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.
Jc Rodriguez
The two key aspects that help any cancer survivor live longer is resilience and hope. But, for me, when I watch the resilience of the clients I work with, it inspires me to learn more, create more, and care more. There is a heavy weight on your shoulders when there is a life to impact on the other side of a social media post or on the other end of an email. Creating content that helps improve survival and reduce risk of cancer and even lower cancer death rate is content that needs to be known and shared to the world. Read more>>
Isaac-ike Zadikoff
Resilience can be difficult to define. For many, it is a skill acquired through lived experiences. In my case, resilience has been learned through my unique life journey. This is why I avoid defining what may work for others. As someone living with Cerebral Palsy and Retinopathy of Prematurity, I can confidently say I developed resilience through my personal challenges. However, without a foundation and support from others, I might not have had the mindset conducive to resilience and growth. Read more>>
Ashlyn Freitas
My work ethic is a product of many defining moments and experiences throughout my life. I was forced into early adulthood in my teen years and had to make decisions to catapult my future self. That period forced me to take control of my own future in ways I could never have anticipated. I had to navigate life with little support, whether it was putting myself through school, advancing my career, or overcoming any number of challenges along the way. These experiences taught me to be resourceful and solution-oriented—constantly problem-solving and pushing forward. Ultimately, I realized that my life would be the sum of my decisions and actions, not my circumstances. This mindset shaped my approach to everything I do: understanding that hard work and persistence aren’t just about working harder, but about constantly finding ways to create opportunities and build the life you want, regardless of what’s thrown your way. Read more>>
Sarah Head
Resilience is core to success, but I don’t think we talk about it enough. Maybe it’s because it also requires us to talk about our “failures” head on, and see them as places of growth. Resilience, for me, is synonymous with learning. Learning the capacity of your spirit and strength, and then pushing it farther than you’ve gone before because you trust it will be okay – you trust yourself or your community or the cosmos or whatever – you know you will be okay if you get back up and keep going. Read more>>
Corey Mccallum
I get my resilience from the various struggles I’ve faced in life. From being homeless to dropping of high school. I have experienced a significant amount of pain both physically and emotionally. However, through all of these adverse conditions my resilience was developed and groomed through it all. I wanted more for my self and knew I would accomplish and impact lives because of it. Read more>>
Fana Habtemariam
As a first-generation Eritrean American, I draw my resilience from my parents. They instilled in my siblings and I a profound pride in Eritrea and its extraordinary history, especially its resilience during a 30-year-long war for independence. Their journey—from seeking asylum to establishing a new life in America—exemplifies strength and determination, serving as a constant source of inspiration for me. Read more>>
Cohen Croslin
I get my resilience from past experiences. Throughout my journey, there has been a lot of trial and error and many things people don’t know about. My first paid shoot I got scammed and after showing up, paying to get in, and taking the pictures, I was told the pictures weren’t good and they weren’t paying for them. I was frustrated because the person still used the pictures after I used my time and resources. This was my first lesson on why deposits were important. The second big thing that happened to me that taught me how to be resilient was when I finally started making a name for myself, my camera broke before my booked shoots. I had just got home from a trip to DC and when I got out the car my camera bag broke. Read more>>
Benjamin Saah
My resilience comes from my journey and everything I’ve been through. Growing up and dealing with challenges taught me how to keep going no matter what. Moving to the U.S. pushed me to step out of my comfort zone and build a new life. Running has shown me how to stay strong through tough times, and my drive to keep learning helps me bounce back after setbacks. Most of all, my love for helping others and the connections I’ve made keep me going and give me purpose. Read more>>
Mariano Mallia
My name is Mariano Mallia, and I’m a singer/songwriter and music producer originally from Delaware, and currently based in Nashville, Tennessee. It’s no secret that the music industry is notoriously competitive, with an incredibly narrow success rate, and a journey often filled with a thousand “no’s” before you hear a single “yes”. Out of any industry in the world, the music industry demands some of the highest levels of resilience. In the four points below, I will outline how I’ve built resilience over the last nine years of being in the music industry, including overcoming a four year long vocal injury that almost ended my career. Read more>>
Ashley Hunter
I truly draw my resilience from the incredible example set by my mother, Linda Hunter. She was one of the strongest women I have ever known, facing life with an unwavering courage and determination that deeply inspired me. From an early age, she instilled in me the belief that I could exceed my own expectations and break through the limitations that life sometimes imposes. Her guiding lessons taught me to give my all to whatever goals I set, honoring the journey as much as the destination. Read more>>
Brian Arnold
My resilience is deeply rooted in a combination of faith, personal growth, and overcoming obstacles. As a former special education student, I learned early on what it means to face challenges head-on. I struggled with labels and limitations that were placed on me, but I refused to let those define my future. My faith and inner trust became my anchor, guiding me through tough times and helping me recognize that there was a greater purpose behind every obstacle. The “God Factor” has always been central to how I navigate adversity, giving me the courage to persist and the belief that each challenge is part of a transformative journey. Read more>>
Michael Flowers (aka Masud Asante / Mikeflo)
My resilience, in part, comes from being a 23yr cancer survivor (Sarcoma). The diagnoses itself allowed me to focus on the quality of my life and how to fill myself up. That makes me ultra resilient and fortified tested for various things out here in this world, because many of these things aren’t as “real” to me to begin with. Read more>>
Autumn Lee Koomen
As a professional photographer, I cherish photographs as sacred. One of my most treasured images is a black-and-white photo from the 1950s that has sat on my home altar for years. It captures my mother as a young child sitting in a stroller, surrounded by her mother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, and great-great-great-grandmother. Five generations of women—brilliant, strong, yet tethered by the limitations of their time. Read more>>
Jessica Hunter
I draw my resilience from a combination of past life experiences and the values that were instilled in me by my mother who is now passed. Growing up, I watched my mother navigate tough situations on her own with the utmost grace and determination, teaching me the importance of perseverance. Read more>>
Teresa Johnson
I definitely got my resilience from my parents. My parents were the type that never gave you the answeres. if we didn’t know how to do something, they would say figure it out. We were never allowed to have self pity because they would always say that there were people out there that have it much worse, and that in life you couldn’t allow negative emotions to take over your thoughts for any length of time. If there are no solutions to a situation, let it go. Read more>>
Tamica Kibonge
My resilience was birthed through the womb of adversity. When the challenges of life came and knocked me down, I knew I couldn’t stay there. I had a choice to make, either lay down in defeat or fight with all I have to get back up. I chose to get up! I wanted the best life I could possibly have, and to obtain that life I knew I couldn’t give into my feelings or circumstances. I had to turn to God and trust Him. I had to rely on God for strength. He became my strength in the time of trouble. He is the foundation of my resiliency. Read more>>
Brenda Brosnan
When I landed in the mortgage industry on accident, I spent several years in operations. It was comfortable, cushy and stable. I had a top producing loan officer tell me, “You need to be in sales! Clients would love you because you’re authentic, empathetic and highly detailed. That’s what people need when they get a mortgage!” From that moment on, I jumped into 100% commission 30 years ago. There have been incredible highs and incredible lows in this industry. For over 30 years, being commission only, I have had to wake up, start my day at ground zero and grind it out. When the market is great, every loan officer makes money and when the market is not great, many jump out and go find another job. I took a different approach early on in my career, to create raving fans in my clients and referral partners to develop a 100% “word of mouth” business. Read more>>
Dorian Epps
I get it from my communities, my family and the opportunities they pushed me towards. Around the world, there are too many stories not being shared due to lack of interest, resources, and censorship. It is my job as an artist to breakdown those barriers and continue promoting the stories of those who aren’t heard yet. I can’t give up until I do that. Read more>>
Alex Bell
My resilience comes from always walking a non-traditional path. From being in night life, a makeup artist to finding my career path and founding archer+alex. I’ve had to learn resilience in each chapter of my life. As a creative, our resilience is our greatest asset, but hardest lesson to learn – especially when you are in rooms and situations where your best interest is not being considered by other parties. Read more>>
Shamika Rolle
I navigate life with the belief that “I can do hard things.” This notion has aided me in developing the courage required to pursue my passions and interests endlessly (even at the risk of failure). I am very intentional in the pursuit of my goals. My will to accomplish all that I have set out to do helps me remain focused, grounded and optimistic irrespective of disappointment and setbacks. I believe that a lesson can be learned from every experience no matter the outcome. Read more>>
Robert Gross
Over the years, I’ve learned to apply various cognitive techniques to situations that entail rejection. Instead of catastrophizing and going directly to the broad generalization of “I’m no good!” I instead interrogate each rejection. First, do they have a point? Was the work I submitted flawed in some way that could stand improvement, and is this an opportunity to learn something? Second, is there a compatibility issue? Perhaps the people in question are not looking for something like my work, and that’s okay. Third, was there some other complicating component beyond my control (e.g., was there politics involved?)? If so, there’s nothing I can do but dust myself off and move on. Read more>>
Jessica Wrickerson
Resilience is a quality that I believe is forged through the trials and tribulations we face throughout our lives. As a 37 year old African American woman, my journey has not been without challenges. Growing up in a community where opportunities were often limited, I faced obstacles that could have easily discouraged me. However, each setback became a stepping stone, teaching me invaluable lessons about perseverance and strength. Read more>>
Caleb Kangas
It probably started when I was a kid just 6 years old. I would mow my neighbors yard for $5 each week. I took the mower down to their home, with the trimmer, and a broom. The job was hard but I kept going week after week. I loved making money and would take that money each week and save it, after I bought one pack of baseball cards for $0.50. Read more>>
Jenelle Allen
Resilience is something I’ve built through countless large and small moments in my life. I’ve never been the best at anything, whether it was academics, sports, or even my early career as a commercial interior designer. I had to work hard just to be average. That constant effort taught me an important lesson: when you face hardship or a challenge, you pick yourself back up. You don’t give up. You keep fighting for the life you want to create. Read more>>
Nikita Mae Puyat & Habeba Mostafa
I was diagnosed with stage 1 bone cancer when I was 15 years old and had to undergo multiple treatments and surgeries, external and internal changes to my body, and missed high school experiences within 9 months. Facing such an immense challenge taught me an invaluable lesso: life doesn’t pause for anyone. This realization shaped my perspective—no matter what I’m going through, I’ve learned to get back up and keep moving. Resilience, for me, is about finding strength in the struggle and trusting that perseverance will carry me forward. Read more>>
Amanda Waibel
My resilience comes from a combination of personal challenges in the past that have taught me the value of perseverance and adaptability. I also draw strength from the people around me who provide support and perspective. Ultimately, I believe resilience is about staying focused on the bigger picture and knowing that setbacks are part of the process. I try to learn from each experience and keep moving forward, no matter how tough things get. Read more>>
Malika Yansaneh
I feel as though my resilience is ancestral. My resilience is embedded in my DNA, deriving from an assemblage of my life experiences and my genetic code. You see, I come from a lineage of warriors. I come from a lineage of ancestors that voyaged through the seas, fought back against enslavement, and came to this country for a better life. As a first generation Afro-Caribbean Woman with direct ties to the West Indies & West Africa, the story of my people is one of resilience. I watched my mother work endlessly to keep a roof over our heads throughout my childhood and continue to rise and achieve outside the country of her birth despite all odds, this showed me resilience through sacrifice. Read more>>
Maria Juarez
Knowing that every challenge is a lesson that is preparing me for the future. Everything, good or bad, is happening for my higher good and it took me a long time to realize that. I am a very passionate driven person. Always looking for new challenges and opportunities outside my comfort zone, with this has come a lot of self doubt. Not thinking I can make it and believing im not worth it. There has been so many times where I wanted to give up on my dreams and let my thoughts overcome my resilience. That’s when I step into my perspective shift. Mindset is everything and the way we speak to ourselves can really make us or break us. Train your brain to pick you up when your environment is tearing you down. Read more>>
Brooke Adams Law
the fruits of your labor.” That sums up my relationship to writing. When I graduated from college, I moved home to live with my parents and, like all good liberal arts majors, got a job at Starbucks. I was pretty embarrassed about this at the time – that I didn’t have a larger PLAN – but the job gave me something really important: time, and mental space, which I used to start a novel. Read more>>
Giancarlo Castellan
I got my resilience from my nature. No one has ever given me anything, what I achieved so far , I have done it with my willpower. Read more>>
Kodi Duvall
My resilience stems from a principle I hold at the center of my life—a principle that, though often regarded as a cliché, still carries as much wisdom and peace today as it did in the past. I believe that absolutely everything has meaning and a purpose. Read more>>
Rita Covington
My resilience in life comes from the trials I have endured, coupled with the strength I gain through the power of God within me. He is the true reason for my resilience, continually keeping me strong throughout all the challenges I have faced. Most recently, my resilience has been tested in the most profound way with the loss of my 24-year-old son in a car accident. This has been the most challenging time of my life, one I could not have endured without my faith in Christ. It is only through Him that I find the strength to carry on. I would like to say I didn’t lose my son I gained my Christopher to Heaven. Read more>>
Terran Eaton
I moved to New York with a job and an Airbnb hoping to be able to take my acting to the next level. I lost the job and every day had to hunt for a new job. I would go to broadway time square daily to remind myself why I was there. Eventually I moved back to NC and had an NYC work ethic because I struggled so bad. But I learned that fire refines and a loss is a lesson. The burns build a fire in me that touchy resilience. Read more>>
