Sometimes just seeing resilience can change out mindset and unlock our own resilience. That’s our hope with the Portraits of Resilience series – we hope the stories below will inspire you to tap into your own resilience.
John Petrocelli
attribute my resilience largely from realizing that hard work can deliver results and also be a tremendous learning opportunity. I’m also a major advocate for public education having attended a public high school and state university. I grew up with very modest means where every cent mattered and there was no room for any excesses. Read more>>
Ashley Shelley
I get my resilience from the well of optimism, with which I must have been born. I have an interesting relationship with resilience as I have had to make many present moment decisions to choose to identify and engage with perseverance with hope that it will be worth the effort. Read more>>
Carla Higham
When I was in fifth grade we used to carry around these paper folders and doodle a lot on them. A classmate of mine wrote the quote, the heart is resilient on hers and I carried that quote with me wherever I went. Even at a young age, I understood the strength of one’s resolve and our ability to overcome all things despite the toughest of circumstances. Read more>>
Shelby Oredson
When I hear the word “resilience,” I immediately think of my experience as a mom. Raising three young kids has been the most rewarding, most challenging responsibility of my life, one that has changed me in ways I didn’t think were possible, including my level of resilience. Of course, every second I’ve spent in motherhood has contributed to this grit. Read more>>
Rebekah Jensen
My wellspring of resilience flows from the deep currents of my family’s history. We are the proud descendants of migrant farm workers, who found themselves straddling two worlds as the United States borders solidified. Their journey was one of relentless determination, born out of necessity in the face of adversity. Read more>>
Victoria Orantes
After many long meditative walks, I came to the conclusion that resilience comes from decision. Without the accountability of my mind, my body is weak. Truthfully, I rather indulge myself in long naps, but in understanding that my future is hidden in my daily routine, resilience is a choice, a choice that keeps me going even when my motivation runs out. Read more>>
Tabby Holden (Marsden)
I had to grow up very quickly at a very young age, I learned that monsters don’t always hide in the dark and sometimes they end up being the very people who are suppose to protect you. I had people in my life who I didn’t want to be like as well as people who I looked up to. I always knew how my life would play out would be highly influenced on the path I chose to take. Read more>>
Jacqui Jackson
It may sound cliche but I have to attribute my resilience and “stick-to-it-iveness” to my Momma. Even when I was young, my mother always encouraged me to reach for the stars, never to settle and just filled me up to the brim with confidence in whatever I happened to be involved with. From Pageants, to professions – she was my number 1 cheerleader. Read more>>
Michael Brewer
A while back when my daughter stated that I was the smartest person she knew, I responded that I’m not even close to being the smartest person in my family but that I am really strong at problem solving and getting myself out of a jam! While being a quick thinker and problem solver has certainly helped me numerous times in my life, my perseverance and belief in myself that I can accomplish most anything I put my mind to. Read more>>
Reha Habib
Years of putting in the work, time and effort and seeing great projects come to life. But for me resilience has come mainly from downfalls throughout my career. I have experienced obstacles, rejection and difficult situations that have made me work smarter and realize that with every hardship comes a lesson which you learn from and try to avoid next time or it teaches you do things better. Read more>>
Annie Kines
In business and in life, you certainly have to learn to be resilient. Alongside the journey of growing my business, I’ve had acute autoimmune issues that have tested my patience, taught me ways of coping with not being where I want to be at a certain time, and inadvertently have taught me resilience. Read more>>
Fanchon Jones
I get my resilience from my parents. They have both been knocked down,and counted out over the years. Watching them overcome adversity has been a great learning experience for my siblings and I. Read more>>
A.R. . Mauriella
My resilience comes from my ancestors, those who came before me who laid the bricks for the path that I am walking on. Circumstances we endure as human beings and adults are often complex and something that cannot be solved over night. But, the power of tongue is real. What you say about yourself and how you look at yourself has a considerable influence on the overall outcome of a situation. Read more>>
Rhonda Mullens
My resilience comes from Childhood pain From being s*xually molested. By Men and a woman who my mom trusted to care for me while she worked.. I carried the pain the hurt and betrayal for so until it became very angery to the point where I couldn’t even stand myself at times I realized That that those who’ve hurt me was still hurting me because
I never let go mentally. Read more>>
Young Raze
I get it from all the hard lessons i learned in the past. Without failure you can’t win only the strong survive it takes a strong mind to keep going. Read more>>
Veronica Hill
Life never asked me if I was ready, it simply thrust change upon me. Read more>>
Lettie Fundane’t
believe I developed resilience from having to overcome a disability most of my life. I contracted Spinal meningitis as a young girl. Due to the high fever I lost hearing in both of my ears. I have worn hearing aids since I was 2. It can be challenging to function in a world when you struggle to hear. Read more>>
Dana Lyn Baron
Well, if I’m being glib, I’d say my resilience comes as a direct result of being a bona fide Taurus. I was born with a stubborn streak. And I certainly don’t like to be told that I can’t do something. Read more>>
Annie Schutz
From my parents for sure. They’ve been through it, through it all, and I watched them always get to the other side of any problem without it ever bleeding into my childhood. You wouldn’t even know it, but I could see and always appreciated how hard they worked. Read more>>
Samantha Hairston
I’d definitely say I get my resilience from my mom and grandma! Theyre both incredibly strong, hard working and supportive women! I have watched both go through so much and always still remain true to themselves, still remain kind and giving. I think that’s why I always push myself and try to help others when I can. Read more>>
Oscar Perez
Resilience has been ingrained in me from a young age, shaped by the invaluable life lessons that surrounded me. Witnessing my family conquer difficult challenges during my formative years profoundly influenced my perception of achievement and the art of moving forward. For instance, my paternal grandfather’s strong minded spirit left a permanent mark on me. Read more>>
Stephanie Cristiano
I get my resilience from my Mother. I was raised to be a caring, empathetic individual and when my Mom was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer when I was 22 and finishing school, I had to be strong for the both of us. It wasn’t easy trying to stay positive but it’s all we have sometimes. Read more>>
Brian Dickson Jr.
My resilience is as strong as it is today because of how many times I overcame hardships in the past. I used to be embarrassed by some of the trials I suffered through growing up, but today I am thankful. Without the struggles, I would have never had the chance to exercise resilience. Read more>>
Tiffany Phillips
Where does my resilience come from, that’s a very deep question and such an important aspect of life! How we manage stress and uncertainty plays a vital role in our success during times of adversity. Read more>>
Natalie Moussa
I came up with the name of my art business, ‘Ad Astra Art KC’, by using my home state as inspiration. The Kansas motto is “Ad Astra Per Aspera.” This translates to, “To the stars through difficulties.” Read more>>
Ailin Malimowcka
Coming from Argentina, a country where the economy fluctuates so much, that’s definitely one of the reasons why it has always been easier for me to adapt to any situation. I also moved houses (and cities) every 2 years with my family when I was a kid, so that also helped me a lot. Read more>>
Michaela Robinson
My resilience comes from my determination to achieve what I’m working towards and my preparation for the obstacles I may face. I believe we have to understand that most things that are worth having won’t come easy. Understanding the “why” of our end goal is what helps motivate us to get it done, regardless of the challenges we may have to face. Read more>>
Benjamin Deceuster
Resilience is built over time through adversity, competition, and new experiences. Sports and physical activities present multiple opportunities to develop resilience. Throughout my life, I have participated in sports ranging from martial arts, fencing, track, basketball, and volleyball. Read more>>
Bro. Calvin Tucker Jr.
Growing up in a big family filled with big personalities, the Black Southern Baptist church and intense study of performing arts has given me a resilience that shocks me at times. Read more>>
Rachelle Law
There are not enough words or ways to say thank you to my mother. Ernestine Marion Gilbert. I can only thank her for loving me when I didn’t love myself. She was the first to recognize the potential that was within me. I am grateful for all she gave me and gave up for me. She showed me strength perseverance to her last breath. Read more>>
Katy Tessman
Mothering while battling breast cancer has made me more resilient than I could ever imagine. I received the devastating diagnosis when I was 39 and my sons were ages 3 and 6. I felt like I had fallen down a deep dark hole with no ladder to climb out. Read more>>
Lex-Jordan Ibegbu
Resilience emanates from within my spirit and being. I have never said no, and/or I can’t. I have fallen so many times, however I always knew that those misstep was not my destination. Every failure was only temporary. Read more>>
Tomm Becker
“Make hay while the sun shines” is a saying from the early 1500’s, well before the advent of the 10-day weather forecast. It means “make the best of favorable circumstances”, but it also means “just do the best you can do”. Nobody likes rain on their drying hay the day after cutting it, but really the best we can do is cut it while the sun is shining, come what may. We need to take risks in order to succeed. Read more>>
Lisa Kindsvater
I have a great influence from my parents, my faith, and going through tragedy in my past really put things into perspective. Never sweat the small stuff, and keep moving forward. Read more>>
Louboutin Kendoll
I get my resilience from my mother. I watched my mother do the impossible to support me, my brothers, and my sister growing up. My mom never complained and she definitely never gave up. Read more>>
Rachael Nerney
Knowing that every day is a blank slate helps me put my best foot forward every day. The most important piece of advice my Dad has given me is to show up and be the best at whatever it is you are doing. My resilience comes from believing in myself. Read more>>
Shannel Gray
I feel that I get my resilience from my family, my parents and the older generation of both sides. I have learned about so much history in my family and how many on my dad’s side lived through the 20s, experienced the great depression and worked in the cotton fields. So much history about the hard times and how they all made it through some kind of way. Read more>>
Susan Wos
I believe being resilient is one of the most important aspects of being a successful entrepreneur. When you start a new business, there are typically a host challenges and issues you face as a business owner. The challenges I faced were massive, however I chose to adapt, learn and overcome. Read more>>
Calvin Byrd
Growing up I was always the underdog. People would look at me and underestimate my capabilities which they would eventually regret. When you get use to people second guessing you it’s easy to bounce back. Read more>>
Nichele Wells
I draw my resilience from my mother. Her life’s journey has been a testament to her extraordinary strength. Despite facing immense challenges, such as losing her mother at a young age, navigating through divorce while raising two children on her own, experiencing the incarceration of a her son, recovering from a stroke, and currently confronting dementia, she has demonstrated unwavering determination and courage. Read more>>
