amy kurtz inbetween
COMING JUNE 2026
but you look fine

Trapped in the hell between sick and well and how to break free

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but you look fine by amy kurtz

Health coach, patient advocate and wellness advisor, Amy Kurtz, breaks the silence about the crucial, painful, pervasive, and yet all too common phase of healing from chronic illness that has long gone overlooked…until now.

According to the Center for Disease Control, 194 million Americans–or 76.4% of the population–have at least one chronic illness, and half of these are women. While many of these individuals finally have a diagnosis, and are no longer “sick”, they’re still not “well.” They’ve gone through the treatments, taken the medications, and yet still find themselves suffering. So, what do you do after you’ve discovered the root of your condition, and you’re still not healed? How do you move past the trauma of being diagnosed (which often takes years for many patients), as well as the trauma of now living with this condition. More importantly, what is this limbo between sick and well that so many patients find themselves in?

The answer is Medical Trauma Brain, a phrase Health coach and patient advocate Amy Kurtz coined after years of research into her own challenges with misdiagnosed Lyme disease. Medical Trauma Brain is the trauma that hangs on pervasively even after the patient is “cured” keeping them stuck in the hell between sick and well. It’s the most overlooked but crucial part of healing, and in But You Look Fine, Amy shares the exact plan she used to move through this integral part of recovery so others can finally break free from their own bridge between sick and well.

Mark Hyman says “Amy Kurtz exposes a common occurrence that until now has gone unnamed and undiscussed by doctors and patients alike. Not only does she reveal this roadblock to wellness, but she also offers solutions, ones that we can all apply to our lives whether chronically ill, newly diagnosed, or labeled “cured.” This is a paradigm shifting book and a must-read.”

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Amy Kurtz with book

“Amy Kurtz exposes a common occurrence that until now has gone unnamed and undiscussed by doctors and patients alike.

Not only does she reveal this roadblock to wellness, but she also offers solutions, ones that we can all apply to our lives, whether chronically ill, newly diagnosed, or labeled 'cured.'

This is a paradigm-shifting book and a must-read.”

MARK HYMAN, MD, #1 New York Times bestselling author and host of The Dr. Hyman Show

PRAISE FOR

but you look fine

“Amy Kurtz’s vulnerable account is a testament to the enduring human spirit. But You Look Fine isn’t just about surviving chronic illness; it’s about thriving in its aftermath. It’s a wellspring of courage, resilience, and the unwavering belief that even after hitting bottom, you can rise, stronger, wiser, and more resilient.”

Kris Carr
New York Times bestselling author, cancer thriver

“Recognizing the mental, physical and emotional toll that western healing can take on patients, Amy Kurtz creates a workable roadmap to holistic health in But You Look Fine. With kindness, compassion, and humor Kurtz guides readers through life after chronic illness, through what can be an otherwise bewildering and uncharted land.”

Sharon Salzberg
Meditation pioneer, world renowned teacher, and New York Times bestselling author

“In my practice as an EMDR therapist, I often see patients who appear recovered physically, yet still grapple with anxiety, fear, and a sense of lost identity. It’s as if their soul still doesn’t realize that they are well. The experience and trauma gets stuck in the amygdala (the primitive part of the brain). Amy Kurtz’s groundbreaking book, But You Look Fine, sheds light on this critical but under-recognized aspect of healing. It provides a roadmap for patients to navigate the emotional terrain after illness and reclaim a sense of wholeness.”

Barry Herbach, LCSW

“But You Look Fine offers clarity, compassion and rare blend of scientific rigor and heartfelt guidance. It’s an empowering guide that gifts readers the tools needed to move forward with clarity and purpose in their quest for regaining stewardship over their health destiny.

David Perlmutter, MD, FACN
#1 New York Times bestselling author of Grain Brain and Brain Defenders

“If you or a loved one suffer from invisible chronic illness, But You Look Fine is essential reading. Through its pages, Amy Kurtz presents a structured program that will immeasurably enhance your journey toward healing.”

Leo Galland, MD
Bestselling author and board certified internist specializing in the treatment of patients with chronic complex illness

“Amy’s book is ultimately one about righteous sight. She casts light on the millions of lived chronic patient experiences longing for a rewrite, and with her trademark warmth and championship, guides those waiting to leave the shadows of illness. With the intimacy and emboldening of a coaching session and from the authenticity of a fellow warrior, she transforms our inner lens so that it can correct our external world’s vision. Prepare for crystal clear, 20/20 patient empowerment.”

Sara Hirsh Bordo
Award-winning filmmaker and author of Autoimmunity and the Good Girls, wellness activist, and cancer thriver

For so many, the fear of relapse can be a significant hurdle on the road to recovery. But You Look Fine by Amy Kurtz tackles this issue head-on, offering evidence-based strategies to manage anxiety and build resilience. I highly recommend this book to anyone affected by illness–patients and healthcare professionals alike.

Lindsay Tulchin, PhD

“But You Look Fine gives voice to a painful dimension of chronic illness that is rarely acknowledged. Amy Kurtz writes with honesty and great compassion, helping readers feel less alone in their experience. Her words offer understanding, reassurance, and a sense of being met–like a trusted presence walking alongside you.”

Tara Brach
Author of Radical Acceptance and Trusting the Gold

“If chronic illness feels like being at war with oneself, Amy Kurtz offers an answer. Her book, But You Look Fine, is the key for those struggling to find their way back to health. It’s a testament to the power of vulnerability, a call to arms for those fighting unseen battles. This book is a trailblazing read for anyone yearning to break the shackles of illness and move into a future filled with possibility.”

Gabrielle Lyon, DO
New York Times bestselling author of Forever Strong and The Forever Strong PLAYBOOK

“Amy Kurtz shares something in this book that is rarely talked about from the patient’s perspective. It is wise, insightful, fearless, and provides you tools, not just reasons. In a sea of books about well being, if you’ve struggled with illness, grab this one first.”

Shelley Kolton, MD

“With introspection yet fierce spirit, Amy Kurtz navigates the uncharted territory of what whole healing really means.

This book is an essential read for anyone who has stared into the abyss of illness and emerged forever changed. I am so grateful she is bringing this tremendously important perspective of healing outof the shadows and into the light.”

Joel Evans, MD, past Chief of Medical Affairs, the Institute for Functional Medicine