We recently connected with Lena Winslow National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach and have shared our conversation below.
Lena Winslow, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
Resilience isn’t something you have—it’s something you grow, piece by piece, when life demands more of you than you thought you had to give.
For me, it began with radical responsibility—learning to focus on the one step I could take, even when fear was sitting heavy on my chest. I’ll never forget hearing the voice on the other end of the phone, “its cancer”, feeling like the air was sucked out of the room. Even though deep inside I already knew, hearing it for the first time in 3D reality made me unable to stand. I sat down on the piano bench nearby. I kept thinking, What’s the next thing I can do? That’s all I focused on: the next question, the next decision, the next moment.
Resilience also grows in the quiet spaces of connection. I think of the Ukrainian trauma doctor I met last October who found strength in walking his dog every day, even amidst chaos. That image stays with me—a reminder that small acts of normalcy tether us to hope. It’s not the big gestures that sustain us; it’s showing up for the little things, over and over.
And then there’s the rawness of simply feeling everything. I’ve learned that resilience isn’t about staying strong all the time. It’s about letting myself feel the weight of loss and uncertainty, then choosing to keep going anyway. It’s about sitting with the hard stuff and realizing that even when I feel stuck, I’m still moving forward, one tiny step at a time.
Resilience, for me, is less about perfection and more about presence. It’s messy, it’s real, and it’s rooted in the decision to show up for life, exactly as it is, and to trust that each small act of courage adds up. And the best part? It’s a process—one that keeps growing, even when you can’t see it yet.
Where do I get my resilience? From living it, choosing it, one moment at a time.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
My professional focus has always been on helping others find clarity and resilience—whether that’s through simplifying life’s complexities, building routines that support well-being, or creating a structure to pursue what truly matters. My upcoming journal series, Stubborn Grace, is the heart of that mission, and the first volume written for women going through cancer, Stubborn Grace: Finding Your Vitality in the Face of Adversity, launches this December.
Stubborn Grace was born out of my own experiences as a cancer survivor, a mom to a child with complex needs, and someone who has spent years navigating uncertainty and growth. I know what it’s like to face overwhelming challenges and to need tools that bring you back to yourself. This journal is exactly that—a guide to help you reconnect with your inner strength, regain clarity, and rebuild vitality when life feels unsteady.
What makes this journal series unique is its versatility. Each new volume will be tailored to a specific facet of resilience, but they all share the same goal: to offer meaningful prompts and reflective space that meet people where they are. “Finding your Vitality”, the first in the series, focuses on supporting women who received a cancer diagnosis. It walks side by side with them, holding the space for whats next. It’s about more than surviving; it’s about living fully and intentionally, even in the face of hardship.
The journey to self-publishing this series has been deeply personal. I’ve learned that writing a book isn’t about income—it’s about impact. My hope is that Stubborn Grace: Finding your Vitality will reach the hands of people who might not have access to other forms of guidance or coaching, providing a resource for healing and hope.
This journal is a labor of love—a gift from my journey to others. My goal is to make it visible on a larger stage, ensuring it reaches those who need it most. If this resonates with you, I’d love for you to follow along and join us as we prepare for launch. Together, we can amplify this message of hope, strength, and vitality.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
The Three Qualities That Changed Everything
When I look back, there are three qualities that have shaped my journey: curiosity, adaptability, and intentionality. These weren’t skills I had mastered from the start—they’re ones I had to practice, often in the messiest, most uncertain moments of life.
1. Curiosity: Asking Better Questions
Curiosity has always been my anchor in the storm. When I was first diagnosed with cancer, my mind wanted to shut down under the weight of fear. But instead, I asked myself, What’s one thing I can control? What’s the next right question to ask? Curiosity didn’t take the fear away, but it gave me a way through.
For you: Start by noticing when judgment creeps in—of yourself, your situation, or others. Swap that judgment for a question. What can I learn here? or What’s one thing I can try differently? With practice, curiosity becomes a tool for clarity.
2. Adaptability: Letting Go of Perfection
Nothing in life has gone the way I planned—not parenting, not my career, and certainly not my health. I’ve learned that clinging to the way I thought things should be only makes the hard moments harder. After my daughter’s diagnosis, I realized the key was to lean into change instead of fighting it. Adaptability is where I’ve found resilience—not in controlling everything, but in discovering new ways to thrive.
For you: Start small. When things don’t go as planned, take a breath and ask, What’s one thing I can adjust right now? It doesn’t have to be perfect; it just has to work for this moment. Each adjustment builds flexibility for bigger changes down the road.
3. Intentionality: Aligning with What Matters
This one feels like the heart of it all. Over the years, I’ve learned to be really clear about what matters to me—my values, my purpose, my relationships—and let those priorities guide my choices. There have been plenty of moments where life pulled me in every direction, but intentionality is what always brings me back to center.
For you: Write down your top three values or priorities. Keep them somewhere you’ll see every day. When you feel pulled in too many directions, check in: Does this align with the life I want to create? It’s not about getting it perfect, just staying rooted in what feels most important to you.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
I am always looking to collaborate with people and organizations who share a passion for creating an environment of growth and unlimited potential in the lives of others. As I build my speaking career, I’m particularly drawn to opportunities that amplify the message of resilience, clarity, and intentional living.
I’m looking to partner with:
Event organizers focused on health, personal growth, parenting, or navigating life’s challenges.
Organizations that support cancer survivors, caregivers, and families with special needs.
Podcasts, summits, or panels that explore themes of resilience, overcoming adversity, and creating a life of purpose.
Corporate teams or groups seeking actionable insights on managing stress, building boundaries, and cultivating personal and professional growth.
If you’re reading this and feel a spark of connection, I’d love to hear from you. Whether it’s creating impactful experiences for an audience or diving into thoughtful conversations, collaboration is where the magic happens.
You can reach me through my website LenaWinslow.com, email: [email protected] or drop me a message on IG @HealthyGeekCoach. Let’s talk about how we can work together to create something meaningful, transformative, and deeply impactful.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lenawinslow.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healthygeekcoach/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Lena408
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lenawinslow/
Image Credits
Laura Harstad. Brad Beard. Tamara Lowder (Cover Art) Nikie Piper (cover design), Theodore Winslow
