Not Alone

From Bullied Teen to Bestseller: Aija Mayrock’s Incredible Comeback Story

Apr 22, 2025

58:43

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In this week’s episode, Valeria sits down with poet, author, and activist Aija Mayrock for a powerful conversation about healing, identity, and how we reclaim our voice after trauma. Aija opens up about being bullied for eight years, living with speech impediments, and how writing a book as a teenager saved her life. She shares her journey from self-publishing to becoming a bestselling author, performing spoken word at Madison Square Garden, and ultimately finding empowerment through creative expression. Valeria and Aija also unpack the pressures of growing up in immigrant families, what it means to choose life after darkness, and how reconnecting with Jewish identity transformed Aija’s mission. They speak candidly about confidence, judgment, legacy, and the complex dynamic between women in today’s world. Plus, Valeria exclusively chats with Aija about her romance with Nuseir from Nas Daily.

Follow Aija: https://www.instagram.com/aijamayrock/

Aija’s books: https://www.aijamayrock.com/books

Items mentioned:

The Shvestsers: https://www.instagram.com/theshvesters/ (Yiddish singing sisters)

The Choice by Edith Eger: https://a.co/d/4rl6bSP

New Earth by Eckhart Tolle: https://a.co/d/9odFZs9

Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl: https://a.co/d/aMFPumw

Follow me: https://www.instagram.com/valerialipovetsky/

Shop my look from this episode: https://shopmy.us/collections/1437523

What we talked about:

01:07 Aija Mayrock: Writing a book at 16 after years of bullying

07:12 Valeria on invisibility, insecurity, and showing up