Where do you get your resilience from?

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.

Kathleen Schmidt

When I was growing up, my parents lived paycheck-to-paycheck, so I started working when I was 13. It became clear to me at that age that if I wanted anything, I would have to work hard for it. As I got older and kept working, failure wasn’t an option. I paid for college myself and held down three jobs while doing so. It was a matter of survival for me because I saw my parents struggle. Every time I was knocked down, I knew I had to get back up because no one else would make things happen for me. It’s both exhausting and exhilarating but always worth it. Read more>>

Matej Kolmanko

I was born in socialism in 1982. Tito was barely gone, but the spirit was still alive. I was brought up in the house with asbestos roof. I was 7 years old and I went to my first year of school and we would address the teachers with the word tovarish (comrade). By the second year, the word was forbidden. Until that point, I thought the word tovarish means teacher. We were aware of the situation. You get a certain resilience from that, I think. Also, I’m a video artist in a country, that doesn’t have a lot of production. That must be resilience or stupidity.
We changed the asbestos roof a couple of years ago. Read more>>

Thomasina Moyer

I would say my resilience comes from my faith in Christ and knowing that you never know unless you try. “The worst thing they can say is no”! Is one of the phrases that I live by. It’s better to try to see what can happen rather than not trying and missing out what could have been. Read more>>

Sheree Johnson

“I believe my resilience stems from the invaluable lessons passed down to me by my parents. Growing up in Chicago, Illinois in the late 50s and facing the challenges of the late sixties, my parents encountered adversity that inevitably shaped my own experiences. From them, I learned the harsh reality of facing discrimination simply for being born black in America. However, instead of seeking revenge, my parents instilled in me the importance of learning to navigate challenges, embracing both the good and the bad, and steadfastly holding onto my beliefs and values. Their teachings have not only equipped me to deal with the adversities I encounter but have also served as a guiding force in shaping my outlook on life.” Read more>>

Douyé

Life experiences: I have always viewed life as my best teacher because it exposes me to various experiences that allow me to build my sense of resilience. I feel one becomes resilient by being open to the experiences that life exposes one to. Through those experiences, one taps from one’s external and internal resources toward overcoming the event and gaining understanding and wisdom that one could apply to future events. Read more>>

Sonja Bales

There is an inherent link between challenge and resilience. The most difficult year of my life was my sophomore year of college. Prior to that, I’d worked hard, gotten proportional results from those efforts, and generally sought after art competitions and high grades to challenge myself. But 2017 was a year of loss and grief. It became very apparent that I had some crucial choices and learning curves to confront if I wanted to survive somewhat intact. 5 people passed away within a year, each one a successive wave of newfound impacts in every layer of my life. Challenge was no longer bound to academics or to choice- it ravaged me completely.  Read more>>

Joy Kendrick

Every day I open my eyes I remember it doesn’t matter what happened yesterday, today I can try something new. Life will continue and as I heard another woman say “if I have breath I have options”. Read more>>

Bobby Stills

I don’t come from a rich family so we’ve always had to hustle. My Mom worked two jobs to keep the lights on and feed us so as soon as I could get a job I did. My first job was at a Swapmeet where my Grandmother had a booth, I would help her unload her van and then go find another vendor who needed help that weekend. So at an early age I was taught to work hard to get what I needed and wanted. Read more>>

Sondra Cleghorn

The truth is, I never really thought I had a lot of resilience. Resilience to me was a person that worked through huge setbacks and became successful in every part of life. Someone that went through tortures that we could not even imagine. Someone that was super successful at whatever they put their mind to. Read more>>

Belen Blanton

Resilience has been the driving force behind everything I do for children with congenital heart disease. As a CHD survivor myself, I know firsthand the challenges, fears, and uncertainties that come with this condition. But I also know the strength it can build within you. That strength is what I draw on every day to help children who are facing the same struggles I once did. Read more>>

Mariah Taunton

Our stories are both deeply personal and complicated, but our experiences and battles are pivotal in who we would become and why we would partner to start Firefly Fields Northwest. It begins with Kasey Nothiger, who I (Mariah) overheard chatting with a coworker. I remember it fondly. It was May, I was in the waiting room for a new doctor to assist with treatments of my Type 1 Diabetes. I overheard a woman chatting about seeds and plants she was growing. I am a Design Project Manager for a landscape design startup called Yardzen so plants are always drawing my attention. I couldn’t help myself but to interject in the conversation. “What are you talking about? What are you doing with these seeds?” I say. Read more>>

Richard Embry 3rd

As I can recall, I developed resilience during my childhood. I was an only child for nearly the first decade of my life while all of my friends had siblings. The age gap between myself and my siblings is a decent size (7 years). In addition to this, I grew up with my parents being separated; therefore, I did not have the same family opportunities that my siblings had. I wasn’t always around someone my own age so I grew up feeling mostly lonely and depressed. I found comfort, confidence and relatability in the activities I did: playing video games, watching professional wrestling and watching Anime. I’ve always known that the activities I immersed myself in were scripted and predetermined, but that didn’t halt the connection that I would feel toward what I was experiencing. Read more>>

Theresa Porter

In terms of resilience, I feel like it was a necessity growing up. It was a very ‘sink or swim’ childhood I experienced. My life was definitely not the easiest. it wasn’t the hardest but it most definitely wasn’t the easiest. I just always had to keep going. No one would pick up the pieces or pull me along if I faltered. I had no guidance and no helping hand. I just had to figure it out. Some days I question myself regarding what I have been able to achieve. I’m proud of myself, and what I’ve accomplished, and I have learned to give myself grace in the areas where I did fumble. Read more>>

Denise Brilliant

My resilience stems from a deep commitment to living a life driven by passion. In both business and personal pursuits, I’ve learned that when you follow what you love with authenticity, setbacks become stepping stones. Mentorship from trailblazers like Sara Blakely and Richard Branson has fueled my entrepreneurial spirit and shown me the value of pushing past limits. Each challenge I’ve faced has led me to discover new pathways to success by embracing creativity and remaining true to my values. For me, resilience is not just about overcoming obstacles—it’s about finding joy in the process of growth and inspiring others to do the same. Read more>>

Dr. Candice Oshunfunke

I can say with confidence that I come from a bloodline of people who are very resilient and strong. My grandmother was one of those people. She had 6 children by the time she was 30 and migrated from Tennessee to Indiana and from there to NY while at this time having children and working during a time where for Black people it wasn’t the easiest experience. She also attended night school for her GED when she was well into her adult years and still persevered because it was what she sought out and wanted. I also get my resilience from my mother who I watched raised 3 girls by herself on public assistance. Read more>>

Monique Gill

Wow, that’s a great question—no one has ever asked me that. Honestly, I think I was born into circumstances that helped shape my resilient mindset. Despite being perceived as a fun-loving, preacher’s kid, my childhood was anything but easy. My home environment was filled with competition where none should have existed, manipulation, isolation, and even bigotry. I came to understand who I was by realizing who I didn’t want to be, and distancing myself from that environment. Read more>>

Andie Smith

Oh wow, this is a very emotional question for me. Most people never know what goes beyond a person’s smile, what they’ve been through, what they’ve overcome to get to the point they are now. I think my resiliency has been one of those things, something I hide from others when I first meet them – unintentionally. It’s almost like we keep these parts of ourselves secret, to avoid judgment or in my case, pity. But recently I’ve learned that our past experiences play into our future and who we become – and that can be a very beautiful thing.  Read more>>

Candice Hunt

When I was 20 years old and studying abroad in Scotland, I received a devastating phone call that changed the trajectory of my life: My older brother (23 years old) tragically died. Within hours, all my belongings were packed up and I was on a flight home. My semester ended abruptly. It took me years to understand the impact of what had happened to me and how it affected me. I had just had the absolute best time of my life, and then suddenly I was thrust into the absolute worst time of my life. It was a weird mix of emotions when I got home. Read more>>

Elizabeth Heichelbech

Everything I know about healing comes from the process of intuitive art-making. Music, dancing, painting, drawing, acting, sewing, crocheting, writing — as a creatrix, I have found such joy and solace in the arts, specifically in the ego-surrender of improvisation. I’m less concerned with the product or the domain, and more intrigued by the facets of the creative process that remain constant across disciplines. Sometimes people comment on how I am “multi-talented,” but the way I see it, I just ain’t afraid to play. When it comes to creativity, the lines between “play” and “pray” are very thin for me; I’m not religious, but I do feel a sense of the spiritual in my art-making, and that is an infinite source of resilience for me. Read more>>

Melina Farahani

Life is full of obstacles, and it can sometimes feel like the whole world is against me. But it isn’t. It may only seem that way in moments of hardship. When I take a moment to be mindful of the situation, I realize how far I’ve come. I become grateful for my journey and acknowledge all the steps I’ve taken. I realize that the younger version of me never thought I would be here right now. She could never have imagined—or perhaps even hoped—to face the challenges that the present version of me is confronting. Read more>>

Ana Kostic

My work ethic was influenced by different people growing up, but mostly comes from my dad whom I’ve seen building his company from the ground up. Although his area of expertise was different than mine, I’ve seen how the creativity carries you through all the hard work Read more>>

Alice Laura Sedlicka

As the founding executive of Alice Laura Models, my resilience is deeply rooted in both personal and professional experiences that have shaped my journey. Growing up in Europe, I was raised with a strong work ethic and a mindset that challenges are opportunities for growth. Moving to the U.S. and starting my own modeling agency in a highly competitive industry was no easy feat, but it taught me the power of perseverance and adaptability. Read more>>

Alexandra Zone

My resilience comes from a blend of my experiences, creativity, and deep connection to nature and craftsmanship. As a business owner and artist, I’ve learned to value patience, adaptability, and self-reliance. Through my work with Alchemical Metalworks, I embrace challenges—whether it’s mastering a new metalsmithing technique or balancing my many roles. My passion for sustainability, ethical sourcing, and creating meaningful jewelry drives me forward, knowing each piece reflects my growth and strength. Nature walks, morning rituals, and my love for learning fuel my inner calm and determination. Read more>>

Laura Gabayan

I am a tenacious person and never give up. I am a Middle Eastern female Kurd, who moved to the United States at 6 years old. Part of my resilience comes from being brought up feeling invisible, and not important. So as an adult, I have done everything in my power to be important to the world. This is why I believe that in life, you are a warrior and not a victim. Read more>>

Stephanie Larkin

Growing up I suffered from a number of physical issues. In fact, I couldn’t walk from the time I was 14 until past 18 years old. At the time, doctors were unsure of what exactly was wrong, and it took 6 operations to get me to where I am today. The whole time, my mother never let me feel disabled in any way. I still went to school dances and proms, went away to summer camp each summer, and took the subways all over New York by myself. As a teen I played violin with the New York Youth Symphony, which meant that I was taking the subways on crutches with a violin strapped to my back all the way to Carnegie Hall for rehearsals each weekend – and that was before the stations had elevators! Read more>>

Thomas Fowler

An insane persistence and purpose. Nothing makes me feel more fulfilled than telling stories and entertaining people. As a result, no matter what’s going on in life I’ll find a way to write or make a short film happen. It may take longer than expected, and it often does. Life gets in the way: mental health issues strike when you least expect, family needs you, work is frenetic. The list gets long and scary fast. But if something matters to you, you’ll find time to pursue it. Even if it’s just a small step, it’s impressive how quickly it adds up. If you write two pages of a script a day, you’ll have a first draft done in two months. Read more>>

Madison Smith

This is such an influential and humbling question. My ability to be resilient developed over a series of vicarious trials and tribulations within my early childhood. I was meant to be a statistic – having been born to teenage parents. My parents never went to a university, my father never graduated high school and I was the newest addition to an adolescent couple that were underdeveloped emotionally, financially and educationally. Witnessing my parents learn to navigate adulthood had it’s perks and disadvantages. I was exposed to absolutely everything – which meant I could absorb knowledge and emotionally develop faster than most children. It also meant that I would be exposed to years with food stamps, financial hardships and familial strain.  Read more>>

Darryl Evan Jones

My faith in Jesus Christ. No matter how you look at him, you have to recognize and celebrate his tenacity, sense of purpose and resilience – regardless of outcomes and circumstances. Read more>>

Sierra Kruse

I’m a writer and a performer. Growing up I was a child actor. I took so many no’s at such a young age that I think it really cemented resilience for me. It’s this narrative of, if I want to do it I’ll do it, and if this isn’t the exact time that happens I will keep looking for the opportunities I’m interested in. Read more>>

Autumn Adele

Resilience is often born in the moments we least expect. For me, it emerged from one of the darkest periods of my life—a time when my mental health was so fragile that I nearly lost the will to live. It was in that pivotal moment, however, that I made a life-changing decision: I chose to fight for myself. Read more>>

Christopher “kasper” Tobias

As someone who is a Psych Major, I can tell you that I have read a lot about resiliency and why some people are resilient and others remain within the confides of their “failures”. Studies will tell you that “failures” are actually the motivating factor behind resiliency. My own personal trauma has been a catalyst in my resiliency, believe it or not. I have learned that no matter what I have faced in my life, that being persistent will always trump fear. As someone who has been previously incarcerated, a former addict and a gang member, coming out of that alive and proving that I wasn’t just another failed statistic, truly embedded the idea in my mind that I can get through anything.  Read more>>

Sunshine Zerda

Overcoming the challenges of my childhood has been a profound journey that has shaped who I am today. As a survivor of child abuse, I grew up in an environment marked by physical, mental, and emotional turmoil. However, these early experiences instilled in me a remarkable resilience that has become an essential quality in my life. Read more>>

Nicholas Felder

The Summer 2022 was a rough time for me. I was living in Ann Arbor, Michigan at the time, and I had just received my master’s in music composition from the University of Michigan. Which yes, yay! It was definitely a victory. But I was also coming out with virtually no jobs or contacts outside the university. My parents also lived in Atlanta, Georgia, so even if I wanted to go back (I didn’t even consider it an option at the time though), it wouldn’t be easy. Ann Arbor was the first place, at least in a while, I felt like I truly belonged. Read more>>

Zackary Mannino

Growing up I saw resilience all around me but didn’t know it until I looked back as an adult. I saw my parents work hard and constantly moving to better our lives. My mom worked full time while taking on 15-18 hours in college credits a semester. My dad is really good at running restaurants and watching him take a restaurant that’s in the red and turning it around to be in the black is a real hard task. My maternal grandparents were in the ministry and seeing them constantly trust in God in all decisions and hearing the stories on how God has always provided for their needs. I believe that’s where I had my first introduction into resiliency. Also playing sports taught me how to fail consistently and strive to be better. Read more>>

Laani Ford

When I was very young I thought I had to be brave and strong to get through the tumultuous environment I was raised in. I’ve had many curveballs thrown at me in life and I’ve learned to be resilient. I learned if I don’t brush myself off I will never be able to see the fruit of my labor. I’ve worked so hard throughout my life to build the life I dream of and if I stop dreaming I know I’ll never see it. Read more>>

Ann Rosen

My resilience stems from overcoming emotional challenges throughout my life, both as a child and an adult. As a child, all I ever wanted was to draw and paint. While my parents nurtured this passion, they also imposed expectations that made it difficult. I was expected to get married, have children, and become a mother. The only college art school available to me was a state university, where my grades suffered due to the traditional courses I was required to take. I’m not a traditional learner or image-maker. Read more>>

Elizabeth Marie

Resilience is an incredibly powerful word. Not just a word, it has a specific purpose and process. We all have difficulties and challenges in life no matter our genetics, culture, environment and relationship dynamics. Some have experiences that bring trauma, physical and mental health adversities. It’s how we choose to embrace the experience is what makes some of us resilient. Read more>>

Lisa Martinez

My life has been filled with much trauma. From being sexually abused as a child by multiple relatives, to growing up in a home with domestic violence & emotional abuse, to loving someone with a substance use disorder – there have been times when I have felt like I just couldn’t go on. As a teenager, I cut myself in a sloppy attempt to commit suicide. However, by the grace of God, the cut I made was superficial – and it served as a wake-up call. I could choose to stay low and allow the sadness I feel from the traumatic experiences I have had to weigh me down in despair. Or I could choose to keep going – even if my movement was more akin to a snail’s pace. Read more>>

Dr. Alisa Carter

I get my resilience or ability to recover and grow stronger after life’s challenges and setbacks from my mental and emotional endurance to keep moving forward despite the difficulties I have had to face. Overcoming a variety of personal hurdles in the past and having a strong family support system had a great impact on my resilience. My spiritual beliefs, meditation and journaling guide and sustain me as well. Read more>>

Megan Moore

The lawyer in me loves to define words, and I want to start there. Resilience is defined as (1) the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties, toughness; and (2) the ability of a substance or object to spring back into shape, elasticity. Toughness and elasticity. This makes perfect sense to me. I have certainly had my moments of toughness – jumping up from defeat and moving forward. I’ve also had my moments where I feel like I’m stretched beyond my limits, and yet, I can still spring back into who I am authentically. Read more>>

Qi Yun

I believe my resilience comes from a combination of my cultural heritage and personal experiences. Growing up with a deep connection to traditional Chinese philosophy, like simplicity and acceptance of imperfection, has shaped my perspective on overcoming challenges. That, coupled with my journey as a designer—facing the ups and downs of building my own brand and working in a highly competitive industry—has taught me to stay grounded, adapt, and keep pushing forward no matter the obstacles. Every setback is an opportunity to grow, and that mindset drives my resilience. Read more>>

Ana Yepes

When you asked me this question in my mind the word challenge came right away. I was challenged! As I came into this world, I remember since I was a little girl, with a very strong feeling of what was right for me, I noticed incongruent situations and asked myself why. I was always the “black sheep’ the one that went the other way, the one who always asked why! And as I’m writing this with the idea of being challenged by life, I had a funny feeling that it was the other way around I came to challenge the life I was born into, challenge the status quo. So to make a long story short I knew, I had a certainty that life was to not suffer but to love, I didn’t know how but I got my resilience from that certainty that It had to be a better way of living than judging others and feeling separated. Read more>>

Angela Thomas(smith)

For me, resilience is not just a trait – it’s a powerful survival mechanism forged from life’s hardest lessons. Twelve days after my 16th birthday, I faced an unimaginable loss: my mom passed away. That day, my world was turned upside down, and I was thrust into a reality where I had to learn to press forward, no matter how steep the climb. Read more>>