Behind the music and the late nights, there’s often a deeper story unfolding: one of identity, self-worth, and the slow realization that what once felt like freedom now feels like misalignment.
In this artist interview, Miami-based DJ, Felizeta, opens up about her transition out of her party girl era, into a more intentional, grounded way of living. Through this shift, she was able to redefine her relationship with music, but most importantly with herself.
DR.KYSE: You used to live a lifestyle that no longer fulfills you, but many people in the scene still proudly enjoy. At what point did it stop feeling like fun? What was your turning point?
Felizeta: I used to live that lifestyle for around 3 years nonstop. There was a time where I realized how deep into darkness I got. I started realizing how poor my life was, in terms of body, mental health, personal development and business terms. I could feel how contaminated my aura and my energy was. I got to a point where I could feel other people’s bad energy and spirits bothering me; I was weak. I decided to go to a lady for spiritual help. I got to her office and I told her of the places I used to expose myself every weekend and she cleansed my spirit… because that’s what happens when you destroy your aura with substances mainly; you are more vulnerable for bad energies to come inside of you. I think she saved my life.
DR.KYSE: It’s amazing that you took the initiative to find someone to help you on your redirection journey. After that healing experience, what was the first shift you noticed that made you realize that you had truly changed?
Felizeta: I can say, it was definitely a process. I found myself able to say NO when I was out. It’s not just about substances, it’s about your surroundings too… learning how to say NO to invitations that won’t contribute to your happiness, won’t make you feel comfortable, or won’t fulfill your soul.
DR.KYSE: When you look back at that version of yourself in your party girl era, what do you feel she was trying to fill, cope with, or find?
Felizeta: When I look at her I can definitely tell that she didn’t know how to love herself, she didn’t accept herself, she was insecure and she didn’t know what she wanted for her life. She definitely thought she was free by that moment and it was exactly the opposite.
DR.KYSE: What does self-love look like for you now in your everyday life? How can you tell the difference now between something that feels like “freedom” versus something that is actually pulling you away from yourself?
Felizeta: I love this question. Self-love means you recognize your value; when you respect yourself, so will other people. It is an inner personal journey. It doesn’t happen from one day to another, but what can happen fast is changing your mentality and taking action. Once start loving yourself, you are not going to allow anyone to make you feel bad or less than. You won’t expose yourself to uncomfortable situations or places that are not good for you. You won’t to ruin your body and health; and you won’t surround yourself with people that can take you down, or with people who don’t put action and love into their own life.
DR.KYSE: Did stepping back from that lifestyle affect how you see yourself as a DJ or creative? Did it change your sound, your sets, or your intention behind playing?
Felizeta: By that time, I didn’t even know I was going to be a DJ. I might have thought about it, but since I was lost, there was nothing I could have brought to fruition at that time. The only positive way I think about that era is how my ears got trained with the type of sounds I like. Now being on the DJ side, I know which sounds make me dance and feel lots of things, like when I was on the dancefloor.
DR.KYSE: Isn’t it mind-blowing sometimes that even our low-points in life compound into transferable lessons and skills? Even though you were lost at the time, your ears were being trained and your taste was building. Personally, when I started DJing I thought I would focus only on hard techno, but the more I explored, house, hypnotic techno, and hardgroove felt more aligned with who I am now.
Felizeta: Absolutely Dr.Kyse! Every low-points or situations you face in life are a lesson. Hopefully you move forward and learn from it, otherwise you will repeat the same patterns until you learn your lesson. And yes, you always have to get the best out of everything bad. There is always a lesson for you. In my case, I started liking peak time techno, then hard techno, after hardgroove and now I’m more into hypnotic techno as well.
DR.KYSE: Is your current sound an integration of that past version of you and the present version of you, or does it represent a completely new chapter?
Felizeta: I think it represents a completely new chapter given that when I discovered hypnotic techno style I was already “clean” and really focused. We as DJs are always discovering and experimenting with sounds but this is definitely a new chapter.
DR.KYSE: A new chapter sometimes means a clean-sweep of old habits AND peoplee. Did your relationships change when you started this new chapter? Did anyone struggle to meet you where you were evolving?
Felizeta: Absolutely. Every time you change to a better version of yourself, not everybody can go on that train with you. You start realizing that some people are just not aligned with you, with what you want, or with how you want to live your life, and that’s fine. You used to share the type of moments that now, do not fulfill your soul; and that was all they could provide to you. If anyone struggle, it was me, by leaving behind people that I loved, not only for my personal growth, but also for my music career.
DR.KYSE: It really is difficult to leave people you love behind, even if they no longer align. What helped you accept that loving someone doesn’t always mean continuing to walk the same path as them? And how did you navigate the grief, the guilt, or even the loneliness that can come with outgrowing people?
Felizeta: Deep question… I can say that the only thing that saved me or actually gave me the strength to make these better decisions was my self-love. That means even if you love anyone or anything with all your heart, you put yourself first. Many people see that as being selfish, but only the ones that love themselves are the ones that could understand this. I also learned that we cannot change people. Sometimes they can evolve and sometimes they won’t.
DR.KYSE: Yes, and regardless, it’s the most important thing that you choose yourself. You’re future self will thank you for going through the challenging transition. For someone currently deep in that lifestyle but starting to feel drained… What would you want them to know?
Felizeta: That there is eventually something from them or their lives that they are not accepting. The sooner they get conscious about that, the faster they will get out, and that is the first step. Those moments are not real happiness. Real happiness becomes when you are free, when nothing and no one can dominate you. And you can still enjoy the music, but in a healthier way.
DR.KYSE: Exactly. The self control leads to self love and true happiness. For someone who isn’t ready to fully step away yet, what’s one small mindset shift that helped you reconnect to center?
Felizeta: I thought I was already my best version but I recently discovered, through a mentorship program I’m doing, that there are many aspects that I could be better at. Changing my mindset changed my life. I was comfortable, and I learned that getting uncomfortable is what will take you far. When you change your mindset, and you start getting uncomfortable in a good way, you will see how your life will change and you will be amazed.
DR.KYSE: So with this new mindset, who are you becoming outside of the party, and outside of the music scene? Are you still having fun? Are you happy?
Felizeta: I am happier than ever in my life. Once you change your old chip and you install the new mindset chip, everything changes. Nowadays I am focusing a lot on wellness, and that makes me really happy. For me, success is not just money, money comes and goes, but mind, body and your surroundings are the most important thing today.
DR.KYSE: What daily habits or choices help you stay connected to this happier and healthier version of yourself? When life gets overwhelming or you feel pulled back toward old patterns, what grounds you and reminds you of who you’ve become?
Felizeta: Definitely waking up around 6:30am and reading around 7am at least for 15 minutes. I’ll read something about success, about millionaire minds, or about personal growth/development. Also working out 5 days a week, even when I don’t feel like it, even when I’m tired or not in my best mood. Exercise automatically elevates my energy and gives me more clarity for new ideas and projects. I’ve never been so consistent in my life ever before and now my life, body and mind are better than ever.
DR.KYSE: Thank you so much for sharing this side of you with us Felizeta. Is there anything you’re currently working on or recently released and want to share?
Felizeta: I have recently released my first EP Echoes In Steam and I’m currently working on my next one. I feel excited about this because every time I’m on Ableton, I discover new things and feel closer to developing what I truly want to express.
DR.KYSE: Where can people find you and your work online?
Felizeta: You can find me everywhere as Felizeta, I mainly post on Instagram but platforms such as Youtube and Soundcloud will start getting more content too. I feel I can help a lot of people improve in many aspects of their life and I have recently discovered that makes me really happy and fulfills me.
Behind every artist is a story that doesn’t always make it to the dancefloor. These conversations are a reminder that sustainability, identity, and mental health are just as important as the music itself. Stay tuned for the next artist interview 🙂 Check out the last artist interview if you haven’t already.