Book Summary: “The Mountain Is You” By Brianna Wiest
Table of Contents
Summary/Context
The Mountain Is You by Brianna Wiest delves into self-sabotage and strategies to conquer it. With over 3 million copies sold and translations in 25+ languages, this life-changing book has inspired the whole word to stop being their own worst enemy, and unlock their full potential.
Every page is rich in wisdom, varying in impact according to your individual path. Brianna thoughtfully crafts a three-part structure: observing the mountain, ascending it, and ultimately reaching the summit. This poetic framework enhances the reader’s experience.
When we survey the book’s terrain from an eagle’s perspective, several foundational principles emerge. Here are some of those insights:
- Self-sabotage is a common behavior that can hold us back from achieving our goals and living our best lives.
- Understanding the root causes of self-sabotage, such as fear, shame, and limiting beliefs, is key to overcoming it.
- Emotional intelligence, mindfulness, and meditation are powerful tools for building self-awareness and breaking free from self-sabotaging patterns.
- Releasing the past and learning to act as our highest potential future selves can help us move forward with confidence and purpose.
- Creating a life that supports our growth means setting boundaries, cultivating healthy relationships, and prioritizing self-care.
- Living beyond self-sabotage requires ongoing effort and commitment to personal growth.
- By embracing the challenges of life as opportunities for growth and transformation, we can climb the mountain of self-discovery and reach new heights of fulfillment and happiness.
Book Quotes
One effective way to delve into The Mountain Is You is through its quotes. Although more profound within the book’s context, these quotes also offer valuable standalone insights.
Most Popular Quote
Your new life is going to cost you your old one.
It’s going to cost you your comfort zone and your sense of direction.
It’s going to cost you relationships and friends.
It’s going to cost you being liked and understood.
It doesn’t matter.
The people who are meant for you are going to meet you on the other side. You’re going to build a new comfort zone around the things that actually move you forward. Instead of being liked, you’re going to be loved. Instead of being understood, you’re going to be seen.
All you’re going to lose is what was built for a person you no longer are.
Brianna Wiest, The Mountain Is You
This is certainly one of the most viral and most quoted passages from The Mountain Is You. This Brianna Wiest quote first went viral on Instagram and then Pinterest in late 2020. It then also went even more viral on TikTok in early 2021 and as of 2023 has been read over 75 million times globally. Here is an example of a viral TikTok with the quote.
What does the quote mean? Brianna suggests that embracing change and personal growth often requires letting go of the familiar and comfortable aspects of your old life. As you evolve, some relationships and aspects of your life may no longer serve you. The process can be challenging, but it ultimately leads to a more fulfilling life. In sum, you must shed your skin to reahc your full potential and while that process is often painful; it will work out in the end.
More Quotes
What you believe about your life is what you will make true about your life.
Brianna Wiest, The Mountain Is You
Your mountain is the block between you and the life you want to live. Facing it is also the only path to your freedom and becoming. You are here because a trigger showed you to your wound, and your wound will show you to your path, and your path will show you to your destiny.
Brianna Wiest, The Mountain Is You
It is very hard to show up as the person you want to be when you are surrounded by an environment that makes you feel like a person you aren’t.
Brianna Wiest, The Mountain Is You
Many people say that you have to love yourself first before you can love others, but really, if you learn to love others, you will learn to love yourself
Brianna Wiest, The Mountain Is You
Either way, mental strength is not just hoping that nothing ever goes wrong. It is believing that we have the capacity to handle it if it does.
Brianna Wiest, The Mountain Is You
When we self-sabotage, it is often because we have a negative association between achieving the goal we aspire to and being the kind of person who has or does that thing.
Brianna Wiest, The Mountain Is You
Self-sabotage is a way of protecting ourselves from the pain of failure, but it also prevents us from experiencing the joy of success. It’s a defense mechanism that keeps us stuck in our comfort zones, even when those zones are no longer serving us. The problem with self-sabotage is that it’s often unconscious. We don’t realize we’re doing it until it’s too late. We make excuses, procrastinate, and avoid taking action because we’re afraid of what might happen if we try and fail. But the truth is, failure is not the end of the world. It’s an opportunity to learn and grow.
Brianna Wiest, The Mountain Is You
Brianna has many insights and her work is very quotable. For more quotes from The Mountain Is You and quotes from her other books like The Pivot Year and This Is How You Heal, visit her official Instagram account or this quote page.
The Mountain Is You PDF
There are many PDF versions circulating on the internet of Brianna Wiest’s The Mountain Is You. However, it’s important to note that many of these PDFs are unauthorized. These unauthorized PDFs may be found on websites such as Reddit, VK, Google Drive, and Z Library, among others.
If you want to obtain an authorized and legal PDF version of The Mountain Is You, you can purchase it through the official website of the publisher, Shop Catalog. The retail price for the PDF version is $9.99, and it can be purchased from anywhere in the world. This is the only authorized PDF version of the book. There is also a free version that is authorized by Thought Catalog Books available here. If you are looking for an EPUB file of the book, your best bet is to buy it via Apple Books.
The Mountain Is You Reviews
The Mountain Is You has received glowing reviews from various experts and influencers. It also has over 10,000 positive reviews on Amazon. Here are a few reviews from known public figures.
Brianna Wiest is one of my favorite writers. She combines life-changing wisdom with a unique eloquence that inspires readers to reclaim their power and change their lives for the better. The Mountain Is You is bound to help many people.
Yung Pueblo, Best-Selling Author
The Mountain Is You is a wake-up call that inspires hope in adversity. You’re invited to burn the rules of what you’ve been taught about yourself, as you awaken your inner hero and consciously choose a new narrative, and ultimately, create a life you deeply desire and deserve. Brianna provides an alchemy of pragmatic tools and deep soul shifts to build the courage and clarity required to climb your own personal mountain—and essentially, remember who you came here to be. The ultimate seek- er’s guide for those brave enough to face their true north and take their power back.
Jenna Black, International Coach
Brianna Wiest’s masterpiece is the perfect roadmap for understanding why we self-sabotage, when we do it, and how to stop doing it—for good.
Dr. Steven Eisenberg, Wellbeing & Connection Expert, Renowned Internist & Oncologist
I don’t think I’ve ever written a review for a book, but I really loved reading this. I’ve read multiple books about changing thought patterns and this was the first one that gave me multiple “aha” moments in personal development.
I don’t think I’ve ever written a review for a book, but I really loved reading this. I’ve read multiple books about changing thought patterns and this was the first one that gave me multiple “aha” moments in personal development.
Amazon Customer, online review
The Mountain Is You Workbook / Podcasts
Reading The Mountain Is You signals your readiness for change. That said, change without a little bit of help can be hard. So there is an official workbook via Thought Catalog Books that will help you realize many of the lessons in the book in your real life. The workbook offers prompts to guide introspection and navigation through your personal challenges. You can find it here.
Another way for The Mountain Is You readers to maximize their potential post-reading is by exploring Brianna Wiest’s podcast. Here, Brianna discusses lessons from the book and related subjects.
Brianna launched a limited podcast series, Get Out Of Your Own Way, in summer 2020, coinciding with The Mountain Is You’s release. This series further enhances the book’s transformative insights, empowering listeners to overcome obstacles. Access the complete series for free on YouTube or your favorite podcast platform.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can you purchase/buy The Mountain Is You online?
The most reliable source for obtaining an authentic copy of the book is Shop Catalog, as you’ll be buying directly from the publisher and the author. Although online marketplaces like Amazon and eBay also offer the book, The New York Times has reported significant issues with counterfeit copies of books being sold on Amazon in 2019; unfortunately even in 2023 this is still a problem. Thus, if you’re going to buy the book online, please purchase it directly from the publisher or from an established reputable online retailer like Strand.
While the book is not available at Barnes & Noble or Books A Million, it can be found in various independent bookstores across the United States and beyond. Purchasing The Mountain Is You from your local bookstore is an excellent way to support both the author and local businesses. If you are a business owner and would like to sell the book, you can contact the team at Thought Catalog Books or visit the Thought Catalog Books page on Faire.
What other languages can I read The Mountain Is You in?
The Mountain Is You has achieved remarkable success, with numerous copies sold worldwide. Its powerful message transcends linguistic and cultural barriers, as evidenced by the wide array of translations available. The book has been translated into Spanish, German, Indonesian, French, Arabic, both complex and simplified Chinese, Polish, Greek, Italian, Albanian, Serbian, Turkish, Croatian, Kazakh, Bulgarian, Hebrew, Korean, Vietnamese, Slovenian, Macedonian, Lithuanian, Latvian, and many other languages. This extensive list of translations demonstrates the book’s global appeal and its ability to resonate with readers across diverse regions and backgrounds.
Where can I find the official German edition of The Mountain Is You?
The book is incredibly popular in Germany, and Piper is the authorized publisher of the German edition via Thought Catalog Books. Renate Graßtat is the translator of the Deutsch edition. You can buy this edition at the official Piper website. You can also buy a mass paperback version of the book in English on Amazon.de.
I’m looking for similar books to The Mountain Is You. What might I read next?
If you’re looking for similar books to The Mountain Is You but for dating/relationships, you might consider You’re Overthinking It by Sabrina Alexis Bendory. Another great place to look is to just consider other books published by Brianna’s publishing house, Thought Catalog Books. Brianna’s book is also frequently grouped with Atomic Habits by James Clear.
How do I find the audiobook of The Mountain Is You?
The audiobook of The Mountain Is You is consistently one of the best selling audiobooks on Audible and Apple Books. The audio verion was narrated by Stacey Glemboski, a former English teacher that is now a voiceover artist. Stacey Glemboski presents Wiest’s guidance with a heartfelt, spirited voice. The audiobook leaves you with an abundant motivation to transform your life. While the audiobook is not free, Brianna Wiest has various free audio programs on YouTube and her podcast. Here are a few of those no cost options:
How do I find the audiobook of The Mountain Is You? The audiobook of The Mountain Is You is consistently one of the best selling audiobooks on Audible and Apple Books. The audio verion was narrated by Stacey Glemboski, a former English teacher that is now a voiceover artist. Stacey Glemboski presents Wiest’s guidance with a heartfelt, spirited voice. The audiobook leaves you with an abundant motivation to transform your life. While the audiobook is not free, Brianna Wiest has various free audio programs on YouTube and her podcast. Here are a few of those no cost options:
Is there a hardcover version of The Mountain Is You?
There is no hardcover version of The Mountain Is You in English. However, the paperback version is a high-quality, art-grade paperback.
What is the age rating of The Mountain Is You?
The Mountain Is You is generally safe for audiences of all ages. There are no curse words or controversial topics discussed in the book.
I heard there are a lot of counterfeit and fake versions of the book being sold online. How do I ensure I buy an authentic copy or check if mine is counterfeit?
Unfortunately, there are various counterfeit copies of Brianna Wiest books sold on Amazon. There is a tweet from the publisher that shows you how to identify if you have a real copy. If you haven’t purchased yet, ensure you get authentic copy by ordering from Shop Catalog or from a reputable independent bookstore.
Disclosure: Collective World is owned by The Thought & Expression Company, Inc. This the same company that owns Thought Catalog Books and Shop Catalog, and is the publisher of Brianna Wiest’s books. Brianna is also my colleague and I wrote this post mostly to help with all the questions we get about the book. If you email me directly, I’ll add other frequently asked questions to the article.