Sometimes just seeing resilience can change out mindset and unlock our own resilience. That’s our hope with the Portraits of Resilience series – we hope the stories below will inspire you to tap into your own resilience.
Uwaila Osemwota-Oronsaye
I can definitely say that I get my resilience from my parents. My immigrant parents migrated to America seeking a better life for themselves and for their future kids. Their unwavering determination, facing adversity in a foreign land, has become the backbone of my own resilience. The sacrifices my parents have made has also been a prime factor for my perseverance, reminding me that challenges are conquerable, and dreams are attainable. Read more>>
Danielle Hollingsworth
Where does resilience come from?” This seemingly simple question holds immense weight, especially for those who have weathered life’s fiercest storms. For me, the answer lies in a potent blend of inner strength and unwavering support. Read more>>
Kim Perrin
Without a doubt, I learned my resilience from my mom. When I was 20 years old she was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. For me, it was devastating to say the least. I didn’t know how I was going to go on if she wasn’t by my side. At that time, life just seemed completely hopeless; and that was just for me- I can only imagine what she was going through! Read more>>
Marisa Avelar
I get my resilience from my ancestors and from the love and support of my family and friends. I oftentimes look to my history, my family, my grandparents, my parents, my roots and the people who came before me, who set an example for me of how to be resilient. Read more>>
Melissa Gilman
I would say I learned resilience at a very young age of 10 when I lost my mom to cancer. This was a tough time not only for me but for my dad as well. My dad was a great man and watching him go through the everyday struggle of trying to keep our bills and lifestyle afloat as well as trying to be a role model for me as a single parent. Read more>>
Mark Raines
My resilience comes from my parents. They both displayed the ability to persevere regardless of circumstances their entire lives. I saw this most clearly during my dad’s six-week hospitalization due to complications from heart surgery that eventually took his life in 2019 and my mom’s nearly seven-year ovarian cancer battle before she died from the disease in 2020. They taught me my whole life to give 100% and never give up. Read more>>
Adrienne Whelan
My resilience came from making mistakes and from my own failures. In the moments that feel the most uncomfortable are the moments that I’ve had to learn more about my own potential and capabilities. Allowing myself to be “bad” at certain things is some times the only way to really succeed. Read more>>
Kimisha King
I believe my resilience came from my mother. Growing up i saw my mother work more than one job to make ends meet, i saw her battle through her differences with the family as she was treated like an outcast for speaking out on certain things that might have happened within the family. I experience my mother fighting to keep our family unit together as my father cheated on her repeatedly.
Stephanie Amponsah
My mother has always been a source of inspiration and resilience. In the toughest circumstances she never gave up and always showed such grace and encouragement to others. Read more>>
Jana Akkari
My resilience and adaptability stems from growing up in war-torn Lebanon, where I became accustomed to overcoming challenges and adversity. I learned to be proactive, conscientious and self-reliant. Read more>>
Latrice Wiggins
I draw my resilience through a journey of overcoming depression, loneliness, and the challenges of a toxic marriage, abruptly becoming a single mom. Rediscovering myself over seven years, I found solace in volunteering, modeling, and parent engagement. After my husband’s military move, I realized the need for personal fulfillment. Read more>>
Joy Harris-Bird
I firmly believe that resilience is ingrained in my DNA, a trait passed down from witnessing my mother’s unwavering ability to rise after every setback, remaining a constant force in my life. Throughout my personal journey, I’ve faced a myriad of challenges and encountered skepticism about my capabilities. Read more>>
Mann Brown
Childhood. It was definitely childhood for me. Being an unconventionally queer Black boy living in a very rigidly heteronormative environment in rural Alabama in the 80s, I had to become my own protector. I had to create my own reality. I had to know how to play the game. Having to manage that level of responsibility as a kid, breeds resilience and a whole host of other things that prepare you for any and every thing life can throw your way. Read more>>
Shakinah Gunn
Genetically speaking, my mom. She is not the average woman. She makes things happen all while working 6 days a week 14 hours a day. She never accepted No as a final answer. She got it done. Now majority comes from God and the way he crafted me. I do not stay down long. Read more>>
Austen Nobles
My life experiences and mindset. I used to wonder why certain things happened in my life or why I felt like I was not enough. I’ve learned it’s essential to break out of complacency, practice self-care, and have ambition. I believe more people should work towards empowering themselves. Having the resilience to do so is vital. It’s not about how many times you fall – it’s about how many times you pick yourself back up. Read more>>
Jojo Diggs
Hope. I think resilience is formed by the courage to believe in something bigger than where we are. If we stay centered on our “why” we don’t give up. Read more>>
Lillian Brummet
Sometimes tragedy can lead to great strengths, at least that is what I have found. Early in my childhood I learned to survive an unstable home that involved multiple marriages, dozens of homes, and sometimes – abuse. Read more>>
Betsy Ellor
Like many people I learned resilience through failing A LOT. I was a perfectionist when I was younger. Straight A student. High achiever. I struggled for a while after college because there was no longer a clear path to “success” or even a clear definition of what success meant. Early on I got fired from a job as a stage manager in Wisconsin. I had never even been reprimanded before by any job before. Read more>>
Marrin Costello
There is no shortage of challenges and adversity that awaits a seasoned entrepreneur on any given day. Simply put – that is part of the gig. I am certain that what I would consider a non-issue today would have been a much bigger challenge to process and work through as my younger self. However, I truly believe that God presents us with lessons and opportunities that prepare us for each next respective season. Read more>>
PAYAM ZAMANI
I get my resilience from an overarching feeling of fortune. I was born and raised in the best time the world has ever known and in a place where success and prosperity is actually achievable with hard work, unlike many other places in the world. It has never been lost on me how fortunate I have been and with this fortune comes a feeling of responsibility to keep moving forward no matter the hardships I face. Read more>>
Alexandra Rachelle Siclait
I grew up and was raised in Haiti, the first free black republic. As a result of my cultural history, I have a fervor that pulses through my body. My ability to withstand difficulties and recover quickly is in my blood. However, over the last five years, I have deeply desired to channel my resilience and build a stronger mindset. Thanks to leadership coaching, I have been able to withstand difficulties and recover quickly. Read more>>
Jeff Lung
When I was in my early 20s I got caught up with the wrong crowd and found myself doing stupid things that eventually got me arrested and convicted of a felony. Despite my prior clean record and high education, I was sentenced to six years in the state penitentiary. I served 24 months and during that time — the absolute worst two plus years of my life — I learned to “get busy livin’ or get busy dyin’.” Read more>>
Vanessa Shields
That’s a great question and one I have asked myself many times. There have been several moments where it took everything in me to keep moving forward, specifically when I was getting out of an abusive marriage and dealing with cancer simultaneously. And as a casualty of the cancer, I live with chronic pain that is a battle in itself most days. Read more>>
Rey Grandoit
Since I became paralyzed at the age of 14 due to bacterial spinal meningitis, my resilience is rooted in adversity from my upbringing in the inner city. As a result, I faced a lot of trauma, which led me on a journey to discover myself. Layer after layer were new chapters of pain that led to growth with each lesson learned. Read more>>
Rotem Alima
“Well, no one said life is supposed to be a picnic, right?” Growing up in a small town in the countryside of Israel, I faced many challenges: being the youngest of six, and the child of immigrants. I encountered skepticism and mockery from my peers who couldn’t fathom my big dreams in the world of film and TV production. They would say, “Hollywood? Movies? You?! Ha ha ha, keep dreaming…” Read more>>
Nicole Burgio
My resilience comes from deep strength within me, fueled by determination to overcome past trauma, to provide a better life for my children and navigating the challenges of starting a business. My journey reflects a remarkable ability to face adversity and keep moving forward. The challenges I faced and overcome. Read more>>
Stephen Lewis
I get my resilience from a few sources: 1. Personal experiences: Going through challenging situations and overcoming adversity can build resilience. These experiences can help individuals develop coping mechanisms and problem-solving skills. 2. Support systems: Having a strong support network, such as family, friends, or mentors, can provide emotional support, guidance, and encouragement during difficult times. Read more>>
Monica Curtis
Reflecting on my past, I’ve learned that life’s challenges can feel like crashing waves, pushing me onto the shore with sand in my mouth. Yet, deep down, I’ve discovered a strength that allows me to dive back into the sea of life. It all started when I was just a kid, navigating the stormy seas with my family’s once-steady ship facing massive waves. In the blink of an eye, we went from feeling secure to teetering on the edge of homelessness. Read more>>
Karen Carey
Resilience and brilliance walk hand in hand. When I was three years old I had a severe trauma. After I recovered, I had a momentary revelation. A Sunday school teacher asked me my name. Unlike my precocious, bossy, silly, loving self, I hid behind my mother and whispered my name. It was inaudible and after a couple of tries, the frustrated teacher walked away. Read more>>
Heather Ritchie
I had my whole life planned out, and I bought my first house at 22 years old. I was a police officer doing a job I loved when I started getting sick. Long story short, I ended up having several chronic illnesses, had to leave the only career I’d known as an adult, lost my house, had to file bankruptcy, my grandmother passed away, and even my boyfriend of six years broke up with me all within three months. Read more>>
Eldonna Fernandez
My resilience comes from bouncing back from many challenges in life. I have had to be resilient all my life. I was a child of 2 alcoholic parents. My mother died from alcoholism when I was only 12 years old, My father died emotionally when my mother died and completely shut off. I had to raise myself and didn’t do that great of a job. I dropped out of high school, ran with the wrong crowd and was going nowhere fast. Read more>>
Jude Leighton
Resilience is gained from facing and overcoming diversity. I believe this applies to all of us as human beings. I’ve faced a lot of diversity in my 42 years. Most of which have been swept under a carpet, until recent years whilst working intensively with an experienced psychologist. Read more>>
Mike Blumenthal
My dad lost his father at the age of 13. They were extremely poor and left with no time for excuses and no choice but to work hard. Shortly thereafter, my dad started his first business selling wholesale candy out of their home and working to help pay the bills. Read more>>
Stephanie Benemie
When I think about where I get my resilience from, I always think of my dad Cano. Growing up with him I always saw a man that worked so hard to provide for his family but also would never miss a moment to sit down in the grass and listen to the birds singing in the front yard. See the thing is, my dad was an immigrant, he came to the US with very little but to his name but knew that anything worth having takes hard work. Read more>>
Miko Johnson
The word resilience for me signifies toughness. A certain type of internal wherewithal or strength. I think we are born with a certain amount of resilience and then use and practice strengthens that innate supply. My earliest memory of being a bounce back type of person took place in an unlikely venue, a place called Kiddieland Amusement Park in Melrose Park, Illinois. Read more>>
Allyson Lee Brown
Being resilient is such a difficult task. I am at the point in my life where I’m tired of being resilient and strong. And I think it’s okay to feel that way. So often, Black women are celebrated for how well we carry the weight of the world. We’ve seen our grandmothers, mothers, aunts, and beyond, be resilient time and time again. It’s generational. Read more>>
Ian Kirkpatrick
Resilience is the thing that keeps any of us going down the path no matter what we see or what we go through or the rocks that’ve been thrown at us. Honestly, I don’t think it’s that easy at first. It’s so to take anything and everything as a sign that we should stop and maybe try something else. Read more>>
Joshua Grant
Several years ago, I found myself looking out the windows at an endless storm. I was a young camp counselor with a cabin full of fourth graders, and we were just getting ready for bed. Rain was coming down in endless torrents, filling the brook at the bottom of the canyon in minutes, but we were safe in our cabin, up away from the tumult on a hill. Or so we thought. Read more>>
Aaron Rose
In 2022, I decided I was going to move toward making my side hustle my main hustle. My wife and I agreed that I would continue my full-time job for six months while ramping up my own business. As I rounded the corner into 2023, I didn’t know what was about to hit me: Burnout, family relational issues, and an inability to rest. Read more>>
Shaylon Scott
I get my resilience and drive from my children. They say that children are the most resilient and better able to adjust to change. Their constant smiles, curious minds and unwavering love through tumultuous times modeled a pure example for me to follow. Read more>>
Will Craig
My resilience is a product of life’s unpredictable challenges, much like facing unexpected curve balls. In those moments, I’ve honed the superpower of adaptability. Giving up easily has never been my style. When I set a goal, I persevere until it’s achieved. Regardless of the obstacles thrown my way, I possess the ability to forge ahead. Read more>>
Alicia Rau
I derive my resilience from various sources. Overcoming adversities has been a significant factor. These challenges have taught me invaluable lessons and strengthened my ability to bounce back. Additionally, reconnecting with my inner child has provided me with a sense of innocence, curiosity, and adaptability, qualities that fuel my drive. Maintaining an open-minded and optimistic outlook also helps me to face obstacles with determination and hope. Read more>>
Frank Gomez
I think some of it is my nature. I was born with it. I’ve also been through some major things in my life and that made me stronger. Read more>>
Lance Cayko
I get my resilience from the ancestors that came before me, God, His Son, my grandfathers, and their fathers and so forth. I would say that seeds of resilience are planted in each of us simply because we are the seeds of those that came before us after a millennia of time and therefore we are all capable of being resilient. Read more>>
Rachel Lynn
It’s not a secret that pursuing a creative career is difficult! It requires a sort of divorce from emotion in the decision to commit to the journey. The rejection is abundant and the uphill climb is treacherous. I think I maintain resilience from that very matter-of-fact declaration that the creation of art and the pursuit of a life that prioritizes it is who I am. Read more>>
Kali Beatty
My mom. I grew up with a single mom who worked her ass off to provide for me. There were times, especially during the recession, when she got laid off from her factory job and we were barely hanging on financially. But she always found a way to get the things we needed. My dad passed away when I was 7, and then by the time I was 10 I had also lost the man who was like a father to me, my mom’s best friend and both of my paternal grandparents. Read more>>
Ashleigh Samuel
My parents, moreso my upbringing. Read more>>
David Lewis III
My resilience originated from the divine and the unwavering support of my parents. As the sole child, my parents incessantly instilled the teachings of God and equipped me with invaluable life lessons. However, a recent tragic blow struck my life when I tragically lost my cherished mother. She exemplified true resilience, battling against illness since her teenage years and persevering until the very end, seldom expressing any complaints. Read more>>
