What happens when rejection isn’t a person telling you no—but life itself pushing back?
We talk a lot about rejection from others—failed pitches, book rejections, heartbreak. But what about the times when rejection comes in unexpected forms? When your body, mental health, or circumstances force you to hit pause, even when you desperately want to keep going?
In this solo episode, I get real about my own recent setbacks—curveballs that have thrown my 2025 goals off track. I dive into:
✔ Why our brains catastrophize setbacks and how to reframe the fear of “losing it all”
✔ How to find momentum when you’re exhausted (without pushing yourself too hard)
✔ Why rest is actually productive—and what elite athletes can teach us about taking a step back
✔ What you can control when everything feels out of control
If you’ve ever felt like life was rejecting your plans, this episode is for you.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction – When Life Says No
03:30 Why Setbacks Feel Like Rejection
08:10 The Brain Science of Catastrophizing
12:45 How to Keep Moving (Even If It’s Imperfect)
17:20 The Power of Rest & Letting Go
21:00 What You Can Control in Uncertain Times
26:00 Final Thoughts & Personal Reflection
📩 Let’s Connect:
Have you felt like life has been rejecting your plans lately? How are you keeping going? I’d love to hear from you!
💌 Email me: media@hustlingwriters.com
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