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.
Olivia Abousaid
Resilience is such a loaded word isn’t it? It can mean so many things to so many people. For me, there’s a certain tenacity engrained in resilience. I got it from my parents in more ways than one. My parents were immigrants to the U.S., and I am first-born, first-generation. Which means, I was the guinea pig in many ways. My parents learned a lot about American culture through me, and like many immigrants, they struggled for several years to find their footing both culturally and financially. I watched them go through a lot of hardships. They gradually but eventually found a community, navigated American cultural differences, and became more financially stable. I learned that there aren’t any easy solutions or quick fixes. Life is the long game, and hard work has its rewards. Read more>>
Ruchir Sajwan
The formula for my resilience is derived from a lifetime of navigating personal challenges and embracing foundational values. I view failure and challenges not as setbacks, but as crucial opportunities for growth. Each obstacle teaches me valuable lessons in perseverance and adaptability, shaping my approach to overcoming future hurdles. Being inherently solution-oriented, every setback serves to refine my understanding and approach, bringing me closer to discovering effective solutions. This continuous learning process fuels my resilience and tenacity, instilling in me a profound sense of hopefulness and determination to achieve meaningful outcomes in both my personal and professional endeavors. Read more>>
Lanasia Buck
My resilience comes from my mother. She never said a lot about how difficult things were for her in life, either personally or professionally. She just found a way to gracefully navigate through it all with God. She instilled a firm foundation of faith in my sisters and I. Growing up, I didn’t always understand it. But as I grew older and started to see her as more than just an imperfect mother, as most children do. Learning more about her story, I was able to value her as a strong, powerful, God fearing and resilient woman who faced many of hardships and pressed forward with less words and more action. That’s something I admire most about her and pray to embody even a fraction of. She never talked about her resilience, she just showed and proved. Read more>>
Eugene Stillman
I get my resilience from just being in life experiences, I believe every challenge you overcome in life, you will become more stronger and better. Read more>>
Tommy Marquez
I believe that I first got it when I was about 14 when I left home and became a street busker to get by and finished high school. I feel like I was pretty much capable of getting through any situation after graduating, getting a car, holding down jobs, and just simply moving forward in life. At the time it felt more like survival, but as I got older I realized that it kinda made me who I am today. Read more>>
Jay Segel
I live a purpose-driven life and to me, that means contributing to the world’s innovation, beauty and knowledge base. To do this in my life’s disciplines, medicine and music, I have an attitude of getting up, serving, creating and producing, and I have for the majority of my 67 years on this complex earth. Read more>>
Valeria Williams
My parents were the personifications of resilience. I watched them persevere through hardships of life with unwavering faith. They are deceased, and I am their only child. Hopefully, my resilient nature can be a testimony for others. Read more>>
sylvain marrari
I draw my strength from my parents and my education. I made many sacrifices when I began my culinary journey at the age of 16. I consider myself fortunate to have a job that I am passionate about and to live in America, where I have new opportunities, the ability to travel, and share my work. Read more>>
Chloe Jewel
Rejection is one of the hardest things a human has to learn to not take personal. Throughout my years as a dancer I have been constantly rejected since I was eight years old. As a competitive dancer we would attend these dance conventions that held these auditions for a scholarship to come back free next year. Every year I would attend these conventions and I would audition and never get the scholarship at the end of the weekend. I used to think, why not me? What am I doing wrong? Am I not good enough? Now although I had these thoughts I knew how much I loved dance, and I knew that no one could take that love and feeling away from me. I also had the biggest cheerleader by my side, my mother. She constantly reminded me that it wasn’t about the scholarship or the result of the audition, but did I have fun this weekend? My mother always made me feel like I was enough and the most talented dancer in the room. Not in a cocky way, but in a way that made me feel supported and confident in my abilities. Fast forward in my dance career, my senior year was during COVID-19, which meant all my college applications and dance auditions would be virtual. I put a lot of dedication in dance at this point of my life. I transferred high schools my Junior year to Booker T Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts to further pursue my career in dance, and my life really started to become all about dance. My two dream dance schools had rejected me in the first round, not even a call back! I was devastated and thought I had to quit dance and find a back up career. I prayed a lot during this time, I asked God to make it clear what He wanted for my life and my purpose. I was beyond blessed later in my senior year to have gotten the opportunity to be a part of the Inaugural year of the CLI Conservatory. If I had never been rejected from those colleges, I think my life would look a lot different. I have so much reliance because I have Faith in God that His redirection is protection. Every time I’ve been rejected, I look back and see it was always for a purpose. Even as an adult who is professionally dancing now, I am still faced with constant rejection. However because I learned at such a young age about resilience, trusting God, and knowing no matter what I love to dance, I am able to continue pursuing my dreams regardless of the no’s. Read more>>
Lindy Fox
I would say my resilience comes from returning to my first love over and over again. My first love being fabric and fashion. After any disappointment or setback in the production process, I know I can take a pause, be with friends and family and return after I feel refreshed. Read more>>
Corey Rozzoni
It’s definitely from my parents as well as many years of playing music. First, without my parent’s encouragement I would have never even taken guitar lessons. It was definitely a “never give up” household. Second, I think if you make art in any form you will hear “no” more than “yes” and you will be criticized more than you can ever imagine. It’s just part of that experience and after many years that resilience rubs off onto all parts of your life. You learn that you just have to make yourself happy and never give up if you believe in it. The rest really doesn’t matter when the smoke clears. Read more>>
Asaf Bochman
Resilience for me, comes from my childhood. My parents were grew up in Communist Russia and endured many years of hiding everything about themselves, including their religion, from authorities. In the late 70’s they moved to Israel to pursue freedom & their own dreams. Knowing the struggle they went through allows me to put things in perspective when dealing with my own obstacles. I always think to myself, it could be MUCH worse if my parents didn’t stay the course and pursued their dreams. Now that I have my own family, doing what it takes to make it isn’t an option, its the journey. Read more>>
Tucorey Wright
As a hairstylist, my resilience came from wanting to try certain hairstyles growing up but not having the high maintenance budget to do so. From grammar school to high school, most hairstyles I had weren’t exclusive or considered trending at the time, and due to not keeping up with the latest fashion trends, I was often overlooked or talked about. I feel like my past rejections have helped me tremendously as a hairstylist because I know firsthand what it feels like to not fit in or be accepted. It motivated me to learn how to master those same styles in a way that not only does it makes them feel beautiful but affordable too. It also drives me to do my best with both challenging and simple hairstyles, as I strive to make each client feel beautiful inside and out. Read more>>
Myron Walker
My resilience comes from a combination of life experiences and personal growth. I’ve faced numerous challenges and setbacks throughout my life, and each one has contributed to building my resilience. I firmly believe in the saying, ‘Tough times don’t last, but tough people do,’ and this mindset has been crucial in helping me navigate difficult situations.
I’ve learned that failure and success often go hand in hand. Where I’ve encountered failure, I’ve also found great opportunities for success. These experiences have taught me to stay calm under pressure and approach challenges with a level head. Read more>>
Miriam Puentes
I owe my resilience to generations of slavery and not being able to be treated equally.
My ancestors lived to fulfill others needs. They didn’t have a say in who they were, what they liked or disliked and their opinions didn’t matte However I was able to come to a country in which I was able to grow and teach myself to be resilient and move forward one step at a time. Although this country is full of opportunities a short and brown girl like me was suppressed and indirectly taught that I shouldn’t reach for the stars, I should be grateful for where I live and the salary that I am paid. I looked up to mentors, they didn’t know they were my mentors. Sometimes I got hurt by the comments they made such as “do you even make enough money to be dressed the way that you are dressed?” or Co-workers making my life miserable by me wanting to move up in the company because I was going to school at night and I was learning programs needed to move up in the company. However, I was quickly put in my place. Or they thought that they were putting me in my place, what they were really doing was giving me more grit to push forward. Read more>>
Dan Cass
I grew up in a small town in Michigan, with a close community and a quiet way of life. I have always had an innate curiosity and an uncanny ability to see things differently from others. If everyone was going right, then I wondered what might be gained by going left. My unique perspective has opened doors as an inventor and entrepreneur that started as far back shop class in school. My shop teacher became an important mentor when he let me design and build things outside the box, and taught me how to use the basic applications and processes that are used in working with wood, metal, and plastic that are used in today’s products in more creative ways. While my peers followed instructions without hesitation, I was always pushing the envelope to explore my own thought processes more deeply. Read more>>
Rob Johnson
Resilience isn’t something that’s given. It’s an attribute cultivated through pain and struggles, trials and tribulations. My resilience comes from a lifetime of experiences, expectations, and challenges which I have overcome. I have experienced every thing life could possibly throw at one person. Growing up in tough environments taught me survival skills, where loneliness, adversity, discrimination, and tough decisions were daily companions. These experiences have shaped the strongest resilience I could attain. Read more>>
Megan Walker
Resilience has been a defining element in my journey as an artist and entrepreneur. While working in an office setting, I began to rediscover my artistic side by doing small paint pouring projects during my lunch breaks and weekends. Art became a source of joy and fulfillment for me, reigniting a passion I had since childhood. However, in 2021, my life took an unexpected turn when I fractured my elbow. Suddenly, I found myself not only without a job but also unable to paint, just as I was reconnecting with my passion. The thought that I might never paint again was terrifying. I was upset and angry, but more than anything, I was determined to find a way back to my art. Read more>>
Kimberlie Jones Gordon
I get resiliency from my pain, my failures, my triumphs and successes. Read more>>
Danielle Perdue
My resilience comes from a deep well of self-discovery. Life hasn’t always been easy, and I’ve faced challenges like overcoming emotional abuse. It took a toll on my self-esteem and confidence, leaving me feeling lost and questioning my worth. This experience became a turning point. I knew I had to take control of my well-being. That’s when I explored holistic practices like crystals and meditation. Learning about them and integrating them into my daily routine was transformative. It helped me reconnect with myself, discover my values, and establish boundaries to create a life filled with peace and purpose. This journey of self-discovery continues to be my source of strength. It’s taught me that even in the darkest moments, we have the power to heal and build resilience. Read more>>
Thomas Dalais
Resilience is something that has to proven everyday. To be considered resilient, all you have to do is not quit. Ironically, those who have achieved a great level of success have endured an even greater level of failure. Failure is part of the process. Kinda like Rocky Balboa, “It’s not about how hard you can hit… it’s about how many times you can get hit and keep moving forward”. And no, I will not apologise for using a Rocky reference. My resilience is rooted in my love for cinema, in knowing that I would make films and art projects regardless of any audience asking for it or not. I remind myself of the feeling of pride I get when I finish a project and sit back and watch it – “I made that” I say to myself, and it feels pretty good. The pursuit of that feeling keeps me going. Read more>>
Alethea Felton
My resilience comes from my having to overcome a variety of obstacles that could have caused me to give up. You see, I was born with a compromised/defective liver due to some type of genetic abnormality. This led to a severe case of jaundice at birth, subsequent sickness throughout childhood, and numerous doctor appointments to get answers although none came at the time. Despite this, my parents did their best to make me have a “normal” life so I still enjoyed my childhood and excelled in all I did. However, in my late 20s my health took a turn for the worst and that led to a diagnosis of Crohn’s Disease and later Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (a rare liver disease) and cirrhosis of the liver. Read more>>
Taylor Byas
For me, social media is a double-edged sword, but one that always reminds me to stay committed to my journey and to stop comparing myself to others. It’s so easy to get wrapped up in everyone else’s successes, to drown in the deluge of book deal announcements, contest wins, publications, and awards. But then I talk to writers I know in real life, and they share everything that had to happen for them to get those big career wins. We often have little to no insight into what people endure or how hard others work to get to where they are. And remembering that helps me keep going. It will be my time to share a big win, a big announcement. But I have to do the work required behind the scenes. Social media reminds me both of how it looks when you get there, and how much might have to happen before you do. Read more>>
Ayodeji Akinrinbola
My resilience stems from my previous life experiences; including both failures and successes. Overcoming various hurdles has instilled in me the belief and understanding that persistence and continuous effort are often key to achieving desired outcomes For example, while pursuing my master’s degree in Energy and Environment Engineering, I faced significant challenges. During the first week of lectures, I felt completely out of my depth because I was the only student without an engineering background, and some courses required a basic understanding of engineering mathematics. I nearly changed my course, but a friend advised me to persevere and to adopt a different study strategy from other students. This approach required me to invest extra hours into studying to grasp the lecture material fully. Ultimately, my hard work paid off, and I achieved one of the highest grades in my class. This experience reinforced my belief that I can accomplish anything I set my mind to with dedication and effort. Read more>>
Tisa Chigaga
I would say my resilience came first and foremost from my mother. By age 31 she was already a widow with four young children to feed. I can’t imagine how hard it was for her, but I have never seen her give up on anything, and know that her resilience is the reason my siblings and I are where we are today. Retrospection is another key aspect of my resilience. I think of all the hardships and struggles I have had to personally overcome, and it reminds me that I have what it takes to push through. And we all have what it takes , but you can only see just how strong you are if you don’t give up. Read more>>
Brandon Gruber
From my family which includes my mom, dad and grandma. Read more>>
Kara Harris-Johnson
As the oldest child I was automatically the leader. I grew up with my mom as one would say because she was a young mother, still trying to figure things out, so life wasn’t always perfect.
I started playing in polish which became an escape for me. At the age of 11 I was told that I could get paid for my nail art. I threw myself into my studies and my craft, this new found skill set gave me an escape from any trials and tribulations that came my way. I found something that I love to do. Read more>>
Jagbir Kang
I feel like resilience is my second name. 🙂
I draw my resilience from a combination of personal experiences, and amazingly strong support systems. Facing and overcoming challenges throughout my life, such as two cancer diagnosis, has taught me the importance of perseverance and adaptability. My family, friends, and kids have served as my meaning and purpose of my life. They have been invaluable sources of strength, providing support and encouragement especially in times when I wanted to give up. Additionally, having done two Master’s in Psychology in the past four years, I believe in the power of a positive mindset and continuous self-improvement, which helps me view obstacles as opportunities for growth. These elements together form the foundation of my resilience, enabling me to navigate life’s ups and downs with determination and hope. Read more>>
Candais Washington
My resilience in business stems from a combination of factors. First, my unwavering faith in God and commitment to my goals drives me to push through challenges. This commitment is fueled by a deep passion for what I do and a clear vision of what I want to achieve. Second, I draw strength from past experiences where I’ve overcome obstacles, learning valuable lessons that continuously force me to persevere . Additionally, the support and encouragement from my supporters, mentors, and loved ones provide a crucial foundation. Lastly, realizing that its not about me, this life, this assignment, my purpose is much bigger than me so giving up or stopping is never an option. Read more>>
Cody Sexton
Resilience? Hell, it ain’t some goddamn gift wrapped in silk and handed down by angels, son. Resilience is born in the gutter, where life pisses on your dreams and dares you to stand back up. You get it from scraping your ass off the pavement after the world’s knocked you down for the umpteenth time, and you tell it to go fuck itself ’cause you ain’t done yet. Resilience ain’t about pretty words or soft comforts; it’s forged in the fire of failure and rejection, where every damn setback becomes fuel to keep pushing forward. So, where do I get my resilience from? From every shot glass emptied, every rejection letter burned, and every morning I wake up to this shitty world and decide I’m still gonna fight. Read more>>
Katie Valentine
I believe resilience often comes from age and growing up. I remember when I was a kid it felt like the end of the world to have to rake leaves to earn enough for a Britney Spears cassette. But every year, with every new roadblock or challenge that comes up, I find myself less phased. I’m still stressed out and anxious a lot but my resilience continues to manifest even in my darkest moments because I know that everything will be ok. It sounds a little high school motivational poster, but it’s very accurate that you’ve survived 100% of your hardest days. Every time I’ve gone through something, whether it be something rather minor, or something that most people would think is traumatic, I’ve always made it through and I’ve always been ok. Read more>>
Melva LaJoy Legrand
My resilience is powered by these things: First, I am a beautiful combination of the fire that is effortlessly in my mother Joyce and the integrity and character that was true to my late father Melvin’s core. They were my guides, and for them, their compass was God. They were relentless in communicating to me that the road may not be easy but that I am not alone; that every single pain point may have a purpose, and some of the hardest may be what actually propels me. Read more>>
HOTEL EARTH
My resilience comes from discipline and courage. These two things are the foundation for handling the things around me that tries to sabotage my mental peace. Read more>>
Connor Borrego
I’m adopted. Not that it’s ever been particularly detrimental for me, but my mindset has always been that I’m lucky to be in the circumstances I am in. Most people would kill for the opportunities I have. It’s my responsibility to make the most of everything I have at my disposal and keep going, because I probably have it the easiest of most people on this planet today. So whenever the going get’s tough, I have that default mindset buoying me. And when that doesn’t work, a little green air helps me clear my mind and focus on work again. Read more>>
Raven Majazz
Im so glad that you asked, I truly believe that resilience is a quality we can all develop through the challenging times we all face. It’s amazing how we can naturally become more resilient as we progress, through these issues . We’ve all encountered moments in life that may activate our fight or flight instincts or fill us with “Fear”. Which can have a real impact, On how we respond at the time, Rather than letting fear control us, we can choose to face it head-on and push through with confidence. It’s about having faith in our abilities and taking steps forward, even when we’re unsure of what lies ahead. It’s a journey that we’re all compelled to take, and it’s incredible to see how we can grow through it. Especially if you simply “Do Not Give Up”! Resilience goes hand in hand with perseverance. You’re almost forced to see it though based on your current situation or desired outcome. Read more>>
Kierston Armstrong
Funny story about me: when my mom was pregnant with me they had to shock her tummy to get me to move because apparently I had other plans to nap. I still find the time to take about 1-2 naps a week if I’m lucky. I’m truly a couch potato at heart, but I’ve been doing some type of job since I was about 15 when we moved to Tennessee. My mom, my sister, and I lived on a beautiful campground at the top of Sewanee Mountain in an apartment at the end of a long dirt road. Exciting for a 16 year old, right? This land is owned by my mom’s friend, Maureen, who she is still very close with to this day. Read more>>
Veronica Bianqui
Resilience, for me, is survival. It’s an optimism born from a difficult childhood, where I learned early on to take care of myself amidst chaos and dysfunction. Music and school became my refuge. In recent years, I faced profound loss: my sister in 2017, and both parents in 2020 and 2021, leaving me the sole survivor of my immediate family at just 35. Clearing out my childhood 2 bedroom apartment after their deaths was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Despite this, I’ve remained sober and started a new chapter in my life. Determined to live fearlessly and pursue my dreams, I returned to university. This time, in London, the city I loved since my days as a Spice Girls fan. Now, I am writing more music than ever and working on new albums, using my pain to fuel my creativity and drive to live fully and as presently as I can. Read more>>
Dr. Ndidiamaka Okpareke PharmD RPh
Resilience, to me, is a blend of my upbringing, experiences, and the incredible people around me. Growing up as a first-generation Nigerian American, I learned early on the value of hard work, perseverance, and community. My parents instilled in me the belief that challenges are just opportunities in disguise. Throughout my career, whether it was navigating the complexities of hospital and retail pharmacy or embarking on my entrepreneurial journey, I’ve faced many obstacles. But each challenge only fueled my determination to succeed. I draw strength from my family—being a mother, daughter, sister, and friend gives me a deep sense of purpose and drive. Watching my three children play soccer and enjoy life reminds me why I work so hard. Read more>>
Teneka Steed
I truly believe my resilience is something I was born with—it’s in my DNA. Growing up in low-income communities, I faced many challenges and saw few role models. However, there was always this inner voice, a divine whisper, telling me there was more out there for me beyond what I was exposed to on a daily basis. This belief became my anchor. It propelled me to excel in school, pursue higher education, and eventually receive 4 degrees by the age of 30. My circumstances didn’t define me. Instead they fueled my determination. This mindset has been my rock helping me navigate life’s ups and downs. Read more>>
Dolores Torres
Growing up, I had to develop resilience from a young age. My mother, a single parent, worked tirelessly to provide for our family, and I was the eldest child. I had to grow up faster and take on more responsibilities than my siblings, which taught me to be resourceful, adaptable, and self-reliant. Watching my mother’s determination and strength in the face of adversity instilled in me a sense of resilience that has stayed with me to this day. Read more>>
