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.
Eric Green
As an artist, my resilience comes from learning how to keep moving forward despite obstacles and the voices of doubt around me. Being a naturally quiet person, I’ve often had to let my art speak louder than my words. There have been times when people questioned my path, underestimated me, or didn’t believe in my vision — but instead of letting that discourage me, it became motivation. Read More>>
Sheinia Morgan
I get my resilience from the challenges I’ve faced and the faith
I carry within me.
From an early age I learned that nothing in life comes easy you have to push through setbacks, rejections and even toxic environments. Working on a cruise ship tested me in many way.
I was far from home under immense pressure and often misunderstood. Instead of allowing those circumstances to break me I leaned on my inner strength my faith in God and the encouragement of true friends who reminded me of my worth. Read More>>
Shauna-Gay Whyte
My resilience comes from God’s grace and the lessons I’ve learned through hardship. I’ve experienced pain and disappointment, but instead of letting it define me, I’ve used it to grow stronger and keep moving forward. Read More>>
Michelle Harris
My resilience didn’t come from one single place—it’s been shaped layer by layer by my life experiences, my faith, and my heart for others. Read More>>
TDK Mulaa / Chef Mekhi
I really get my way to adapt and survive from my parents and siblings . Growing up and coming from the west side of Chicago then to the suburbs, I had to adapt to a lot Of different environments and situations. It made me a wise person . I understand and learned certain things that others didn’t that helped shaped the way I think and go about things in life as well as our brand . Read More>>
Ben Bakulu
My resilience comes from an inner consciousness that keeps reminding me that I have not yet reach where I suppose to be and I still have to work hard to make one day my goal. Musically here I will say that like any artist, seeing himself one day at the top with his works and all the baggage of achievements that we have been able to make has always been an essential wish. This is in a few words what makes me resilient to my musical field. Read More>>
Julie Beekman
In my formative years, I experienced a lot of trauma. I think having been adopted had something to do with my resilience. Plus, I’ve always tried to find the positives, find the humor and align myself with advocates. There is ALWAYS space to find gratitude. Read More>>
Anastasia Fox
My resilience comes from two places: the lessons I carried from my background in healthcare, and the many times I had to start over from the very beginning.
When I first came to New York as an immigrant, everything felt uncertain. I had my daughter, and dreams, but no clear roadmap, no English, and not financial stability. Even simple things like understanding people on the street, filling out papers, or finding work felt like big mountains to climb. But step by step, I learned. New York became my first training ground in resilience, teaching me that no matter how lost I felt, I could find my way forward. Read More>>
Laura-Jane Fenney
Our industry is so full of knock-backs and rejections that it’s absolutely crucial to build a thick skin. I learnt early on in my career that every time I got a “no”, it was actually a redirection; another opportunity was waiting around the corner! Thats not to say that it’s an easy thing to remember when you’re in the midst of it all and it can be hard to keep that positivity up. Life as a performer and creative is a constant struggle of trusting the process and remaining motivated, even when you think you want to give up. Something that really helps me is finding joy through other outlets, remembering why I love to dance and create, making time to choreograph just for myself, without trying to make something that other people will like, it’s always a great way to find perspective. Read More>>
Wayne Hazke
I attribute a lot of my resilience to my Jamaican parents who emigrated here when I was less than 2 years old. They ingrained in my a strong sense of determination. They also helped me develop the faith that has guided me throughout my life. It has given me the ability to take a lot of punches and kicks and even get knocked down in life but to never stay down long. Read More>>
Terri
I get my resilience from being a Second Generation Child. That means my parents were Holocaust survivors. Many people who went through difficult and catastrophic events feel guilty for having survived when others didn’t. That’s not how I feel. I think surviving is nothing short of being a miracle. Growing up, I realized I was different because of my family’s tragedies. I understood that if I was alive, it was because of the ingenuity, strength and luck of my parents. So I wasn’t going to let myself easily accept the answer, “no,” when it came my way. I wasn’t going to stay on the ground too long if I fell. I developed grit – resilience – and I really needed that in my chosen careers. Read More>>
Carrie Watts
Powerful resilience often grows out of powerful weakness.
Think about the tree. Have you ever noticed a small tree in a storm bending back and forth? Though the winds howl, it endures. Its very flexibility becomes its strength. Read More>>
Aram Wheatley
I get my resilience from my upbringing and life experiences. Growing up in tough circumstances, I watched my mother work multiple jobs while never making excuses and always showing up for me. That example taught me discipline and perseverance. Later, facing homelessness, I had to find strength in myself to keep pushing forward, even when I felt like giving up. Football also shaped me—teaching me that discipline, teamwork, and effort can overcome adversity. Today, I carry those lessons into my work with youth, showing them that resilience is about refusing to let setbacks define you and turning struggles into fuel for growth. Read More>>
Dionna Thomas
A lot of my resilience comes from the heart behind my podcast. I know that every episode has the potential to reach someone who feels alone or is struggling with their mental health. That thought keeps me pushing, even when it’s hard to balance being a student, a host, and everything else in life. My faith and my purpose fuel me, and I remind myself that the conversations I’m creating are bigger than me. They’re about encouraging my peers, spreading hope, and reminding everyone that no matter what we go through—it gets better. Read More>>
Nash Hudson
Honestly, it can be from no one but God because there are things I have lived through that should honestly have taken me under, and no matter how hard or rough things got for me, there was this internal ‘knowing’ that I was going to make it. Read More>>
Shani Lee
My resilience comes from the foundation of discipline, perseverance, and adaptability I built over 21 years of military service, where I led teams in high-stress environments and overcame challenges with focus and determination. Beyond the Army, I have carried this strength into my entrepreneurial journey, navigating the demands of multiple businesses, community initiatives, and personal projects with the same unwavering drive. My resilience is also deeply rooted in my sense of purpose—grounded in family, faith, and my vision to create opportunities for others—allowing me to transform obstacles into stepping-stones. Read More>>
Sara Legault
My story is not an uncommon one. For most of my life I was focused on not getting pregnant, and thought when it was time to have a family it would be easy. Boy was I wrong, and the more women I talk to I see how many people’s thought process is the same as mine and there’s not a ton of support to help guide women on this journey in a true holistic manner. Read More>>
Abby Rosmarin
I believe I got my resilience from necessity. It’s frustrating that, for a lot of us, it came from necessity. This wasn’t built up with a loving mentor to show us to how face adversity. We were thrown into the deep end and told to figure out how to swim or drown. Read More>>
Rachel Wolff, LMT, MTI
From failing! When you read the word “failing” just now, what happened in your body? For many years, I had a cringe response to failure, the very idea of it seemed so heavy with shame, and fear, and internally facing the definition/meaning of that failure produced all kinds of negative self-talk, and had the power to induce a downward spiral… Read More>>
Stephen Timoney
I get my resilience from choosing who I want to be. For me, it’s not about grinding through with cold plunges or hacks… it’s about identity. I’ve built standards for myself, and when things get rough, I come back to those standards. That gives me a baseline to operate from, no matter how messy life or business gets. Read More>>
Travis Wright
Resilience comes from many sources in a person’s life. Mine came from watching my single mother fight in the trenches to get out of the dark. Cutting the ties from toxic and manipulative people, especially family. Breaking the cycle and becoming out of their reach. I grew up a bit on the tough side, so finding something that I can focus my time and energy on(before my children) became essential. Concrete demands a great deal of hard work and skill, so after 15 years I pride myself on being a local trusted expert. Husband, father, business owner. Three things that bring me the most joy. Read More>>
Megan Karson
To quote Georgia O’Keefe, “I’ve been absolutely terrified every moment of my life and I’ve never let it keep me from doing a single thing that I wanted to do.” Read More>>
Jeff Boyer
Everyone has to go through their own trials to develop resilience though. As a kid all I wanted to do was play football, but I suffered terrible claustrophobia. Being on the bottom of a pile of kids was the worst thing for me, but my desire to play helped me overcome my fear. When I realized that if I just stayed cool and relaxed I’d be ok, I used that in every aspect of my life. Stay calm and keep moving forward. Read More>>
Richard Boyer
Resilience, or determination you develop over time. I have noticed there seems to two kinds of artists out there. Ones that reject criticism, another words feel hurt or offended by any negativity towards their work; and then there are those who learn to accept the negativity about their work and learn to adapt, or change to make it better. Read More>>
Rodrigo
Surviving teaches you to know yourself, what you are capable of, and the limits of your endurance. Enjoying hardship moments and embracing them as a means to an end will keep you true to yourself. Read More>>
Tye Harris
I often credit my resilience to the example my father set. His determination and values guided me from a young age. When he passed abruptly, it forced me to face life’s unpredictability head-on. That experience taught me to embrace challenges, adapt, and keep pushing forward, carrying a piece of his wisdom with me in everything I do. Read More>>
ANDREEA MIHALACHE
I think I am a type of wonder woman or a Phoenix. But I’ve always believed in God and in that thing that tells “when life gives you lemons, make yourself a best lemonade and also sell it to the others to earn some money”. We all experience all type of stress factors, bad times, loss of hope, depression, anxiety, regardless the reason, but what matters is to not remain in that obscure or even dark place. To raise and go farther and farther, Sometimes a small step in darkness truly values more than standing still. Read More>>
Naseem & Rashid Muhammad
We get our resilience from each other, first and foremost. Being in TRÏBE means we’ve got built-in accountability and support — when one of us is feeling low, the other steps in to remind us why we started. That bond keeps us grounded and pushes us forward, even when things get tough. Read More>>
Renee Enwerem
Resilience has been one of the greatest lessons of my journey. It was not something that came easily or naturally, it was something I had to build. Life has brought me through many difficult moments, and in each one I had to make the choice to keep pushing forward. I learned to try new things even when fear or uncertainty was present, because growth never comes from comfort. Read More>>
Rebecca Nietert
I’ve built my resilience through a lifetime of balancing both personal and professional responsibilities. Raising six children—some with special needs—taught me patience, adaptability, and perseverance in ways that no classroom or training could. At the same time, my career as a realtor has required me to work side by side with appraisers, home inspectors, contractors, handymen, and landscapers—managing countless moving pieces while keeping clients’ best interests at heart. Read More>>
Marcus Brown
I get my resilience from everything I’ve overcome. The foster care system, homelessness, losing opportunities I worked hard for, and even battling my own mindset when life felt impossible. Every challenge could have broken me, but instead, I turned it into fuel. That’s why I wrote my books and why I do this work now: to show that resilience isn’t something you’re born with, it’s something you build through struggle and self-discovery. Read More>>
Jamie Rodriguez
I get my resilience from a few key places, all of which I’ve refined through the teachings of my mentor, Tony Robbins, and the wisdom he shares from Victor Frankl. Read More>>
Tamara Beasley
I developed resilience from an early age, growing up without parents and being raised by my grandmother. Because she had several children to care for, I learned how to be independent and solve problems on my own at a young age. Growing up in a city surrounded by drug use and crime, I made a conscious decision early that I wanted a different life. Read More>>
Cleyton Alves
“I am resilient in my business because I choose to learn from challenges, adjust my path when needed, and never lose sight of my purpose. With every obstacle, I grow stronger and move forward with courage and faith.” Read More>>
Susan Carabello
My resilience came through growth. Growing through challenges and remembering that it was ok to be where I was. I never forced myself to get somewhere, without learning and accepting where I was. Read More>>
Marina Panfil
My resilience comes from starting over more than once in my life. When I first came to the U.S., I worked wherever I could—cleaning houses, sorting boxes , waiting tables —while studying esthetics at night. It wasn’t glamorous, but I knew it was leading me to something bigger. There were many moments when it would have been easier to give up, but I’ve always carried this belief that beauty is more than skin deep—it’s confidence, healing, and energy. Read More>>
King Golden
My resilience comes from failure. Ive failed so much in my life I had no choice but to learn through my mistakes. I had to pray through my mistakes and look around at those around me and see who depended on me to be successful Read More>>
Peet Montzingo
I’ve never had a plan B for my career. My whole life, everyone has encouraged me to have a plan B “just in case things don’t work out.” I never took that seriously. The reason is because once you have a plan B, you aren’t putting all your eggs in plan A. It’s so important to believe in your purpose! If I wouldn’t have wholeheartedly believed in myself, and even if it were at 95%, I would not be where I am today. Read More>>
Savannah Rivera
I think my resilience really comes from my upbringing. I grew up in Chicago’s Humboldt Park and Logan Square, both neighborhoods with a long history of resilience and resistance. Growing up low-income there felt like being a flower growing in the cracks of cement. You learn to bloom where you’re planted and make the best of every situation. Read More>>
Maria Ragland
I believe my resilience comes from life itself—from the challenges I’ve faced and the determination to never let them define me. Every setback has taught me how to push forward with even more strength and grace. I’ve learned that resilience isn’t just about surviving; it’s about thriving and turning pain into purpose. That’s why I have the word “resilient” tattooed above my right eyebrow—it’s a daily reminder of everything I’ve overcome and the power within me to keep going, no matter what. Read More>>
Cynthia Perez
I believe my resilience comes from my roots. Growing up on the border, I had to learn to move between two cultures and two worlds, and that taught me strength. Being an escaramuza and a Charro Queen also showed me resilience—because as a woman in a male-dominated tradition, I had to work twice as hard to be heard and respected. But my biggest resilience comes from the women in my family, from my mother and grandmother, who carried tradition with dignity and showed me that courage can be graceful. Every time I ride, I carry their strength with me. Read More>>
Vismitha Yaji
I’ve always been seen as hyper-independent in my work, and I think that’s where a lot of my resilience comes from. For me, it’s rooted in this innate desire to prove myself—not sure if that’s the best mindset, but it’s what keeps me grounded and moving toward my goals. I don’t think resilience is just about pushing through; it starts with understanding yourself—where you come from, who you want to be, and how you define yourself. That’s what really shapes the way I approach challenges. Read More>>
Diamond In The Rough
As a Japanese American singer-songwriter starting my career from the ground up, I’ve built my resilience by reminding myself that Rome wasn’t built in a day. There is an interesting story I heard about how it takes bamboo 5 years developing underground before finally having a rapid, explosive growth above ground, and I think this is also analogous to the career of successful artists and creatives. I know that for my journey, the success of my career will depend largely on me staying resilient through the various challenges I will face, and having faith and grit even if I don’t see any visible progress in the moment. Read More>>
Wonhee Kim
When people ask me where my resilience comes from, I always think back to my first year in the MFA Acting program at the Actors Studio Drama School. I had studied acting for two years in Ohio, but moving to New York City was a whole new challenge, my English wasn’t strong, I was adjusting to a new culture, and honestly, I wasn’t sure if I belonged. Read More>>
Jennifer Briskin
When I think about resilience, I don’t just think about powering through challenges — I think about the courage it takes to stand firm in who you are, even when the world expects you to do it another way. My entire career has been built on doing things in a non-traditional way. I’ve never followed the textbook version of how you’re “supposed” to build a business, coach people, or lead a team. Read More>>
Allyson Bryant
Having trauma beginning at a very early age I learned to really only depend on myself. My dad remarried pretty soon after my mother died. And we didn’t really talk about my mom anymore. I think it was too sad for my dad and also he didn’t want to hurt my step mother’s feelings. That’s what i think today. Not back then. Read More>>
Jessica Kjeldsen
My resilience is equal parts eldest-daughter conditioning and millennial luck. Eldest daughter meaning: I was basically raised to keep the peace, solve problems, and carry everyone else’s bags while smiling. Being a millennial added its own flair. Growing up with dial-up patience, recession survival skills, and the ability to laugh at my own burnout over avocado toast. But the real foundation came from my parents. Read More>>
Gabriela Rodriguez
I get my resilience from my family. Growing up, nothing ever felt out of reach — my parents always encouraged me to dream big and believe the sky was the limit. My mom signed me up for my first acting class when I was nine years old, and my dad thought it was the coolest thing that I was outgoing and confident enough to even want to pursue acting and modeling. They supported me every step of the way. Read More>>
Caleb Lowell
I feel like I’m resilient because I love nothing more than what I do as an artist. Yeah the rejection aspect of being an actor is really really hard and has gotten me in a very hard place with myself countless times. But I was sitting by the beach the other and this realization: Each time I audition I’m doing exactly what I’m an actor for. That thing inside me that wants to say something. Just because I don’t book or get to be seen doing what I love doesn’t mean I’m not doing it. Read More>>
Andrea
I’ve come to see resilience not as something you’re born with, but as something you build—sometimes deliberately, sometimes out of necessity. For me, it’s been forged in both personal and professional arenas: during my late husband’s brain tumor diagnosis while I was pregnant, and later as a solo parent raising our child. But also through founding and growing a mission-driven company in the field of Functional Nutrition and clinician education. Read More>>
Janicka Harris
I believe that my resilience was initiated from my upbringing- being taught to be hyper-independent. If I needed help figure it out or ask, if asking caused too much stress for the other person, I eventually did it on my own. Read More>>
Christopher Montano
I get my resilience from my faith, my family, and the deep knowing that my story isn’t finished yet. Surviving brain surgery, living with aphasia and epilepsy, and facing PTSI could have stopped me—but instead, I’ve chosen to see each challenge as proof that I’m still here for a reason. Read More>>
Marisol Esquivel
I draw my resilience from both of my mothers. One is my grandmother, Inez, who adopted me, and the other is my birth mother, Gloria. I inherit my strong will, work ethic, and drive from them. Witnessing how they have overcome so much over the years fills me with admiration. Read More>>
Adrian Viloria
My resilience really comes from my childhood. I was blessed with wonderful parents and, despite the dysfunction within my home, I was able to build values and an inner compass that helped me shape the life I wanted to live and become a leader in business. Living through emotional adversity and the challenges of a dysfunctional environment forced me to learn how to find solutions and transform my surroundings, by setting an example and by choosing to do things differently. Read More>>
Nnamdi
I draw much of my resilience from my upbringing in Nigeria. As the first of five siblings, I had to take on responsibility at a very young age. That shaped me to be resourceful, disciplined, and committed to looking out for others, no matter the circumstances. Growing up, there wasn’t always an abundance of resources, but that environment taught me how to make the most of what I had and to keep pressing forward even when things weren’t easy. Read More>>
Paige Moyer
I get my resilience from a lifetime of turning challenges into fuel. Growing up, I learned that nothing was handed to me. I had to build, create, and fight for the life I’ve wanted. When setbacks came, whether in my personal life, my career, or my business, I discovered that resilience isn’t about avoiding hard times, it’s about what you do with them. Read More>>
Marcos Morales
Resilience comes from an understanding that progress isn’t always linear. While you may find favor or footing with certain endeavors, any shortcomings or failures serve as a learning experience. No matter how many times we fail, there’s always have the to better ourselves. Read More>>
Lindy Hall
My resilience comes from not being handed much, I realized pretty early on that I had the choice to either stay small and let my circumstances control my future, or I could build myself into who I want to be in spite of those circumstances. I wasn’t born with unshakable confidence or presence; it’s something I had to create for myself, day after day. Read More>>
Jess Humphrey
My resilience was shaped by some of the hardest seasons of my life. Recovering from an eating disorder taught me how to rebuild my relationship with myself and my body, while leaving an abusive relationship pushed me to find my voice, my independence, and my worth again. Those experiences were painful, but they became the foundation of who I am today. They taught me that resilience isn’t about avoiding struggle – it’s about choosing to rise through it and turning pain into purpose. Read More>>
David Dachinger
Resilience has been a significant part of my life since childhood. Growing up in the 1960s in a household where my dad chose to leave the family to pursue his own dreams forced me to assume the role of “man of the house” at just five years old. Although some of my coping skills were not healthy, I learned that I could rise from adversity and pursue my goals and desires. Read More>>
