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.
Dr. Marita Kinney, Bcc. Msc.d
My resilience comes from a combination of my faith, personal experiences, and the strong
foundation I’ve built through my life’s work. By the age of 26, I had endured unimaginable pain.
My brother was tragically killed, and months later, I buried my father, faced a series of
heartbreaking personal disappointments, and experienced the profound grief of becoming a
widow. In my despair, I sabotaged myself, convinced that nothing good was ever meant for me. I was empty, carrying not only the weight of my losses but also the burden of my own self-
inflicted suffering. Read more>>
Jessica Lynn
I get my resilience from years of traveling a difficult road. I began my journey in the music business when I was only 13 years old and have since built my brand into a worldwide entity. It has not been easy and getting knocked down so many times has really taught me how important it is to get back up and keep going. Read more>>
Aneta Sproles
I got my resilience from My grandmother and how she taught me so much. After surviving domestic violence recently I have became even more resilient to overcome obstacles and help others. Read more>>
Sidney Graybill, M.b.a.
Resilience – the number one factor that makes or breaks people – let alone entrepreneurs.
How many times can you pick yourself up, shake it off, and keep walking with your head held high?
How many times can you be told no, laughed at, put down, judged, but still tell yourself “that’s ok, next.”?
How long can you dedicate your time, money, and all of your resources towards your dream? People will spend 30+ years working for someone else – sacrificing freedom, valuable time with their families, ability to swipe their card without looking at the price tag, but they won’t sacrifice 5 years to gain their dream life. Read more>>
Kristal Holloway
I get my resilience from my mom!
She was a single mom to five children who did it all on her own. She ensured she gave me every opportunity possible to succeed and taught me what hard work and dedication looks like while being the absolute best mom out there. Read more>>
Naomi Matlow
I think I get my resilience from my ancestry. I am a from an Eastern European Jewish background of hardworking peddlers. There were many opportunities for my ancestors to simply throw in the towel when it came to maintaining their faith or the hope for a safer and more sustainable future. As a result of their steadfastness and resilience, they made their way to Canada without many resources and experienced plenty of cultural barriers and losses. Yet, they were determined to plant the seeds for a better future. Subconsciously, I believe my ancestors ingrained in me that the cards we may be dealt do not need to lead to resignation and defeat. Read more>>
Slizzy Obeto
Right from when I was a kid I have always had the go getter energy inside of me , I just never give up on my self , when I knock on a door and it’s closed at me I don’t just leave I stay on there till is open. Read more>>
Brenden Trojan
In my career there is constant rejection, I am constantly hearing the word “No” or “Not at this time.” It was definitely a challenge to start a performing career in high school and be constantly be turned down; However, It was totally understandable. How many companies would hire a 16 year old kid to perform at their holiday event? Not many. But I knew if I worked hard enough one company eventually would hire me. I eventually was able to perform magic for some major companies in High School, one of them being Motorola in Downtown, Chicago. It was such an amazing experience, but it also taught me at the end of the day, the one person who says, “Yes” makes it completely worth it. So no matter how many no’s I continue to get, I always remember that the one yes that is coming will open more doors than I could possibly imagine. I just have to keep working hard and not give up. Read more>>
Tenneisha Brown
My resilience is rooted in a strong desire to create a better future for myself and grounded in the belief that I can do all things through Christ. I’ve always known there was more out there for me and aspired to be among the first Jamaican women to achieve something significant. I am motivated by the belief that I have the power to create the future I desire and envision for myself by taking steps to become a better me daily. Read more>>
Jalen Taylor
My resilience is deeply rooted in the communities I’ve been part of and the practices I’ve nurtured over time. Growing up, I witnessed strength within my family and broader community, watching them carry forward through challenges with grace, perseverance, and often through creative expression. This legacy of resilience grounds me and inspires my work on uplifting children, families, and underserved communities in ways that honor their unique strengths. Read more>>
Jennifer Porter
I think at this point in my career – 25 years of entrepreneurship – my resilience comes from the experience of knowing that there is a solution to every single challenge. It wasn’t always this clear during the early days of launching my e-commerce business to serve independent fashion designers and retailers. Thankfully, time and testing has been the ultimate training to develop the to recognize that if progress is the goal, it is absolutely possible. Read more>>
Danielle Cowdrey
My life has been a series of twists and turns, much like many others. Growing up as the child of military parents, I moved around frequently, and by 18, I left home with minimal support. I joined the military as a woman, pursued multiple degrees, and ultimately ended up in an industry that wasn’t directly aligned with my education. Throughout it all, I’ve maintained a “take life by the horns” attitude. For me, it’s never been about whether I can accomplish something, but rather about figuring out the steps needed to make it happen. What has really built my resilience, though, is having to navigate life on my own, often in the face of doubt from others. Read more>>
Walyaira Irizarry
I was born in a very small place in the middle of the ocean. Resilience is in our veins. I believe that coming from a place that faces daily situations of uncertainty is the reason why our race is resilient. We have been through so much that we have had to learn to survive. I am 100% sure that my essence comes from the blood that runs through my veins. When you have to learn to survive in a certain way you create character and willpower. You learn not to fear adversity and you face everything that comes with strength and courage. You lose your fear and even if you cry today you get up and smile at a new bright sun. I grew up watching my grandmother walk in heels through the mud to teach at a school in the countryside, I grew up with a mother who despite everything raised her children, studied and dedicated herself completely to her family. I had the example of powerful women who taught me not to fall or give up. I am resilient because it is in my blood! Read more>>
Tawnya Dixon
I think a lot of my resilience comes from the experiences I’ve been through, both the tough ones and the good ones because ultimately it has helped me grow. Making the decision to change careers in my late 20s was a huge shift, and honestly, it was one of the scariest decisions that I have ever made, but I had to trust myself, even when others didn’t understand or when things felt uncertain. I’ve faced some real challenges along the way, and I learned that life doesn’t always go according to plan, but it’s how you respond that truly matters. Read more>>
Lindsey Teo
I definitely get my resilience from my mom. Growing up, I was raised by a single mother. No matter what hardships came her way, my mom always made it through to the other side. She might have been battered and bruised, but she never gave up. Through everything, she stayed bright, fun, loyal, and outgoing—she didn’t let life’s challenges take away her light. Read more>>
Saga Kwandibens
I come from a really long heritage of residential school survivors. My closest relative My now late grandmother, Elsie Kwandibens . I believe that it is my job To keep my culture alive for my generation and my daughters Given that our grandmother survived residential schools, it’s the least we can do. Read more>>
Amy Tarkington
When I was nine, my family moved from Taiwan to the U.S. I didn’t speak English, and we didn’t have much money. I remember sitting in class, completely lost, trying to piece things together one word at a time. It was tough, but it taught me something early: if you don’t know the way, you figure it out.
That lesson stayed with me. Life hasn’t exactly followed a straight path—there have been divorces, career changes, and plenty of moments where I felt like I was starting over. Each time, I had to learn how to adapt. But I also had to learn something even harder: asking for help. My parents raised me to be independent, which gave me a strong foundation, but leaning on others turned out to be just as important. Read more>>
Jennifer Diguer
Having resilience is not something you are born with. It is the strength and determination that one embraces when they let go of limiting beliefs and step into the light approaching life by what lights them up. Resiliency comes from being able to face any situation you find yourself in and knowing that you will succeed in whatever way is ultimately best for you. It is knowing that your experiences are right for you and you have the confidence within yourself that you can handle whatever comes your way. I was able to build up resiliency by being able to let go of control of situations and just allow what ever outcome comes to happen. By really allowing myself to embrace the ups and downs in life in a state of peace. Read more>>
Rose Rutledge
Resilience is a daily practice, especially in today’s troubled world. I’ve learned to bounce back from an overwhelming week or a personal disappointment by leaning into the rituals and activities that bring me back to a positive headspace. Such activities for me include basking in a long wandering conversation with a trusted friend, calling my family, and refueling with rest and a long run through Brooklyn. That said, by and far, playing and writing music has become my top escape to process the world around me and tap into resilience when I’m a little lost. There’s something magical about feeling my vocal cords vibrate or finding a new melody on my flute -it hits at what must be some law of emotional physics. For me, music reframes a stressful week or washes away the spiral of anxious thoughts. It puts the heart back in the chest and the feet onto the earth again. Read more>>
Brently Pearson
“My resilience comes from a combination of faith, life experiences, and an unshakable determination to grow and persevere. Growing up, I learned the importance of faith and staying grounded, but life took me through some tough lessons that tested my character, including facing setbacks that could have broken me. Instead, they shaped me. Read more>>
Michaelia Nobles
My resilience comes from a combination of faith, life experiences, and the support of people who have been there for me through tough times. Faith plays a huge role for me believing that there is a purpose in every challenge and that God gives us the strength to overcome this has helped me push through even when I felt close to giving up. My journey, filled with obstacles and growth, has also been a teacher, showing me that resilience isn’t about avoiding struggles but learning to face them with courage and grace. Read more>>
Paul R. Williams Iii
I would say that it has been something that has been developing continuously since childhood. I often questioned authority, and it became very clear early on that some of my ideas and perspectives about myself and the world around me were not easily accepted or understood. It very much created this sense of isolation and otherness that I struggled with in my developing years. I would easily question my own thinking, and my decision-making skills and defer major life decisions to what others deemed appropriate for me. With always feeling like an outsider, all I wanted to do was fit in and be accepted so by the time I reached my early 20’s, I found myself working in the corporate world going from banking to education all while being completely unfulfilled. Then one day I had to just sit with myself, my thoughts, and my choices in silence. Read more>>
Sydney Possinger
The performing arts has never been easy for me. I experienced a lot of rejection at an early age. I originally pursued musical theatre but was not very successful at it. I had a lot of trouble getting cast even back in high school. The first time I didn’t make the school play, I was devastated. But it fueled me to get better. I started voice lessons and picked up dance classes even though I had two left feet. Despite continuing to struggle, I kept at it. Continuing to audition and still getting no’s. I loved performing and that was enough for me. Read more>>
Ambra Ferraris
If there is one adjective that best describes me, it is resilient. I always say I am like a phoenix: the harder the struggle, the greater the rebirth. I don’t know where I find the strength to keep going when everything seems lost, but I know it’s a valuable resource for actors. It probably helps that have faith. I think that with hope and belief, anything is possible. My resilience comes from the conviction that no matter how difficult the path may be, something worthwhile awaits me at the end. Read more>>
Rob Mcafee
To anyone reading this: If not YOU, then WHO will it be?
I believe resilience comes down to two key factors:
1) Getting knocked down by life—again and again—and finding the strength to get back up every time. 2) Having an unshakable self-belief that fuels you, no matter the odds. Every day, on my drive to the office, I reflect on my journey. I see myself as the “comeback kid,” replaying the major challenges I’ve faced and how I overcame them. Read more>>
Kadean Trowers
Growing up, I witnessed my family face numerous challenges, from financial struggles to broken homes. Yet, they consistently demonstrated remarkable resilience. My parents, who though they separated when I was 14 years old, instilled in me the value of adaptability and determination. My parents, despite facing economic hardships, worked tirelessly to provide for our family. Their unwavering optimism and resourcefulness inspired me to approach challenges with confidence. Read more>>
Jaxx Theatricals
JD & Jeremy grew up poor and gay. Among having more in common than not, this is their core bond. Both were homeless at certain times in their childhoods and food was sometimes scarce. Nothing came easy for them and they were bullied. Growing up with so much working against you makes you stronger. Resilience was not a choice. Gratefully, they both found their way to the Arts. Read more>>
Erin Goldman
Resilience is one of the most beautiful things in the world because it means always getting up after you’ve fallen down. I think if theres one thing that is guaranteed in this life, it is that there will be always be ups and downs. If you stay down, it means that you’ve accepted defeat and I’m a fighter with a warrior’s spirit who has never particularly been fond of doing that. I believe it’s about perspective, because even if you get “knocked down”, there’s a lesson to be learned in the experience and the resilience appears the moment you decide to invest in yourself and overcome that struggle. For me personally, I have always struggled with my career. Read more>>
Ebony Agee
My resiliency comes from my momma. I watched her work tirelessly, often putting in long hours yet still making it to my sports games, even though she must have been exhausted. She was always present for both my brother and me, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to our well-being. Throughout my life, I saw her handle challenges with a remarkable sense of calmness. Even during difficult times, she rarely showed any signs of distress, maintaining a steady presence that taught me the strength in composure and perseverance. Read more>>
Maria Blanco
I developed resilience from an early age. Because of my father’s occupation (he was a university professor) we constantly moved from state to state and often out the country. Until the last 2.5 years of high school I never attended a school for more than 2 years. In several cases it was only one year. When we lived outside the United States I had to learn to read and write in another language. Even though I spoke Spanish having been born in Mexico and being raised in a Spanish speaking household, I didn’t know how to read or write Spanish. Going to school several times in Mexico and for 2 years of middle school in Spain was very difficult and required learning to read and write. Read more>>
Manali Dhoot
I work at Meta as a Data Analyst, I draw my resilience from my passion for data and the knowledge that my work has direct impact on the broader community. As a part of Meta, I feel constantly motivated by the facts that the products I support reach billions of users worldwide, and it’s my responsibility to ensure trust and safety users who use Meta products to post their content on social media. This sense of purpose goes beyond just doing my day to day job, but it rather drives me to continuously learn and improve, knowing that my efforts contribute towards making a positive impact on billions of users via safeguarding the social media they post on. Read more>>
Jax Tobias
I was raised by a single mom. She is my hero and I definitely get my resilience from her. Watching her work multiple jobs while completing nursing school was a powerful example for my sisters and I. My mother often didn’t know where our next meal would come from. Yet, despite the challenges, she never let us feel the weight of her struggles. We didn’t need to be rich to have a rich life and my mom showed us every day what being resilient looked like. She filled our home with love and a strong foundation of faith, teaching us to never give up, to keep pushing forward, and to be the change we wanted to see in the world. Witnessing my mother’s strength and resilience from such a young age profoundly shaped the woman I am today – and I recognize that thanks to her, I am able to follow my dreams of being a television producer. Read more>>
Jordan Symone
My resilience comes from my mom, who is my greatest inspiration and supporter. She immigrated here from Panama as a young girl and has been hustling ever since, driven by a deep commitment to provide her family with the best life possible. I’ve watched her work tirelessly, launching one business after another, and even when things didn’t go as planned, she didn’t let setbacks keep her down. Her creativity and tenacity are unmatched; she’s always ready to jump into her next idea, motivated by her love for her family, especially her children. Read more>>
Jose Casillas
I learned to be resilient from my parents. Imagine trying to raise a family of 10 children on a one income salary in an underdeveloped part of Tijuana. My parents struggled financially; it was hard. However, they were able to keep a roof over our heads while teaching us to be better in the world. We were raised with very little and it was a constant grind to get ahead. My dad had saved enough money to build a small, humble home and was building it after his long shifts as a driver. Seeing my parents making it work during tough times made me learn to be resilient, focused, and dedicated to be successful in life. Read more>>
Spencer Gilbard
I always have to remember that “it could be worse.” I think that looking at life with that perspective creates resilience. No matter what I’m going through, it could be worse. As long as I’m breathing, it could be worse. As long as I’m thinking, it could be worse. As long as my heart is beating, it could be worse. Even when I die, I’ll know that my life could’ve been worse. I also like the idea that god won’t give you more than you can handle. I believe that everything happens for a reason, and sometimes it’s to challenge us. Read more>>
Jessica Small
I think I got my resilience from childhood traumas. From experiencing so much death before the age of 16. Extreme heart ache. And big lessons on what I don’t want out of life and to happen. Read more>>
Valentine Ojochegbe Onogu
Thank you so much for this question I will say my resilience as a creative stems from a deep passion for storytelling and the inspiration I draw from my parents, who are tutors. They taught me the value of education, discipline, and nurturing creativity. Creating art that entertains and educates requires perseverance, and my parents’ commitment to teaching gives me the drive to produce work that challenges and inspires audiences. Just as they guide their students to think critically, I aim to craft thought provoking stories, ignite change, and offer transformative experiences for the world to see. Read more>>
Pedro Rosado
Where do I get my resilience from? I would have to say from my kids and small village of family. Seeing my daughter at the age of 5 battling cancer up until she became cancer free. During that time my son stepped up as well to help with his little sister. Then in moments that I feel like I’m defeated I have my wife and very close friends that reminds me the word “defeated” isnt in my nature. Read more>>
Latonia Cokely
I’ve always had a complicated relationship with the word resilience. It often feels like it’s tied to an unrelenting toughness, but for me, elasticity captures my story better. Elasticity is about stretching, bending, and still finding a way to return to yourself. Losing both my parents—my father in 2004 and my mother in 2014, both to cancer—was a stretch that could have broken me. Instead, it reshaped me, releasing me from the expectations I once thought I had to fulfill and helping me return to what truly mattered. Read more>>
Stefany Gonzalez
“The difference between those who succeed and those who struggle lies in how quickly they rise after rejection or failure.” Resilience, for me, is the essence of success. I wasn’t always resilient. Far from it, in fact!
In my younger years, I often found myself dwelling on setbacks when things didn’t go as planned. Over time, though, I came to understand that wallowing accomplishes nothing. Resilience isn’t only about getting through hard times—it’s about using those experiences to fuel your path. Real progress begins when you get back up and move forward. Being resilient is a quality I have honed with age and wisdom. Read more>>
Sharon M. Peterson
I recently heard about the concept of grit, the “perseverance of effort.” Essentially, that’s what resilience is. The ability to keep getting up and trying even when you fail, even when it’s hard, even when you’re exhausted. I’ve seen how this instilled in me as a kid and how it’s shaped my life as an adult. Read more>>
Omar Balbuena
From being independent since I was 9 years old I lern eveything on my own but I never stop school I pay my self college and also my master degree I always set in my mind that I can do anything I always try to be positive. Read more>>
William Field
I grew up in a broken family situation. My father and mother divorced when I was 5. Father was in Vietnam War and is now diagnosed with PTSD. Eventually my mother remarried to a man with 3 kids of his own. Growing up in a household like that can be challenging especially being the 2nd youngest. My step father at the time favored his children over my brother and I. I knew at that point I had to be better then everyone else just to succeed in everyones eyes. I went to highschool, played soccer, worked a job at a local pizza place in order to buy a car and get things that were important. I then started taking Taekwondo and paying for the lessons myself. Eventually I had to quit at the time to try and follow a dream I had of getting into college one day to play soccer. My mother did the best she could to raise us with the situation at hand. Read more>>
Sara Feley
I got my resilience from life experience. I learned early on, that life and death are closely intertwined. At 13, my father completed suicide after struggling with a misunderstood and not talked about mental illness. My mother, sisters and cousin got into a car accident while on a family vacation four years later. Only one of my siblings survived and made it home. I have called off a wedding, got married and am currently going through IVF. I’ve had a beautiful path full of trials, tribulations and great exaltation. I am eternally grateful for my connection with the Universe, with my Self and with Service to my Community. I have trust that life is happening for me and that every experience I am currently having is for a deeper purpose. Read more>>
Francisco Valadez
Resilience is a state of mind that requires daily practice. It’s not a set-it-and-forget-it thing. Having a “solution-based” approach to everything helps as it opens possibilities even in the toughest of most complex situations. “Not everything is so bad and not everything is so good” mentality keeps you level-headed as well. I always focus on “running the marathon” vs quick sprints. Read more>>
Andrew Chesworth
I would have to say my parents. They provided a very loving and consistent household growing up. They were always very in control of their reactions to stressful situations and modeled great behavior. They raised three children who now have a lot of autonomy and happiness in their adult lives. We moved around a lot when I was a kid, so adapting to new environments and situations was the norm for me every few years. Read more>>
Alice Yeh
I think my resilience is a byproduct of my core values. Curiosity, learning, and growth are some of the core values that really drive who I am and my sense of adventure and exploration. When I look back on my career and key milestones in my life, learning and growth were the key drivers behind those big decisions. Because I am always looking for new things to learn and experience, I find the courage to take risks. And as a result of taking risks, I have encountered setbacks and failures. Despite these challenges, I always find a way to overcome them through perseverance and resourcefulness. For every success, many failures came before that. Having the tenacity to keep going is where my resilience comes from. Read more>>
Bridget Smith
My resilience is an innate trait that has continually guided me in fulfilling my purpose—personally, socially, and professionally. Overcoming health challenges like breast cancer and a major car accident, I relied on my unwavering conviction and understanding of my purpose to sustain me. These experiences offered valuable lessons, both positive and negative, that shaped my journey. Read more>>
Kael Jensen
This is a really tough question for me, but I am grateful to be asked it. Those of us who have experienced many hits in life often forget to look back at it all and be reminded how incredible it is that we are still here. It’s nice to have that reminder from time to time. Read more>>
