We were lucky to catch up with Cole Cipriani recently and have shared our conversation below.
Cole , we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
My resilience is born from my drive to succeed, deeply rooted in my upbringing. Childhood for me was far from ideal—a mix of dysfunction and instability that many growing up in broken homes can relate to. But resilience became a defining trait early on. Despite being labeled a child with ADHD and a learning disability, I found that my determination spiked (still does) when I could understand a concept and see where my strengths fit in.
I often think of Thomas Edison, who famously failed thousands of times before inventing the lightbulb. When asked about his “failures,” he simply said he had found thousands of ways that didn’t work. Like Edison, I know setbacks are only part of the journey. God gifted me with a unique heart, and once I realized the value I could bring to others, nothing could hold me back. God gifted me with a unique heart, and once I realized the value I could bring to others, nothing could hold me back.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
First and foremost, I am a Christian. Faith isn’t just important to me—it is my identity. While many would call that “religious,” I see it differently; I consider myself a follower of Christ. My priority is my relationship with Jesus Christ and God. To me, religion without a personal, divine relationship doesn’t make sense. I know there are people who disagree with my beliefs, and that’s okay. As an American, I respect our freedom to hold different views. I simply ask others what keeps them going and then choose to meet them with love from there.
Secondly, I am a connector. I love bringing people together. This passion likely stems from growing up without an ideal community and carrying that sense of longing even through college. So, when I moved to Tampa from Virginia, I made a conscious decision to serve this city and connect people. As a result, I went from knowing just two people here to having over 1,000 personal connections in just two years—and counting. Being a career coach and recruiter who’s passionate about helping people get unstuck in their careers has certainly helped me expand that network.
Along with building community, I truly enjoy helping people get unstuck in their career search. Having my own personal career being sandbagged for a couple of years, I know what it is like to feel stuck. My career coaching services will help you find your inner vocational voice. If you find me on LinkedIn and mention this article, I will give you a free resource that will radically change how you approach networking.
Lastly, I am simply Cole. I am unapologetically myself—mostly extroverted, but I relate to introverts too. If you’ve been around me for five minutes and I haven’t introduced myself, something’s wrong! My goal is to help others find their tribe (Community for a lack of better term). Whether it’s a business connection, a church community, or just a marketplace introduction, I’m always happy to have a conversation, crack a dad joke, and maybe share a meal with the incredible people God brings into my life. And if there’s a dance floor, I will be the first on it. Life is too short not to live authentically.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Great question! It’s deep… but necessary to ask. Reflecting on what’s been most impactful in my twenties, three areas stand out: compassion, relationship-building, and choosing not to be easily offended.
Everyone can agree that life has its challenges. Even those born into privilege often struggle with finding a sense of reality. On the other hand, kids in third-world countries face daily hardships but still find joy, like playing with a flat soccer ball. This contrast has taught me a lot about resilience and perspective.
Compassion is something my mom instilled in me. She always emphasized that everyone is fighting some kind of battle, so why not start with kindness? Understanding and empathizing with others has helped me stay grounded and connected with people from all walks of life.
Relationship-building is another skill I’ve developed over the years. I make a point to remember the people I meet—I rarely forget a face, and I’m getting better with names too. I believe I can add value to others in some way, and my faith guides me to build genuine connections with everyone I encounter.
Finally, not being easily offended has been transformative. People will have opinions and perspectives, and sometimes they’re going to be wrong—or I might be wrong. But I’ve learned that taking offense only derails my peace. Instead, I try to seek common ground and approach differences with curiosity rather than defensiveness. Life is easier when you realize that you don’t need to spiral over someone else’s viewpoint. Embracing this has made me more resilient and open-minded.
For those starting out, I’d say: develop compassion by remembering everyone has a story, build relationships that are genuine, and choose not to let other people’s opinions shake you. It makes life simpler and more fulfilling.
Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?
While the Bible is foundational in my life, I know, I know…. typical Christian answer. But for those who don’t share the same belief… Two other books are tied —The Choice by Og Mandino and Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins—have truly shaped my perspective in ways I didn’t expect.
“The Choice” was like a gentle nudge that turned into a powerful shift in how I saw my own potential. Og Mandino’s story of redemption and the reminder that we can “choose” our paths was a real eye-opener for me. His writing made me reflect on the choices I make daily, from my attitude to my actions. It was a wake-up call that life is full of opportunities to redirect ourselves and find meaning, even when we feel lost. The book also emphasizes kindness and faith in such a simple, profound way that it left a lasting impression on me.
Then there’s Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins. His story is raw and intense, and it challenged me to stop holding myself back. Goggins’ journey from trauma (And some serious trauma… ) and hardship to intense resilience isn’t sugar-coated—it’s an honest, almost brutal look at what it takes to overcome limitations. Reading it, I felt a mix of awe and inspiration; here was someone who refused to be defined by his past. The book taught me that strength is not only built in comfortable places but forged in the fires of struggle. Goggins’ message that we can achieve far beyond what we think possible if we push past our mental limits resonated with me deeply. It gave me a new appreciation for the power of self-discipline, grit, and mental toughness. (I do like the Goggin’s and Mamba mentality… two men who inspire me.)
Together, these books have helped me focus on two key things: the power of choosing a meaningful life path and the courage to face any obstacle head-on. They’ve inspired me to live with more intention, to approach challenges as opportunities for growth, and to remember that no matter what, I always have a choice and you do too!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://connectintampabay.com/
- Instagram: @Cole.The.Connector
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colecipriani/
Image Credits
Syd Schantz with Inked.Image
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