Electronic Press Kit / Media Kit
Author: Charles McLellan, M.S.W., MBSR Teacher
Book Title: Be Cool To Yourself: A Mindfulness Guide For Survivors
Release Date: February 28, 2026 (E-book) | March 9, 2026 (Print)
The Hook
In a world increasingly focused on mental health, Charles McLellan offers a raw and practical perspective on healing. Serving as the Program Director of the Wellness and Recovery Center North, Charles survived a horrific knife attack that claimed the lives of two of his colleagues. Later, he faced a terminal stage 4 cancer diagnosis. He knows survival firsthand. Dedicated to giving back to humanity, Charles bridges the gap between unimaginable trauma and the inner work required to heal. His approach is not just about wellness; it is a literal survival guide for those looking to reclaim their lives through resilience and self-compassion.
Book Synopsis
Be Cool To Yourself: A Mindfulness Guide For Survivors is a roadmap for anyone who has experienced trauma and is looking for a way back to themselves. Through a blend of personal narrative and evidence-based mindfulness techniques, Charles McLellan explores how to navigate the complexities of emotional recovery. The book provides actionable tools to foster emotional well-being, build resilience, and develop a practice of “being cool” to oneself in a world that often demands the opposite.
About Charles McLellan
Rooted in California, Charles loves connecting with people, traveling and experiencing cultures with his wife Colleen and their dog. His journey is fueled by gratitude. Charles finds inspiration in transforming challenges into feeling like a badass.
Availability & Assets
- Interviews: In-studio (Sacramento area), Remote (Zoom/SquadCast/Riverside), Keynote Speaking.
- Website: becooltoyourself.com
- Social: Instagram (@becooltoyourself), YouTube
- Retailers: Amazon, BookBaby, Barnes & Noble, Apple Books, Kobo
Contact Information
For media inquiries, interview requests, or review copies, please contact:
Charles McLellan
Founder, Be Cool To Yourself LLC
Website: becooltoyourself.com
News Coverage
Media
- The Survivor’s Mindset: Why standard mindfulness is not always enough for trauma survivors and how to adapt practices for safety and healing.
- Finding the Ultimate Resilience: Lessons learned from surviving a deadly workplace attack and a terminal cancer diagnosis.
- Practical Self-Compassion: What it actually means to “be cool to yourself” when facing the echoes of past trauma.
- Mindfulness for the Modern World: Breaking down MBSR into daily habits for busy professionals.
- Giving Back to Humanity: How to find purpose and inspire others after navigating profound personal crises.
- What does it mean to “be cool to yourself,” and why is that so difficult for survivors of trauma?
- You have survived incredibly harrowing experiences, including a knife attack and stage 4 cancer. How did mindfulness play a role in your survival?
- How does your mission to give back to humanity shape the message of this book?
- What is the biggest misconception people have about healing from trauma?
- How can someone start a mindfulness practice today if they feel completely overwhelmed?
Contact Information
For media inquiries, interview requests, or review copies, please contact:
Charles McLellan
Founder, Be Cool To Yourself LLC
Website: becooltoyourself.com