Your Way Back to Happy: How to Turn the Pain of Your Past into a Future of Freedom, Purpose, and Peace

by Janelle Bruland

Is it possible that you are missing out on your best life because of the pain of your past?

The weight of unresolved trauma doesn’t just affect your personal life—it silently shapes your decisions, your leadership, and your success. Even as conversations about “trauma” move into the mainstream, the business world has largely ignored its impact—until now.

In Your Way Back to Happy, Janelle Bruland shares her deeply personal story of overcoming undiagnosed PTSD and offers a proven roadmap to transform your pain into power. Through relatable storytelling and actionable strategies, this book will show you how and release the invisible barriers holding you backReclaim your energy, confidence, and mental clarityStep into a life of true freedom, purpose, and peace—on your termsIf you’re ready to lead with unshakable confidence, rediscover your passion, and build the future you’ve always dreamed of, Your Way Back to Happy is your key to unlocking a life of lasting success and fulfillment.

The life you desire is closer than you think. Start your journey today.

Genres: Self Help

208 pages, Paperback

Published June 17, 2025

Reviews

[Lola · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free copy through Netgalley and voluntarily reviewed it. All opinions are my own.

The title of this one caught my eye when I saw it on Netgalley and I was excited to read it. Unfortunately I don't think I am the right audience for this book and this book failed to resonate with me. The book seems focused on entrepreneurs and leaders, I hadn't realized this would be the focus. And while a lot of advice is broader applicable, it still felt this was who she was talking to. As well as a very specific type of leader with a certain personality and I didn't feel like I fit that.

Besides that there are also some subtle religious undertones that become a bit more overt later on in the book which isn't something that really resonates with me. I also didn't like the slight focus and tone that implied you would be a better leader if you healed from your trauma, I don't like the focus on productivity this implied.

I just felt like this book was not quite aimed for me, then the parts that I thought would be helpful didn't quite resonate with me or were things I already knew and then the rest were parts without enough detail so I still didn't know if any of those therapies would be helpful.

Despite not connecting to the earlier parts I kept reading as the later part promised more techniques for dealing with trauma that I was curious about those. Then when I reached that part I mostly skimmed through the meditation and breath work parts, I've read plenty about those and books that I resonated more with for that matter, this book didn't provide anything new to me on these topics.

Then the later part with more strategies and therapies was mostly just a whole list with some brief information and the author gave some information about them, but not enough for me to really get a feel for it. She might say she worked with brain feedback and did exercises, but I still had no idea what type of exercises these were or why this helped her so much.

To summarize: I don't think this is a bad book per se, but it wasn't for me. The tone didn't resonate with me. The book is aimed at a certain types of entrepreneurs and leaders which wasn't me. A lot of the information and advice wasn't new to me and the parts that were new to me had insufficient information to decide whether it would be helpful for me or not. I wasn't really invested in her personal story for some reason. And the religious tone, more subtle at first and more overt in later parts didn't really work for me either. I really wanted to get something out of this book, but it missed the mark for me.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book. The style of writing, which I'd say is fairly conversational and based on anecdotes in some parts, wasn't necessarily my favorite aspect, as great as the book was; however, if someone likes the feeling of a book which truly speaks to them as the reader and enjoyer, they'll probably love both the style and the content.

I really appreciated that in addition to anecdotal experiences, the author included suggested questions and activity checklists to put into practice before, during, or after reading from the book. I particularly enjoyed the mention of different basic/possibly ubiquitous spaces where one can relax.

Some of the chapters are fairly brief, but I don't think this is a problem, as much as something I'd like to mention to other readers interested in this book. They're a good length, especially given the opportunity to learn through experience by following the activities mentioned outside of one's time spent reading. Good stuff.

Thank you to Post Hill Press for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Sarah Jensen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review: Your Way Back to Happy: How to Turn the Pain of Your Past into a Future of Freedom, Purpose, and Peace by Janelle Bruland

Overview
Janelle Bruland’s Your Way Back to Happy is a motivational memoir masquerading as a self-help book, targeting female entrepreneurs who have faced personal trauma and are now juggling business ownership with emotional healing. Bruland, a self-employed business coach, draws heavily from her own experience overcoming PTSD, framing her journey as a blueprint for others. While her story is undeniably compelling, the book leans heavily on platitudes, lacks professional depth, and often feels more like a pep talk than a substantive guide.

Key Strengths
-Personal Story Resonates: Bruland’s candid recounting of her struggles with PTSD and entrepreneurship adds authenticity, making her relatable to women in similar situations.
-Encouraging Tone: The book’s motivational energy may appeal to readers who need a confidence boost rather than clinical advice.
-Business-Focused Angle: Unlike generic self-help books, this one acknowledges the unique pressures of entrepreneurship, offering some practical mindset shifts for overwhelmed business owners.

Critical Considerations
-Lack of Credentials: Bruland is a life coach, not a licensed therapist or psychologist. Her advice often feels anecdotal rather than evidence-based, which could mislead readers dealing with serious trauma.
-Preachy & Repetitive: The tone frequently slips into overly inspirational, bordering on hollow affirmations (“Choose happiness! Let go and trust!”). The constant reframing of pain as a “gift” may frustrate those still deep in their struggles.
-Narrow Audience: This is not a universal healing guide—it’s tailored to self-employed women who resonate with Bruland’s specific journey. Corporate professionals or those outside entrepreneurship may find little relevance.
-Oversimplified Solutions: Complex emotional wounds are often reduced to “mindset work” and “gratitude practices,” ignoring deeper therapeutic interventions some readers may need.

Score Breakdown (0–5 Stars)
-Originality: ⭐⭐ (2/5) – Little new here beyond Bruland’s personal story; repackages common self-help tropes.
-Engagement: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5) – Her vulnerability keeps pages turning, but the preachiness wears thin.
-Practicality: ⭐⭐ (2/5) – More cheerleading than actionable steps; entrepreneurs need strategy, not just motivation.
-Credibility: ⭐⭐ (2/5) – No professional expertise to back claims; leans on vibes over science.
Overall: ⭐⭐½ (2.5/5) – A well-intentioned but underbaked rallying cry for women in business—read with caution if you need real therapy.

Who Should Read This?
-Female entrepreneurs who enjoy motivational memoirs and want a survivor’s story to relate to.
-Readers who prefer inspirational, faith-adjacent messaging over clinical or academic approaches to trauma.
-Those already familiar with Bruland’s coaching brand and seeking her personal perspective.

Final Thoughts
While Bruland’s resilience is admirable, Your Way Back to Happy falls short as a standalone resource for healing. It’s best consumed as a companion to professional therapy or more rigorously researched books on trauma recovery.

Gratitude
Thank you to NetGalley and Janelle Bruland for the advance copy. This review reflects an honest assessment of the book’s strengths and limitations as a trauma-to-business motivational guide.

[Danielle Garner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, wow. I just finished Janelle Bruland's "Your Way Back to Happy," and as someone who works with her and has seen her resilience firsthand, I still wasn't prepared for how truly powerful this book is. If you're looking for something that genuinely cuts through the noise and gives you real tools to move forward, this is it.

Janelle doesn't just skim the surface; she dives deep into why we get stuck in our past and how that holds us back. What really hit me was her incredible candor and honesty about her own struggles – it makes everything she shares feel so incredibly relatable and real. You're not just reading theory; you're getting wisdom from someone who's actually lived it and come out stronger.

The book is so beautifully written, yet it's incredibly pragmatic and actionable. It's not just about feeling better; it's about actually taking control and creating a future filled with freedom, purpose, and peace. She provides such a clear path forward, and it honestly feels like a weight has been lifted just by reading it and applying some of her insights.

This isn't just another self-help book. It's poignant, it's profound, and I genuinely believe it's going to be life-changing for so many people who are trying to break free from their past. Read this book. Seriously. You won't regret it.

[Jenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Your Way Back to Happy is a gently guided, thoughtfully organized book for anyone who wants to respond to life’s challenges with more awareness and choice. Janelle writes with warmth and clarity, creating a sense of support as she explores a path toward greater emotional resilience.

The book begins by looking at the often unseen experiences that shape our responses. It then offers practical tools Janelle has used in her own life. As a parent, partner, and entrepreneur, she brings a perspective shaped by many roles. I love seeing women in business share what they have learned and create something that may help others.

Janelle mentions my work with CranioSacral Therapy and TRE in the book, so I have a personal connection to it. I also found it a comforting companion and a reminder that we each have our own version of this journey, with room for reflection, practical steps forward, and the reassurance that we are not alone.

[Nic S · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall this was a good book, which I enjoyed.

I would say I probably am the target market (I'm a middle aged woman with my own business) and I felt it was well written and the points made were valid and interesting.

The writing was very accessible, the writer has a friendly style which speaks directly to the reader without jargon but for me as a British reader it felt a little too 'American'.

However, I did feel the book was quite brief, and there wasn't anything that felt revolutionary or groundbreaking, more of a reminder of things that you already know or might read in a magazine.

It's an easy read and light enough to dip into, but not my usual genre and probably not something that will stay in my mind.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read.

[Alicia Bayer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t realize when I requested this book that it’s written by a life coach and it’s designed for self employed entrepreneurs. This is the author’s personal story of overcoming PTSD and it’s a motivational book for other women who are trying to run their own businesses. None of the psychological information was new to me and I don’t think I’m the target audience, but it’s an affirming book and could be helpful for those who relate to her story.

I read a digital ARC of this book via netgalley.

[Book Bench · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unresolved pain and the way it steers your choices is the focus of this personal guide. The author draws on her own journey through undiagnosed PTSD to frame recovery as a path back to confidence and purpose. It speaks directly to leaders who feel stuck behind old wounds.

[Hollie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know Janelle so I had to read this book! Had a little unexpected breakthrough before part two! Grateful for her vulnerability and truth.