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.

Michael Guedel

I get my resilience from within. This was not always the case. There were moments in my life where I did not know what it meant to be resilient or how it could be practiced in my everyday life. From a young age facing the difficulties I did; I began to have a negative outlook on life and life’s outcomes. I had no foundation or roots in any identity for I did not know yet who I was or who I am to become, I was a leaf drifting in the wind wherever it took me. Read more>>

Leo Cavada

I get my resilience from my past. I had a lot of problems with racism and bullying when I was young, but I never gave up. Actually, I wrote a song about this called “better than me” talking about the fact that there’s no colors, just one race. Read more>>

Jessica Oster

I have always been a hard working driven individual, and have become very resilient to all life has thrown at me since becoming a business owner. I was about to open my first small business, when I lost my father, and had to push through some of the hardest times one can imagine. Read more>>

Regina Brown-Jackson

I think I get my resilience from the challenges and trials that I’ve been through, and leaning on my faith. Since I was a child, and into my adulthood, I’ve faced several difficulties that were meant to break me, but did the exact opposite and made me stronger. It taught me lessons and gave me the experiences I needed to face adversity head on. Read more>>

Eden Gutstein

For most people, resilience is built through a set of experiences that you were able to overcome and as a result you become better equipped to deal with things in the future. I believe that all people are resilient in one way or another, as everyone has overcome something in their life, and the fact that they’re still here today makes them resilient.  Read more>>

Reckless Richiee

I got my resilience from repetitive failure . I been rapping 14 years now and seen many people I started with see there success but had yet to see any progression with my career . I had to do a lot of reevaluating and reconstructing with myself . I’m starting to see the progress but first I had to actually lock in. Read more>>

Jeremy Roentz

Life is constantly throwing challenges our way. It’s not if we get knocked down but rather how fast do we get back up. I grew up in Oregon and I joined the Rodeo scene riding Bulls when I was 14. Riding bulls, you are signing up to get knocked down more often then riding (succeeding) you cant let that get in your way. Read more>>

Yi Li

For me, resilience is deeply rooted in my personal background, the experiences I have gone through in my life, and my passion for filmmaking. From a young age, my parents taught me to be persistent and maintain a positive attitude regardless of the circumstances. My father, in particular, has always been a great role model for me. Read more>>

Lonny Anger

After a 25 year career, my position was eliminated in 2016. Although I was offered a job in a different industry the next day, I realized within about 6 months that it was not the right fit. My (now) business partner had contacted me because he was looking for someone to work with in South Florida for a contracting opportunity. Read more>>

Johnecia Mason

My resilience comes from having faced the loss of my first born…my son…losing him was very traumatic, however soon after losing him, I was blessed to be pregnant with his brother…it was then that I knew I had to fight to live and come out of my dark place for this new life that God had blessed me with. Read more>>

Cicley Gay

Two decades ago, I found myself a single mother raising three young sons. I struggled to provide basic necessities for me and my boys. One day through my tears and in utter despair, I sat down and wrote 10 letters. I then rode through the affluent Atlanta-area of Buckhead in my car with a blown transmission — a car that had no reverse. That could be a story of planning, patience and resourcefulness in and of itself. Read more>>

Bong Abad

Being born in a remote province in the Philippines, I didn’t have the same opportunity and privilege like other kids, especially compared to the those who were born in First World Countries like the US. My parents instilled in me the importance of industry and handwork at a young age. Read more>>

Nourah Al Hasawi

The resilience that guides me as I embark on my career as a producer in the film and television industry is a direct reflection of my mother’s unwavering strength and dedication. Working in Human Resources at a bank, she adeptly balances the demands of her career with the responsibilities of home life, showcasing a remarkable ability to care for others selflessly, even in the face of immense pressure. Read more>>

Misa Bacon

Life’s challenges have taught me the true meaning of resilience. Growing up, I often found myself navigating new situations and solving problems independently. This sense of self-reliance deepened as I became a single mother. Knowing that my daughter depends on me for everything fuels my determination and resourcefulness.  Read more>>

Ashley Dietze

I would say it’s a mixture of just life experiences and watching my parents. Growing up, I watched my parents go through struggle after struggle and still do everything in their power to make sure my siblings and I have the best life possible.  Read more>>

Leo Matias

I draw my resilience from a combination of personal experiences, supportive relationships, and an unwavering belief in my ability to overcome challenges. Each obstacle I’ve faced has taught me valuable lessons, while the encouragement from family and mentors has fortified my resolve. Additionally, my inner drive and positive outlook keep me focused and motivated, allowing me to persist even in the toughest times. Read more>>

Annette Mata

As a child, I always had my head in the clouds. My father said I was a dreamer. Not having much to support my dreams, I put them aside. I was told I was not “college material,” and I deferred a higher education because of those words. Read more>>

Antonio Cappuccino

From my passion, who push me to go ahead. Read more>>

Nina Garza

From my family. My parents always told me to get back up on my feet and keep trying until I reach my goals. Watching them, they were great examples, never letting failures stop them. Yes, life can be tough, but that doesn’t mean you should just “stick your head in the sand and give up”. Looking even further back, my grandparents overcame possibly the hardest obstacles, from being WWII survivors, and having to flee their hometown, to battling polio, and rebuilding their lives from nothing. Read more>>

Stacey Kelleher

I’ve been pursuing music since I was a kid and have been told “no” more times than I can count. That used to really affect me and I’d try to figure out what I had done wrong or what I didn’t have that maybe someone else did. I learned over time that often when we’re told “no”, it’s because there’s a better, more fitting opportunity that’s coming our way, even if it doesn’t show itself for a while. Read more>>

Matthew Morgan

I’ve always been a highly sensitive person and experienced extreme anxieties that are tied to that sensitivity. When I was very little I would hide behind my parents’ legs when a stranger came to the door and I was overwhelmed to the point of panic by loud noises like fireworks. As I got older and my world became more complex those anxieties escalated to things like social anxiety, people pleasing, and conflict avoidance. Read more>>

Stacey Dori

My resilience is a product of my unique life experiences and personal growth. It is shaped by the challenges I’ve had to face, the obstacles I had to overcome, and the lessons I learned along the way. My resilience was nurtured by the support and encouragement of my loved ones, the strength and determination cultivated within myself, and the wisdom gained from past difficulties. Read more>>

Chelsea Lambert

I got my resilience from life experience. When I started sharing my story with others, I became aware that I have endured more hardships and traumatic experiences than most. At no point did I ever think giving up was an option. Read more>>

Reuben Walton

I developed my resilience from going through many dark and intense situations in my life and knowing that there’s always tomorrow. This resilience ties into my determination and work ethic. When I want something, I’m willing to put in the work, no matter how long it takes, even if it takes my whole life. Read more>>

Angie Mandl

I am an avid yoga and meditation practitioner, and through studying the ancient philosophy of yoga for many years, have come to understand that the only constant in life is change. I embrace change with an open heart, even if that is sometimes challenging initially (not all change presents as a great adventure…) – for example, when I found myself battling health challenges in the beginning of 2022, my life as I knew it took a turn and I was not able to keep teaching yoga. Read more>>

Dana Fraedrich

When I was seven years old, I was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL). It goes without saying that this is not a battle any child should have to fight, but I didn’t have a choice. I’m beyond grateful for the support that came from every corner of my life, even from distant relatives and family friends I had never heard of, but no one in that circle had ever dealt with childhood cancer. Read more>>

Bingliang Li

Two years ago, I hit the lowest point in my life. Due to an accident, I became embroiled in a severe legal battle that made me feel like the six years I’d spent building my film career were all for nothing. I was unsure if I should continue in the film industry, and I fell into a deep depression, feeling lost and directionless. I started to neglect myself and my ambitions. Read more>>

Fred (FcOnTheBeat) Council

I’d have to say my resilience comes from my belief in myself. I don’t leave room for many options other than the path I set for myself. This wasn’t always the case, but life has a way of repeating a lesson until you get the message. I’ve learned the hard way that most things can be accomplished if you simply stick with it. Read more>>

Michelle Tomlinson

I’ve been fortunate to have to start my entire life from scratch and rebuild it. In so doing, I learned a lot about my flaws, my insecurities, my strengths, my weaknesses, and how much inner strength I had in order to start a really serious healing journey that has led me to understand more about my self worth. The resilience that surfaced from this experience has been what has carried me through to the much better days that are my current reality. Read more>>

Michelle Armenta

My capacity to endure and bounce back from difficulties finds its roots in the support of my family and the resilience fostered through adversity. When my parents separated when I was nine, it was like the ground shifted beneath me. I found myself living with my aunt in South Phoenix, confused and disengaged from school. The absence of both of my parents only exacerbated my disinterest in education. Read more>>

Apryle Denise

My resilience comes from a combination of factors. I’ve definitely faced challenges that tested my strength, but I also learned a lot from my upbringing and mentors. Most importantly, I’ve developed a growth mindset that allows me to learn from setbacks and keep pushing forward. Read more>>

Sima Parekh

My resilience comes from years of being the only person in the room that looked like me and being told that I could not deliver the task in front of me. My initial response would be silence and I would think to myself “I will show ‘them’” or ‘They don’t even know me’. Read more>>

Marie Bodine

Resilience didn’t always come naturally for me. I had to face adversity on a regular basis in order to create something positive from situations that initially seemed hopeless. Many of my previous conflicts occurred due to lack of self awareness. Over the years, I realized that I was the major player in my challenges to living a life that was enjoyable. Read more>>

Chase Friedman

I haven’t taken the easiest or clearest of paths to get where I am today… And I embrace the fact that I’m still very much on this journey and learning to embrace the ebbs and flows. I began my professional career as an aspiring filmmaker in Hollywood. Read more>>

Lance Growth

I get my resilience from my background in boxing. I am Connecticut’s 2006 Silver Glove Light heavy weight Champion. Prepping for the title violently taught me how to stay clam under pressure, push beyond your limits, and most of all, resilience. I went from a lost fragile child who could barely looks other men in their eyes to a man of convictions and a forceful yet technical manner of unleashing those convictions on my environment. Read more>>

Rosa Kennedy

Resilience isn’t something I learn, it’s more like a strength I build over time through experience and habits. Resilience is not about being invincible; it’s about embracing life’s experiences, both joyful and difficult, as opportunities for growth. By recognizing the turning points and cultivating the habits that support us, we can all build our own personal wellspring of strength and bounce back from life’s inevitable curveballs. Read more>>

Marie Wagner

My resilience is a combination of nature and nurture. I grew up in Cite Soleil, one of the most impoverished areas in Haiti. My father left my mother while she was pregnant with me, and I didn’t meet him until I was around 12 or 13. Even then, he wasn’t much of a parent, and we never formed a real relationship. Read more>>

Garrett Langebartels

For me, resilience is something that has developed incrementally over many years of trial and error. It isn’t something you wake up and have, but in a sense it is earned, or gifted to a person by meaningful suffering and the passing of time. What I mean by meaningful suffering is something that you experience that acts as an invitation to become stronger. Read more>>

Luke Deuce

My dad and I talk about how hard the music industry is, getting noticed, looking for break throughs and persevering because the hours are long and the work can be too. We have a saying, “every time we hit a wall, that’s where someone else quit.” And we keep moving. Read more>>

Kristi Eaton

I think my resilience comes not from just within myself but from those around me. I have close friends and family who support me in many facets of my life, not just my work life, who are always ready and willing to help me out. That resilience from them spills over into my internal reserves and helps me to persevere through work challenges. Read more>>

Matt Stone

My first memory of any type of self awareness about resilience started at a young age. I was born to two parents who were married at 19 and had me when they were 22. At the time, neither had a college degree and we were not stable financially. I could feel it. Read more>>

Lezzy Osbourne

I draw my resilience from pain—both physical and emotional. Since early childhood, I’ve been dealing with multiple chronic health issues. I was often sick and missed out on a lot of fun, with headaches and migraines being the most debilitating. Decades later, I’m shockingly still dealing with them. This has forced me to develop an extreme pain tolerance, constantly pushing through high levels of discomfort to achieve my goals and live a relatively “normal” life. Read more>>

Emily Yamoah

The word “No” or the words “You can’t do it” really bothered me. I was told “ No” a lot, and I mean a lot! I feel I get my resilience from being told no over a thousand times. As much as that might’ve made me feel defeated, something in my spirit told me to keep going. Step back and take a break if you need to, but get right back to it. Read more>>

Danyel Lemus

I grew up in a family of resilient women. My grandmother taught me it’s never too late to make a career change. She became a Registered ER Nurse after raising five children. My aunt taught me to fight for your seat at the table. She worked in a male-dominated industry and worked her way up in the company.  Read more>>