, going on adventures, and coaching helped her to navigate the challenges and never give up, even when the waves of life knocked her down repeatedly. The metaphors she used were easy to relate to, and I felt enormously encouraged by her attitude of positivity. I loved learning how Ellen found purpose through her love of leadership and helping others.

There was nothing that I disliked about her encouraging story. I found no errors throughout the well-edited pages. I also appreciated how the author included footnotes that referenced the resources and books she mentioned. Therefore, I gladly give (dis)Empowered five out of five stars.

I recommend this book to readers looking for an encouraging memoir about overcoming false labels and finding purpose in life. Ellen combines spiritual and secular methods to find peace throughout her journey. If you enjoy endurance sports, CrossFit, and other intriguing outlets, including skiing and scuba diving, you’ll enjoy Ellen’s stories of how these activities benefited her recovery. The author’s story involves an abusive marriage situation with a brief mention of physical violence, and there were a few instances of non-borderline swearing.

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(dis)Empowered
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[RutvikPatel]

Ellen Busch's memoir, "(dis)Empowered: How I Turned an Academic Death Sentence Into My Life’s Greatest Adventure," tells a powerful story of transformation and resilience. The reviewer appreciates Ellen's candid and inspiring account of her journey, highlighting her determination to overcome the challenges posed by dyslexia and societal expectations. They admire Ellen's ability to acknowledge her past struggles while focusing on her ultimate triumph and success.

[Kelvinna]

I appreciate the well-structured review. The author's excellent book and its intriguing title have piqued my interest, prompting me to add it to my bookshelf without a doubt.

[Cara Wilding]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "(dis)Empowered" by Ellen Busch.]

Diagnosed with dyslexia at age six, Ellen transformed from a confident, happy child to a disempowered young woman. The gaslighting and trauma of being treated as a second-class citizen and being written off as unlikely to graduate high school or complete college caused Ellen to second-guess herself and lose all confidence. However, her future began to change when she shook off the demoralizing labels, found coaches and supporters who believed in her, and overcame the obstacles standing in her way. Follow her inspirational journey as she shares her stories of struggle and triumph in (dis)Empowered: How I Turned an Academic Death Sentence Into My Life’s Greatest Adventure.

I recommend this book to readers looking for an encouraging memoir about overcoming false labels and finding purpose in life. Ellen combines spiritual and secular methods to find peace throughout her journey. If you enjoy endurance sports, CrossFit, and other intriguing outlets, including skiing and scuba diving, you’ll enjoy Ellen’s stories of how these activities benefited her recovery. The author’s story involves an abusive marriage situation with a brief mention of physical violence, and there were a few instances of non-borderline swearing.

This author has a unique perspective on the world...I'd certainly be interested in hearing what she has to say! What an unbelievable set of circumstances she had to overcome; truly an inspiring story. I think I will definitely add this to my bookshelf. I have the feeling she has some incredibly powerful lessons on healing that many readers could benefit from. It's rare to find such positivity from someone who has endured so much in life. I dabble in CrossFit a bit, that piece also elicits some curiosity for me with regards to how it benefited her recovery. Again, another very well-written review, thanks so much for sharing it with us!

[Kelvinna]

The reviewer's critique stands out for me, appreciating both the well-written review, the rating given, and the recommendation provided. I must emphasize the quality of this piece, thoroughly enjoying the content while reading it.

[Kelvinna]

Certainly! The reviewer's exceptional work truly resonated with me, and I plan to include this review in my collection. The reviewer's excellent job has impressed me, prompting me to place this review on my bookshelf.