Building Blocks of Success: Resilience

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.

Yae seul (Srisley) Kim

I grew up surrounded by love and music, thanks to my maternal grandmother, mother, and aunt, all of whom are musicians. Additionally, I received significant support from my father, who worked in a field unrelated to music. I feel fortunate to be able to pass on the love I received to others. However, life presents its challenges, and everyone has their own story. Read more>>

Isabella Vigil

I think resilience is something I have learned through the years. It is definitely difficult to move out to another country to pursue a dream, and maybe more difficult to pursue a dream that involves becoming a professional artist.  Read more>>

Valery Rozo

For me, the origin of my resilience come from seeing my biggest role models never giving up, from seeing my parents not letting the difficulties and sacrifices on their lives stopped them, from growing up with my brother who have always gave me the tools to learn how to do things by myself and not be waiting for others to do it for me and to always be giving my very best, Read more>>

Boitumelo Diseko-Ngubeni

Boitumelo Diseko-Ngubeni’s resilience was inspired by her mom. Her mom is a strong, beautiful and resilient woman. Diseko-Ngubeni got inspired and started being resilient from a young age in her school work then later in her career. Read more>>

 Brian Johnson

What an amazing question…believe it or not, my resilience comes from my mother! Hearing her story of overcoming an attempted murder/suicide attack from a family member when she was only a teenager, to her becoming a married adult and losing a child when he was 10, losing 2 sisters and a husband within weeks of each other, and the list goes on. Read more>>

Rebecca Monclova

In 2013, at the age of 33, I was diagnosed with Stage 2B ER/PR/HER2+ Breast Cancer. I was getting dressed for a friend’s wedding when I got the call. My (now) husband said, “We don’t have to go to the wedding if you don’t want”, but I felt like I just wanted to be around friends and distracted from the news, so we went. I have an extremely supportive family and network of friends and that made all the difference in my journey through breast cancer. Read more>>

Eric Senich

Simply from the passion I have for podcasting and rock and roll music. This podcast requires quite a bit of work but it never feels like it. Reading a book about a band or artist or particular topic involving rock and roll is always a pleasure.  Read more>>

OneGreatBastard

It’s a gift I inherited from my mother. Her work ethic wouldn’t allow her to be slowed down by anything the world threw her way. She has a calmness about her in the midst of chaos that shifts rooms. I was able to overcome a lot of the traumas and doubts from others in my life due to her. With a blueprint like that I had no choice but to apply myself to the fullest extent. Read more>>

Brittany Germain (Jermaine)

I got my resilience from being around strong black women all my life. My mom was a single mom raising two daughters. My sister and I knew my mom had her struggles, but we never wanted for anything. If she wanted it , she always made it happen.Now if there is something I want , there’s nothing I won’t do to make it happen! Read more>>

BONGGUN KIM

I used to be a very weak-minded person since I was young. Unlike my brother who inherited my mom’s personality, I inherited my dad’s side of the gene mostly. However, as I grew up, I saw how hard my mom worked and lived her life, I’ve tried my best to at least get to a little bit of what she has done for us. Read more>>

Ajori Burkhammer

Throughout my life I have encounter countless storms. The most challenging moment that has tested my resilience and strength occurred the past December, when my infant son died at 21 days old. As a Christian, I believe that God equips us to face difficulties with perseverance and courage. Resilience is not simply bouncing back; it is about standing firm, despite the trails. Read more>>

Maria Myraine Yap

I attribute my resilience to several key influences and experiences in my life. Growing up, I faced various challenges as an immigrant child that required me to adapt and persevere. My parents, who both worked tirelessly to provide for our family, instilled in me a strong work ethic and the importance of determination. Watching their dedication taught me to push through obstacles and stay focused on my goals. Read more>>

Ervin Lopez

To put it simply, there’s nowhere else to go except forward. Obviously, take some breaks a long the way when you remember to or when someone reminds you to step back and drink water and it absolutely helps to know that I can trust others around me to get things done. It won’t always be easy or pretty but We always have to move forward. Read more>>

Angela Hall

For me resilience is what I call the base word, because my story of my life not only comes with resilience but also destiny and determination to thrive and build our Legacy (my sons name). My story is and can be a testimony for a lot of people. I met my best friend 2003 thru the bumps and bruises of a past relationship we ended up taking our relationship to the next level and building a family with two boys along the way and while being engaged. Read more>>

Vandana Pitke

I believe my resilience stems from my upbringing, where perseverance and facing challenges head-on were observed consciously, unconsciously. My day was a self made man, a Government employee and he lost his father at the age of 2 months; he was brought by his aunts, uncles and my father faced many challenges to complete his eduction, getting job and putting his heart and soul in his job and raising the family. Read more>>

Corey Cofield

Amazing question! My resilience comes from my passion! I believe it’s imperative that people go after what they love and follow their passions. Your passion has a way of energizing you pushing you and taking you to your destinations point. I have a saying “your passion will lead to your provision”! I believe the more you follow your passion the more resilient you will be. Resilience is intensified by passion! Read more>>

Laurie Miller

Hard work and striving for excellence help us avoid problems. When issues arise, I turn to nature to calm and reset my mind and body. Read more>>

Brian (BP) Pilling

From loosing all the time, not knowing the true meaning of winning. Everyone has a rock bottom moment in life. Mine came growing up poor in homestead fl south of Miami. Never knew what money meant till you have noting and become something and loose it all again. The rock bottom like I mentioned, opportunities hardly came around to be amongst the fortunate ones that had little to no worries. Read more>>

Shannon Traphagen

My resilience comes from a combination of my upbringing and the strength and fortitude my parents have had, and from life circumstances. I spent most of my younger years trying to figure out who I was, what I was “meant” for. When I met my husband, I knew that being a wife was among the greatest things I’d ever do. But I was also slowly finding my voice and my footing. I realized that it wasn’t about being rich or famous. It was about being passionate and happy with my career and the work I do.  Read more>>

Carolyn Scott

Experience. Looking back and knowing that if even at the moment of something not working out, learning that with time that it actually did. Faith. Faith in myself, my abilities, my resources and strength. Read more>>

NICOLE REED

I truly garnered my resilience from having a relationship with God. 3 years ago this coming July 22nd I will be in full remission from terminal cancer. During that grueling time, I learned to depend on God for the mustard of seed of faith that would bring me through such calamity.  Read more>>

Xayvier Haughton

My Parents Mirriam and Lieghton Haughton, especially my late father Leighton Haughton he was a fearless man I swear. Even after coming up short on his endeavors, he would get right back in the mix of thing and go again never skipping a beat. That just the kind of person he was such and inspiration and my other siblings. Read more>>

Rachelle Carson

My resilience comes from the daily challenges and triumphs of running my own skincare business. One major source of resilience for me is the passion and love I have for creating and sharing high-quality skincare products with my customers. This deep connection to my products and the satisfaction of seeing happy customers motivates me to push through difficult times. Read more>>

Mallery Jenna Robinson

I get my resilience from my mommy, gram, aunt, and my trancestors such as Mary Jones, Marsha P. Johnson, and so many others who are no longer here for simply existing for who they are. Read more>>

Allison Gillies

Through perseverance and resilience, I have made a full-time living as an Educator and Artist. I had several jobs through high school, college, and life – including waitress, food prep, barista, sales of books and art supplies, landscaping, Biology lab assistant, assisting curator at a Museum of Science and History, accountant, caring for canines, etc. Read more>>

Janie Velencia

I would attribute my resilience to my upbringing. My parents immigrated to the US when I was 5 years old, not speaking a word of English and with only $900 in their pocket. Life was quite difficult in the first few years in the U.S. My dad worked as a dishwasher and my mom cleaned houses and we were on welfare. Read more>>

Sharon Crew

I got my resilience from being a mother, a mother who was new to this experience and to know that I have a child that is depending on me. Read more>>

Jason Chase

I feel like theres a version of myself out there, not judging, but rather observing how I behave when the going gets rough, when my back is to the wall, when soul crushing failure looks me in the eye. It is really important to me to stare right back at it and stand my ground. I think of that higher self watching me get back up again and again. Read more>>

Tina Parol

I got my resilience from my challenges. My challenges taught me that I needed to rise above my circumstances in order to achieve the life I wanted. I could have fallen into victimhood, but I chose to prevail. My life has come with many, many challenges. I grew up a first-generation American in a low socioeconomic status. Read more>>

Malaysia Harrell

My resilience stems from my upbringing and the invaluable lessons I learned from my family, particularly my grandmother. Growing up in a challenging neighborhood filled with trauma and violence, I was fortunate to be taken in by my grandmother when I started junior high school.  Read more>>

Yanque Yip

Resilience is preceded by acceptance of the situation(s) that one finds himself in. Deciding that this situation is only a phase and also an opportunity to build yourself stronger is a mindset that I’ve adopted and applied throughout my life. It has worked in simple day to day situations and significant events. Read more>>

Theresa Schulte

I grew up in a working family. My mom was a nurse and my dad was a Marine and then a chemical engineer. Their families did not have a lot of money and higher education was out of reach for their parents and most of their siblings. My parents always insisted on good grades and I graduated high school with a 3.75. They always encouraged college and it was as if there was an expectation to get a degree. Read more>>

Jenni Alpert (aka birth name Cami)

Being in several transitional homes and then finally adopted out of the foster care system when I was four gave me early opportunities to learn how to adapt to different environments and circumstances. Whether challenging or uplifting I’d like to think my spirit is one of perseverance and survival. Read more>> 

Jamie Rodgers

Honestly , I get my resilience from God. I have overcome a lot of difficulties in life from God and my faith in him. I also have great support system from my loved ones. Read more>>

Sidney-Max Etienne

Resilience is the cornerstone of our journey at Grown in Haiti. It’s what has enabled us to face immense challenges and continue striving for a sustainable and regenerative future for our community. My resilience comes from a deep connection to my roots, the strength of my community, and a relentless belief in the transformative power of nature. Read more>>

Jennifer Atkison

I was diaganosed with osteo sarcoma at the age of 13. Being teenager an having your whole world turned upside down makes you grow up super fast. I had a 50% chance of survival and started chemo right away. I got very sick and had to homeschool. Not many of my friends came around and many rumors started at school. Read more>>

The Amazing Soul Alese

For a very long time on my journey, i always kept seeking external things outside of myself for validation, happiness, peace of mind and freedom. Kept looking for people, places and things to fill the void in my life not realizing the only person coming to save myself was MYSELF. Read more>>

Kevin Johnson

`I feel that a lot of my resilience comes from parents. I saw them working hard and saw them achieve their goals in life. Secondly spending 20 years in the military and deploying four times helped me develop as a leader and helped me to take pride, be positive , and strive to do better no matter what obstacles that may stand in my way. Read more>>