Everything Harder Than Everyone Else

A no-holds-barred, gonzo dive into the world of extreme behavior; from abstinence to ego, punishment to curiosity, obsession to reinvention, acclaimed journalist Jenny Valentish uncovers what drives those who push the limits of endurance.

What do extreme eaters, MMA fighters, ultramarathon runners, and professional sex roleplayers have in common? What drives some people to push their bodies and minds to the brink, putting everything on the line to test the bounds of their capacity? When Jenny Valentish worked through her own addictions, she became fascinated by extremes in their myriad and unexpected manifestations. In the darkly funny, brash, and irresistible Everything Harder Than Everyone Else, Valentish immerses herself in the lives of sex workers, body builders, and dedicated fighters and finds that many of the people she encounters have overcome addictions and trauma to find release and community where the stakes are at their highest.

Harnessing a journalistic approach that’s equal parts brazenly curious and remarkably compassionate, Valentish finds herself neck-deep in her own investigation, embroiling herself in the world of competitive Muay Thai fighting and in the dark chambers of a sex dungeon. At every turn she stares unflinchingly into the darker corners of culture that polite society ignores and repudiates, asking readers and herself, how far are you willing to go?

About the Author

Jenny Valentish is an author and journalist who has written for The Guardian, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Saturday Paper, Vice, and Rolling Stone. She is the author of Cherry Bomb, a novel set in the music industry, and the research-memoir Woman of Substances, the coeditor of the anthology Your Mother Would Be Proud, and the creator of two blogs, New Age Guinea Pig and Hey Man, Now You’re Really Living. Valentish is a board director of SMART Recovery Australia and has acted in consultancy and ambassador roles in the drug and alcohol field. Previously, she served as editor of Time Out (Melbourne) and Triple J’s Jmag, worked as a music publicist and freelance writer, interviewing rock stars from Jack White to Joan Jett, and was a board member for The Push, a nonprofit music organization that connects young people to the music industry. She has taught memoir and nonfiction writing at universities, to drug and alcohol workers, and to writing organizations. Raised in the outskirts of London, England, Jenny currently resides in Melbourne, Australia.

Praise for Everything Harder Than Everyone Else

“Valentish writes about the psychology and physiology of extreme experiences with nuance and sensitivity. The result is an eye-opening tour of the human psyche.” —Publishers Weekly

“A spiritual sequel to Valentish’s 2017 memoir Woman of Substances [and] a wild and page-turning ride. . . . The author’s enthusiasm for and deep research into the topic shine through, and she tempers the more confronting moments with candor, humor and self-deprecation. Like a Louis Theroux documentary, Everything Harder Than Everyone Else is an eye-opening exploration of unconventional lifestyles and the people who live them. It is a rollicking and insightful read for both enthusiasts and the simply curious.” —Books+Publishing

“Valentish takes us into hidden worlds that fascinate, horrify, inspire, and entertain. Valentish is your intrepid guide to fringe communities, where the members are hardcore and their wisdom is hard-won. The characters and stories will stay with you long after the last page.” —Brigid Delaney, author of Wellmania

“As a fan of wrestling and general out-there foolishness, I’ve often wondered—but couldn’t put into words—what drives people to such limits. An outstanding read.” —Broden Kelly, actor, Aunty Donna

Format Hardcover

Price $24.99

Publication Date November 23, 2021

ISBN 9781954641006

Page Count 288

Trim Size 6 X 9 inches

Printed In the United States