This book was an unexpected homecoming for me. Written by Dr McGeary at the age of 102, she weaves together her incredible life story with six secrets to health and happiness at every age. Why was it a homecoming? Dr McGeary’s parents were osteopaths who were directly taught by the founder of osteopathy, Andrew Taylor Still (cue me losing my mind!!!!).

Osteopathic principles run deeply through Dr McGeary’s approach to health and wellness, blending seamlessly with her medical training. Dr McGeary was also good friends with Milton Erickson, whose work was hugely influential in the development of NLP. Knowing NLP as I do, I could see how these ideas also wonderfully influence the way McGeary helps her patients, as well as how she moves through her own personal difficulties, including cancer twice and a shock divorce.

This is a gentle yet informative read, with pertinent questions throughout that encourage the reader to reconsider their thoughts, actions and relationship with their body. Suggestions and course corrections are gently offered with wisdom, while also being solidly backed by science.

Throughout her career, Dr McGeary became known as “The Mother of Holistic Medicine”, and her book serves as a guide to living joyfully, with love cited as the most powerful medicine of all. McGeary encourages her readers to view everything as their teacher and to spend their energy wildly, turning towards their passions and embracing them fully.

Whilst this is a very different book for me to read compared with my usual solidly scientific reads, it is a powerful one. It is a book to turn to when you need a gentle reminder of just how incredible you and your body are, especially if you are feeling low or anxious, or if, like me, you simply need a pause and a change of pace from your usual reading.

You can feel Dr McGeary’s warmth throughout, along with her wonderful zest for life, and it really is contagious.

Wishing you a happy, healthy day, always.

Emily