Resilience is often the x-factor that differentiates between mild and wild success. The stories of most of the wildly successful folks in our community have exhibit an extreme degree of resilience and we’ve come to believe that if our goal is to help our community achieve great outcomes we have to help build resources and knowledge around how one can become more resilient.
Tiana Ferrell
I have become resilient due to being born with a limb difference. I learned at an early age how to process trauma, handle adversity, love myself, and embrace change. Read more>>
Krista Hovsepian
I think my resilience grew naturally over time. From ancestral trauma, to financial hardship, to bullying at school and multiple near-death experiences, I’ve had to pull myself up from the depths of darkness many times. While it’s incredibly important to grieve and honor our feelings, there comes a point where you have to ask yourself if sitting in victimhood is going to propel you forward or not. Read more>>
Bridgette Richard
I was raised by my father, a hall of famer track and field coach. I was never allowed to Quit or do just enough to pass. I’ve always strived to do the absolute best at all things. I set my mind to. It was instilled in me at an early age it’s better to try and fail than fail to try. Even if I fall I believe it gives me a fresh start to come back even better. “. The harder I fall the higher I bounce back’ Read more>>
Laura Lemonade
If I am speaking frankly, I have not always felt resilient. Resilience comes through lots of failure. But resilience to me is a smallwhisper of hope inside of you that this is not the end for you. You might have failed and felt like you fell flat on your face when trying something new, but I always try and remember, ” This too shall pass.” Our situations are temporary, but our spirits are permanent. Read more>>
Catherine Cox
Having serious & chronic health problems since the Spring of 2001 has taught me to be resilient over time. Suffering through each health episode for months and throughout the times of recovery- the requirement was to stand up, brush myself off-and to start over from scratch to begin anew. Read more>>
Sarah Malone
My resilience comes from passion and a desire to ultimately fulfil my calling no matter the circumstances or attempts to knock me off of my path. They also come from experience in hardships, challenges and many heartaches that have only strengthened my resilience. This also comes from an immensely close relationship with God and how He continues to provide courage and strength for me. Read more>>
Jules Kramer
I had some tough breaks as a kid that felt like the end of the world at the time. I searched for meaning and happiness and considered my self a hopeless romantic about life in general. When I was about 16, my world came crashing down and I remember my mother telling me to look for the silver lining. Read more>>
Andrea Harris- Walker
I’ve always been deeply ingrained in the world of sports, having dedicated myself to basketball and track and field from a young age. In ninth grade, USC spotlighted me in their Say No Classic League, dubbing me “freshman taking over the league” in an article that marked a pivotal moment in my athletic journey. Read more>>
Chantrise Sims Holliman, EdD
My resilience comes from having no other choice. Had you asked me this question before 2018, I would have said something like “from my parents” or “from my grandparents” and then launched into a history lesson about my ancestry. But in 2018, after surviving a widow-maker heart attack, becoming partially paralyzed from the waist down, and a bilateral lower limb amputee, all at the age of 45, resilience became the means by which I was going to reclaim my life. Read more>>
Shima Razipour
I am a full-time Realtor in the South Bay. I work as a Buyer and Listing Specialist part of a prestigious real estate team of 15 agents. We offer our clients a variety of strengths and even speak a multitude of languages. Outside of my career as a Realtor, I own an AIRBNB in Lake Havasu and am also a social media manager for several local companies. Read more>>
Monica Bhatnagar
My mom. She’s tough as hell. I’ve watched her overcome many difficulties in her life, especially in the past few years. She has handled adversity with grace, and determination, and I like to think that I have inherited some of her strength. Read more>>
Snehee Chaplot
I think it comes from three things: Read more>>
Darien Hall
I was fortunate enough to see resilience first hand while growing up. I watched my parents and other family members doing whatever it took to provide. My parents worked multiple jobs and typically rotated shifts at home. At the time I didn’t fully understand because we had food, shelter and our needs were always met. Read more>>
Sasha Gustafson
My resilience is rooted in a collection of experiences and values that have profoundly shaped my journey. Leaving my job at a bakery to pursue my own path in cake decorating wasn’t about giving up, but a conscious choice to break creative boundaries and follow my aspirations. Becoming a mother marked a transformative moment when resilience took on an entirely new meaning for me. Read more>>
Hannah G
When I was 20 I suffered a traumatic brain injury. I had to drop out of school because I couldn’t focus, my brain couldn’t connect words so reading became too difficult, and I was exhausted all the time. My emotions were constantly at the surface, waiting for my body and mind to become tired to the point of breaking down and crying no matter where I was or what was happening around me. Read more>>
Danielle Tuwano
As a wife, mom, and entrepreneur I draw resilience from a multitude of sources. Firstly, my role as a wife provides me with a strong support system and a partner who encourages and uplifts me during challenging times. Secondly, my role as a mom instills within me a deep sense of responsibility and determination to create a better future for my children. Read more>>
Ché Grant
Growing up, I was blessed to have two parents that both had the strength to overcame adversity to create success in both their personal and professional lives. Read more>>
Cliff Shiepe
Resilience is not a goal in and of itself. It is the byproduct of committing to finding a solution while enduring adversity. The result of taking action with the belief that there is a purpose in the struggle. And that we will be given what we need when we need it. Read more>>
Rickia Taylor
I get my resilience by always staying focused on the bigger picture. I understand that failures may come, but I choose to change my perspective by; knowing it was a lesson that I needed to get me to where I am going. Focusing on the end goal allows me to keep going even when the going gets tough. Read more>>
Alison Hamil
I think one of the most challenging things about being a creative is the unpredictable nature of self-employment. It can be really frightening to be in a position where you don’t have a stable source of income and all the perks that come with a 9-5 job. Read more>>
Bridget Covill
My resilience came from walking through pain and learning to use that pain to serve others! I have a story of teen pregnancy, overcoming addiction to alcohol and anxiety, and a journey of awakening. Each time I was met with resistance, I knew that resilience was the key to moving through it. Read more>>
Karen Denise Alston
After going through the healing process, I discovered that resilience played a significant role in my journey toward regaining my sense of self-worth, rebuilding my life, and moving forward. It empowered me to effectively cope with the emotional, psychological, and physical challenges that arose from experiencing domestic violence. I focused on several aspects to develop resilience, such as practicing self-care, building a support system, developing coping strategies, and setting boundaries. Read more>>
Jaclyn Gallo
When I was 7 years old, I learned the meaning of the word regret. My dad and I were running errands when he pointed to a brick building and said, “See that store? I almost bought it 15 years ago. I was going to open a deli and seafood market, but my father talked me out of it. I had young girls at home, and it was too much of a risk.” Read more>>
Erica King
I think I have always had the capability to withstand difficulties. Perhaps it is related to my ability to look beyond the present challenges and focus on possibilities that equip me with the ability to bounce back to recover to rely on my inner strength. I can recall during my time filming the Torrid Model Search series that, whether it was the productions plans or the attitudes of individuals, I was put through what one would seem to associate with a sorority hazing. Read more>>
Bianca Dukesherer
t’s funny to answer this question, looking back on everything I’ve overcome. I’m smiling to myself as I write this because whether it be personal, professional or spiritual, I feel I’ve been through some tough sh*t. One of the first things I hear from people (and also feel energetically) is the surprise that I’ve dealt with anything. Read more>>
Pedramin Vaziri
As an Iranian immigrant, I find my resilience by reflecting on the stark contrast between the opportunities I have in America and the challenges faced by women in Iran. Recognizing the privilege I enjoy in this environment, with access to numerous opportunities and freedoms, serves as a powerful reminder of the need to keep pushing forward and never give up. It’s a source of motivation to make the most of what I have been granted and to contribute to a world where everyone can have access to similar opportunities and rights. Read more>>
Lisa More LeeAnn Widyn
We both (Lisa and LeeAnn) have our roots in the wedding industry. We have spent over 20 years in the industry. LeeAnn as a wedding photographer and Lisa as a wedding planner. The industry is constantly changing and we both just inherently knew that if we were going to survive, then we would have to reinvent ourselves and our way of doing business to keep up with the current climate. Read more>>
Mikayle Lowery
My resilience stems from the various life experiences that have shaped my reality, such as encountering situations that have forced me to go within and concentrate on the problem to withstand the storm. Such as living through a post-pandemic phase, which continuously requires me to adapt, pivot, and challenge myself to transcend moments of uncertainty. Read more>>
Amanda Marks
My resilience comes from myself and working through and overcoming challenges and trauma that have I have encountered during my life. I believe I’m a determined individual and I can be stubborn at times, so that’s given me the grit I needed to not give up or give in. I’ve encountered many challenges professionally and personally have experienced significant losses and while these were incredibly difficult and challenging events, I did not give up. I continued on my path and was able to bounce back or move in a direction that I needed to move in. Read more>>
Daryl Sandak
This is a hard hitting question. Resiliency is the skill I am most proud of. It’s amazing what you can accomplish when you are faced with no other option. Read more>>
Destiny Soria
I think I get it from my Kickapoo ancestors. I have their blood in me, in my veins. I was born resilient. Also, from my mother. My mother was a warrior, never giving up on what she believed in and what she knew was right. Like her, I don’t give up. If I know what’s the truth and the righteous way of the path, I will fight for it, no matter what the cost. I will never give up fighting to win my power back, my freedom back, my reputation, and my beliefs. Read more>>
Ivan Plucci
Resilience has been a part of my core since my early childhood. My parents were the proud owners of a small business, and I often help them after school and during weekends. Through their journey, I had a front-row seat to both their struggles and their well-earned victories. This experience instilled in me the invaluable lesson of perseverance, teaching me to never back down easily and to work hard to pursuing my goals. Read more>>
Stacy Newton
Resilience, that inner wellspring of strength and fortitude, is a quality that often emerges from a combination of personal experiences, mindset, and support systems. As a writer, my resilience is drawn from various sources, each contributing to my ability to weather the storms and keep pushing forward in the face of challenges. Here are some of the key wellsprings of my resilience. I use my life experiences. Read more>>
Joy King
The need for seeing what’s next, living life without regrets complied with not being a quitter is where I get my resilience from. Plus if I quit now, I’ll be homeless as this is my only source of income! Read more>>
Karissa Cullett
My resilience stems from my upbringing, which wasn’t always marked by bravery, but a strong desire to be distinct. I immersed myself in the world of theater, where I learned to embrace rejection as a part of the journey. Overcoming challenges was never easy, but the word ‘no’ never deterred me from pursuing my aspirations. Read more>>
Amelia Vereen
My faith in God is where my resilience comes from. Although I have faced a lot of challenges in having a business I always strive to never give up or lose sight of why I started this business in the first place. Read more>>
Toni McCord
I learned about resilience from my dad. He immigrated to the United States without a clear plan, yet he managed to build a pretty remarkable life. He always told me to have faith in myself and to never doubt my abilities, even when things got tough or when others tried to make me question myself. Because of this, I’m the kind of person who enjoys pushing boundaries and that’s led to some pretty exciting experiences. Read more>>
Annalisa Giolo Dunker
From my “why”. I get my resilience from the protagonists of all my songs, videos and artwork: nature, animals, our precious Earth. Resilience comes from my will to speak up, to give a voice to those who don’t have one (or are not listened to). Read more>>
James Talambas
Resilience emanates from my deep-rooted passion for the arts and how the arts shape a person’s empathy and perspective of other peoples challenges. I have an incessant curiosity and desire to explore the boundaries of art, technology, and how those cross with human perspective, these have enabled me to face challenges head-on and adapt. Every art piece, every creative experiment is a way to pivot, learn, and grow, always looking ahead. Read more>>
Rosemary Orozco
I often wonder if I was born with resilience, or if I adopted it along the way. Perhaps it’s just good old-fashioned stubbornness, but when I set my sights on something, I refuse to let circumstances or setbacks define me. Read more>>
Michelle Evans
Truly, I think I got my resilience from my mom. My parents went through a very messy, very long divorce when I was around 12. Up until that point, my mom had been a stay at home mom, homeschooling myself and my three brothers for the first 6-8 years of our lives. Read more>>
Tiffynee Terry-Thomas
Resilience, often defined as the capacity to endure and rebound swiftly from adversity, is a remarkable quality that finds its wellspring in the promises of God made to me. Throughout my life, I’ve faced numerous challenges, yet none more daunting than my battle against the specter of death. In 2010, I received a devastating diagnosis of congestive heart failure, with my heart’s function languishing at a mere 14%. Read more>>
Amelia Castellanos
My resilience can be traced back to the wellspring of inspiration and strength that flows through the stories of two remarkable individuals who left this world way too soon. Read more>>
