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.
Stephanie Charo
My resiliency comes from my mom and God.
My mom has all been the one to support and push me to keep going when things get
hard or stressful. She also is the one that is reminding me to have faith in God’s plan for myself
and my business. Read More>>
Thao Yang
From an early age, I held onto the belief that “if there is a will, there is a way.” Growing up as the oldest son of first-generation parents who spoke little English, I was forced to mature quickly. I became my family’s translator, advocate, and confidant; balancing doctor’s appointments, daily tasks, and the other responsibility of making sure our family all got by. These experiences taught me that my determination couldn’t waver, because my success was tied directly to my family’s well-being. Read More>>
Rachel Huffman
I think that resilience is presented in many forms throughout a person’s life; often out of heartbreak.
At the age of seven, I lost my brother in a car accident. This is the first major hurdle that I can vividly remember my family facing. Though it was hard, I watched my parents push through each day and continue to find strength and joy while giving my sister and I a full and incredible childhood. Soon after, my mom enrolled me in dance lessons as a form of healing. Read More>>
Tobias Jacob
My resilience comes from long periods of trial and error and understanding the reward that comes from times of tribulation. I think after many failed and successful projects, ie. photography, film, and curatorial, i’ve grown to expect long timeframes and drawn out collaborative processes. That drawn out grind, is in my opinion, what produces the best work. Read More>>
Sierra Domb
If anyone sees resilience in me, I appreciate that deeply. There is no perfect plan for weathering life’s twists; I certainly never had one. Life has a way of asking more from us than we expect, and it is in those moments when we are stretched and tested that resilience often reveals itself, not because we choose it, but because we are called to rise. I simply did what I could with what life placed in my hands, like so many others facing challenges, medical or otherwise, and still finding ways to move forward. Read More>>
Vira Dovbeniuk
My resilience comes from my story. I moved to a new country, built my nail career from scratch, and faced challenges that sometimes felt bigger than me. But I always had this inner voice saying, “You can’t stop now.”
I think I get my strength from my family, from my Ukrainian roots where we simply don’t quit — we cry, we wipe our tears, and we keep going. Read More>>
Shing Yiing Ong
I believe my resilience was shaped by every chapter of my life where I had to start from scratch — and find strength in uncertainty.
I immigrated to the U.S. in 2009 to attend college. English wasn’t my first language, and I was far from everything familiar. I had to communicate in primarily not just a new language, but a whole new culture — how to advocate for myself, how to be heard, and how to keep going even when I felt invisible. Read More>>
Joanathan Bessaci
My resilience comes from my roots and from a life shaped by contrast, challenges, and a deep desire for freedom. I come from an immigrant family but was raised in a French environment — I’ve always lived between two worlds. That duality taught me early on how to adapt, how to understand different perspectives, and most importantly, how to look for solutions rather than stay stuck in obstacles. Read More>>
Hyeongrin Ryu
Looking back on my life, I believe my resilience has grown through the support of my parents and family. I began studying both voice and piano at the age of six. Even from a young age, when I faced small competitions and challenges, my parents always supported and encouraged me—regardless of whether I failed or didn’t achieve the best results. Read More>>
RoShaunda Collins
I believe I receive my resilience from the two most important women in my life. One, being my Mother. The other being from my late Grandmother. Naturally it begins with my Grandmother, whom we called “Big Mama”. This woman was amazing. Yes, we all say this about our Grandparents, but Dorothy Mae Collins was unmatched. She was truly one of kind and loved by so many people. She was a true God fearing woman. Read More>>
Janice Fried
It took many years of trial and error to feel truly resilient and I still consider myself a work in progress.
I believe in living one day at a time as much as possible. As it has been said, dwelling in the past can bring on depression and living in the future can cause anxiety. Keeping a balance and staying as much in the present as possible is the only way for me. Read More>>
Kane Kelly
I get my resilience from my wife and kid. Responsibility to provide for my family removes any selfish excuses. Dedication to doing my absolute best to provide for a family. I feel fortunate to be able to have a career that I enjoy and freedom to dabble in music as a creative outlet while being able to provide for my family. Read More>>
Jeanee Crane-Mauzy
Internally mostly. I get my resilience from the little things. Moments with my dogs, my niece and nephews. My family. They are the motivation to keep going and try again. Read More>>
German Anselmo
Honestly, I get my resilience from my family and culture. I had to watch my parents work hard to give us the best life they could, knowing nothing would be handed to us. My family and so many others came to this country with so little and in pursuit of something more. That’s pushed me pretty far and now as an actor, I feel like there’s something I have to prove. I want to get up every morning and pursue my goals with the same drive my parents had. Read More>>
Charlie Ledula
My resilience comes from a combination of my upbringing and the mindset I’ve chosen to build as an adult. Growing up, I faced environments where emotional presence wasn’t always the norm, and where I had to learn early how to regulate myself in silence. I think that shaped me more than I realized because it gave me an inner fire to break cycles, not repeat them. It led me to take the courage to move from London to the U.S. Not know anyone and just figuring it out, which makes me grateful for all life experiences good and bad. Read More>>
Jazmyne Rogers
I never thought of myself as resilient or having resilience, ever until I turned 25, the big shift out of many shifts people talk about. The moment your brain fully develops or at least your frontal lobe for the most part. I had a mental breakdown because I was scared, unsure, exhausted from the job I had. I had asked myself what got me this far. I had always thought I was going to be dead before 18. I honestly had no idea where life was heading or what direction to go in. I still don’t sometimes, I don’t think anyone does. Read More>>
Grant Cartwright
I used to wonder which is more powerful; kindness or perspective? In a vulnerable moment of genuine connection early in my career I once asked a leader I aimed to emulate, which of the two they thought to be the worthier. Their answer was immediate as was my feeling that they perhaps lacked perspective in claiming kindness to be the one. Read More>>
Pamela McCreight
Resilience, for me, isn’t just about bouncing back—it’s about rising with intention, transforming pain into purpose, and refusing to let hardship define the story’s ending. I’m currently walking through a divorce, and rather than letting it break me, I’ve chosen to let it remake me. What’s pulling me through is the opportunity to be radically honest with myself—peeling back every layer, examining every corner, and learning to love myself through it all. That’s the real work: staying open-hearted when life tries to close you down. Read More>>
Leah Abells
My resilience really revealed itself when my life took an unexpected turn at 37, two months before what was supposed to be my wedding. The relationship ended, and I was left with over $70,000 of debt. It was one of those moments where everything you imagined for your future vanishes overnight. I had a choice: fall apart or rise up. Read More>>
Dr. Jamil Sayegh
Let me share a story with you that has deeply impacted people all around the world.
Life Can Change In An Instant
“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”
~ Mary Oliver Read More>>
Lisa Flynn
I believe resilience is like a muscle—the more you work it, the stronger it gets. That’s a simple idea to say out loud, but living it? That takes fire. Resilience is forged in uncertainty, loss, reinvention. It’s not just about grit—it’s also about optimism, adaptability, and the ability to focus on the larger goal rather than the momentary discomfort. Read More>>
Becca-Willow Moss
I believe my resilience comes, in large part, from my grandfather’s story. He survived Nazi persecution, and though he carried the weight of that trauma, he lived with dignity, kindness, and a quiet strength. His ability to rebuild his life and find hope after such horror taught me that endurance isn’t just about surviving — it’s about choosing to keep creating, connecting, and believing in something better. Read More>>
Dr. Richard Myles Sr.
The resilience I carry comes from being surrounded by strong black-educated leaders growing up and residing in Washington, D.C. As a native Washingtonian, seeing Black leaders in power has never been unusual for me. This has been the norm for African Americans in positions of power in the nation’s capital. These leaders have also been great educators in regards to setting a great example for young people coming behind them. I was inspired early on by sports greats in D.C. who I wanted to be like. They didn’t let their circumstances growing up in the city interfere with chasing their dreams. Read More>>
Rob Rodrigues
As a brand partner with the role of Creative Director at ALL ONE UNIVERSE, I tap into my lifelong desire to set myself apart from the mainstream through projects that foster a unique perspective of the world. As with all things related to the arts and design, this takes finding satisfaction in your endeavors even when your creations are not currently gaining recognition or embodying mass-appeal. A sincere belief in yourself will ultimately allow you to shine through what you make, create or build. Read More>>
Qveen Culver
To be honest, my resilience didn’t come from a place of peace or perfection. It came from failure. From loss. From grief.
I’ve been through some really dark times where I questioned God, where I was losing jobs back-to-back, getting evicted, watching my car get repossessed, my money gone, my credit torn. I’ve been at rock bottom, asking, “Why me?” But through all of that pain, I started to realize: the storm wasn’t meant to destroy me it was meant to develop me. Read More>>
Nicole Wolverton
Writers get rejected. A lot. So when I talk about resilience and having better-than-average coping skills, most people assume that I’ve acquired those skills from hearing the word “no” over and over. In truth, it’s not about writing–but what I write. My favorite thing to write is horror, and I’ve loved being scared for fun since I was a little kid. My grandmother read the original Grimm’s fairy tales to me before I learned to read myself. Read More>>
Trinity Jackson
My resilience comes from watching my parents work incredibly hard when I was growing up — from times when they had to sleep on the floor, to finding a way to build a life and a family despite the odds. Their strength taught me to push forward, no matter what. I’ve also built resilience through my own journey: learning from past failures and mistakes, and remembering the pain of having been in a depressed place that I never want to return to. Ultimately, what keeps me grounded and motivated is my goal of becoming a full-time entrepreneur — Read More>>
Christopher Aggett
I am a podcaster and YouTuber. I started the show after the writing community helped me with writing and publishing advice. I was so taken back by their support that I had an urge to support them back as a thank you. I decided, after discovering that marketing a book is very tricky and hard work, that, I will start a podcast to give authors a platform to showcase themselves and books. I loved doing this despite having huge senses of procrastination. I had no experience podcasting or creating a YouTube channel. Read More>>
Anna Kathryn
Born with different abilities, I hava spent the majority of my life overcoming challenges most individuals never have to face. These challenges have developed in me a desire to learn, a persistence to strive and work hard at every task I takes on, and a determination to be as independent as possible. Read More>>
Karen Pearson
For me, resilience comes from a belief that positive always comes from negative. No matter how difficult or challenging a situation is, there will always be an opportunity to find hope and possibility. Read More>>
Teresa Chi
In progress Read More>>
Charnetta Williams
My resilience is deeply rooted in the foundation my parents laid for me. They worked tirelessly to give my siblings and I the best life possible. I have vivid early memories of my dad reading to us—and then handing us blank sheets of paper to write book reports afterward. It was his way of making sure we weren’t just entertained by stories but truly absorbing them. My mom taught me how to read before I even started school, often sounding out words with me at the kitchen table. She wasn’t always working outside the home, but she was always working—nurturing us, teaching us, shaping us. Read More>>
Tessa Blakney
As a woman-owned permanent jewelry business, my resilience is rooted in both purpose and community. Creating meaningful, lasting pieces that symbolize connection and memory. Beyond the jewelry itself, it’s about showing up every day as a woman in business, breaking barriers, and building something that reflects my values. I draw strength from other women in business who inspire me, from my team, and from the clients who trust us to be a part of their special moments. Read More>>
Malaysia Harrell
My resilience was not given, it was forged.
I grew up in an environment where survival came before self-expression. Abuse was a silent presence in my childhood, shaping the way I saw the world and myself. At an age when most children were learning to play, I was learning to protect: my siblings, my spirit, and any fragile sense of safety we could find. Responsibility didn’t wait for permission; it became my reality. Read More>>
Stacy McCall-Martin
I get my resilience from my other grandmother and my grandmothers. I identify as a Black woman, and with that positionality comes a lineage of strong Black women who couldn’t be anything less than strong even if they wanted to. I provide therapy and coaching to Black women and have researched how the concepts of strength and stress create complicated identities and experiences for us. I understand that being strong means persisting. I also understand, however, that strength is better accessed when I rest. Read More>>
