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.
Rachell Dumas, BSN, RN
My resilience comes from survival. It comes from having to rebuild myself over and over again in the face of unimaginable loss.
I didn’t just wake up one day and decide to be strong. Resilience was something I had to earn, something I had to create from the pieces of myself that remained after each heartbreak. Nine pregnancy losses will teach you things about yourself that you never wanted to learn. They will break you in ways that you can’t fully articulate. They will teach you how to grieve while moving forward, how to advocate for yourself even when you’re drowning in sorrow, and how to find purpose in places you never imagined. Read More>>
Rohit Garg
My father is the source of my resilience. He’s a living example of constant self-improvement. He wasn’t always the perfect father, but he recognized areas where he needed to grow and made the necessary changes. Facing financial constraints, he adapted, learned new skills, and started a business to support our family. He’s encountered numerous challenges, from business partnerships gone awry to difficult family relationships, and even a serious health scare. But he never gives up. He embodies the idea that resilience is about adaptability and a continuous commitment to personal growth. Read More>>
Shenna Vaughn
I believe my resilience comes from my desire to make a difference and share my unique gifts as an artist and curator especially when faced with adversity .My driving force is my strength, and determination. It was heartbreaking in middle school when I received push back on a project I created with labor of love and creativity just to be told there is no way I could have possibly created that. The push back continued in highschool where my teacher told me that if I couldn’t draw people, that there is no way that could be an artist. Art has always been my life line and has helped me be persistent and continue to push through. Read More>>
Brodie Leftridge
Playing sports all my life help me develop resilience. I played baseball at The University of Tennessee for four years and it taught me hard work doesn’t always pay off. The lessons I learned from sports embody who I am today. I understand if you stay consistent with your craft you will exceed your craziest dreams Read More>>
Emmanuella Michel
I get my resilience from my purpose—building something that transforms mental health care, ensuring inclusivity, and creating opportunities for those often left behind. I’ve pushed through challenges, from bootstrapping my company from navigating pivots to assembling a strong team. Read More>>
Dr. Yulanda King
“I grew up in a single-parent household, where financial stability was always a struggle. From a young age, I learned the value of hard work, dedication, and perseverance. My mother worked tirelessly to provide for us, and I quickly understood the importance of resilience. I balanced two jobs while attending school. I took responsibility of my aunt children after she passed away. I went from a family of two to a family of six and making this effort in my early 20’s. I never let the weight of responsibilities hold me back from achieving my goals. Despite the obstacles, I remained focused and determined. Read More>>
Jenna White
As there are many of us that endured trauma, unsafe living environments, and growing up in poverty, you learn to become a survivor. I have found as a survivor, you have so many paths to choose when seeking survival, which for me, translates to safety and happiness. Two things I didn’t know as I child, but two things I observed schoolmates, friends, and neighbors bathing in and I wanted to find safety and happiness myself. With less of a fight or flight response in understanding I will survive, as I guess that didn’t always feel like that was the case. Read More>>
Deja Montoya
As a person who was raised the way I was raised, resilience is a word I strive to be associated with. A character trait I strive to attain.
This question has three answers.
The first answer is God. The second answer is mindset. The third answer is childhood. I’ll explain each of these beginning with the last answer.
As a child my parents put my brother and I in sports. From about age 4 to age 12 I continued in soccer and softball. Through this time my dad instilled two things in us.
“Give 110%.” & “It doesn’t matter if you win or lose, as long as you give your best.” Read More>>
Emma Galantich
I get my bounce-back power from the setbacks themselves, whether they’re emotional, physical, or mental. When I find myself stuck in a bad place, ex a toxic work environment or the people around me, I make it a point to snap out of it and refocus on what I truly want and how I want to feel at the end of the day. There aren’t enough hours in a day or days in a week to waste time dwelling on negativity because that only holds you back. I always strive for better, because I know those setbacks are as low as it gets, and from there, things can only improve. Every day is a chance to level up, and I remind myself of that constantly. Read More>>
No-La
My resilience starts generations back on both my maternal and paternal sides. I am Eastern Band Cherokee and Mexican which means the brown hues of my skin, the thick dark hair that falls down my back in waves, and the dark almost black iris’s of my eyes are from multiple generations of people choosing to love each other even if its for a moment or a lifetime just from their interaction came the different features that make up me. I have a big laugh something that is shared amongst my family members and those loud echoes of laughter are reminders that there is something good to be thought of and shared. Read More>>
Catherine Haffey
Resilience Beyond Cancer: My Journey from Fear to Empowerment
Fourteen years ago, I stood at the finish line of my breast cancer treatment, expecting to feel relief, joy, and a sense of victory. Instead, I was met with an unsettling silence. The doctors had done their part—chemo, surgery, radiation—but when it came to what came next, there was nothing. No roadmap, no guidance, no answers to the most pressing question in my mind: How do I keep cancer from coming back? Read More>>
Hanwei Su
My resilience stems deeply from embracing my dual identity—as a modern Chinese woman and a designer who straddles two cultures. Growing up surrounded by China’s rich heritage, where resilience was often born from necessity and struggle, taught me the power of persistence and adaptability. Drawing inspiration from the humble yet strong spirit of China’s peasant history—the symbolism of the “hoe,” a tool of survival and transformation—I learned that true resilience involves both strength and humility. Read More>>
George Kramarski
Resilience, for me, has been shaped by two key pillars: my life as a musician and composer, and the challenges I’ve faced along the way.
A career in music demands an unshakable sense of perseverance. It’s easy to romanticize the idea of being a musician—who wouldn’t want to make a living playing music? But the reality is much more complex. It requires relentless dedication, the ability to handle rejection, and the willingness to push forward even when things don’t go as planned. Read More>>
Sylvie Dan
My resilience was shaped by witnessing and overcoming life’s inevitable challenges alongside my family, particularly inspired by my mother’s remarkable strength. From an early age, I observed her navigate hardships with quiet courage and unwavering optimism. She faced setbacks not as barriers but as opportunities to learn and grow, demonstrating a form of resilience that became foundational to my own perspective. Read More>>
Corwin Parker
My resilience comes from never giving up and always getting back up when life knocks me down. I’ve had to face some tough moments, especially with my MS diagnosis, but I’ve learned that resilience isn’t about avoiding challenges—it’s about how you handle them. Every setback is an opportunity to push harder and keep moving forward. My journey has shown me the importance of perseverance and having the courage to face adversity head-on, no matter what. It’s a mindset I carry with me every day, and it keeps me going, even when things get tough. Read More>>
Zipporah Jarmon
When I reflect on my resilience, I can think of many points in my life that led to my confidence and resilience. For me, resilience lies within my confidence. My confidence in knowing that if I choose to do something personal or professional, I can succeed in the task ahead of me. This confidence is a light that I hold through the bright opportunities that shine when things are going as desired and as a candlelight in the darkness when the goal or objective has reached roadblocks or barriers. As living beings, we can expect roadblocks and challenges to arise; I firmly believe that we all have what we need within us to achieve our wildest dreams. So, I expect challenges, and when I need to be resilient, it falls back on my confidence and trust that I am on the right path. Read More>>
Robin Ha
I’m resilient because I don’t really have a choice. As a freelance artist, being resilient is essential for survival. Success early on is rare, and most freelance comic artists I know have spent years working in obscurity, juggling two or three jobs just to make ends meet before getting their big break. Even those who are considered “successful” still face rejection on a regular basis. Read More>>
Bridget Ann
Growing up, I always envisioned my life following a hyper-organized path—I had everything mapped out, from my four-year college degree to my retirement. The funny thing about having such a rigid plan is how quickly it can fall apart. I wanted to be an aerospace engineer and built my entire high school experience around that goal. I immersed myself in robotics (Valor – pit captain, manufacturing, assembly), took PLTW engineering classes, and sought out every opportunity that would strengthen my resume. I knew good grades weren’t enough, so I filled my time with activities that would make me stand out—National Charity League, swim coaching, theatre, anything and everything that would push me closer to my dream college. Read More>>
Dahye Lee
I believe my resilience comes from both my personal experiences and my passion for tattooing. As an artist, I’ve faced creative challenges, demanding projects, and the uncertainty that comes with this career, but each obstacle has taught me to adapt and grow. Moving to a new country and building my career in different environments has also strengthened my ability to push through difficulties and stay focused on my goals. Every challenge is an opportunity to learn, and that mindset keeps me moving forward. Read More>>
Clayton Horrighs
“I draw my resilience from my family and mentors. Their support and belief in me make failure feel impossible. First, I never want to let them down, and second, I know that no matter what, they’ll always be there to lift me up when I need them most.” Read More>>
Christeenia Smith-Peart
I often say my resilience has deep Jamaican roots! Growing up with a single mother (in my younger years, my stepdad ,who I call dad, came in later on)taught me the true meaning of hard work and determination. My mornings started with the sound of her hustle; she’d rise before dawn, get my sister and me ready for school, and then send me back to bed for a few more winks. It was like a masterclass in commitment—she was the ultimate multitasker, juggling work and family with grace. Those early lessons instilled in me a strong work ethic and the ability to bounce back from challenges. So, you could say my resilience is a blend of my mother’s unwavering spirit and the vibrant culture of Jamaica! Read More>>
SAHN HOVA
I obtained my resilience from the strengthens and courage of elevating my mind. Prayer & God.
Helps To ahold of my course.
Including the helps of my Grandmother. And you wouldn’t think to believe me… actually having Lupus. It’s a battle. That keeps me ahold of my own boat. Making sure I’m ahold of myself if I float. It’s within my mental capacity. Read More>>
Aly Vredenburgh
My resilience comes from a deep belief in systemic change and a refusal to accept the status quo. Growing up, I saw firsthand how mental health struggles, inequality, and systemic failures shaped people’s lives. These experiences fueled my passion for advocacy, education, and social innovation, leading me to write Out of Focus: Why Gen Z’s Mental Health Crisis is More Complex Than You Think and develop a documentary to expose the root causes of the crisis. Read More>>
Yue Yu
My resilience comes from my unique life experience and intrinsic motivation to pursue my goals. I started playing tennis at the age of six and left my hometown at thirteen to receive professional training in Beijing. Those years as a professional athlete played a crucial role in my development. The intense daily training taught me discipline, perseverance, and how to overcome physical and mental challenges. It wasn’t just about winning races, it was about constantly improving, even when progress felt slow or setbacks seemed overwhelming. This experience has shaped my ability to stay focused and resilient no matter how difficult the situation. Read More>>
Teresa Espindola
About 15 years ago, 2 weeks after the birth of my 4th child, I bent over to pick up my shoes and herniated a disc and tore a back muscle. I could not hold my body upright. 4 pregnancies had done a number on my back, and I didn’t yet know why. As I sat in my doctor’s office in the most extreme pain of my life, he said “I am not sure exactly why your spine is compressing, and looks like that of an 80 year old, but you need to lose weight and become an athlete, or you will be in a wheelchair within 7 years”. I was angry and upset that he said those things, but it got me thinking. I was overweight and unable to walk or even sit in a chair and I had four kids. How was I going to raise them? How was I going to play with them? I was fitted for a brace with metal bars to hold me upright and started intense physical therapy. A few weeks later, I was able to get on my elliptical for a whole five minutes before it kicked me off because my heart rate went too high. Read More>>
Mariah Sims
My life is a story of resilience, and I can only attribute that to God. From the very beginning, I wasn’t set up for an easy road—born to teen parents (15 and 19), losing my father just ten days before my freshman year of high school, and now walking this journey as a single mother to my six-year-old son. But through every challenge, I’ve held on to the truth of Proverbs 24:16: “For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again.” That has been the anthem of my life. Read More>>
Iymaani Aytes
I get my resilience from my grandmother, a powerful woman of faith whose wisdom is rooted in scripture and experience. She raised me and my brother in Brooklyn, New York, teaching us that God doesn’t promise a life without trials, but He does promise strength to overcome them. She often reminded me that resilience isn’t just about enduring hardship, it’s about trusting God’s plan, learning from every obstacle, and pressing forward with faith and purpose. To her, challenges weren’t roadblocks; they were God’s way of building character and preparing us for greater things. Growing up under her guidance, I learned early to stand firm in my faith, stay steadfast in my purpose, and keep moving forward, knowing that God was ordering my steps.. Read More>>
Fiona Young-Brown
It may sound paradoxical but I think a large part of my resilience was born out of hopelessness. You reach a point where you don’t know if you can carry on, but the alternative is just stopping and doing nothing. That means you stay in the situation that is making you feel unhappy. So instead, you keep going. You keep pushing along because it’s better than giving up. Read More>>
Lena Lewis
I think it’s deeply rooted in watching the women in my life struggle to keep everything and everyone afloat—without much room to focus on themselves. I was trained to effort. To grind. To figure it out. I was raised with the understanding that I didn’t have anyone to depend on but myself. And when things went wrong—and trust me, they often did—I had to find a way through because no one was coming to save me. Read More>>
Ryan Smith
I wasn’t aware about my resilience until when I am in my early twenties. The amount of times that I have been upset or felt like I couldn’t do it, I always remained standing. While I don’t know exactly where I got my resilience, I felt like I had it in my whole life without my awareness. Read More>>
Himanshu
My resilience comes from a deep sense of commitment to my word. It started when I promised my senior that I would change myself and become fit. At that time, I didn’t want to face him again as my old self. But when I did, I felt disappointed in myself—that moment gave me my initial motivation. Read More>>
Rob Swymer
This is a link to my TEDx talk where I outline my triple A process to overcome adversity and build resilience in life and business. I will be talking about how this process can be leveraged to build resilience in both life and business. The key message is that you can not just survive adversity, but you can thrive again after. Read More>>
Shannon Drexler
As I see it, my resilience came from a profound blend of personal experiences, love, and determination. Growing up with a father who was not only a hero but a mentor in developing my business, his wisdom likely instilled a strong sense of purpose and belief that I could overcome challenges. My father, Merle, was a rock solid, kindhearted, strong character kind of guy with good sense of morals. He passed away when I was 33 and a single mom with two kids. As I navigated life as a single mom while managing the salon I feel it demonstrated strength and adaptability. Balancing those responsibilities requires not just hard work but the ability to stay focused on my goals despite the obstacles. My father’s influence provided a great foundation of values such as perseverance, dedication, and the importance of family. Read More>>
Dr. Tashauna Richardson
People often ask me where my resilience comes from. The truth is, it’s not something I was simply born with — it’s something I built, piece by piece, through the experiences that have shaped me.
I’ve faced unimaginable loss, including the pain of losing my son. That kind of heartbreak can break you or build you, and for me, it did both. There were days I didn’t know how to move forward, but I knew I had to. My faith carried me through those moments. God reminded me that even in the darkest times, I still had a purpose. Read More>>
Beth
My house burnt down in dec 2020, my family lost everything.
While we were trying to figure out what we wanted in our new house. It came down to countertops what I wanted and what I could afford was two different things altogether. Then we stumbled on a ad for epoxy countertops where you could do it your self so we did alot of watching of videos and decided I needed to do a class so I went to Texas to do a class from there I have done several friends and customers countertops. While I still haven’t been able to do my own as our builder. Has not finished our house even though he’s been paid. Hopefully I will be able to soon. So to relive the stress and self sooth I started doing functional epoxy art pieces. I refinished peoples tables., I make clocks, and Michigan art, I do wall art charcuterie boards etc. all done to keep me busy& not stressing and now I sell them on line at craft shows and in some stores. Read More>>
Dacheka Kolcum
Being born and adopted from Haiti has shaped a lot of my personality and who I am as a woman. I am so proud to be an immigrant and so proud to be Haitian. I will never give up because I have a family who sacrificed everything in the hopes that I would have a better life. Because of them, because of God, and because of my adoptive family, I have all the resources that I may need to be successful. I don’t take that lightly and I don’t take that for granted. My resilience comes from the sacrifices made for me by so many people around me. Read More>>
Deme D
To be honest I’m not sure, my parents are both persistent & resilient. I’ve always had a burning desire to accomplish my goal once my mind was set. The desire to be great plays a major part Read More>>
Jamie O’Neill
I’d love to say I was born with it, but the truth is, my resilience was forged in the fire of my struggles. Life didn’t hand me an easy script—I had to rewrite my story more times than I can count. Growing up, I faced challenges that could have broken me: early trauma, addiction, toxic relationships, and hitting rock bottom in ways that most people only read about. But every time I fell, something inside me refused to stay down. Read More>>
Nadia Williams
My resilience is rooted in my faith and the deep understanding that life is what we make it. From a young age, I had to fend for myself and others, building my independence early on. I have faced countless challenges drowning in bills, near eviction, being unappreciated and used by those closest to me, and even experiencing homelessness, living in my car for months after moving to LA. I have endured dark cycles of depression and even thoughts of suicide, reaching a point where life felt too hard to keep going. For years, I struggled mentally, trying to navigate adulthood while carrying the weight of my past. Read More>>
Rachel Robinson-Lewis
My my resilience comes from my family in general especially the women in my family they have shown me that no matter what we keep pushing they are the reasons that I feel like I am strong i am smart reliable Dependable and why I guess in some ways I’m empathetic or sympathetic to people’s feelings or life experiences or just there soul in general. Read More>>
