Building Blocks of Success: Resilience

In our building blocks of success series, we tackle the various foundational blocks we believe are essential for success. Resilience is near the top of the list, because pursuing greatness almost always means you will face losses, mistakes and tough times along your journey. The ability to bounce back is so critical and we hope the stories below will inspire you to dig deep and discover more of your own resiliency.

Mike O’hara

My resilience comes from endurance and tough outdoor activities. I’ve pushed myself to climb mountains, trek dozens of miles backpacking, and bike-pack 100+ mile routes. Some of the trips end in failure, some end in reward. In the end, whether it was a success or not, I continue to return to it, regularly. Read more>>

Tia Talbott

I am proud to say I have my work ethic from my amazing parents and brother. My Dad a police officer and my mother a school teacher. Witnessing their dedication and resilience to accomplish and make a better life for their family was truly inspirational. Their tenacity and drive for success was the blueprint to my resilience today. Especially, my little brother Daven that I lost last year after a battle with cancer. My brother had his own designer vintage reselling business. Through the chemotherapy, surgery and the pain I can only imagine what he was going through, and through it all , he still pushed through to accomplish his goals. I watched my brother the same day after coming home from his surgery, weak and out of breath determined to complete an order to get delivered to his customer. His strength, drive, an dedication to what he loved was a true example for me to keep going, no matter how hard things may seem. I remind myself, if he had the strength to get through the inevitable, then so can I. Read more>>

Sarah Silver

My resilience comes from a life full of experiences that have shaped who I am today. While I’ve faced my share of challenges and losses, each of them has helped me grow stronger and more adaptable. These moments taught me just how capable I am, even in adversity. After all, we make choices in life, we can choose to let things break us, or make us, I will always choose the latter of the two! Read more>>

Jen Veralle

I get my resilience from my lived experiences of becoming alcohol-free, enduring and thriving in entrepreneurship, and taking on physical challenges that push my body to its edge like running, yoga, and heat and cold exposure. In a session of personal reflection in May 2023, I correlated the idea of physical resilience gained through cold exposure and sauna and consistent exercise over a lifetime, with the mental resilience I developed during my sobriety journey. Read more>>

Brandon Keeton

A difficult childhood. Dad was not the best and Mom did her best. I then joined the Marine Corps and faced challenges, both physical and mental I didn’t know I was capable of overcoming…until I did. After a while, proving people wrong became the way I live my life. It also helps that over time, I have learned when to listen to myself and when to listen to others. Read more>>

Nadine Singh

Resilience, for me, is rooted in a life shaped by adversity and fueled by determination. I was born and raised in Jamaica, where poverty was a constant companion. My father left my mother, brother, and me when I was only two years old, forcing my mother to become the backbone of our family. She worked tirelessly, showing me that survival requires courage and perseverance, even when life feels insurmountable. Read more>>

Sean Hatchett

Resilience, for me, comes from the smallest, most ordinary acts of survival. At my lowest point—battling Long COVID and feeling like every breath was a fight—I discovered that resilience wasn’t about big victories but about showing up every single day. I found strength in routines, like my twice-daily dance with the Symbicort Turbuhaler (aka my superhero cape). Humor also became my lifeline; if I could laugh through the gasps, I could breathe through the pain. Most importantly, my community—friends, family, and Toastmasters—showed me the power of connection. Resilience is built not in isolation but through the shared stories, struggles, and support of others. Read more>>

Lori Phun

Honestly, from being rejected—a lot. From a very young age, working as a film actor, I’ve heard more “no’s” than I can count. At first, it was tough, but over time, I’ve learned to embrace them. Each rejection taught me something, made me stronger, and brought me closer to the moments that matter. Now, I celebrate the “no’s” just as much as the “yes’s” because they’ve shaped who I am. Resilience isn’t just about bouncing back—it’s about finding value in every part of the journey, even the hard parts. Read more>>

Aaron Baker

My resilience has come from the women in my life. It began multiple generations ago with my great grandmother who personified a gritty tenacity in a time of famine and great need, she was the bedrock of our family. My grandmother and my mother share those same qualities from which I was raised, and then sought after in my life partner. All I can do to honor this influence is to live in the same vein and pay it forward for our daughter. Read more>>

Madison Rogenski

My resilience stems from a long line of powerful men and women before me. My family has taught me the true meaning of resilience by example. My mother found her calling in horseback riding, and rose her way up the ranks throughout her life. A series of ups and downs, and peaks and valleys showed themselves on her journey. With each setback my mother would shine even brighter. My Grandma Shirley was one of the most influential women in my life. She bedazzled every room she entered with her light, and every word she spoke came out as smooth as honey. My Father is a hard working man, and through the years I watched his patience pay off. To get back up after falling is a principle rule in horseback riding. If you do not get back onto your horse and try again, the progress you’ve made is now disrupted. Such is life, as we must try again over and over. I love the beach, and as a child I’d let the waves hit me and knock me over.  Read more>>

Amy Perrier

To get to this question I want to tell my story on how I got started in creating art.
First off, I never went to art school and I never took any business courses or anything like that.
In my youth, I experimented with psychedelics and hung out with a lot of artists. From these experiences I reminisced about how I wanted to live my life, but had no idea how I was going to achieve this. I wanted a life free of as many responsibilities as possible. I did not want to work a standard 9-5 job and most of all I didn’t want to spend my time sitting in an office. Read more>>

Maria Anderson

I get my resilience from my early experiences growing up in foster care. Moving between different schools and environments, I was fortunate to encounter community leaders who taught me adaptability, determination, and the importance of staying focused on long-term goals, even in the face of uncertainty. My sense of community truly deepened as a field organizer for the Obama campaign, working across the country. It was in those moments that I experienced the unwavering support of my people, affirming the strength that comes from collective effort. Read more>>

Keyshawn Pettieway

Resilience for me comes from my family, particularly my late father, who was the cornerstone of our household and community. Growing up, I watched him lead with strength and unwavering faith, even in the face of challenges. His passing pushed me to step into that role of leadership and to persevere through adversity, knowing that my actions not only honor his legacy but also pave the way for those who look up to me. This resilience fuels both my career in cybersecurity and my entrepreneurial journey with ONE Fragrance House. Every setback is an opportunity to pivot, adapt, and grow stronger. Read more>>

Ashley Brooke

I believe resilience is the award given for the few who still get in the ring despite never having won a fight. I have always had the mentality of never giving up on something I love whether it’s my work or working on my mental health.  My bosses tend to appreciate this trait of mine; however, I cannot say my liver has always appreciated it. Read more>>

Tiffany Thomas

My resilience stems from my faith and the values instilled in me by my small-town upbringing. The path I’m on now wasn’t one I was “supposed” to take—there was no example for me to follow, and no one believed it was possible, not even my parents. My mom encouraged me to pursue a corporate job, prioritizing safety and stability. But I had to try. Deep down, I knew I had the work ethic to succeed. Read more>>

Jamie Cole

I would say that I think I was born this way because I have always been this way. I used to think that resilience is a quality that’s innate, but whether it is or it isn’t, I know that it’s grown and developed through experience. For me, it was developed from being different in spaces where everyone was the same. I was quiet when everyone else was loud. I was afraid when everyone else seemed fearless. My brother swung from rafters while I hid in closets. My parents were radical when I was trying so hard to fit in. I had no choice. Sink in this life or swim. I chose swim. In fact, I chose to swim and win a medal for it. Maybe I was born with a quality that made it possible, Who knows? I just know that I’ve spent my life learning hard lessons but being willing to learn them and learn them well. I’ve made a beautiful life and career after a lot of adversity, and I intend on continuing to do so. Read more>>

Nicole Anderson

My resilience comes from an unshakable passion for music and the belief that this is what I’m meant to do. Music isn’t just my career—it’s my calling. I’ve faced doubt from others and even from myself, but I’ve learned that honoring my purpose means pushing forward, no matter how hard it gets. Read more>>

Jeanne Walker Harvey

My resilience comes from rejections – a whole lot of them! Over many years, I’ve gathered scores of rejections from publishers for my children’s book submissions. Enough rejections to wallpaper a room! But writing is my passion and I continued because … that’s what I do. I believe I would’ve kept writing even if I’d never been published. I’ve worn a variety of job hats, including as a software licensing attorney, a middle school Language Arts teacher, and a long-time school group docent at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. But I’ve always found time to write. Read more>>

Antonio Mandosi

My resilience comes from my deep passion for music and the discipline required to master an instrument as demanding as the trumpet. It’s a journey that calls for patience, consistency, and the courage to face challenges head-on. Each technical or musical hurdle is an opportunity to grow, not just as a musician but also as a person. I draw inspiration not only from the great musicians of the past but also from the stories of people, both near and far, who have achieved their goals through immense sacrifice. These narratives remind me that determination and hard work can lead to extraordinary outcomes. Additionally, the connection I feel with audiences and fellow musicians is a constant source of energy and motivation. Sharing emotions through music is a unique experience that pushes me to always give my best. Read more>>

Ketrice Mitchell-page

When I think of resilience, I think of the ability to withstand, adapt, and overcome. Life has a way of shaping resilience in us—through our experiences, the people we meet, and the challenges we face, whether we choose them or they choose us. For me, resilience is deeply tied to survival and the will to create meaning even in the darkest times. Read more>>

Jocelyne Guzman

I maintain my resilience through my passion and a deep belief that challenges are stepping stones to success. Growing up in a Mexican household, my parents introduced me to the value of hard work and taught me that with dedication, what is meant for me will naturally fall into place. Even when things feel tough, I remind myself that the effort will be worth it once everything comes together beautifully. This mindset keeps me motivated and focused whenever I face a difficult task or project. Read more>>

Audrey Alexander

My resilience is innate, I am a presence that is predisposed to be a resilient force, within this earthly realm. The trials and tribulations that I have come up against, and overcame, we’re just to wake me from a sleeping state of consciousness to realize, who I am, and the authority and power within, as I learn, while in earth school. so, this resilience comes from Thee Universal Source which dwells within me. Read more>>

Roberta Salomao

My resilience stems from witnessing my grandmother’s and mother’s entrepreneurial journeys. They transformed their passion for fashion into a thriving business that has empowered women for over 50 years. Watching them navigate challenges, build strong relationships, and consistently deliver exceptional service has deeply inspired me. Read more>>

Igor Tsigelman

I’m a firm believer that life is all about challenges that need to be overcome. From birth we are presented with these challenges, what drives me and gives me the resilience first and foremost is my faith, then my family. I know roads get rocky, but I am also aware that if you were brought to it, you’ll get through it. There is no such thing in life as a problem without a solution and I’ve grown to think in ways that when a problem arises I’m automatically prone to start thinking of ways to solve the problem. Much too often there is more than one way and then it becomes another challenge to figure out which is the most efficient and effective. Some of my biggest accomplishments, and mind you success is measured in various forms, so to myself my accomplishments have been plentiful and not always monetary. Read more>>

Adam Kiss

I believe that resilience and persistence are the absolute essential ingredients for success in any endeavor and especially in the arts. All artists face constant rejection and adversity, and if I would have let that stop me I wouldn’t have had the phenomenal successes that I have had. I’m far from the first person to say that success is not a very good teacher and I personally believe that you learn more from failure than from success. At least when you fail you know what not to do and you are one step closer to know what to do. In all honesty, when somebody tells me I can’t do something, that’s when I get really inspired and know that I can definitely do it.  Read more>>

Chelsea Eilts

Resilience, for me, doesn’t come from getting it “right” or fixing what’s broken. It’s born from facing my shadow—the messy, imperfect parts of myself—and choosing to live without turning away from them. It’s about honoring where I come from, the pain and struggle that shaped me, while relentlessly pursuing the vision, the art, and the dreams that inspire me. Read more>>

Anna Jones

I grew up with my Mother and 4 other siblings. My mother was a single mom of 5. She was always so hard working, yet so free spirited. Watching her do her best to raise 5 children alone, while instilling unity amongst us was something that I will never forget. She was my super hero growing up. Whether we were in a middle class neighborhood or we lived in areas of poverty. Oftentimes, it didn’t matter where we lived because of how she raised us to be. Read more>>

Maribel Laguna

I remember being a young child, going to school and not knowing English. I felt lost, alone and scared. I would go to a weekly class where we would learn English with puppets. Little by little, I started learning words and translating in my head, yet I was too shy to speak. This is when I discovered my love for reading, an escape from the real world. In the real world I could not be myself nor be understood, literally. Reading gave me power because I learned about great adventures and hard things that other people did. The more I read, the more powerful I felt. I was learning new words and understanding how they flowed together. Read more>>

Terika Floyd

My resilience comes from my Dad telling me, when I was learning how to tie my shoes “There is no such thing as I can’t”. At the time I was frustrated ,because my laces wouldn’t cooperate and form the ” bunny ear”. So I remember thinking to myself “I can’t” … Then, later on, as I would grow and reach various milestones in life that phrase, same phrase from my Father ,in his voice and tone would echo in my head, as a reminder taking me back to tying my shoes. Immediately, I was reminded how the shoes got tied, because I tied them, I refused to believe my own narrative of “I can’t”.  Read more>>

Serena O’gwin-miranda

I get my resilience from the incredible women in my family, especially my Abuelita, Irene. She was the matriarch of our family and lived to be 101 years old. As a single mother and entrepreneur, she showed me the power of perseverance through her actions and values. Watching her navigate life’s challenges with grace and determination left an indelible mark on me. Her journey empowers me to work harder, knowing I will never face the same hardships she did as a woman. Read more>>

Todd Drake

I remember the spot where I made my first decision to persist with optimism and joy. I was 14 and had just buried my beloved step-father. I had only a few days before returned from the long ride in an undertaker’s limo that took us into the Fall leaves of the North Carolina countryside to a small graveyard filled with same names as my step-father. This was the second husband of my mother’s to die from cancer. My father had died over a decade earlier. Read more>>

Lawrence Richardson

Where do I get my resilience from? I am among the first generation of my family to be born in the Northern US. My grandparents and great-grandparents were sharecroppers, and their parents and grandparents were held captive on plantations in the Southern US after they and their family members were kidnapped or sold from the African continent. I am the sixth generation to be born since the Emancipation Proclamation freed American slaves in 1863. 100 years later, in the 1960s, my grandparents migrated north during the Great Migration to escape the terrors of Jim Crow and to find a better life. I was born in 1981 to teenage parents who inherited a lot of generational trauma and sicknesses. As a result, the environment I grew up in was influenced by violence, abuse, drugs, and a lot of suffering. Everyone did the best they could with the little they had. Read more>> 

Ames Russell

My mother Jeanette is the most creative, inventive person I have known. By example, she also instilled in me a never-give-up, don’t-ever-give up instinct. This has enabled me to face and overcome obstacles and succeed! Read more>>

Raleigh Hughes

Growing up I played a lot of sports but my sport starting in high school was golf which taught me numerous lessons and skills, but resilience is definitely one. I played high school golf, went to college on a scholarship to play for a top team in the country and ultimately ended up becoming an All American and decided to turn professional after grad school. Golf is the most humbling and frustrating sports there is, and I had to learn to overcome bad shots, bad rounds, and bad tournaments on a weekly and daily basis. In golf if you have a bad round, you don’t have an option but to come back the next day and try to be better than you were the day before.  Read more>>

Brooklyn Wilde

My resilience comes from growing up in what I call, “the best of both worlds,” having been raised in a split family—on one hand, I had exposure to privilege and structured opportunities, with expectations to fit into a certain mold of comfortable Midwest Middle Class affluence, and on the other, I faced scarcity and independence that forced me to fend for myself from a young age. I didn’t feel like I fit in with my affluent side of my family, nor did I feel comfortable wading in the impoverished struggles of barely scraping by on government meals and community hand outs, from clothing to food to the roof over my head at some times. Read more>>

Zëta Ræ

I’ve always been stubborn and strong-willed, and I think that’s something you need in order to pursue music. But my resilience is something I’ve built over the years. When you’re chasing something that truly matters to you, it’s inevitable that you’ll face discouragement, fear, and self-doubt. That’s where community becomes crucial. I honestly don’t think I would’ve come this far without the support of my family and friends. Read more>>

Colleen R. Ott

Years of being under diagnosed, and having to find my own way to either keep up with my peers or to keep with the projects that I am currently working on. I have also been known to learn from others and go the extra mile with everything that I do especially if for The Autistic Art Coalition of Philadelphia, since I am the Autistic Founder. Read more>>

Latashia Brown

My resilience is rooted in the discipline and adaptability I learned from my time in the military. These skills have been invaluable as I’ve navigated the challenges of life and pursuing my passion for content creation. Read more>>