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.

Josiah Dake

My resilience comes from my relationship with Jesus. As a Christian artist, there are plenty of moments where I could feel discouraged — whether it’s comparing myself to others in the music industry or facing the challenges of building a career from the ground up. But I’ve learned that my identity isn’t in my success or how I measure up — it’s in Christ. Read More>>

Anton Marchuk

When I decided to quit my well-paid job, turn down three great job offers, and start a new business venture in the U.S.—risking my entire career and life savings while living abroad and entering a completely new industry—I had a conversation with a friend of mine (hi, Wolfgang!), whom I consider a great example of an entrepreneur.  Read More>>

Nicholas Grace

My resilience is deeply rooted in the values and experiences imparted by my parents. They are the most resilient individuals I know, having overcome numerous obstacles and adversities, including segregation and racism. My father, a graduate of Jones High School and Tuskegee University, has held various roles in education, ranging from teacher and coach to assistant principal and Director of School Disciplinary and Alternative Schools.  Read More>>

McKeon Roberts

There’s no choice. I guess I believe that to live is to suffer, and you can’t achieve success unless you learn from and appreciate the suffering. I also feel that when life is challenging it’s because it’s meant to lead you into the next best thing. You can’t have what you want out of this experience until you understand what you don’t want.  Read More>>

Janeen McCormick

Resilience: the capacity to withstand or to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness. Resiliency is something that I have developed over many decades. Toughness is not in reference to physical strength. Resiliency is a mental skill. One of my favorite quotes “Your greatest weapon is your mind. Train it to see opportunities, not weaknesses”.  Read More>>

Abigail Adams

I get my resilience from my upbringing. I was raised in a household where stability was rare. I lost my father at a very young age, and his absence left a void that shaped much of my early years. Not long after, my mother began battling substance abuse—struggles that stemmed from untreated mental health issues. This eventually led me into foster care. Read More>>

Buffs On Podcast

I believe we all bring different perspectives to this question.

Gabe: As a wise fish one said, “just keep swimming”. While Dory might not be the first example of resilience that most people think of, I have kept those words in my head since I first saw Finding Nemo. Whether it’s a long hike, a bike ride, the daily gym grind, or recording pods for two years when the Pistons were abysmal, I just have to keep swimming. Every step, every pedal, every push past my comfort zone is a necessary step to get to where I want to be. Read More>>

Monica Joseph

My resilience is rooted in my Haitian heritage. I was raised surrounded by strong, unwavering women who carried the weight of their families, their histories, and their hopes with quiet power. In Haiti, resilience isn’t just a trait—it’s a way of life. It’s woven into the fabric of the country and the healing practices we hold close. With all the atrocious that affect us, we continue to rise, even in the face of adversity. Read More>>

Micah Futch

I’ve always wanted more—more impact, more growth, more meaning. But chasing success means running through walls while everyone else watches from the sidelines. So what keeps me going when the grind gets brutal? It’s the anger I feel when I’m underestimated and the excitement I get picturing the win. My resilience is built from ambition that refuses to die quietly. Read More>>

Patrick Bias II

Growing up playing sports in Texas mainly Football and Basketball taught me to be resilient. In athletics there are a lot of occasions where you’ll run into adversity whether it’s competing against another team and nothings going your way, or going through a tough season where it seems like nothings going your way, or even a season where you’re winning every game and trying to avoid becoming complacent. Read More>>

Tonia Odili

I developed my confidence and self-esteem by embracing the reality that everyone’s pathway in life is different, and that everyone’s timing is unique. One of the most transformative experiences for me was deciding to go back to college to pursue a second master’s degree later in life. It wasn’t an easy decision, there were moments when I questioned if I was too late, if I could balance my responsibilities, or if I still had what it takes to succeed in an academic environment after stepping away for ten years. Read More>>

Claire Grix

My resilience comes from a deep passion for design and a belief that every challenge is an opportunity to create something meaningful. Like many creatives, I’ve faced moments of uncertainty, tight deadlines, evolving client needs, and the natural ups and downs of running a business. But what keeps me grounded is my commitment to beauty, functionality, and the joy I see in my clients’ faces when a space truly becomes their own. Read More>>

Elizabeth Beristain

I believe my resilience comes from my life journey. I was born in Mexico City and moved to Los Angeles over 20 years ago, which required me to adapt quickly—not only to a new culture, but also to a new language and way of life. That experience taught me that change is constant, and adaptability is essential. Growing up without smartphones, my generation learned to navigate the world in a very different way—reading maps, finding connection face-to-face, and learning patience through lack of instant gratification.  Read More>>

Le’Trice Buckingham

I get my resilience from the stories and people who came before me. As a Black storyteller, I carry the legacy of generations who turned survival into art and resistance into beauty. My resilience is rooted in ancestral memory—those who endured, created, dreamed, and still found joy in the midst of struggle. I also draw strength from community—those who affirm my voice, challenge me to grow, and remind me that I’m not alone in the work. Read More>>

Marin Guta

I draw my resilience from my faith and my upbringing. Not everything came naturally to me, but I learned early on that with determination, discipline, and hard work, I could achieve whatever I set my mind to. In school, that meant putting in long hours of studying to reach the goals I had for myself. I came to understand that even if something didn’t come easily, I could overcome it through effort and perseverance. Read More>>

Sanchild

I definitely get my resilience from my mother and my personal life experiences. I’ve seen my mother struggle and work so hard just to provide for children to the best of her ability. I continue to see the amount of effort she puts in to maintain her business and still take care of things in her personal life. That’s why it’s hard for me to pitch a tent if I’m unsatisfied with the results I get. I just keep working hard until I’m able to achieve my goals. Read More>>

Anida Yoeu Ali

I come from a lineage of resilience since my entire family survived the genocide in Cambodia. Growing up as a displaced Asian, Muslim, Refugee, American Woman here in America, you learn really quickly how to use your resiliency to rise above so much that is thrown at you. I am deeply grateful to my parents for enduring all that they did from the atrocities and brutal violence they witnessed in Cambodia to the violence of racism and poverty here in America. Read More>>

Amanda Martin

My resilience comes from a combination of lived experience, faith, and the people I care about most. I’ve faced my share of setbacks, personally and professionally, but each challenge has taught me something valuable and pushed me to grow stronger. I’ve never let obstacles define me, whether it was being a woman in male-dominated industries or building a career without a formal business degree. Instead, I’ve leaned on my faith, my work ethic, and the desire to be a role model for my son. Read More>>

Susana

My resilience flows from the strength of generations of women in my family, particularly my beloved Abuelitas who taught me that food is more than sustenance—it’s storytelling, cultural preservation, and entrepreneurial spirit all rolled into one. As a single mom embarking on this culinary adventure with La Peruanita, I draw daily inspiration from my Abuelita Lucila, who sustained her family by making and selling Picarones during challenging times. Read More>>

Priscilla Dwomoh

I get my resilience from my mother. Growing up, I watched her work tirelessly to provide for my siblings and I. She’s a strong woman, fierce, determined, and unwavering—and her example shaped the way I move through the world.

That foundation, combined with my own life experiences, like adapting to different cultures while moving from Ghana to Botswana and then to the U.S. has taught me how to stay grounded and flexible in unfamiliar environments. Read More>>

Brandon Kellum

You know, resilience isn’t something you’re handed — it’s something you build, one brick at a time. I come from a family of construction workers who were out in the Arizona sun pouring concrete in 115-degree heat. No shade, no glamour, just grit. Growing up watching them grind through long days with cracked hands and sunburned necks — that gave me perspective. My worst days are often better than their best days.. Read More>>

Daisy

Resilience comes in many forms! For me, I like to think of it as hard and soft! You need both and both are strong in their own ways! After a lot of mental health struggles throughout the years, resiliency is living in spite of the pain. It’s also not that hard to be kind and appreciate all that’s around you! Read More>>

Kari Evans

My resilience was born out of personal experience. I started experiencing hair loss in my early twenties, and it was devastating. I went from being confident and outgoing to hiding under wigs and hats, afraid of what people might say or think. I visited salons, doctors, and other professionals, but most didn’t know how to help me. That helpless feeling lit a fire in me not just to solve my own problem, but to make sure other women didn’t have to feel what I felt. Read More>>

Joel Chapela

I would say I get my resilience from my parents. I have witnessed them go through their lightest/hardest battles and always stood tall and strong. I truly respect and love them for that, if it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t be who I am today. Read More>>

Jessper Maquindang

Overall, my resilience comes from a deep belief that every challenge is an opportunity for growth and self-discovery. I also draw a great deal of strength from my marathon training. Running 26.2 miles teaches you to persevere—mile by mile, you learn to manage discomfort, stay mentally focused, and push through barriers. That mindset continues to shape how I approach challenges, both in leadership and in life. Read More>>

Roger Taylor III

I approach every aspect of my life with a never give-in mentality. For a good portion of my life I dreamt of chasing after goals that those around me believed weren’t possible. They saw very little potential in pursuing it any farther. It didn’t seem that it would lead to anywhere that would be beneficial. It wasn’t until I decided to stop letting others to determine my actions in my life that I began investing in various fields. Read More>>

Anne DiVitto

I get my resilience from a mix of personal loss, family values, and faith. In 2015, I lost my dad to a short but intense battle with cancer. At the time, I was juggling a demanding job in healthcare IT and raising two small kids, and trying to keep going like nothing had changed. But it had. I realized I wanted more meaning in my work and life, so I left my job without a plan. Growing up in a “West Michigan Dutch” household, my father instilled a strong work ethic in me  Read More>>

Lacey Silveira

My resilience stems from a combination of personal and professional experiences that have shaped my approach to life’s challenges. With over 23 years in law enforcement, I’ve navigated high-stress environments and supported others through their toughest moments. This background has instilled in me a deep understanding of adversity and the strength required to overcome it. Read More>>

Chris Boyer

I get my resiliency from consistently doing things that suck. For the last 25 years of my life, seeking out challenges or traveling to obscure parts of the world has provided me a broadened perspective of who I am and what my place is in the world. Read More>>

Ting Zhou

My resilience comes from lived experience—both the quiet struggles and the big, life-changing moments. As an Asian woman in academia, I’ve had to navigate challenges that taught me to be independent, to stay focused, and to keep going even when the path felt uncertain.

I’ve also learned resilience through loss. Losing a close friend in my twenties and my younger sister in my thirties changed me deeply. Those experiences reminded me that life isn’t always fair or easy, but we have a responsibility to care for others, to move forward, and to live with purpose. Read More>>

Kinley Clark

When someone asks me where my resilience comes from, I always point to my mom and dad. My dad grew up in a tough environment where he could have easily gone down the wrong path, but he recognized the need to work hard and turned his life around by joining the military and becoming a Doc on a submarine. Throughout my childhood and even now, I see him putting in so much effort to achieve his goals for him and the family. He taught me that if you want something, you have to go out and get it! Read More>>

Eric Greitens

When people hear the world ‘resilience’, they often find themselves thinking of ‘bouncing back’ or ‘recovering’. They think that resilient individuals are the same before and after hardship – this way of thinking fails to take into account the value that hardship and struggle can offer us. We cannot bounce back to the same place, because we will never be the same person we once were. We can, however, push through the pain and come out the other side wiser and stronger than before. Read More>>

Juan Eliezer De Leon

”Life is like a ball of sugar, hard, but sweet.” These were my brother’s words back when we were children. Coming from a very poor background in the Dominican Republic, we were fighting every step of the way to survive. We lacked resources to eat properly and consistently. We did not have a stable place to live, or shoes to wear to school. Yet, our faith and sense of dignity kept us going. My father instilled in me the belief that trusting God would open the doors for living with a purpose.  Read More>>