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The Upside of Down: A Survivor's Guide to Turning Setbacks into Success
The Upside of Down
is a powerful true story of resilience, as John Ulsh recounts his journey from a catastrophic accident and a near-hopeless prognosis to overcoming immense physical and emotional challenges—offering readers an inspiring roadmap to rebuilding their lives, embracing adversity, and reclaiming their personal power.
One December afternoon, John Ulsh and his family were laughing and looking forward to picking out the perfect Christmas tree. Then—impact. Metal twisted, glass shattered, and life as he knew it was torn apart. The next thing John remembers is waking up in a hospital bed from a coma.
John and his family were hit head-on in a collision with a combined impact of 125 mph. Given less than a 3 percent chance of survival, he spent weeks in a coma, months in hospitals and rehabs, and years in recovery. With his body shattered, he endured more than forty-five surgeries, relentless pain, and a long road to rebuilding both his body and mind—refusing to let tragedy define him.
The Upside of Down is more than a story of survival—it’s a roadmap for resilience. Through raw storytelling and actionable strategies, John shares the principles that helped him move beyond survival and rebuild his life.
Readers will learn how
? Understand the real source of your struggles—because the surface problem is rarely the true obstacle.
? Create a written plan—a roadmap that keeps you moving forward even when motivation fades.
? Take the first step—because change doesn’t happen until you do something about it.
? Fall in love with the process—because real growth isn’t just about reaching the goal; it’s about who you become along the way.
? Turn setbacks into stepping stones—by reframing challenges as opportunities for growth.
? Build unshakable consistency—because success isn’t about motivation; it’s about showing up every day.
? Surround themselves with the right people—because no one overcomes adversity alone.
? Shift from external validation to personal fulfillment—because true success is measured by inner growth, not outside approval.
This book will challenge you to confront what holds you back, inspire you to take action, and remind you that each day is a gift—don’t wait to live it.
One December afternoon, John Ulsh and his family were laughing and looking forward to picking out the perfect Christmas tree. Then—impact. Metal twisted, glass shattered, and life as he knew it was torn apart. The next thing John remembers is waking up in a hospital bed from a coma.
John and his family were hit head-on in a collision with a combined impact of 125 mph. Given less than a 3 percent chance of survival, he spent weeks in a coma, months in hospitals and rehabs, and years in recovery. With his body shattered, he endured more than forty-five surgeries, relentless pain, and a long road to rebuilding both his body and mind—refusing to let tragedy define him.
The Upside of Down is more than a story of survival—it’s a roadmap for resilience. Through raw storytelling and actionable strategies, John shares the principles that helped him move beyond survival and rebuild his life.
Readers will learn how
? Understand the real source of your struggles—because the surface problem is rarely the true obstacle.
? Create a written plan—a roadmap that keeps you moving forward even when motivation fades.
? Take the first step—because change doesn’t happen until you do something about it.
? Fall in love with the process—because real growth isn’t just about reaching the goal; it’s about who you become along the way.
? Turn setbacks into stepping stones—by reframing challenges as opportunities for growth.
? Build unshakable consistency—because success isn’t about motivation; it’s about showing up every day.
? Surround themselves with the right people—because no one overcomes adversity alone.
? Shift from external validation to personal fulfillment—because true success is measured by inner growth, not outside approval.
This book will challenge you to confront what holds you back, inspire you to take action, and remind you that each day is a gift—don’t wait to live it.
224 pages, Hardcover
Published October 7, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 18, 2025
“When you have no choice but to push forward, you find a strength you never knew existed.”
In “The Upside of Down,” John Ulsh has adeptly blended memoir and self-help genres. “Part I: The Accident and Recovery” comprises two-thirds of the page count, chronicling the author’s physical, mental, and spiritual recovery from a horrific auto collision involving him, his wife, and two young children. “Part II: The 8 Pillars to Turn Setbacks into Success” is a blueprint for personal growth, derived from an incredible yearslong journey to recovery.
As Ulsh recounts the medical and psychological aftermath of his accident, one word springs to mind: “raw.” This is an unvarnished account of one man’s physical pain. The author paints a vivid, visceral portrait of suffering, self-doubt, and a seemingly never-ending array of adverse medical surprises.
Through his journey between hospital, skilled care, and rehabilitation facilities, Ulsh grapples with an identity crisis. What becomes of a competitive runner who’s told there’s an 85% chance he’ll lose his leg? “I felt like a ghost in my own body.” “I wasn’t a person anymore. I was a case file. A project.”
While Ulsh repeatedly demonstrates resolve throughout his recovery, his greatest inflection point arrives two and a half years after his accident. After his tearful daughter laments the loss of a father who used to play soccer with her, Ulsh quits rehab the next day in favor of his local YMCA gym. In its weight room, he embraces the satisfaction of self-induced pain, supplanting the external pain that has been forced upon him for years.
Growing affection for friends and facilities at his newfound “refuge” leads Ulsh to join the YMCA board. He sculpts an enviable torso and starts competing in Spartan races. His story gleans national attention, including a feature in Men’s Fitness and a Good Morning America appearance. It’s a satisfying denouement for a man who, in previous chapters, confessed that “trying to sit up was the most physically grueling thing I had ever done.”
The latter third of “The Upside of Down” affords a useful framework for individuals wishing to transform. Some of the content is reminiscent of Stephen R. Covey’s "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" and other self-improvement books, but other elements are rather unique. Of particular note: Ulsh’s technique of asking yourself “why” five times when you feel stuck in a given situation. Doing so enables differentiation between proximate cause(s) and the ultimate cause of what’s truly ailing you.
On the surface, the “8 Pillars” are designed to help readers achieve goals in the vein of the author’s own recovery—e.g., “if you want to be fit, if you want to succeed in business,” etc. Adhering to them would certainly benefit those seeking to rebound from a physical or professional setback. But the reader shouldn’t let Ulsh’s practical wisdom overshadow the spiritual truths sprinkled throughout his narrative. Chief among them: life gains greater purpose and meaning when you’re serving your family and community. In the author’s words, “Your journey isn’t measured by the goals you achieve—it’s forged by who you become along the way.”
In “The Upside of Down,” John Ulsh has adeptly blended memoir and self-help genres. “Part I: The Accident and Recovery” comprises two-thirds of the page count, chronicling the author’s physical, mental, and spiritual recovery from a horrific auto collision involving him, his wife, and two young children. “Part II: The 8 Pillars to Turn Setbacks into Success” is a blueprint for personal growth, derived from an incredible yearslong journey to recovery.
As Ulsh recounts the medical and psychological aftermath of his accident, one word springs to mind: “raw.” This is an unvarnished account of one man’s physical pain. The author paints a vivid, visceral portrait of suffering, self-doubt, and a seemingly never-ending array of adverse medical surprises.
Through his journey between hospital, skilled care, and rehabilitation facilities, Ulsh grapples with an identity crisis. What becomes of a competitive runner who’s told there’s an 85% chance he’ll lose his leg? “I felt like a ghost in my own body.” “I wasn’t a person anymore. I was a case file. A project.”
While Ulsh repeatedly demonstrates resolve throughout his recovery, his greatest inflection point arrives two and a half years after his accident. After his tearful daughter laments the loss of a father who used to play soccer with her, Ulsh quits rehab the next day in favor of his local YMCA gym. In its weight room, he embraces the satisfaction of self-induced pain, supplanting the external pain that has been forced upon him for years.
Growing affection for friends and facilities at his newfound “refuge” leads Ulsh to join the YMCA board. He sculpts an enviable torso and starts competing in Spartan races. His story gleans national attention, including a feature in Men’s Fitness and a Good Morning America appearance. It’s a satisfying denouement for a man who, in previous chapters, confessed that “trying to sit up was the most physically grueling thing I had ever done.”
The latter third of “The Upside of Down” affords a useful framework for individuals wishing to transform. Some of the content is reminiscent of Stephen R. Covey’s "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" and other self-improvement books, but other elements are rather unique. Of particular note: Ulsh’s technique of asking yourself “why” five times when you feel stuck in a given situation. Doing so enables differentiation between proximate cause(s) and the ultimate cause of what’s truly ailing you.
On the surface, the “8 Pillars” are designed to help readers achieve goals in the vein of the author’s own recovery—e.g., “if you want to be fit, if you want to succeed in business,” etc. Adhering to them would certainly benefit those seeking to rebound from a physical or professional setback. But the reader shouldn’t let Ulsh’s practical wisdom overshadow the spiritual truths sprinkled throughout his narrative. Chief among them: life gains greater purpose and meaning when you’re serving your family and community. In the author’s words, “Your journey isn’t measured by the goals you achieve—it’s forged by who you become along the way.”
April 7, 2026
What an incredible story! I know there are plenty of people who COULD have written a book like this - people who have overcome astounding odds and come back stronger, etc. But to my mind, there are very few who care as much about how their story can help others as John seems to care. He's the real deal.
While his retelling of the events leading up to the crash, his hospitalization, recovery and such are interesting in their own right, the real power in this book comes from his application of what he's learned to the reader's life. It's his STORY, but the book actually about YOU, and how YOU can make a strong comeback in your OWN life, no matter what the circumstances.
I thought it was a fantastic read, and it's now a book that I highly recommend!
While his retelling of the events leading up to the crash, his hospitalization, recovery and such are interesting in their own right, the real power in this book comes from his application of what he's learned to the reader's life. It's his STORY, but the book actually about YOU, and how YOU can make a strong comeback in your OWN life, no matter what the circumstances.
I thought it was a fantastic read, and it's now a book that I highly recommend!
June 8, 2025
This book isn’t just about surviving tragedy. It’s about choosing how we show up when life doesn’t go according to plan and how the very pain we’d never ask for can become the foundation for impact, purpose, and resilience
This is a must-read for anyone navigating the messy middle—the in-between season where healing, rebuilding, and dreaming again all collide.
Favorite quote:
“Sometimes God uses our greatest heartbreak to write our greatest testimony.”
If you’ve ever felt like your world cracked wide open… this book might be the start of something powerful.
January 23, 2026
What an amazing, inspirational story! I love that he turned something terrible into so much good!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews