When she felt she’d had enough, she gave up her auditing job in 2010 to follow her lifelong dream, that of opening a bakery.

It was absolute bliss in the beginning until things took an unfortunate turn and the business faltered. By 2013, she was forced to cut her losses and close her bakery.

She was devastated to say the least.

Her years-long road to recovery has since led to her writing “From Hero to Zero: How to Cope with Emotional Roller Coasters and Thrive.”

Her first ever publication, this self-help book is meant to encourage readers, especially women, to keep their chins up even in the face of defeat.

Despite containing a hefty sixty-four chapters, the book is surprisingly condense, with each chapter consisting of a few passages each.

The brevity is perfect for modern-day readers with short attention spans. More importantly though, the content offers food for thought.

Timeless and useful advice about life, and how to overcome its challenges are slipped between the pages as are empty pages meant for a reader’s own reflection and usage.

Speaking with FMT Lifestyle, the first-time author touched on the devastating loss of her business.

“I actually lost everything, literally everything,” she said tearfully. “I was at rock bottom for the first time in my life.

“From Hero to Zero”, she said, was a recollection of her decade-long journey of crawling up and away from the disaster zone.

“It is based on my personal experience of not having anything to begin with,” she said, adding that the title reflects her dire situation back then.

While many self-help books focus on how the average person achieves their dreams, Suzana’s focuses on what to do when you tumble down from the peak of your life.

According to her, she thought that nothing could ever go wrong when she opened her business; only to be proven wrong shortly after.

“No matter how positive or optimistic you are, things happen. The question is how you cope with it.”

While this is her first published work, Suzana said she has always written in journals, especially when stressed.

That is the reason behind the empty pages between chapters. She said she dealt with her emotions by writing, so perhaps others may find the same comfort.

“Whatever a reader thinks, whatever they may feel, they can put it in here and be a writer as well,” she said.

According to Suzana, she wants to spread hope with her book, reminding people that not all is lost even in difficult times. The book, she said, was written in a way that encourages readers to look at their own life and consider their next steps.

“Everyone has their own story to tell. No matter how troubled your life may be, you can still get back up. But it takes time and courage.”

It is equally important to balance being content with what you have while working to improve your situation, she said.

Thankfully, with the help of family and friends, Suzana is back on her feet emotionally and financially. “That is why this book and I are here,” she joked.

While “From Hero to Zero” has been in the works for over a decade, it was only in the last three years that Suzana found the motivation to finish it.

“Writing it was not really a big deal,” she said, adding that it was staying committed to the book and finding an editor that was a challenge.

Ultimately, the realisation that she could help lift the spirits of other readers drove her to pursue its publication.

Suzana said the book was dedicated to her parents, who gave her their unconditional support, especially during the more difficult years in her life.

“This is for them. I am redeeming myself.”

‘From Hero to Zero’ can be purchased here.