Gia Merlo MD
Reviews For Restack
“A caring, practical, and compassionate guide to making sustainable lifestyle changes in the real world.”
— Dean Ornish, MD, Author, Undo It!, Founder & President, Preventive Medicine Research Institute, Clinical Professor of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco
“This extraordinary book showcases Dr. Merlo’s rare gift for vulnerability and authenticity, offering readers a deeply introspective and multifaceted exploration of the self. She uses her own experiences as a beacon of hope, making this book an indispensable companion on the journey of healing and self-development.”
— Ali Saad, MD, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
“Dr. Gia Merlo is a courageous clinician, daring to disrupt the system. Her book is both powerful and moving!”
— Beth Frates, MD, Harvard Medical School, President, American College of Lifestyle Medicine
“The book is truly special and valuable, not just fully backed by science, but also filled with heartfelt healing and connectedness from the personal stories that the author experienced and shared of basic human struggles, pains, fears, or burnouts that all human beings generally face in their life course. She is a renowned world leader in the field of Lifestyle Psychiatry. She stacks the remedies and roadmaps to help readers in this magical book."
— Jenny Sunghyun Lee, PhD, MPH, Founding Chair & CEO, Korean College of Lifestyle Medicine
"In this deeply personal and moving book, Dr. Merlo shares her innermost thoughts about her journey toward improved mental well-being, allowing the cracks and crevices of pain to show, but also sharing ways to heal. This is a must-read."
—Uma Naidoo, MD, Author, Harvard Medical School, Nutritional Psychiatrist, Chef
“Restack by Dr. Gia Merlo is a very brave book. Dr. Merlo is one of the most influential physicians in the world blending psychiatry and mental health with lifestyle medicine. She has made substantial contributions to both. The current book explores her own triumphs and heartbreaks and shares her deeply personal vulnerabilities. She combines this with authoritative information about psychiatry and mental health as well as lifestyle medicine. I hope this book gives other people the courage to look honestly at the ups and downs that all of us experience in our lives. As Rafiki in the Lion King admonished Simba ‘The past can hurt. But you can either run from it or learn from it.’ Dr. Merlo has shown us how to take our past and learn from it. It is an important message that is destined to help everyone who reads this insightful book.”
— James Rippe, MD, Editor-in-Chief, American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine and Journal of Intensive Care Medicine, UMass Chan Medical School
“Restack: From Mental Blocks to Our Full Human Potential is a compelling exploration of self-discovery and transformation. Dr. Gia Merlo offers a rare and intimate glimpse into the human psyche, expertly guiding readers through the process of dismantling the barriers that impede our growth. This book is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, providing a clear roadmap for anyone seeking to harness their full potential. A must-read for those ready to embark on a journey of healing, self-acceptance, and profound change.”
—Chef AJ, Chef AJ LIVE!
"Restack by Dr. Gia Merlo offers a compelling blend of vulnerability and expertise, weaving personal narratives with professional insights in psychiatry and lifestyle medicine. The book's fresh approach and emphasis on self-compassion provides a valuable roadmap for those looking to navigate mental blocks and embark on a journey of self-discovery."
— Wendy Suzuki, PhD, Author, Professor of Neural Science and Dean of the of College of Arts and Science, New York University
“Restack: From Mental Blocks to Our Full Human Potential is a compelling exploration of self-discovery and transformation. Dr. Gia Merlo offers a rare and intimate glimpse into the human psyche, expertly guiding readers through the process of dismantling the barriers that impede our growth. This book is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, providing a clear roadmap for anyone seeking to harness their full potential. A must-read for those ready to embark on a journey of healing, self-acceptance, and profound change.”
—Chef AJ, Chef AJ LIVE!
“It’s always a pleasure to find a book aimed at personal development that doesn’t advocate a 3 or 5 or 10-step linear pathway to success or health or happiness. In Restack, we’re invited to view mental blocks as the beginning of building blocks and to recognize that there is no perfect endpoint – rather, there can be a lifelong journey of learning and growth. Dr Merlo deftly weaves the narrative of her own life, including traumas and disappointments, with real-world challenges we all face. She invites self-reflection, application of evidence based lifestyle medicine strategies and the cultivation of a learning approach to growth and change. Throughout, we’re reminded that mental health and physical health are not separate and distinct – they are facets of our humanity and represent all that we can be!”
— Simon Matthew, CEO, Wellcoaches® Australia and Wellcoaches® Singapore
“We live and work in increasingly complex and dynamic times. Much is expected of us all both in our personal and professional lives. And often we are our loudest and strongest critics holding us back from being our best selves. Restack provides a roadmap for leading a happier and more successful life. A compelling and timely read.”
— Patricia Davidson, PhD, Vice-Chancellor and President, University of Wollongong, Australia
“A huge THANK YOU to Dr. Gia Merlo—both for her incredible curiosity, scientific exploration and personal resilience; and for creating such an inspiring and practical roadmap for others to utilize during their own journey of health and healing. This book speaks to our craving to feel at home and content within our own bodies and minds. It encourages us not to strive to be 100% perfect—but, as Dr. Merlo explains, to be 100% human. Reading it feels like going for a walk while having a long conversation with a trusted friend and mentor. It provides the space for envisioning a new path and a more nurturing paradigm, one Restack at a time.”
— Meagan L. Grega, MD, FACLM, Chief Medical Officer, Kellyn Foundation
“In this remarkable book, Dr. Merlo invites readers to embark on a journey of personal growth and actualization, drawing inspiration from her own narrative and fortified by decades of practicing psychotherapy and lifestyle medicine. This book is sure to inspire.”
— Douglas Noordsy, MD, Stanford University School of Medicine
“In this book, Dr. Gia Merlo courageously shares her personal story as well as insights from her work as a psychiatrist and lifestyle medicine physician. She lays out how we can uncover our personal truths and embrace our situation with self-compassion in order to boost our well-being. Getting unstuck and moving forward in a positive direction requires that we reframe our lifestyle approach authentically. Through engaging and relatable stories, Restack lays out why and how we can progress to becoming our best selves.”
— Liana Lianov, MD, MPH, President, Global Positive Health Institute
“What does it mean to be an innovator? How does someone know if something is innovative? Only history can answer these questions definitively, but don’t be surprised when history confirms the creative impact of Dr. Gia Merlo on the field of psychiatry. Restack is an innovative, creative, fresh take on maximizing human potential through lifestyle modification. She offers a vulnerable, compelling narrative that is relatable to all people.”
— Steve Sugden, MD, MPH, University of Utah Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine
“As Dr. Merlo notes, this book truly is the culmination of her life’s academic and personal work. Having worked with Dr. Merlo for the past decade, I can attest that she has walked-the-walk with the information presented in this book. Her knowledge and expertise in psychiatry, health care professionalism, and as a pioneer in lifestyle medicine and psychiatry, is incredible. That she has now taken her knowledge and her lived experiences to create an effective roadmap for others toward better mental and physical health is a gift.”
— Thomas Harter, PhD, Director of Bioethics, Gundersen Health System
Books by Dr. Gia Merlo
Through her writing, Dr. Merlo endeavors to empower readers with knowledge and strategies to lead healthier, more fulfilling lives. With a focus on lifestyle medicine, physician wellness, and holistic approaches to healthcare, Dr. Merlo's books serve as invaluable resources for professionals and individuals alike. Explore her publications to gain profound insights and practical guidance on optimizing well-being and preventing chronic diseases.
Self-help book addressing lifestyle interventions for physical and mental health.
"Restack offers a rare and intimate glimpse into the human psyche, expertly guiding readers through the process of dismantling the barriers that impede our growth."
- Chef AJ
"Dr. Merlo offers a vulnerable, compelling narrative that is relatable to all people."
- Steve Sugden, M.D.