How To Get Back Up When Life Knocks You Down

This is my music studio that caught fire, when I was literally inside recording a song. I got out safe and nobody was hurt, but we lost EVERYTHING inside.

Hey, it's ASKYE here...

Life has a funny way of throwing curveballs, doesn’t it? Some days, everything feels aligned and unstoppable, and then, just like that, it feels like the rug is pulled out from under you. I know this feeling all too well, especially recently. I’ve faced not one, but two huge setbacks in my life: a devastating car accident on December 3rd, that left me with two herniated discs in my lower back and a lot of physical pain, and shortly after, a fire that destroyed my entire music studio on February 2nd at approximetaly 2:30pm. I won't make this post all about me as I am writing this blog post in the hopes of helping someone who is reading it and is struggling but trust me, I’ve felt the weight of hardship lately, and there were days when I thought I might not make it through (espeially with what's been going on lately lol),

But i've been getting up daily and making sure that these setbacks dont keep me down for too long.

Here’s the thing: life isn’t about avoiding the challenges – it’s about how we get back up from these challenges. I’ve learned firsthand that while we can’t control the challenges life throws our way, we can control how we respond. And you can too, I promise.

If you’re facing a tough season right now, I hope my blog post helps you see that no matter how hard it gets, there’s always a way to rise, and we can do it TOGETHER.

Here are some simple, yet practical ways to "get back up" when life "knocks you down". These are the exact ways that i'm following in my life right now as I get through these hardships that life has thrown at me...

1. Give Yourself Permission to Grieve and Feel the Pain

When I first got hurt, I was devastated. I have been an athlete my whole life, so not being able to workout, and having to be on "bed rest" for a while felt extremely weird for me. However I know that it's truly OKAY to have days where I just have to process my emotions and honestly stay home. When my music studio burned down, it felt like everything I’d worked so hard for was gone in an instant. It’s okay to feel the sting of these setbacks. I gave myself space to be upset, to mourn, and to process the shock.

The worst thing we can do when life throws a punch is ignore the hurt. Allowing yourself to feel your emotions isn’t a weakness, it’s part of the healing process. If you're facing a loss or hardship, give yourself permission to sit with it for a while. It's not about dwelling forever, but it’s about acknowledging that pain is real—and it’s okay to feel it. Don't be afraid to cry, scream, and feel the pain of what it is you are going through. You have to allow yourself permission to FEEL this pain, and allow this pain to move through you.

2. Shift Your Mindset: Change “Why Me?” to “What Now?”

I’m not going to sugarcoat it: when I was stuck in that mental “hell,” I asked myself "Why me?" a lot. After all, I’m a full-time artist and a fitness coach—I’m constantly pushing my limits, and yet life still threw me these curveballs. But as much as we want to ask "Why me?" sometimes the better question is "What now?"

Once I shifted my mindset from victimhood to action, I started to see possibilities. The accident had limited my ability to train the way I used to, but it opened the door for me to get creative with my training methods and explore new ways of staying in shape. The studio fire was a huge loss as well, but it reminded me to focus on the things that truly matter in my music career—my craft, my heart, and the connection with my listeners.

When life knocks you down, instead of getting caught in the “Why me?” cycle, ask yourself: “What’s my next step?” Shift the focus from the problem to the solution.

3. Break It Down into Small Steps

When things seem overwhelming, it can feel like you’re standing at the foot of a mountain, unsure how to take the first step. I’ve been there.

Literally what I've noticecd through my set backs is to just take it one day at a time. I didn't plan anything, I just flowed with each moment based on how I was feeling. Write yourself a plan for the days ahead. Small steps are the key. Physically take out a pen and paper and write out your future steps. It seems like such a small thing to do, but I promise it helps.

4. Tap Into Your Support System

When life knocks you down, one of the best things you can do is lean on the people who love and support you. For me, my family, friends, and team were absolutely essential in helping me get through the toughest days. I didn’t have to go through this alone, and neither do you.

Whether it’s your friends, mentors, or even a therapist, reach out and ask for help when you need it. Sometimes, just talking things through with someone who understands can give you a fresh perspective and remind you that you’re not alone in this. Support isn’t just about being cheered on; it’s about showing up for each other in the darkest moments. You are NOT alone, and never will be alone.

I took this photo the day before our studio was torn down. It was extremely hard to see it like this after I'd just been in there recording music daily, the whole week prior.

5. Focus on What You Can Control

In the midst of chaos, it’s easy to feel helpless. When I lost my studio, I couldn’t control the fire, but I could control how I responded. I could decide to keep making music, even if it meant working with fewer resources for a while. I could choose to keep showing up for my community, even if it wasn’t in the way I’d envisioned. I could control my mindset and my actions—everything else, I had to let go of.

One of the most powerful things we can do in hard times is focus on the things we can control. You may not be able to control external circumstances, but you can control how you react to them. What’s within your control today? Is it taking care of your body? Reaching out to a friend? Setting a tiny goal for yourself?

When you focus on what’s within your control, it helps you feel empowered instead of helpless.

6. Remember That Growth Comes from Hardship

The truth is, life’s toughest moments often lead to the greatest growth. As much as I hated being injured and as much as I mourned the loss of my studio, I also learned invaluable lessons during these hard times. I learned resilience. I learned patience. I learned to trust that everything I needed to move forward was already inside me.

Hardship isn’t the end of the story—it’s the beginning of a new chapter. If you're in the middle of a tough season, know that what feels like a setback today can turn into strength tomorrow. It might not seem clear right now, but there is something beautiful that can emerge from this pain if you keep pushing forward.

These are my favorite pair of shoes that I'd worn to the studio the day it caught fire. I thought I would never see these shoes again, but turns out they didn't burn they just had a lot of water damage and smell like smoke (of course lol). So I have them airing out on the deck in my apartment to hopefully "give them life again" lol.

7. Keep the Faith: Believe That Something Better is Coming

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that setbacks are temporary. Life has a way of testing us, but it also has a way of surprising us with something better than we imagined. While it may not always feel like it in the moment, trust that your story isn’t over yet. What you’re going through is a chapter, not the entire book. No matter where you are in your journey, keep believing that something better is on the other side of the struggle. Keep moving forward, and keep the faith that better days are coming.

You’ve Got This.

I know what it’s like to be knocked down and feel like the weight of the world is too much to bear. But I also know what it’s like to rise again, to move forward with strength, resilience, and a new sense of purpose. Life will always throw challenges your way, but you are stronger than you realize.

Take a deep breath, pick yourself up, and keep moving. One step at a time. Because you’ve got this.

I hope this blog has reminded you that it’s okay to stumble, but it’s just as important to rise again. You don’t have to go through this alone—and remember, there’s always a way out of the storm, even if you can’t see it just yet. KEEP GOING!!

CHEERS to a brand new chapter for me and my music. I'm ready.