On October 3rd, 2023, Alja was suddenly hospitalized, unable to speak, her body paralyzed and in shock.

What began as confusion and fear turned into a deep confrontation with her values, identity, and voice (…) quite literally.

"It felt like I was drunk and had a hangover at the same time," she says.
"I realized this is not good. And then, lying on the hospital bed, it hit me: I might never be the same again."

But instead of trying to get back to who she was, Alja chose to become someone new. Through stillness, silence, and eventually sound she started telling stories, reclaiming power through podcasting, DJing, and live events rooted in presence and emotional truth.

This episode opens with a Gandhi quote about how beliefs shape destiny and flows through trauma, self-inquiry, and creative rebirth. Alja’s story is a powerful Firestarters reminder: transformation doesn’t start when we’re ready, it often starts when everything else falls apart.

Like a phoenix, she rose not from victory, but from ashes fueled by the fire within.