Portraits of Resilience

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.

Ruby Fay

Since a young age I have admired resilient people. It likely comes from my Chinese Grandparents who left China for Australia back in the post Gold Rush era. My Grandfather gave up a college scholarship to travel to OZ at age 17, only to work menial jobs to fund his family in China. He worked tirelessly which paid off as he opened a number of department stores which came to define part of the rural NSW region. He then paid for his entire family to join him and created jobs for them all. Read more>>

Lara Lenhoff

There have been many times in my life where I have been swimming in darkness- mostly in my 20s and 30s I got into art and utilizing creative expression was pivotal in my healing process. Additionally I’ve relied on my spirituality and been blessed to have a strong circle of friends and a wonderful family to get me through the times that were the darkest. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve found myself and have been very happy, and I’ve understood I just needed to practice more self love. Read more>>

Taylor Perry

The resilience that I have grown to have today, comes from God himself. I believe that without the faith that I have in him, I would not be as strong or be able to bear some of the obstacles that I have gone through in life. I believe that my resilience also comes from the people that I keep around me. Which is something so important. Having people to uplift me when things are not going the best or when I run into a problem, always helps me feel secure that everything will work out and it is okay to keep pushing. Read more>>

Ellice (Lisa) Halpern

That is a really interesting question and once that I have not been asked about before in an interview. I am fascinated with the topic of resilience. I remember when Sheryl Sandberg gave the commencement speech at Virginia Tech’s graduation in 2017, after her husband Dave Goldberg died suddenly in 2015. Sheryl said in pertinent part, ““The most important thing I learned is that we are not born with a certain amount of resilience. Read more>>

Stephen Kalinich

Get my resilience from my inward belief that all the creativity is within us as a gift from the universe through us. If you want to call that guy you can, but I Collett the ground of all to you being. Read more>>

Maria Vargas

Although resilience is definitely not something I was told about as a child or a term I commonly heard, at a very young age I realized that it was something that could literally save my life; indeed, it certainly did. Over the years, I have seen how those same skills have impacted my work and my business—the ability to adapt, let go and keep moving forward with intention, little by little, no matter what. Read more>>

Tyler Disney

I get my resilience from by just relaxing and working through the hard and difficult times by working through it one step at a time, sometimes I ask for help from close friends and family members. Read more>>

Grace Ojewole

I get my resilience from believing in myself and knowing that I can get through anything even when times get hard. I also get my resilience from my experiences in life that I went through which made me stronger. Even though at the time it seemed terrible anytime I rose above I felt like a Champ at the end. Because when God delivers you from a situation that seems impossible with God nothing is impossible. With prayer you’ll always come out on top at the end. Read more>>

Makenna Ruddy

As someone who grew up with severe anxiety and depression as it runs in my family, school and camp was always very difficult for me. I was always very bullied starting at the age of around 8. I was always bullied about my personality and physical attributes, I was generally overweight as a child and the two words I always heard on a daily basis for 15 years straight was “fat” and “ugly” followed by laughter. Continuously I had unwanted thoughts and feelings and developed severe anxiety and depression. Read more>>

David Redman

I get my resilience from my mom. She’s overcome more than I could ever imagine, so when you compare that to your own situation you got to keep going. Read more>>

Meg Schlabs

You know, when someone asks me where I got my resilience from, it’s not a straightforward story of having it all the time. It’s more like a patchwork quilt, stitched together day by day. I’ve had to learn resilience the hard way, especially in my professional life. It’s not always about having all the answers; it’s about being open to the tough feedback, the brutal honesty from clients, my business partner, and even my loved ones. Those moments, as uncomfortable as they are, have been my crucible. Read more>>

Gianni Beltran

My Family! I’m First Generation Born here in Miami, Florida. My mom is from Nicaragua and my dad is from British Guyana. My mom was a political refugee who swam the Rio Grande to come to America and start a life here while my father enlisted into the US Marine Corps and joined the fight in Vietnam for a chance of citizenship within the US. They both became successful within their own rites before they passed and that resilience lives on in me today. Read more>>

Hilary Edwards

I believe I get my resilience from a very unsuspecting source, my 3 children. I am a single mother and this business allows me to be present for them, take them to their appointments and activities. They are my reason why. All 3 of my children are heavily involved in sports and other activities, which their father and I encourage. They’re very passionate about their sports and other activities. Their passion is mine as well.  Read more>>

Claudia Valenzuela (Cloudyv)

I am resilient because of the overwhelming resilience of the women ever-present in my life. I believe that where we find our resilience as artists intertwines with where and how we find our purposes and values- everything we hope to provoke within our own work. Your resilience builds you up to become this person you never imagined you could become, you become the hope you wish to see in the world. Read more>>

Keyla Marte

Failure. Resilience is an important quality that I’ve had to develop over time. Failure and rejection are inevitable parts of life. I’ve learned that how you respond to adversity is what really matters. Each setback is an opportunity to grow stronger and wiser. Read more>>

Barbara Neznek

I would have to say from my Dad. He was in an accident 2 years before I was born. There were 7 people in the car, he was the only one who survived. He lost the use of his right arm though. He owned a moving and storage company, so he made a living driving a truck and moving furniture, he never complained and worked as long and hard as his men. He laced our ice skates, zippered our dresses, clasped our necklaces. Read more>>

Don B

I get my resilience from my mother. I seen her struggle when I was younger, and she never stopped going. I witnessed her work 3 jobs and go to school just for me and my brother. The strength I seen in her I now have in me and that’s why no matter what I do or go through. I look back and I see us travelling to and from on the bus because she didn’t have a car. I see the days when Christmas couldn’t happen. We all understood and kept going . That’s how I approach life’s challenges. Every single day. Read more>>

Mikayla Martinez

To put it plainly, I get my resilience first and foremost from God, and secondly, from surviving 100% of the things that were designed to take me out. See, the thing about resilience is that I think it’s much more a verb than it is a noun. The definition states “the capacity to withstand or to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness” and although I believe that definition is true and accurate, resilience is more of a choice than it is a passive, thing. Read more>>

Gilda Evans

My biggest role model has always been my father. As a survivor of the Holocaust, life taught him at an early age the importance of perseverance and determination. In the face of seemingly insurmountable odds and unspeakable hardship, he managed to find a way to make it through. And he did so with grace and courage. He lived his life in gratitude for each new day, and in reverence for the bonds of family. Always smiling, always positive, always warm and hopeful. There was a certain magic in the air when he entered the room. That’s how I remember him. If I am fortunate enough to be able to emulate even a small percentage of wonderful energy he shared with others, then I am truly blessed! Read more>>

Elisha Suttles

In the tapestry of my life, woven with threads of challenges and triumphs, the vibrant hues of resilience find their origin in the wisdom and fortitude imparted by my my mother, Idell Willis. Through moments of adversity, her steadfast support became the anchor that steadied my ship in turbulent seas. Read more>>

Tracey Kennedy

So, this question immediately pulled me in. A few years ago, I was a Meta guest panel speaker for a small business conference. The topic was “Business Resilience”. I was in such shock they asked me to be part of a discussion on being ‘resilient.” I learned to minimize myself at an early age. I simply saw myself as someone who just moved forward, but there really wasn’t growth within my moving ahead the made me feel accomplished. I think that holds true for many in Black America; talented and accomplished, but not having the self worth to value our achievements, in spite of it all. Read more>>

Joann Vanié

Last year 2023 I had to face one of the most life changing experiences of my life. Before becoming a business owner, I worked as a licensed esthetician for other spas. At the same time, I had a part-time job as a receptionist at another company. I did this so it would be easier for me to transition as a solo-esthetician and also have the financial security I needed. During this time, I lost my senior dog, who was my sweet companion.  Read more>>

Eliza Redmann

My father died when I was eight years old. My mother went back to work full time and a half – it was like the rug was ripped out from underneath our perfect little life together. At 28 years old I was hit by another vehicle and my health, personal life, and career were turned upside down. My only option in both circumstances was to pick myself up off the ground, and find a way to heal myself and keep moving forward. Everything can change in an instant, so we might as well go full-send on our dreams and goals TODAY, because tomorrow is not guaranteed. Read more>>

RudeBoyKels

I got my resilience from my Grandmother she came to the U.S. from Jamaica and sent for all her kids and grandkids to come to the states and built a foundation for us. So if she can achieve that whatever I pursue should be easy. Read more>>

Sarah Hafner

As a 37-year-old woman who has worked in the hospitality industry for 21 years and made the bold decision to move to the United States from Germany 8.5 years ago, resilience has been an integral part of my journey. Read more>>

LaKisha Calvin

I get my resilience from my grandmother. She always told me never give up even though it’s hard keep pushing, don’t let your self sit in that mind state. There is always a way out of the storm. Read more>>

Ilona Rennert

In my line of work there are the busy seasons, the slow seasons and the customers who say they went with someone else. There are times throughout the year I question myself, my services and what I may be doing wrong. Something I have learned through time, and previous jobs, is life and work will always give you ebbs and flows. It’s important to not look only at where you are in the moment, but focus on how far you have come, and where you want to go. Read more>>

Belle Grubb

I used to view failure as the worst thing that could happen to a person, but as I have grown my own brand and podcast, I have learned that failure is one of the best things that can happen. If I had never failed at the first podcast that I started during my freshman year of college, I would have become burnt out and constantly created content that was not desired by my audience. Read more>>

Andrea Serrano Villaverde

I’ve got this resilience ability is basically a family heirloom. When life dealt them curveballs, they’d pack their belongings and fly to cities like London or Paris to start over and grow. They also encountered difficulties in their new cities. But here’s the best part: they approached each obstacle as a game, a test to pass. Failure was not an option; it was simply a stumbling block on the path to achievement.  Read more>>

Carolina Panoff

I believe my resilience stems from a combination of personal experiences and a deep-rooted passion for helping others. Life is a journey filled with challenges, and I’ve faced my fair share of obstacles. Each setback has been an opportunity for growth and learning, and I’ve embraced those moments with humility. Read more>>

Jules Gissler

I have felt there is no other choice than to keep going down that yellow brick road of life. There will be obstacles, heart ache, & disappointments, but there is also much joy, feelings of accomplishment, and wonderful surprises that you could never imagine, unless you continue on your path. At one point, when I felt I was going in circles, someone told me instead of looking at my pretend mountain that I felt I was climbing, to look behind me and see how far I’ve come.  Read more>>

Rick Landers

I grew up as a Navy dependent, or what we called a “Navy Brat”. My father was an enlisted man and retired as a Chief Petty Officer. So, we moved several times around the country and my siblings and I were often the new kids in school. I suppose under those circumstances, you learn to navigate your way in new social and academic environments.  Read more>>

Dr. Jennifer Moore

I believe my resilience comes from a combination of personal experiences and a mindset focused on growth. In my previous role, I encountered a challenging project where unexpected obstacles arose. Instead of becoming discouraged, I saw it as an opportunity to learn and innovate. I have a strong support network, both at work and in my personal life, that has always encouraged me to persevere.  Read more>>

Beth Nydick

My resilience does not come from avoiding challenges or hardships. I have faced difficulties like being bullied as a child for being tall and wanting to be my authentic self. I have endured profound losses like when my father-in-law was tragically killed. It took time to recover after that trauma. However, my resilience comes from choosing to learn and grow from adversities, rather than let them break me.  Read more>>

Wahr Season

Probably like a lot of people from my era life experience, humble beginnings, tragedy and being out on the street at a young age .That’s why I’m the “Wahr Season”. Read more>>

RayCee the Artist

My resilience has come from going through tough times and difficult situations. I have learned a lot from past situations which have made me smarter and tougher. Read more>>

Christian Chavez Caicedo

My resilience stems from the deep connection I have with music and the passion I feel for my art. Throughout my career, I’ve faced challenges that have allowed me to grow and learn. Every experience, whether positive or challenging, has been an invaluable lesson that has strengthened my determination. Moreover, the ongoing support from my team and those who appreciate my music is a crucial driving force to overcome obstacles and stay resilient in the musical journey. Read more>>

Vince Fraser

I feel many Black visual artists draw resilience from navigating years of hardship. My journey is often marked by overcoming systemic barriers, cultural biases, and historical inequalities ingrained within the art world. These challenges, rather than diminishing their spirit, serve as catalysts for innovation and strength. The resilience stems from the perseverance through adversity, the ability to transform pain into powerful narratives, and the determination to carve out spaces for representation and recognition. It’s a resilience built on a legacy of overcoming struggles and creating art that speaks volumes about the human experience. Read more>>