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.

Yurboy Jay

I draw my resilience from a combination of personal experiences and my passion for music. Growing up in a community where music was a powerful form of expression, I learned to navigate challenges and setbacks while staying true to my artistic vision. The support from my family and team also plays a significant role in my resilience. They remind me of the importance of persistence and creativity in overcoming obstacles. Additionally, the rich history of Afrobeats and its roots in resilience inspires me to keep pushing forward, no matter the difficulties I face.” Read more>>

Murid Amini

I draw my resilience from two key sources. The first is my pragmatic mindset. As an engineer, I naturally approach situations through a lens of logic and facts rather than emotions. This has proven invaluable in many areas of my life and work, particularly when dealing with stress, change, new information, or crises. In such moments, I can focus on actionable steps and temporarily set aside emotional reactions. This allows me to quickly assess what needs to be done to overcome challenges and restore balance. This pragmatic approach represents the “nature” aspect of my resilience. Read more>>

HJPhotoCo.

HJPhotoCo is a photography duo based in New York. These questions will be answered as a company!

Our resilience comes from having the mindset that the only option we have is to succeed. We set realistic goals each year, small obtainable achievements, and check them off the list as we go!

Our parents are all hardworking middle class people who did whatever necessary to provide for their families and we think that mentality carries over into how we treat our business. Read more>>

Sarah Francois

Many people have said that life is not about the destination but the journey. I get my resilience from perceiving that life is in fact about the destination, because then, that in turn will shape your journey. I am a rapper, actress, model and minister. Being focused on where I want to arrive and what i want to achieve helps mold my determination. My mindset and my focus must be fine tuned, towards where I want to arrive. In turn, to arrive I must press through every setback, every stumbling block, every hindrance trying to block my path-which of course defines resilience. Being resilient, in my understanding is not about being strong; rather I believe being resilient is about knowing failure, is proof of effort and a major role of success. What I mean by this is, if I never fail, I’ll never grow. True successors are birthed from failure.  Read more>>

Natalie Deryn Johnson

Living with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS) has been a masterclass in resilience. Long before I had a diagnosis, setbacks were a constant presence, whispering that I couldn’t keep going the way I was. For years, I tried to push through—buying into the culture of hustle, endurance, and self-neglect. I wanted so badly to prove my worth, to move like the dancers I admired, to have what other artists had in ability or opportunity. But my body had other plans. Read more>>

Chelsea Kossower

Training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has taught me an invaluable life lesson: you won’t win every round, but every challenge is an opportunity to adapt, grow stronger, and keep showing up.Under the guidance of my coaches Jason Eisner, Andrew Im, and Kelby Wood at Highland Park Fight Club, I’ve learned that resilience is not just about physical strength but also about consistency, adaptability, and mindset. Read more>>

Olayinka Elizabeth Adeniji

I got my resilience drive from my mum. she’s a risk taker, and a goal getter. Overall, I would say she inspired me every single time. Read more>>

Larry Antonino

One of the ways II got my resilience from was watching my Mom and Dad always finding solutions to the problems that came up. I learned there is always an answer. Also by following my heroes in the music world. They overcame many obstacles in their careers, and I knew that was just a part of it. They inspired me with their tenacity and drive to keep growing. Read more>>

Blythe

My family and God. My family and my faith are the foundation that help me stand strong and move forward, no matter what obstacles come my way. Read more>>

Dalal Rajhi

I once read that resilience isn’t something we’re inherently born with; rather, it’s like a muscle that grows stronger with each challenge we face and every difficulty we overcome. This resonated deeply with me, as I’ve always considered myself to be a resilient person, even from a young age. Read more>>

Nicholas Kuqali

I think that I must get it from having to do so much without any applause or recognition in many other areas of my life. Even in my current actual employment, a success is largely shared or even passed on to the participants, rather than the person in my position. In that way, I’ve learned to just listen to myself mostly and focus on things that maybe only I care about. To say that in a different way, if you’ve shared things you find interesting to your closest friends and family members and they aren’t as excited as you, don’t be discouraged. Read more>>

Amy Baumgardner

In 2002, I married the love of my life, and together we shared adventure, excitement, and laughter—until my husband’s diagnosis of bipolar disorder in 2007. The diagnosis pulled the rug out from under us and suddenly our lives were filled with the unpredictable swings of mania and depression. In a time when mental health resources were scarce and the stigma was even greater, we did our best to navigate the highs and lows, welcoming two beautiful children along the way. But my role shifted toward keeping my husband safe first, then my children, and finally myself. Read more>>

Dominique Brandt

Resilience is something I realized I had when three days after graduating from the Master Esthetician program, I was getting surgery on my arm and wrist. I was going to be in a cast for the next three months. I was embarking on my third career as an esthetician. Getting surgery meant I wouldn’t be able to use the skills I spend the last nine months learning. A month before my surgery, I asked the Assistant Dean of my school if they needed help in their back office. I was offered a part-time position that lead to a full-time position, that lead to me becoming the Master Esthetician Instructor. Becoming an instructor was never part of my plan. But it propelled my knowledge base, and eventually my career. My resilience comes from bering handed many crappy hands, but never being folding. Read more>>

Emma Robertson

Trauma. Trauma is were I gained my resilience. As a young person coming up in the world I spend most of my youth alone. My parents were divorced like many parents in that time. But this meant that my mom lived else where and my dad didn’t come home until around 8 or 9 pm from working late. I would get home from school, do my homework, cook myself dinner, and put myself to bed all before my dad was even home. Prior to their divorce, there was so much turmoil in the home that I was left alone to figure things out solo. In my teen years I really loved the freedom of being alone but this lead to me being in a lot of the wrong places at the wrong time. I was assaulted sexually more times by the time I was 18 than I’d care to admit.  Read more>>

Bernard Ruño

I get my resilience from God and my parents. It’s the security of knowing that whatever comes my way, God has my back. When I’m presented with challenges, I am given the strength and wisdom to overcome them. If I don’t, then there is a lesson to be learned. I saw this in my parents, who grew up during World War II and came to this country to start a new life. If they could survive the horrors they witnessed and not only survived but also thrived, then I can too. First generation children of immigrants are often witness to this. There’s also a lot of pressure and expectation to carry this dynamic on to future generations. For many, education is the key element in achieving that goal. My parents always stressed academics and they also valued culture. When I was 4 I attended my first concert. I told my father I wanted to play violin like the kids we saw on stage.  Read more>>

Carrie Lehman

While I don’t always like to bring this up because it’s deeply personal – I’d be lying if I didn’t talk about my sobriety and the doors it’s opened for me since. I hesitate to talk about it because it’s only a small part of who I am. It doesn’t define me – it’s one of many pieces and layers that comprise my make-up – but then on the other hand, I know it is the most important decision I’ve ever made in my life and has allowed me to evolve into the person I am today.  Read more>>

Tatyana D’voce

I owe my resilience to my parents and, most importantly, to God. Growing up, my life was filled with challenges, but we always managed to get through them, guided by God’s faithfulness and grace. My parents showed me what it meant to persevere, no matter how hard the road was. With God’s strength, they faced every obstacle and passed that strength on to me. Now, resilience is deeply embedded in who I am. No matter how tough things get, I know there will always be a way to bounce back, because I’ve seen what faith, love, and unwavering resolve can do. Read more>>

Eric Romero

Resilience for a New Mexican is a birthright. To be a New Mexican artist means to continue a legacy of resilience through opposition. The cultural background is so complex and nuanced that art has been a cornerstone of the New Mexican experience. We live in the high desert where it can get to 105 degrees in the summer, and drop to sub zero in the winter. We eat fire in our New Mexican chile, and come back for seconds. Our very existence here in our home is a perfect example of how we can adapt to extreme conditions and thrive. Read more>>

Sandra Carmona

As a kid, I migrated with my family between Southern California and Jalisco following agricultural and work seasons in order to survive. We lived in the desolate mountains of the Sierra Madre. In what is known as Ruta Wixárika, Indigenous lands.
The trip to our village was long. A days worth from the city. A public bus passed off a highway that cut through the mountain range. It passed once in morning heading to the city of Guadalajara and once in the evening through the small villages on its return. Only a few folks had cars. There was no doctor and no emergency services in our village. The village was built on terraces, so our neighbors home was approximately 20 feet above us. Built on a carved out mountain side. Read more>>

Bolanle Adewusi

If I had to pinpoint where my resilience comes from, it would be the example my father set for me. As a professor at one of Nigeria’s most prestigious universities, his dedication to his work and commitment to lifelong learning—despite already earning both a Master’s and PhD on full-ride scholarship in his twenties—left a lasting impression on me. It wasn’t just his accomplishments and constant drive for growth that inspired me, but the way he faced every obstacle head-on. That shaped my belief that no challenge is impossible to overcome if you’re committed to pushing through. Read more>>

Miranda Cleark

I definitely get my resilience from my mom, growing up I watched her work a job as a over night nurse, while going back to school in the mornings so she could give me and my brother a better life and it never went unnoticed. When it was time for us to go to school she was just getting home from her shift. Her work ethic is something I hoped I inherited and I love that woman. Read more>>

Guildia Lopez

My resilience comes from my ancestors and the sacrifices they’ve made. As an immigrant child from Guatemala with Garifuna roots, I carry the strength of those who came before me. Their stories of perseverance, survival, and hope inspire me every day. Being the first in my family to go to college has shown me that breaking barriers is not just a personal achievement- it is honoring their dreams and paving the way for future generations. My resilience is grounded in their legacy and fueled by a deep sense of purpose to make their sacrifices worthwhile. Read more>>

Chie Russell

When our first son was in preschool, he had a chance to take an art class as an afterschool program. I signed him up and one day, he brought home a small bottle with a beautiful sand design in it. When I saw it, I was so impressed with his art. I had never seen that kind of art. It was so beautiful, gentle and unique. His teacher told me that it was called “Sand Art” and her daughter would have workshops soon. I signed up immediately for the workshops. At that time, she and the Japanese group who brought the technique from Vietnam were trying to establish a Sand Art association in the US, so they gave us free workshops to introduce this new art. I learned the basic technique from them and after that I’ve been practicing very hard on my own for the past 5 years. After they closed down the association, I still continued to practice to improve my skill. When I saw sand animal portraits made by my Vietnamese maestro, my heart trembled in total admiration. I’d like to make a portrait like his piece one day. That’s why I’ll keep practicing forever. Read more>>

Brittany Mcclanton

Resilience, for me, is not just a trait—it is the thread that weaves together the fabric of my personal and professional life. It comes from a deep-rooted belief in the power of transformation and the understanding that every challenge carries the seed of growth.

At the heart of my resilience lies a commitment to connection. As a communications professional, I am inspired by the power of words to heal, empower, and unite. Knowing that my work can make a difference—bridging gaps, inspiring action, or fostering understanding—fuels my determination to keep going, even when the path ahead seems uncertain. Read more>>

Marne Skusa

That is a really big question with many events and stories to support. Let’s start with one of the very beginning—the fact that I was born into a very repressive religion. They work hard at denying it, but it was, and remains, undeniably a cult. I attended religious activities five days a week, not including our two nights of at-home family Bible study. So really, seven days a week, I was being fed beliefs that I accepted for many years, because everyone wants to trust their community and family. Read more>>

Thatgirlkay

As a hairstylist, I get my resilience from striving to become better every day. There’s always something you can take from what you learned yesterday and implement that into the next opportunity you have to strive for better. I remember at times there would be parts of learning about hair and understanding that there is a process within that too. As long as you see the takeaway each time, later done the line, you’ll see how important each stage of the process is. This is why it’s so important to be engaged within your work at all times because there is always room for growth and improvement in any area of your performed craft. Read more>>

Jim Kirlin

Resilience, for me, is deeply rooted in gratitude, community, and the lessons I’ve learned through life’s challenges. In my early life, i battled a lot of demons and depression. I even attempted suicide in my 20’s because i didnt understand resilience. That was a true life lesson and I learned where to pull strength from. Then, a few years ago, I was diagnosed with a form of dysautonomia, a condition that forced me to reevaluate how I approached both life and business. Balancing the demands of entrepreneurship while managing my health was no small feat, but it reinforced the importance of adaptability and focusing on what truly matters. Read more>>

Ryan Hainey

For me, resilience is all about mindset. I’ve always been drawn to the hero’s journey, where the character faces adversity, learns from the struggle, and ultimately grows stronger. Life’s challenges are often painful, but it’s through those difficult lessons that we develop the mindset of a student—always learning, adapting, and moving forward. The way we view situations, reflect on them, and most importantly, how we act in response shapes our story. It’s all about perspective. Read more>>

Gion Treichler

I firmly believe that all dancers are resilient. In our industry, like in many others, one must be resilient. Competition is always intense, and it’s not necessarily a team sport. So, you learn early on that you have to work for yourself. I was always determined to achieve my goals because my passion for dance was so strong. And as cliché as it may sound, I genuinely believe that every time something didn’t go as planned, I grew and learned from it. Whether it was an audition or a part in a piece I really wanted, I embraced the challenges. Read more>>

Valerie Crafton

My resilience comes from a lifetime of overcoming challenges and proving that the impossible can be achieved. I’ve experienced childhood homelessness, broken away from domestic violence, and pushed through to earn my degree—all while being a single mom. Each of these moments shaped me, giving me the strength to keep moving forward no matter the odds. Read more>>

Alicia Becerra

I come from a long line of tough women.
My great-grandmother, for example, was a woman of extraordinary strength who raised five children while successfully running a restaurant. Her resilience and ability to juggle multiple responsibilities has inspired me to face adversity with courage and perseverance.
Her legacy reminds me that it is possible to find strength and achieve great things even during tough times. Read more>>

Robin Crockett

I learned resilience at a young age. As the oldest child and only daughter, I quickly discovered the importance of perseverance. Taking on responsibilities at home—whether rallying my brothers to pitch in or helping my mom with household tasks—taught me how to push through challenges and keep moving forward. Growing up, I witnessed the strength and determination of my mother and grandmothers as they faced great losses. Despite their moments of sadness and uncertainty, they exhibited remarkable grace and always found a way to bounce back and keep going. Read more>>

Owen Hisle

I get my resilience from my Lord & Savior Jesus.

Philippians 4:13
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”

Isaiah 40:31
“But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint”

Proverbs 24:16
“For the righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity” Read more>>

Jessica-lynn Veley

My resilience as a fashion designer comes from my deep passion for design and creativity is at the core of everything I do. I’ve always had an unwavering desire to express my ideas through fashion, and that drive helps me push through difficult times. The challenges and obstacles I’ve faced throughout my career have only pushed me to further evolve and change. Each setback, whether it’s a missed opportunity or a project that didn’t go as planned, has taught me invaluable lessons. I see these experiences as stepping stones that allow me to improve and refine my craft. Read more>>

Tia Tate

Since I was younger, I always had this way about me where if I wanted something, I would make it happen. I always have big dreams and I never hesitated to follow them. As my dreams got larger so did my hustle. As you’re pushing forward, you hear a lot of people’s comments and what they think or how they think what you’re doing isn’t going to work. At first it would make me feel defeated. But then it just became a battery in my back and the negative, positive, and all the above comments made me go harder. Sometimes I have to prove myself to myself that what they’re saying is not true. Read more>>

Maria Tulchinskaya

I developed my resilience through my experience of emigration. Leaving my home country meant starting from scratch—learning a new language, building relationships, and finding my creative voice in a new culture. Each obstacle became an opportunity to grow, and I discovered that resilience is not about avoiding difficulties but embracing them as part of the journey. Read more>>

Joshua Sawiris

My resilience was forged in the challenging environment of my childhood. Growing up in poverty, I was raised by a family struggling with addiction and instability. By the time I was 15, I had attended over 35 schools, constantly moving and adapting to new circumstances. These experiences exposed me to more than most children ever see, forcing me to grow up far sooner than I should have. Read more>>

Diamond Davis

I have experienced so much loss in my life, including the passing of my birth mother, my adoptive mother, and a sister. With this, I have learned that I have to live for them and continue to make them proud. While cleaning out my sister’s apartment after her passing, I found her vision board. Seeing all of her plans for the future that would never come to frution, that was the moment I decided to no longer plan for the future, but to live for today. I had to stop being fearful of what could be, and and take control of my life. Through loss, I gained courage and strength to live life to the fullest. Read more>>

Roberto Carluzzo

At the age of 13, my parents sent me to a boarding school in Switzerland, where I spent four years. Being away from family and friends at such a young age was incredibly challenging and often painful. However, it was during those years that I began to build my resilience. Living in various countries throughout my life has further shaped me, presenting countless cultural, social, and personal challenges that pushed me to grow and adapt. Read more>>

Sara Maese

It’s something complicated, and I think it depends a lot on the situation and the circumstances of what happened. As a general rule, I believe that time is a great friend and tends to put most things in their place, but it is also true that there are other situations where we need to do our part to overcome whatever has taken place and, if necessary, seek help from a mental health professional. Read more>>

Natasha Sudsbury

Resilience has been a constant thread in my life, shaped by a combination of experiences that have tested me and taught me how to persevere. Growing up in foster care, I learned early on how to adapt to change and find strength in uncertainty. It wasn’t an easy path, but it gave me a unique perspective on life and a deep determination to create something better for myself and my family. Read more>>

Miles The Barber

Not being afraid to fail. I know that I can’t fail. I know that if I continue to do things over and over agin, I’ll learn new techniques to get me closer and closer to accomplishing my goal. Read more>>

Stephen “old Man Liver” Staats

I’ve seen many examples around me of persistence being the most important aspect of success. So, I’ve always taken that into account and proven this to be true in my own journey, both personally and business-wise. I would rather fail at something than never try. Failures are a part of success. In my experience, there are a lot of people who talk a lot and have good ideas but not that many “do’ers” that actually give their ideas a real shot and stick with them until they figure it out. My Old Man Liver product brand, carried at the Pioneer Saloon in Goodsprings, NV and elsewhere, has really exploded in the last couple of years.  Read more>>