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.

Brett Devloo

My name is Brett Devloo, but most people know me as The Blind Kid, or TBK for short.

Most kids get their nickname from a talent or some inside joke. Mine was because I went blind during the middle of history class when I was sixteen. (Bet you didn’t think that was possible, did you?) It turns out I have a rare DNA mutation called Leber’s Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (or LHON for short). You know how our DNA is made up of millions of pieces of information that talk to each other so your body works the way it’s supposed to? Well, I have a small piece of coding that didn’t get the memo, which caused me to suddenly lose 98% of my vision. Read More>>

Sasha Dekam

I did not start out this way. I was a very self conscience child, teen, and young adult. I spent way more time than I care to admit worried about what people thought and how they perceived me. With that I didn’t adapt when I got knocked down I’d turn and go another way. I was terrified to look to anyone like I had failed at anything. I’ve always worked with kids and I absolutely adore and love watching their little personalities come out but if you have ever been in a room with 2-5 year olds and tell them to dance around the room however they want they all just go for it! When they fall they either get back up and keep going or they roll around on the ground and make it work. Read More>>

Sacia Ashe

I inherited my resilience from a family of starving artists—dreamers who refused to trade passion for a paycheck. My grandmother’s story is etched in my mind: from sharing a single boiled egg on a dusty curb in Taiwan to dancing under the bright lights of a NYC stage with Martha Graham herself. She proved that tenacity and bold action can turn the impossible into reality. Her journey, along with countless others in my family, forged an unshakable spirit in me—the kind that pushes forward when I’m tempted to retreat. Through the grit and the grind, I climb the hill of creative determination, knowing that just beyond it, the sun always rises. Read More>>

Jessie Rayot

My life has been a roller coaster of have and have not. There have been times as a child and adult when bills/rent/mortgage getting paid was questionable. I never saw my parents give up, they did whatever it took to make it work. When I needed speech therapy, my father used his small business as a custom woodworker to redecorate the therapists office in exchange for the speech therapy. Because of this, I went from being unable to say my own name, to being the picture of diction and annunciation. Read More>>

Lena Williams

I would like to believe my resilience comes from my family. Particularly my grandmothers Great examples on both sides. Brave, strong women that persevered in spite of all the odds. They both taught me so much about how to endure. Read More>>

John Gross

Having dreams and goals is one thing, but achieving those goals always requires hard work. Life doesn’t always cooperate. Since I was ten years old, I’ve wanted to be a filmmaker. I expected that as long as I worked toward that goal, I would be able to achieve my dream.

I didn’t anticipate having to come to terms with my sexuality at an early age. I didn’t anticipate losing my mother and other loved ones as I began my journey. Overcoming my grief and being able to move on was only one obstacle along my path. My resilience originated from a need to move on from trauma and pain. Read More>>

Sophia Alawi

I, most certainly, get my resilience from my mother. She is a woman who has had close to know resources in her life and many set backs but has never let herself give up. Even though she was a black Muslim immigrant woman and America has told her again and again that she is not considered “valuable” in this society. She does not see herself that way. I’ve watched her, throughout my life refuse to believe that narrative. Even when the people in her life have called her crazy and dream unrealistic. Read More>>

Shonta Smith

My resilience comes from my Faith, my Grandmother, and my personal experiences.

My Faith is the foundation of my resilience. I live a life based on Christian principles and Trust God for everything. I have been in a multitude of situations where I know God has given me grace and mercy when I know it wasn’t due. I have no choice but to enjoy the journey of my purpose and rely on my Faith while doing so. Read More>>

Jill Tamminen

In the past, I never thought of myself as a resilient person. I also don’t think one person, or event, built resiliency in me. Like many people, I thought I was just experiencing “Life.” Something would happen, I’d get down on myself and then confidence would drop. Then something positive would happen, and I’d bounce back. Read More>>

Essmaa Litim

I come from a people who had to fight for liberation, fight to survive, never taking no for an answer and trust that God will always be there. My resilience comes from my family. The need to be free from a system made to champion complacency and reward with mediocrity disguised as the American Dream. I learned at an early age to always challenge the status quo, no matter how scary the fight might be. My parents taught my four siblings and I to never live in fear because no one can ever take away your power so it is imperative to stand in it. Read More>>

Dustie Ramirez

My resilience stems from my experiences growing up in a single-parent household, where my mother was a tireless advocate and hard worker. She instilled in me the importance of character values as well as the importance of taking calculated risks and embracing failure as a valuable teacher. As an athlete from a young age, competing in team sports, I learned that even in the face of adversity, every failure holds a lesson. Read More>>

Chay Casey

Where do I get my resiliency from? It comes from my family, from my kids, and from this deep, unshakable desire to make it. Growing up mixed and navigating the world as a woman of color, I’ve always felt the pressure—but also the responsibility—to succeed. It’s not just about me; it’s about setting an example, about proving that no obstacle is too big and no dream is out of reach. Read More>>

Nina Ta

That is an interesting question. I have never really thought about where my resilience comes from, but this question makes me reflect more deeply. When I think about the difficult times I’ve had to go through—whether it’s the loss of a loved one, a stressful period during school, heartbreak, or life’s general challenges—I realize that I often rely on an inner voice that reminds me not to give up, no matter how I feel in the moment. Life doesn’t stop just because things are hard, and while it’s difficult, it’s important not to get stuck. Instead, I try to keep moving forward, believing that there will be light at the end of the tunnel. Read More>>

Hannah Knighton

I think my resilience comes from losing my mom and the healing I’ve found through travel. Losing her was the hardest thing I’ve ever faced, as her death was sudden. Traveling has helped me process that grief and feel connected to her in a meaningful way. I’ve spread her ashes in countries around the world, which has turned into a deeply personal way of honoring her adventurous spirit. Read More>>

Ashley N.v. M Mingo

I draw my resilience from my faith in God. Throughout my life, I have encountered various challenges and seasons that have shaped my journey to where I am now. One constant through it all has been His provision, goodness, and unwavering faithfulness to His promises. So anytime I get a nudge of doubt or discouragement I remind myself of what he has done in the past and it gives me hope and strength for present and future. Read More>>

Nikki Lubing

This is a great question because resilience is one of the best life skills someone can have in their toolbox. My resilience comes from various childhood experiences ranging from the loss of a parent at a young age to overcoming my mindset on what it meant to be a successful Spanish student. My resilience also came from something as simple as walking to and from school. Read More>>

Fox Michaels

I think my resilience in both life and my attempts at having a career in the arts comes from a couple things. One, I pretty much can’t do anything else nearly even half as well so like…why would I spend the majority of my life doing anything else? And two, I do completely feel that I will vanish without a trace pretty quickly after I die so there’s a component to it that makes it feel like I need to do something big with my art to have “made it all worth it” or something and feel . Read More>>

Charline Thompson

I developed resilience through a variety of experiences that required me to overcome challenges. The drive to persevere has been instilled in me for as long as I can remember. Born and raised in the Caribbean, I grew up surrounded by a strong church community, where I learned that consistency and commitment are key to building resilience. My faith gives me the strength to keep pushing forward, no matter the obstacles. Read More>>

Agam Saigal

My resilience comes from struggle, adaptation, and an inner drive to push forward no matter the circumstances. Being the child of immigrants and growing up in Grind City itself—Memphis—taught me that resilience isn’t just about bouncing back; it’s about continuously finding a way forward. Read More>>

Dr. Tangela Stoot

My resilience comes from having a prayer life and a relationship with God. He gives me strength to keep going even in tough times. My mom who raised me up in church and kept me on the alter and taught me the importance of being an intercessor. My father who owned a business, many properties, and had many talents. I also have been blessed to have a great support system throughout my life of many God fearing people. Read More>>

Amanda Dzimianski

This “resilience” you speak of…it ebbs and flows like the tide. Some days I’m a pathetic ball of sniffles and self-pity, and a desire to throw it all away and give up. And some days, I am buoyed by the sense of being connected to something bigger than myself. This might come through any avenue: making art, learning something new about myself and my own system, exploring the natural world as a realm of solace and centering, spending time with people who are willing to dive deeper than the surface of things, feeling like benevolent invisible entities might actually be real, or simply as contributing to the present by just existing. Read More>>

Shimmy

Experience. I believe resilience is not something that is built overnight, rather, something that is grown over a period of time. I like to compare it to working out: you may not have the dream body overnight, however, if you’re consistent, it is almost a guarantee that you will reach your goal.

As an artist and person, there will be external and internal roadblocks. External meaning outside of yourself like people, unfortunate circumstances, and other distractions. Internal would be things that are in your control but still hold you back, like a negative mindset. I believe resilience is built through overcoming both of those external and internal roadblocks. You may feel sad, sorrow, and frustration, but you still need to prepare for that gig! Read More>>

Autumn Chamberlain

I think I should start off this story by saying that I am not overcoming extraordinary circumstances. I do not appear or believe that I was dealt a poor hand by any means. I am incredibly grateful to have a family that loves and supports me, a roof over my head, and security that each day I will wake up with the resources I need to do anything I set my mind to. What I’ve stubbornly set my mind to, however, is what brings on my relative adversity. Read More>>

Mindy Whetsel

I had to learn resilience very early in my life. Growing up as a child of divorced parents, I was constantly shifting between two very different environments, and that in itself taught me how to adapt. On top of that, I faced personal challenges that I never really had the chance to process or address—things like sexual abuse that were never acknowledged. I didn’t have the support or understanding that I needed, so I had to find my own way to overcome and move forward. It wasn’t easy, but it built a strength in me that I carry with me today. Overcoming those early experiences shaped how I view challenges now. I know I can handle a lot, even when it feels like everything is falling apart. Read More>>

Dr. Nour Z. Suid

My resilience comes from a combination of faith, life experiences, and a deep commitment to growth. Islam teaches me patience and perseverance, reminding me that with every difficulty comes ease (Qur’an 94:6). As a Palestinian, I have witnessed and experienced struggles that have tested me in many ways, but they have also strengthened my ability to navigate hardship with grace. The challenges I’ve faced—whether in relationships, career, or advocating for mental health—have deepened my understanding of resilience and the power of perseverance. With faith, self-reflection, and the support of loved ones, I keep building my resilience while helping others do the same. Read More>>

Hannah Lindgren

I’ve been so fortunate in many aspects of my life. I had a great childhood, I have a loving family, incredible friends, and have been afforded so many fantastic opportunities in my life. But I also have lived with Endometriosis and Adenomyosis since I was 15 years old. Living with a chronic illness means waking up every day not knowing what experience your body is going to give you. Read More>>

Anya Smith

My resilience stems partly from natural aspects of my upbringing. My parents divorced when I was young, and my mother moved to the US, leading me through about 7 different schools across 3 countries before graduating high school at 16. Facing new schools and languages taught me to adapt, though this wasn’t presented as something special but rather a normal part of my upbringing. I came to normalize being able to adapt and challenge myself. Read More>>

Jess Crane

Resilience is deeply rooted in both my upbringing and my life experiences. Growing up on a crop farm in the Midwest taught me the value of hard work, dedication, and perseverance. As the only girl among a brother and three male cousins, I quickly learned how to keep up, compete, and hold my own. Being tall from a young age also shaped my character—I often stood out, which pushed me to develop inner strength and confidence. Read More>>

Kickdough

My resilience came from a number of things in my life, the first and hardest trial I’ve fought was the loss of my mother at the age of 13. To me she was my everything, so getting that taken away early on really had an effect on my mental. Losing her was a lesson that tomorrow ain’t promised and the people you love can leave at anytime. That subconsciously makes me want to make things happen right now in the moment. Time is extremely valuable. Read More>>

Nathalie Lecorps

Nathalie Lecorps’ resilience comes from her deep-rooted connection to her Haitian heritage and her family’s entrepreneurial spirit. Growing up in her parents’ restaurant in Miami, she was immersed in both the challenges and rewards of running a business, learning firsthand the importance of perseverance and determination. Her dream of owning her own Haitian restaurant was always present, but it was during the pandemic that she truly understood the power of taking risks and seizing opportunities, even in tough times. Launching Gourmet Kreyol Food Truck during such a challenging period required immense resilience, as she had to navigate uncertainties while staying true to her vision. Read More>>

Alex Kyle Young

Honestly, I have been chasing my career in the entertainment industry since I was doubt 16. I will not lie, there have been moments in the past that I have questioned my resilience, but quickly determined that I would be incomplete if I was not doing something film and television related. There have been so many times that I have been knocked down or pushed back, but I just have to remind myself to get back up and push forward. I love leading a team to create, and finding spots that everyone can shine both for themselves and the project as a whole. Making someone feel something when they watch a project I help create, that is what keeps me going. Read More>>

Gee Johnson

My resilience comes from my hunger to continue to reach a higher version of self. I know who I am now and who I want to be. I’ve been through so much at only 27 and I just wish to excel in every way. I remember my mom telling me a story about us being on a beach in the Bahamas and I had to be either 2 or 3 years old. Running to the shore by myself and jumping in the water with no fear. Since a child I’ve always had this spirit to go after anything I want. I’ve always thought if I don’t seize the opportunity now, I may not get that chance again. Read More>>

Jonah Sanders

I would say that it comes from being on my own since the age of 12. My father took me to the Department of Family Service and left with the words, “ Fight” then vanished. Through street life to prison and beyond, a person has no choice but to fight or die. Read More>>

Yaicha Tinker

My resilience has been found through an incredibly challenging decade marked by profound loss and heartache. The struggle with multiple miscarriages, a preterm birth, and the devastating loss of my son has tested my limits in ways I never imagined possible. Each experience, particularly navigating the uncertainty of having two babies in the NICU—one born at just 26 weeks—has taught me the depths of my strength and the importance of hope. Coupled with the emotional experience of being laid off from a long term job. It is this journey through grief and adversity that has shaped my resilience. Read More>>

Emily Clemons

Oh, resilience! It’s such a beautiful thing, isn’t it? Like a gentle, steady strength that helps us navigate life’s ups and downs. For me, it’s always been about that wonderful phrase, “this too shall pass,” a little mantra my amazing mother instilled in me. It’s a reminder that every moment, good or challenging, is just a chapter in our story. Read More>>

Kim Bennett

I get it from my children because I needed it for my children.

I’m a realist, Probably got that from my parents. They were both well educated, upper middle class working professionals. They had secure jobs and there wasn’t a great deal of high drama at home. Even at the age of 9 I already had started to demonstrate resilience. Read More>>

Jacque Boney

I get my resilience from my parents, Tom and Vikki Boney. Both of them have been successful in corporate America, and through their experiences, they have shown me the power of resilience and the importance of showing up for others. They’ve demonstrated what it means to get back up after setbacks, face challenges head-on, and keep pushing forward.

Beyond their professional success, they have been my biggest supporters, always encouraging me to believe in myself. Their unwavering support has given me the confidence to be resilient in my own journey, knowing that setbacks are just stepping stones to future success. Read More>>

Jennifer Tabiza

I always have a strong drive to be independent and create. Every time I built something from the ground up, I proved to myself that you are the I am the creator of my own destiny. When I have failed, I pivoted, and rebuilt multiple times, and each time I emerged stronger, wiser, and more powerful. Read More>>

Allen Boatner

I would say that I get my resilience from the wisdom of the people I am close to in my life, the strength I have built, and hope.

So I grew up with parents who were deaf and, being the only hearing and also the only child in my family, life was far from easy. At a young age, I had to grow up real fast and become the doorway for both my parents and my peers of the “hearing world”, as the deaf community would call it. So it became hard for me to take care of myself and as I became older I ignored it a lot, because for quite some time I had believed that any form of self-care was not something I was allowed to have. Read More>>

Salima Khalid

My resilience is deeply rooted in my family’s journey and the sacrifices they made. My parents are Sudanese immigrants who came to this country with nothing but hope and a willingness to work hard. My father started as a driver and janitor, and through sheer determination, he climbed his way up to become a director at the World Bank. Watching him build something from nothing taught me that persistence matters—pushing forward, even when things don’t go as planned, is what truly defines resilience. It’s not about never falling—it’s about always getting back up. Read More>>

Lynn Madden

I grew up in a poor neighborhood in the Bronx(NYC) I saw drug dealers on every corner as my mom walked me to school and knew someday I would build a life where I could raise my kids in a safe environment and teach my children that good things are earned and hard work pays off.
My parents didn’t have much but gave me and my siblings everything they could in addition to a loving home. I saw how hard they worked to provide and that made me determined to continue in their path. Read More>>

Destin Nordyke

I think everyone is capable of resilience, but so much of mine comes from lived experience. I feel though as a kid you try everything in your might to build up your strength and identity as soon as you graduate high school. Especially now, there’s so much pressure on the youth in our ever-growing and changing world. But this isn’t something that you seek out, it’s a growing list of moments and hardships one goes through. Read More>>

Brett Curry

My mom got cancer when I was 14. I saw here battle through some intense struggles. She stayed positive throughout and kept the focus on others. She passed after a 2 year battle, but she was and is an inspiration. Sure business is tough. Disappointment is real. Imposter Syndrome pops up. Put in the context of mortality and terminal illness – business struggles are light and momentary. Read More>>

Julie Thomas

I think everyone has a moment in their lives when their world is suddenly turned upside down and you have no choice but to accept the cards you have been dealt, and learn how to adapt to a new normal. This life changing moment happened for me when my youngest child was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). I had just quit my professional job to become a stay at home mom, and was struggling to help him as he fell behind his peers developmentally. Read More>>