No subtle self-help book here

By Pam Wright
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Brandee Kocsis isn’t one to mince words.

The newly minted author of the self-help book titled Worthy AF, says women need to deal with trauma – including recovering from narcissistic relationships and abuse – head on.

Kocsis said her self-published tome with some admittedly salty language is for women who are fed up with suffering in silence and for every survivor looking to “rewrite” her story.

According to the Chatham resident, Worthy AF is part memoir, part mindset shift and “one giant middle finger” to shame.

“I’ve been writing this book for 10 years,” Kocsis said in a recent interview with The Voice. “I went through things that women are supposed to keep quiet about, or are told to ‘get over.’ I lost my self-worth and I realized nobody was coming to rescue me. I needed to rescue myself and that’s when I realized I was going to write the lifeline that maybe one woman needs. ”

Infertility, infidelity and sexual abuse are some of the issues Kocsis explores in her blunt and direct style.

“It’s my truth,” she explained. “It’s about the things that I’ve gone through…I knew I needed to heal myself from the judgment.”

Plus, said Kocsis, who is a wife, mother and registered nurse, there’s science behind being a badass.

“Self-worth literally affects so many things in your life,” she added, touching on all aspects of health.

Kocsis said she wished she would have had a similar guide to help her navigate and heal from trauma. She’s hoping Worthy AF will catch on with readers, possibly becoming a movement.

The book isn’t your typical “self-help” fluff, Kocsis said, telling you to take a bubble bath or chant some affirmations to feel better.

“I hope this becomes a revolution to help women evolve. I just want to help women burn all the stuff like guilt and shame that weighs them down. I just wanted to write from grit…I write how I speak.”

Kocsis has done her homework to promote the book, including developing an extensive marketing plan.

“It may change my life but I hope it changes somebody else’s life,” she said. “I want to take the hard grit and turn it into something shiny and gold.”

Worthy AF is now available in 50 countries, and 30,000 retailers and can be found on all social media platforms. Launched on July 31, it’s now listed on Amazon’s list of top 200 in self-help books as of last week.