Good Stress - by Jeff Krasno (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Now in paperback! Ten protocols to counteract the "chronic ease" that creates our modern epidemic of dis-ease, from a wellness industry leader who can prove they work--because he's tested them on himself.

"A groundbreaking guide . . . Essential for anyone seeking to harness the power of 'in-convenience' to achieve optimal health and well-being."
-- David Perlmutter, M.D.

Jeff Krasno, the founder and CEO of the global wellness platform Commune Media, thought he was pretty healthy. He suffered from brain fog, chronic fatigue, and bouts of insomnia, but those symptoms seemed utterly normal in today's society. When he learned he had diabetes, his first thought was, How can that be? I run a wellness company!

Jeff's diagnosis propelled him to consult every expert at his disposal in order to turn his health around. On this journey, he began to form a larger picture of what's wrong with our health in the modern world.

In Good Stress--co-authored with his wife, Schuyler Grant--Jeff shares what he's learned and outlines a practical program for readers to reset their own health. We learn:

• How humans evolved with Paleolithic stressors and scarcity--which conferred health and resilience--whereas today's comforts and conveniences actually undermine our biology
• Why modern life sets us up for diabetes, dementia, heart disease, cancer, and other chronic disease that results from our chronic ease
• How we can come back into balance by thoughtfully subjecting our bodies and minds to the stressors we're naturally built for

Distilling the hundreds of conversations he has had with top teachers and practitioners in mind-body wellness, including Gabor Maté, Mark Hyman, Marianne Williamson, and Dr. Sara Gottfried, Jeff outlines 10 practices to extend both our lifespan and our healthspan, including:

• Time-restricted eating
• Cold and heat exposure
• Light therapy
• Eating "stressed plants"
• Building our "psychological immune system" and more

For each practice, Jeff shares his own experience (there's a great story of how Wim Hof convinced him to get into an ice bath!); unpacks the science behind it, the place it has in our culture, and the effects it has on body and mind; and explains how to undertake it safely and mindfully.

Review Quotes

"Jeff Krasno is one of my favorite teachers and a truly wise guide for growth. Good Stress beautifully reveals that so many of our stressors become our strengths. The grounded wisdom and actionable strategies make this a must-read for true well-being."
-- Brendon Burchard, #1 New York Times best-selling author of The Motivation Manifesto and High Performance Habits

"In Good Stress, Jeff Krasno eloquently bridges the ancient wisdom of Eastern thought with modern scientific insights. This profound work reveals how Buddhist teachings on impermanence and interconnection anticipated groundbreaking discoveries in epigenetics, neuroplasticity, and the microbiome. This book is a masterful exploration of how embracing life's challenges can unlock our innate potential for growth, healing, and transformation."
-- Deepak Chopra, best-selling author of The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success

"Jeff's evolution from entrepreneur to author and thought leader embodies the transformative potential within each of us. In Good Stress, he adeptly merges mysticism with medicine, presenting deep revelations on how embracing discomfort can catalyze authentic growth and healing. Jeff's prose serves as a poignant reminder that genuine wellness emerges not from evading challenges, but from boldly embracing them with fortitude and inquisitiveness. This book stands as a road map for individuals seeking to leverage the potency of 'good stress' to revolutionize their health, mindset, and overall life experience."
-- Gabrielle Bernstein, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Universe Has Your Back

"Jeff Krasno masterfully delves into how embracing life's challenges can profoundly transform our health and well-being. As someone who has dedicated my life to teaching the power of growing your own food--specifically sprouting--I was thrilled to see Jeff spotlight this practice as a prime example of 'good stress.' The process of sprouting, especially broccoli sprouts, embodies the hermetic effect, where a little stress at the cellular level triggers powerful health benefits, including boosting our body's defenses and activating sulforaphane production. This book beautifully guides us back to our roots, to reconnect with nature, and reclaim our well-being. It's a must-read for anyone ready to tap into the life-changing benefits of doing hard things for a healthier, more vibrant future."
-- Doug Evans, author of The Sprout Book

"This groundbreaking guide masterfully blends personal anecdotes, cutting-edge research, and practical protocols to help us reconnect with our biological roots. By adopting Krasno's deliberate short-term acute stress techniques, readers can unlock the evolutionary benefits that foster resilience and longevity. This transformative book is essential for anyone seeking to harness the power of 'in-convenience' to achieve optimal health and well-being."
-- David Perlmutter, M.D., F.A.C.N., #1 New York Times best-selling author of Grain Brain and Drop Acid

"In Good Stress, my longtime friend Jeff Krasno takes us on an extraordinary journey from CEO to health advocate, blending wisdom from Eastern philosophy with the science of functional medicine. I've watched Jeff transform from a successful business leader at Wanderlust to a passionate storyteller who dives deep into the power of adversity mimetics. This book beautifully weaves ancient teachings on impermanence and interconnection with practical protocols that challenge the body and mind, showing us that true growth comes from embracing life's hard edges. It's a must-read for anyone ready to unlock the healing potential of 'good stress.'"
-- Mark Hyman, M.D., co-founder and Chief Medical Officer of Function Health and 15-time New York Times best-selling author

"In Good Stress, Jeff Krasno masterfully illustrates the profound impact evolutionary mismatches have on our health and well-being. This book dives deep into the science of why our modern comfort-filled life, while seemingly benign, is at odds with our genetic makeup. With a focus on the transformative power of fasting--a topic near to my practice--and other eustress protocols, Jeff provides a compelling blueprint for realigning our lifestyle with our biology. This is not just a book; it's a call to action to embrace the stressors that refine us, challenge us, and ultimately lead us to a vibrant life. A must-read for anyone looking to break free from the grip of chronic ease and reclaim their health."
-- Dr Will Cole, New York Times best-selling author of Intuitive Fasting and Ketotarian

"This book is a game-changer in understanding how to reclaim our health by embracing adversity. Having witnessed Jeff's transformation firsthand, I can attest to his commitment to mastering the science of the body--especially in the realm of blood sugar regulation and metabolic health. Jeff beautifully weaves together practical insights with deep wisdom, drawing on the same protocols we both use--intermittent fasting, cold plunging, sauna, and resistance training. Jeff's journey from pre-diabetes to vibrant health is inspiring, and this book offers a road map for anyone looking to harness the power of 'good stress' to thrive."
-- Dr. Sara Gottfried, New York Times best-selling author of The Hormone Cure and leading expert in functional medicine

"In Good Stress, Jeff Krasno deftly uncovers how modern culture has hijacked our biology, leading to a host of health challenges that stem from evolutionary mismatches. From the pitfalls of industrial agriculture to the dangers of sedentary living, temperature neutrality, and digital-only communication, Jeff provides a clear, science-backed road map for reclaiming our natural vitality. This book is an essential guide for anyone looking to realign their lifestyle with how we're truly wired, empowering us to harness the power of 'good stress' to become stronger, healthier, and more resilient."
-- Jillian Michaels, New York Times best-selling author of Master Your Metabolism

"Jeff Krasno brings a courageous approach to the most challenging conversations of our time. By applying the concept of adversity mimetics to healing our political divide, Jeff shows us that the discomfort of these dialogues can actually be a basis for growth, empathy, and the recognition of our shared humanity. This book is a profound reminder that facing our fears and moving through them can transform not only our personal lives, but also our collective journey toward a more unified and compassionate society."
-- Marianne Williamson, New York Times best-selling author of A Return to Love

"Good Stress jumps off the pages as they are read. This book is like an experiential orgy of insights, experiences, and the tapestry of life's journey and how to live it. I thought that over the past fifty years in the health and wellness field that I had heard it all--until reading Jeff Krasno's masterpiece. This book not only takes you on a joyous trip but is capable of changing your perception of stress and making it your friend."
-- Jeffrey Bland, Ph.D., FACN, founder of the Institute for Functional Medicine

"Jeff has penned a vastly informed, dead-to-rights honest description of current health maladies, mysteries, and myths. He humorously and incisively walks a path that takes the reader to vitality and well-being, showing that a rebirth of our body and self is available to all."
-- Paul Hawken, New York Times best-selling author of Drawdown

About the Author

Jeff Krasno is the co-founder and CEO of Commune, an online course platform for personal and societal well-being. He also hosts the Commune podcast, interviewing a wide variety of health experts and luminaries from Andrew Huberman and Marianne Williamson to Matthew McConaughey and Gabor Maté. Every Sunday, Jeff pens a weekly "Commusings" essay that explores spirituality, wellness, and culture and is distributed to over one million subscribers.

Jeff is the creator of GOOD STRESS, a collection of wellness protocols he developed to reverse his diabetes, lose 60 pounds, and reclaim his health at age 50. The book, Good Stress: The Health Benefits of Doing Hard Things, was released March 25, 2025 by Hay House / Penguin Random House.

Jeff and his better three-quarters, Schuyler Grant, own and operate Commune Topanga, a 10-acre wellness center and production lab where they host regular retreats together featuring yoga, cold plunging, sauna bathing, lectures, and story-telling.

Jeff attended The Hotchkiss School and received his B.A. from Columbia University in 1993. In 2008, Jeff co-created the concept for Wanderlust, a series of large-scale events combining yoga & wellness with the arts. Wanderlust became the world's most recognized wellness events brand with 68 events in 20 countries. Jeff served as co-CEO for eight years.

Jeff serves on the board of Pure Edge, a non-profit organization dedicated to integrating yoga and mindfulness curriculum into the public school system. Jeff is a contributor to the Huffington Post and Fast Company. His first book, eponymously named Wanderlust, debuted in May 2015 on Rodale and has sold more than 50,000 copies worldwide. He also curated the Wanderlust cookbook, Find Your True Fork, which came out in July 2017.

In 2016, he was selected by Oprah Winfrey to be part of the SuperSoul100 as one of the nation's leading entrepreneurs.

Jeff and Schuyler have three beautiful daughters, Phoebe, Lolli, and Micah. They currently live in Los Angeles, California.

Schuyler Grant is the founder and co-director of Kula Yoga Project in NYC, the co-creator of Wanderlust, and co-owner/director of the Commune Topanga retreat center. Schuyler developed a unique and beloved style of alignment-based vinyasa called Kula Flow. The advanced teacher training she has led for over two decades has minted teachers and studio owners worldwide. She was also a creator of the 200- and 300-hour trainings for both Kula and Wanderlust. She is a regular contributor to the Commune platform, which hosts a dozen of her asana and breathwork courses. She is especially proud of Empowered Birth, a course she hosted and co-produced to support women's journey through pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum.

Schuyler opened the first Kula just two blocks north of Ground Zero in 2002, in an effort to help bring some heart and community back to Lower Manhattan. She is exceedingly proud that Kula is still going strong in SoHo and Williamsburg, Brooklyn. She now resides in Los Angeles, with her beloved Jeff Krasno, their three daughters, and four chickens. She leads regular retreats and trainings, and considers herself exceptionally lucky to still love vinyasa-style yoga--and the same man--after all these years.
www.onecommune.com