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.
Brenda Kithcart
Great question! I get this one often! I honestly can’t pinpoint where my resilience comes from exactly. But I know that I’ve always been able to take on whatever life has thrown at me. Always just diving in head first to get to the end result. So excited to see the promise on the other side. Read more>>
Warren “Wawa” Snipe
I’m the creator of Dip Hop (Hip Hop through Deaf eyes) and I’ve been the entertainment industry for a long time. It wasn’t easy dealing with constant heckling and pull downs from both deaf and hearing community when I started this genre/movement, but I had a dream. I saw it clearly in my mind and my entire being was laser focused on bringing that dream to reality for all to see. Read more>>
samahria richie
My whole life has been a series of events that could have caused me to be on a different trajectory than what I am today, leaving me helpless and hopeless. From a childhood sexual abuse survivor to a teen domestic violence survivor. I have survived a near attempt on my life, a very serious car accident, I have been rejected for many opportunities as well because I got into trouble when I was a late teen/ early adult and became labeled. Read more>>
Yuqun Huang
People around me nurtured my resilience. I am fortunate to work in one of the leading design studios, yU+co, where everyone is incredibly talented and diligent. Their trust in me has been a significant factor. I encounter fresh design challenges and technical hurdles daily, and I appreciate the chance to explore new things regularly. Read more>>
Jess Fritz
Resilience is a practice. I don’t think it is a skill you either have or don’t. To me, the choice to keep going every time you are tested is what resilience is. Read more>>
Erich Caudell
Resilience is mental toughness, mental fortitude if you will, that is derived from the environment you are subjected to during your life. My resilience comes from my parents, my family and my life experiences. My father who was a builder, Policeman and pilot showed me what never quitting can accomplish. My mother who was an RN for over 40 years showed me how focus leads to success. Read more>>
Dr. Alicia Sloan
I didn’t have a strong village growing up. My familial support was minimal to non-existent. To top that off, I was bullied in school from the 1st through the 11th grade. However with all of that, I always wanted to be great, accomplished. I have always been ambitious and wanted to be involved with everything so eventually I’d be able to look back, see what I did, and be able to pat myself on the back. Read more>>
Shaniece Criss
I remember looking out the window while my classmates were at recess. I had acute asthma as a child, so I couldn’t go out to play with them because I would have asthma attacks. When I was in kindergarten, Read more>>
Russell Taylor
My resilience and work ethic stem from my upbringing on a family farm. Growing up, I learned the value of hard work and determination. The daily routine of waking up early to complete chores and then moving on to other tasks or school taught me the importance of discipline and responsibility. Read more>>
Cindy Campobasso
We’ve learned that the energy you put out, is the energy that comes back to you in life. While it’s incredibly important to feel your feelings and allow yourself to live in a range of human emotions, it’s just as important to recognize and remember that all feelings, moods and situations in life are fleeting and not permanent. Read more>>
Jamie Floyd
I have found my resilience in all the heartbreaks I never expected to have, the rejections that came despite my best efforts, in the people I didn’t believe would let me down and in every part of my story that I didn’t plan. Read more>>
Claudia de la Cruz
“My resilience is forged from the fiery crucible of my life’s purpose. The moment I unearthed the profound calling that echoed within my soul, I realized that I was destined to engage in an unrelenting battle, to toil tirelessly, to conquer every mission set before me. Read more>>
Tony Vicich
I would rather stay home and eat beans than go out and eat dirt. That and the fact that that there is nothing more exhilarating than having a thought, acting upon it, and seeing it come to fruition. In order to do that, you have to have focus and belief. Those two combined give me great resilience. Read more>>
Hayley Antonian
Thank you for that compliment, I think it’s a work in progress. Initially I think my resilience stems from a young age – starting when I was diagnosed with an auto immune disease at the age of 10. I missed a lot of school and had limitations that separated me from my peers. I had to learn to push forward and work hard to catch up with schoolwork, social activities, and friendships. Read more>>
Tamara Grant
What makes me resilient is my roots. I grew up in an extended family household were I had constant love and protection. My family was formed by mostly woman, (Aunties, grandma being the matriarch) The males or boys of the family branched out and formed their own families. Read more>>
Celtic Honey Honey
I moved around quite a bit when I was little…..as in averaging a school a year up till high school. Home was where my stuff was and my life was a constant state of change. However, that constant change in environments also taught me how to adapt quickly and later translated into the go with the flow personality I am today. Read more>>
Don Hudson
We truly are a family at X Team Services and we depend on each other for our successes. This leads to long term employment and leadership in the community. A large body of research has found that psychological resilience is generally fostered by environmental/caregiving conditions during childhood that are loving and emotionally responsive. Read more>>
Ahmed Abdullah
I’m the youngest of four children, coming from a single Mother household. Growing up I realize the meaning of struggle early on; I watched my mom do all that she could do to provide for myself and my sibling. I remember witnessing her Entreprenurial spirit early on as well. Read more>>
David Fhima
I think I get my resilience from where most people get it… time and experience. All of us have had life experiences that have knocked us down, pushed us around and made us feel less than… The more of those you have, the more resilient you become. Read more>>
Victoria Valentinas
When asked where I get my resilience from, I must do some reflecting on which situations have forced me to be resilient. The definition of resilience according to Oxford Languages is “the capacity to withstand or to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness.” I don’t believe that ‘toughness’ happens overnight but is rather something that is developed from layers of strong foundations. Read more>>
David Williams
I get my resilience from my mom, God rest her beautiful soul, I watched her battle many challenges all my life but through it all she did everything she could to ensure we had what we needed. Our dad died when we were young so it was just her and through it all she remained resilient and strong and never gave up Read more>>
Charissa Lauren
Resilience is interesting because it looks different for everyone. Every being has their own path, their own obstacles, and “lessons” as I like to call them. For me, being resilient was always the only option. I was determined to shape my path and find success for myself at a very young age. I started working at 13 and I really never slowed down since. Read more>>
Sigail Currie
My resilience comes from the admiration I’ve always had for my mother, growing up in somewhat of a single-parent home. My mother had to be the father for 6 children. She was and still is the backbone of the family, even after losing one child at such a young age. She never quite and she never ceases to amaze me. That was very admirable given what we had growing up. Read more>>
Annette Wasden
Honestly, I believe I developed my resilience from birth. I look back over my 55 years of life, and I recall many, many situations, events and circumstances where I had to “choose” to withstand and recover from difficulties and many tough situations. I was either going to sink or swim in adapting to difficult and/or challenging life experiences. Read more>>
Molly Tieng
I often say that sometimes being resilient comes with no choice. Resilience is about how well we’re able to cope, adapt, or ‘bounce back’ when we experience hardship or trauma – to me personally, the term ‘resilience’ can also describe a state of survival mode. I feel like my resilience is embedded in my DNA, passed down from my family generations. Read more>>
Melinda Ebert
I have often had to pull myself up after being shoved down. My faith that there is more for me out in the world if I open my mind to look for it has been the consistent factor in pulling me back up. I know I am on the earth for something bigger than just me so as long as I keep my eyes open and keep moving forward regardless of setbacks, I will be in a positive headspace. Read more>>
Malabar Baz
Hi and thank you for the invite! Read more>>
Ahmaine Canada
My resilience comes from my inner pain , that I shifted to strength , when i realized crying and complaining will never resolve the situation, it may numb or ease it , however it will never solve it. I get my resilience from trusting in God , he is my higher power and my strength, and nothing I do i can do without him or his assistance. Read more>>
Lillian Reyes
This is an interesting question because “resilience” generally means adaptive to change, and a lot of people–my husband included–would say I’m resistant to change. However, I view “resilience” as “the ability to move forward” despite all else. Read more>>
Kelly Butts-Spirito
I got sober when I was seventeen and lived in a group home during my senior year of high school. Those experiences forced me to learn how to be resilient and keep moving forward even when I’m faced with challenges. Read more>>
Reonda Thompson
I get resilience from having being knocked down. Time after time I come across road blocks and hardships,. I stop, but I don’t quit. Read more>>
Neraka Taylor
My resilience is a reflection of the unwavering strength and positivity instilled in me by my remarkable mother. Her unyielding determination and unwavering optimism have been my guiding lights through life’s most formidable challenges. Read more>>
Amir Davis
I get my resilience from my mother she has always told me stay tough and to keep my head up through any difficult situation. I have also taught myself that no matter what you’re alway going to have good days and a few bad days but its what you’re going to do when you have a bad day. Read more>>
Flore Francois
Nurtured in Haiti: Unveiling the Roots of My Resilience Read more>>
Sheryl Green
My stepmom, Linda, came into my life when I was just 4-years-old. My mom and my dad had just divorced and even at that young age, I was showing signs of anxiety. Linda always acted as my advocate. She was my voice the entire time I was growing up… even though she was always in pain. Read more>>
