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.
Shakuntala Maheshwari
My resilience is deeply rooted in the strong examples set by my parents, particularly my father. His unwavering determination to always forge ahead, regardless of obstacles, has been a guiding light for me. He’s a problem solver, always seeking solutions and moving forward, which has left a lasting impression on my own approach to challenges. In addition, my mother played a vital role in shaping my resilience. Read more>>
Artist Miriam Moran
When I think about my resilience. I think about who has inspired me to be empowered to withstand and learn from my difficult experiences. My parents are definitely the pillar to that inspiration I get my resilience from. Read more>>
Leafmore Studios
It would be lovely if there was a shortcut, but the ability to withstand or recover from difficulties comes from encountering difficulties. There is no total success or total failure, everything has bits of both, and we just try to do our best, learn and improve, then do better the next time. Read more>>
Ny’Zhea Green
My resilience comes from seeing my mother and family members struggle growing up but, regardless of the struggle I watched every woman in my family find a way to overcome whatever adversity they may have been facing at that time. From financial difficulties, heartbreak, physical injuries from car accidents, the loss of loved ones, and even mental health issues, they never gave up and fought to pull themselves out of the dark. Read more>>
Alron Phillips
I can honestly say that my resilience and perseverance come from God. He created something within all of us that helps us endure and push forward regardless of the struggles and obstacles that may come our way. When things like that come up resilience happens naturally, because I practice it daily. Read more>>
Branin Boyack
As a child, I was taught not to give up, to keep trying and you’ll get there eventually. As I grew older, that became a part of my personality, and for whatever reason it has become an integral part of who I am. Unlike others who might have had a defining moment that helped shape them into a resilient person, I seem to have been born with it and for that I am fortunate. Read more>>
XUAM LAWSON
I get my resilience from both my mother Hattie Lawson and my father Lee Lawson. I understand the shoulders which I stand on and how much they over came in life. I stand on the shoulders of their success and those whom came before them. Read more>>
Jennifer Boonlorn
On multiple occasions I have learned that it is not the horrific events that happen to us that matter, but rather how we move through, and respond to those events that matter. Read more>>
Danielle Brion
My tenacity is rooted in an unyielding commitment to persevere against all odds; a resolute refusal to surrender. This steadfast resolve stems from an unshakable belief that solutions exist for every challenge. Amidst the most daunting of situations, I draw upon a wellspring of strength by entrusting myself to a higher power. Read more>>
Sherrelle Green/Jordan
I’d honestly say my resilience comes from my own story and life experiences. Learning giving up, is never an option. Life teaches us a lot. As I may have experience anger, grief, or pain, when stress, adversity, or trauma arises, I learned to fully function in both a physical and psychological way. Just by being aware of situations and life circumstances. Read more>>
Cherelle Lenise
I get my resilience from the Lord Jesus Christ. My strength comes from Him alone. As I look back over my life and the things I have overcome and am still crushing, resilience almost feels natural. It’s something inside of me that won’t allow me to hang my head low for too long, won’t allow me to ponder in some of the unfortunate things that have taken place in my life. Read more>>
Kennedy Fitzgibbon
One of the core principles of our art is that of “Effort and Perseverance”. Emphasis on this has helped me to develop resilience. Read more>>
Le’Quanda “She-She” Archer
That’s easy! My amazing parents. Watching my mother tirelessly juggle endless hours of work while raising six kids left an indelible mark on me. Her unyielding commitment to family inspired me, leading her to take a leap of faith into entrepreneurship. Read more>>
Jackson Bivens
I get my resilience from my father. I’m a daddy’s boy and my dad’s always been the perfect role model for me. To this day, he smartly works hard to do what he needs and wants to do. He’s always prepared for worst-case scenarios because he hates last-minute changes. Read more>>
Aeryn O’Halloran
For one, I have jewish holocaust survivors and Irish immigrants in my bloodline. Read more>>
Doremi Rivas
I always been a hard fighter but after 4 years of therapy before my divorce and after my divorce, I realized that I was fighting for something that it was giving me pleasure or satisfaction,, I recognize my abilities, love and passion for my love ones, my business and friends, I kept working hard for my dreams, confort and happiness. I found all the answers inside myself. Read more>>
Mark Franzke
For me, resilience probably comes from my ability to reframe an obstacle as an advantage. I have found that even after a setback, either from a mistake that requires me to start over, or because of a customer misunderstanding, or even criticism from an art director or store owner, I don’t mind calling it a learning experience. My initial response may be to think that the client is a jerk, or that I am a complete hack, but there’s far more value in stepping back to reassess from another perspective. Read more>>
April Jones-Taylor
Resilience should literally be my middle name lol. At a young age, I endured many challenges after my Mom and Dad divorced. By the time I was 13 I had to basically escape a violent environment within my home along with other tragedies in the process. Read more>>
Starr Fountain
Motherhood started at the age of 20 for me. I was grateful to have the support and guidance of my parents. Although young, I was determined to be resourceful when it came to being a responsible parent. Read more>>
Shiba Robinson
I develop resilience in myself by facing challenges, staying positive, seeking support from others, and learning from setbacks. Building resilience is a lifelong process and it can be strengthened through practice and self-reflection. Read more>>
Damien Raye
My resilience honestly comes from deep within.. I have been through quite a bit in my life which has certainly made me become stronger, to the point of feeling unstoppable at this point. Like I really have already been through the worst so if I made it through THOSE dark times, I can make it through anything! Read more>>
Amanda Alarcon-Hunter
Resilience a beautiful word that can mean strength, adaptability, strength of character and so much more. My personal resilience comes from my father. I am 100% my father. He was always optimsitic, gernerous, confident and always resilient no matter what was going on in his life. Read more>>
Tove Lee
a. This interview is starting off more personal than the other Voyage interviews I have done, but I like it! Sometimes I think my resilience comes from sheer stubbornness and spite – I am a Taurus after all. But in all seriousness, my resilience mainly comes from overcoming traumatic treatment and events throughout my life, especially in my twenties. Read more>>
Sarah Navarre
I developed resilience from my family background. My grandparents were Dutch immigrants who came to the US right after they were married in the 1920’s. They didn’t have much but they were incredibly resourceful and had a strong work ethic. Read more>>
Zachary Verhulst
Resilience is an interesting subject, as it is relative and very individualized. Resilience, to me, is being able to suffer through hardship, uncertainty, stress, and adversity, and instead of being overwhelmed by those experiences, you are able to use them to grow, learn, and evolve. Much of my time is spent doing hard things and being resilient affords me the space to be optimistic and future-facing. Read more>>
Preston Corbell
My resilience comes from failure. We never really learn until we fall down and have the dedication to get back up and try again. The entertainment industry is a lot of people saying “No” for just never hearing back at all. Having the ability to keep going and hold your head up high is everything. Read more>>
Timothy Gipson
As a member of the LGBTQ+ community resilience is something you really have to develop early in life. I wish that wasn’t the case for the LGBTQ+ youth of today, at the same time though I have been able to take that resilience and apply it to business and farming where it is very much needed. My resilience has grown with each difficult event in life, even if the outcome wasn’t outstanding. Read more>>
Ka’Reena Sanders
Through life’s trials and tribulations. Life has not been easy for me, I’ve endured a lot of private battles and situations that were literally sent to destroy me. Through trials and tribulations I stand in knowing that I may bend but I won’t and can’t break! Im built to last. God has given me the strength to overcome anything. Read more>>
Jamie C. Johnson
I ultimately get my resilience from my faith. However, I realized my resiliency after giving birth to my son Caleb in 2018. He was born at 32 weeks gestation due to an emergency c-section. Read more>>
Carrita Flie
I could tell a million stories to answer this question, but I will share the most important one. I gave birth to my son at just 26 weeks. In that moment I found myself on a journey I never thought I’d be on. My baby was fighting for his life, and I was fighting for him too. Read more>>
Miracle Johnson
As a tax business owner, resilience is essential for navigating the challenges and uncertainties inherent in the industry. Here are some ways you can cultivate and draw resilience in your role: Read more>>
Sheridan Taylor
For some time I wasn’t as resilient as I am now. It took some years to develop this trait. Looking at what others around me, specifically my family, had to overcome throughout their lives and seeing how strong they are made me want to emulate that too I have fallen many times and each time I feel I get back up stronger. I pray and rely more on God than myself to get me through whatever I may be up against. Read more>>
Stephanie Gilbert
This is such an important question in so many ways. Resilience is often born out of struggle, and I’m very aware that in our society we complete resilience rather than acknowledge the traumas/struggles someone has had no choice in going through. Resilience is often the only way out. Read more>>
Christle Reed
One of the most impactful sources of my resilience stems from witnessing my father’s unwavering determination as he battled lung disease for years. His tenacious spirit and relentless courage left an indelible mark on me, teaching me the importance of “digging deep” despite the most daunting challenges. Read more>>
Rebecca Castonguay
I stem from a long line of incredibly strong women and can attribute much of my own resilience to them; both grandmothers overcame tremendous adversity living through the Great Depression and having many personal struggles all while maintaining an unmatched sense of integrity and grace. That strength was passed down to my mother and then, of course, to me. Read more>>
Shawn Rochelle
Whew! Where do I get my resilience from…It’s internal, it is the way God designed me!! I know that this thing called life does not come with an instruction manual. That means I will bump my head, make some mistakes, and gain some experience along the way. Read more>>
Yvette Grishina
The fall of the USSR I was born in Estonia in 1988 to a Ukrainian mom and a Ukrainian-Russian dad. The year 1991 marked the downfall of the Soviet Union, a time of upheaval and uncertainty. As the nation transitioned, chaos emerged, and the tranquility my parents once knew began to dissipate. Read more>>
Marlene Perez
My resilience comes from different areas. But, I think the one of my main drivers is that I try to see every difficulty or challenge as a learning. I am a huge advocate of self-reflection. Of being able to look back at situations, circumstances, or relationships and growing from them. Read more>>
Ryan DeSiato
First off, I want to thank Matt Price and Voyage for including me in this series. I’d like to start with the question about where my resilience came from, and how it’s grown over the past few years. Read more>>
