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.
Sam Mandel
My resilience comes from a mix of purpose, perspective, life experience, and faith. I’ve been through a lot: loss, hardship, and plenty of lessons learned the hard way. I’ve made mistakes, faced setbacks, and found myself in tough spots more times than I can count. Every time I worked my way through those moments, I came out stronger and more confident in my ability to handle the next challenge. Read More>>
Deborah Feathers
Resilience is the remarkable ability to endure hardships, adapt to change, and recover from setbacks. It’s not simply about surviving difficulties, but about transforming them into opportunities for growth and renewal. This quality fuels our capacity to face adversity with courage and to keep moving forward when the path gets tough. Read More>>
Allyn
Before starting my business I worked in Sales for 12 years. I experienced rejection on a daily basis, fumbled my sales pitches, but I persisted through the embarrassment and discomfort. Learning how to sell a product to a stranger is intimidating and uncomfortable, but I stuck with it and continued to improve. Those experiences build a mental toughness that stays with you and builds resilience. Because of those experiences, I’m comfortable talking to all types of people and enjoy the challenge of selling and promoting my business. Read More>>
Gina Korte
The stage and the classroom. Growing up in the music & performing arts industry, you have to be able to adapt on the fly, constantly problem solve, and encompass due diligence. Same goes for the classroom. Each environment you land yourself in is different. Your approach has to have variables. In the performing and educational world, you are critiqued non-stop as well. The combination of having these two worlds in my life, have been the reason I am called a “Fire-fighter.” Read More>>
Christina Iskandar
My work ethic comes from one profound and unwavering source: my grandfather, Anthony Scalice, or as I lovingly call him, Pa.
Born in Brooklyn as a child of Sicilian immigrants, Pa embodies the classic American dream, built steadily and patiently with his own hands. He served as an Army veteran and later became a corporate fixer in New York City. He carved out success in an industry that might seem alien to younger generations today: pay phones. Yet, the lessons he passed down transcend industries and generations. Read More>>
Keary Alaniz
I got my resilience from having dealt with a lot of life’s problems early on. I am sober in recovery from alcohol addiction. The healing process has played a part in who I am today. It used to be difficult to manage my emotions when I was constantly drunk or high, and that was making life harder to deal with. When I was growing up I had good parents, but we didn’t have a lot of money. It felt like addiction was something that was always affecting my life or someone close to me. Read More>>
Michelle John
My resilience comes from my Grandmother and my Grandfather , it was a gift that was handed down to me !
My Grandparents were immigrants who travelled to London, England from the caribbean island of St Vincent in 1960 to help to rebuild the UK , Many people from the British colonies were asked to come to help in the efforts to rebuild the UK after the damage done during World War 2 . Read More>>
Kristin Hubbard
I love this questions because truthfully, I get my resilience from a mix of faith, grit, and lived experience. I grew up navigating chaos and learned early how to figure things out on my own. Over time, that turned into a kind of hyper-independence that I’ve since softened with therapy, healing, and my relationship with God. Today, my resilience feels less like ‘white-knuckling it’ and more like trusting that I can walk through hard seasons and come out stronger because I’ve done it before—and because I believe God meets me right in the middle of it. Read More>>
Cassie Premo Steele
I’ve learned to be resilient by taking my cues from the natural world.
My dog shakes his whole body after he meets a bigger, scarier dog.
The trees let go of their weak branches in a storm so the roots can hold onto the whole tree.
Roots themselves grow more deeply during a drought in order to access moisture. Read More>>
Cinthya Romriell
As a Chocolatier, resilience comes from a deep passion for the craft, where the challenges of working with a delicate, temperamental ingredient like chocolate are met with patience, precision, and creativity. Years of repetition and problem-solving build mental toughness, while the joy of seeing others delight in my creations provides emotional fuel. Navigating the demands of running a business—seasonal pressures, sourcing issues, and competition—further strengthens my resolve. Ultimately, my resilience is a blend of love for the art, commitment to excellence, and the ability to adapt under pressure. Read More>>
SAMEET KOPPIKAR
We all have memories of going through difficult times. Even as a five-year-old, an unpleasant experience influences how you respond in future situations. I remember as a kid if I went through adversity, I would think “well I got through that, so if it happens again, I know what to do” and “If I got through that, I could get through anything”. Read More>>
Ace Braswell
My resilience was born from my mother’s strength.
I watched her, day after day, carry the weight of the world on her shoulders with grace no one taught her.
She raised us with hands that knew both work and love, mostly on her own, with no applause—just purpose.
Even when life knocked her down, she never stayed there. Read More>>
Chuck McGee III
Where do I get my resilience?
I: The Stage.
After two decades in theatre, I discovered that 7:59 p.m. is a polite suggestion and 8:00 p.m. is a flaming decree from the gods. Sets half-painted? Lead actor still hunting for his motivation (or his pants)? Too bad—the curtain rises. My nervous system was forged in that nightly sprint from chaos to applause, so deadlines now look less like guillotines and more like mildly inconvenient speed bumps. Read More>>
Erza Zylfijaj
My resilience comes from being in roles where I’m expected to deliver clarity, structure, and results even in uncertain or fast-paced environments.
In my work, I’m often leading high-visibility projects with tight deadlines and multiple stakeholders. Whether it’s launching large-scale campaigns, supporting executive visibility, or driving community engagement across technical audiences, I’m used to being the person people rely on to bring calm and direction. Read More>>
Dr. Sheila Baez
I believe my resiliency was shaped by both pain and purpose. Growing up, I faced childhood trauma that forced me to find strength in spaces where safety didn’t always exist. Later, as a military spouse, I learned to adapt and rebuild my life every 2–3 years, each move meant starting over: new home, new community, new identity. It wasn’t easy, but those constant transitions taught me how to stay grounded even when the ground was always shifting. Resiliency, for me, didn’t come from one moment, it was built in the quiet decision to keep showing up, even when things felt heavy or uncertain Read More>>
Elvis De Vil
Resilience seems innate, doesn’t it? Until we understand why it’s given that name. We must recoil in order to bounce back.
I’d say my earnest naivety paved the path I now call resilience, it is what often lead me into situations and experiences that beckoned me to learn how to overcome them. It was rarely done with ease, however I have consistently been the kind of person that enjoys experiencing things for themselves. Read More>>
Robin Bradfield
I have faced numerous highs and lows in my life, but none as paralyzing to my mental health as losing our son to parental alienation,
a type of abuse where one parent prioritizes their hatred toward their former partner over the well-being of their children. After enduring years of constant criticism from my ex-husband regarding every aspect of my life—my character, parenting style, home and car choices, career, and even our family vacations—I never imagined that our son would one day be torn entirely from my life. It’s been over three years since I’ve seen or talked to our son. Read More>>
Lakesha Quarles
I get my resilience from a combination of faith, life experience, and the responsibility I feel toward others who depend on me. I’ve faced challenges that forced me to adapt, grow, and find solutions even in difficult circumstances. Over time, I’ve learned to see obstacles as opportunities to build strength, not just setbacks. My drive comes from knowing that giving up isn’t an option—I have goals to reach, people to inspire, and a purpose that’s bigger than my struggles. Read More>>
Charry Beckett
Resilience isn’t something I just woke up with one day,it’s something I inherited, shaped by words, experience, and a relentless belief in myself.
Growing up, my mother was the first to teach me what it meant to be strong not in the loud, flashy way, but in the quiet, steady kind of way that carries you through life’s toughest seasons. She would always remind my sisters and me, “Life isn’t easy. You have to be strong mentally strong.” Those words stuck with me. They didn’t just become advice,they became my foundation. Read More>>
Steve McElroy
I love this question, because it’s so important for any career, and life overall. I personally made a decision early on that I would learn to enjoy the process as much as the destination. I decided that I would never get too far ahead of myself and only focus on quality, positivity, and putting something interesting in front of people. Success is never an accident, it’s an ability to find a need and fill it. In my own case, art became my own self-created fantasy world which I could use daily to put forth inspiring messages to others through beautiful symbols and imagery. Read More>>
Key Vhani
My resilience comes from experiencing real life trials and tribulations, but I never gave in to those dark feelings when things went bad in life. It’s like going to the gym and exercising. The more you workout the stronger you become. The same applies to life. You learn how to navigate through life and through those tough feelings that are hard to feel. That’s how you become resilient. You learn to exercise your happiness and eventually, happiness becomes your standard. You can’t even imagine feeling any other way. Read More>>
Ambre Emory-Maier
AMBRE EMORY-MAIER
I often wonder about the word, resilience and its use. I read an article recently by Alene Dawson and I agree with her premise. Resilience is not about coming blasting back, almost from an angry or vengeful place. Rather, it is seemingly minor things that build resilience through the power of restoration, such as knowing when to take a break, moving on from a situation, or working with a highly skilled therapist. It’s not about being a superhero. Read More>>
Melinda Engelhart
Ooh! What a cool question! I think that resilience is a muscle built over time, not an inherent trait. My parents regularly challenged their children – the boys & the girls – to embrace adventure, whether it was exploring the woods, making doll houses out of cardboard, or building our own treehouse with nothing but ropes and left-over scrap wood. Read More>>
Erin Everson
My resilience comes from navigating heartbreak.
I was raised by two loving, present parents.
My mom and dad gave me and my brothers the space to be creative and dream. They’re the kind of parents who encouraged and made us play outside. They fostered independence, curiosity, and community building as I ran or rode bikes around our neighborhood with a group of neighborhood friends. When I think about my resilience origin story, I think it began with the freedom my parents gave me as a child to find my own way and my own voice, and play. Read More>>
Perry Pollaci
I’m very blessed as I have a great support system in my wheelhouse and surround myself with incredible people who are successful, gracious, thoughtful, and wise. sometimes it’s just a simple internal monologue telling myself that things are gonna be OK. Read More>>
David Mammano
I would say it comes from a mix of life experience, perspective, and a strong sense of purpose. I have been through some difficult seasons, both personally and professionally, and each time I learned that I could get back up. It was not always immediate or easy, but I always found a way to move forward. Read More>>
Nar Hakimi
Resilience, for me, isn’t loud. It’s quiet. It’s the decision to keep choosing yourself, even when it’s messy. Even when no one claps for you.
I have two daughters and they watch everything. Not just what I say, but how I carry myself when things fall apart. And let me tell you, there’ve been moments where I wanted to curl up and disappear. But then I’d look at them… and something in me would switch. I’d remember who the hell I am. Read More>>
Meghan Gratzer
Although I’ve been lucky enough to have a wonderful upbringing, a lot of my life shifted in my 20’s and I’ve been through quite a lot for a 31 year old. Growing up loving musical theater, performing has always been my greatest passion. When I decided I wanted to pursue it professionally, I had no idea how difficult it would be to constantly experience the rejection and “almost” opportunities. You’re in this constant balancing act of working so hard to book the job and not wanting to get your hopes up. Read More>>
Julie Stevens
I get my resilience from my mom, who has always set an example of gratitude and grace. It doesn’t matter what is happening in her life, she always has a smile on her face and a quiet determination to find joy in her circumstances and to notice the good things about the people in her life. Growing up in a military family with seven siblings was quite an adventure. I moved to a new school almost every year and so I had to learn to be independent and to make new friends wherever I went. Read More>>
Sarah Shearer
My resilience comes from adversity. Surviving severe depression, an abusive family, addiction and eating disorders didn’t leave me broken. During the most traumatic chapters of life I often wondered “Why me?”. Many years of self work and wisdom from mental health professionals led me to understand that everything in this life is not justifiable.
“The only way out is through.” Read More>>
Danielle Festa
I draw my resilience from the example of others who have navigated life’s challenges. Even though our experiences are so different, I see that despite being dealt some of life’s most unfair hands, the individuals I’ve painted have found the strength to transform pain into healing. When I was diagnosed with breast cancer last year, I readied myself for battle with my brush in hand. I had fewer than two months until my exhibition, and two incredible humans left to paint. Read More>>
Abigail Sicker
I think that since I was a kid that I have always been very resilient – almost out of necessity. I was always the kid that was naturally good at everything but never great. I didn’t stand out, I wasn’t the progidy, and no one expected me to be the best in the room. This built a quiet resilience in me. I learned how to work for things and how to push to get to where I wanted to go. I wasn’t able to just coast on talent but instead had to develop grit and persistence – Read More>>
Danielle Mayers
My resilience comes from a mix of where I come from, how I was raised, what I’ve been through, and who I’m becoming. Growing up in Broward County and being part of the Boys and Girls Club taught me early on the value of community, determination, and perseverance. I started working right out of high school while putting myself through college and eventually earning my master’s degree. Every phase of my journey from working in retail and hospitality to Human Resources and real estate has required me to adapt, hustle, and stay focused, even when things felt uncertain. Read More>>
Melissa Sheridan
My resilience comes from being a military spouse and a mom. Those roles have taught me how to adapt quickly, hold steady during uncertainty, and find beauty in chaos — all of which spill over into how I run my business. I’ve moved often, built and rebuilt my photography brand in new places, and continued serving families even in challenging seasons. My resilience is fueled by purpose: knowing I’m helping families preserve their most meaningful moments keeps me going, no matter what comes my way Read More>>
Rauqel Herring
It came from getting through real stuff—disappointment, rejection, betrayal—and realizing that folding wasn’t an option. I had to get tougher while becoming gentler, get grounded, and keep going even when no one was cheering me on. Read More>>
Lexx Green
My resilience comes from experience—learning to navigate challenges without losing sight of my goals. Over time, I’ve realized that setbacks aren’t stop signs, they’re redirections. I also draw strength from the people around me—mentors, friends, and even the teams I’ve worked with. But most importantly, it’s rooted in purpose. When you truly believe in what you’re doing, you find the strength to keep going, even when it’s hard. Read More>>
Julia Wackenheim
I hail from hearty Scottish and Italian stock, used to working fields, hauling barrels of pasta, and making blood sausage. I dare anyone to complain about being tired or not liking the rain to a Scottish auntie. That’ll stiffen an upper lip in no time. There was no other option than to be resilient coming from such strong stock. Read More>>
Shiri Wolman
I picked up the clarinet when I was 10 and started classical training pretty soon after. That became my world for years- etudes, solo pieces, orchestras. For a long time, I thought I knew exactly where I was headed. My dream was to study at Juilliard and pursue a career in classical performance.
But during high school, something started to shift. Read More>>
Sicadia-Paige
My resilience was born from being a shy, sensitive little girl growing up in a small Southern town—one where being quiet was often misunderstood as being snobby, and where I never quite felt seen. I always had a deep desire to help people, but I also always felt different, especially in a place where religion shaped so much of identity and expression. I didn’t have the language back then, but now I know I was wired for something more intuitive, more soul-led. Read More>>
Mia Zifkin
I think my resilience is something that’s been shaped by both nature and nurture. Growing up, I saw my family struggle financially, but I also witnessed my dad break glass ceilings and achieve incredible success through relentless work ethic and resilience. My mom was the steady force behind it all, showing me compassion, grit, and the ability to keep moving forward even when the future felt uncertain. Read More>>
Jarin Tasnim Raisa
“Purpose-driven” this very word defines me. In my life, I set goals and work relentlessly to fulfill them. However, there are struggles in the path. Fortunately, those struggles could never take me away from my goal as once I set my mind to accomplish anything, I also measure the hindrances that I will have to overcome. Moreover, I am flexible to go through any situation. For instance, I spent an entire academic year in the U.S.A, as a teenager of 15, all by myself. I had to spend my time with 3 different host families of different cultures, and so many other people. In every single step, I had to overcome cultural difference to personality differences to come closer to their hearts. Read More>>
Deji Adako
“I believe my resilience comes from my upbringing. I’m one of four children, and from an early age, I felt a responsibility to be a leader in our family. We faced a lot of challenges growing up, and I knew that if I could set a strong example—through hard work, focus, and determination—it could help pave the way for my siblings and create opportunities for all of us. That sense of responsibility motivated me to push through obstacles, stay committed to my goals, and find solutions no matter how difficult things seemed. Resilience, for me, has always been about turning those hardships into a driving force for a better future.” Read More>>
Candace Smith
I get it from 1. God’s Word because reading and meditating on scripture daily renews my mind and spirit.
2. Prayer and honest conversation with God, I tell Him exactly how I feel. He is my strength when I feel weak
3. Remembering who I am, I am a child of God so even when things feel broken, I know that God is at work Read More>>
Anastasia Chernetsk
Where does my resilience come from?
Probably from deep within, from the knowledge that I am responsible not only for myself, but also for my team, our clients and the brand that we have built over the years. Read More>>
Gina Van Luven
Resilience is an innate trait we are born with. It has two meanings: 1) The capacity to withstand or to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness. 2) The ability of a substance or object to spring back into shape; elasticity. These definitions are utilized during childbirth by both the mother and child. So, right out of the gate every human who survives childbirth is resilient. Read More>>
