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.
Kenyatta Alexander Reed
My resilience recovery is live conversations, Integrity thoughts of social media blogs posts. I will watch my interview broadcasts or interview articles that is revealing of me being focused on the positive situation of my work ethics,and be aware of sarcastic conversations.
My Secondary resilience recovery is fitness, Gym workouts can be a major resilience transformation in lifestyles. Read more>>
Mary Anna Pomonis
I think one of the big mistakes our society makes is focusing too much on talent instead of practice. Sure, there are anomalies like Ana Weyant who hit it big young, but for most of us, the path to success is paved with hard work and persistence. As a kid, I had some talent. I took Saturday art classes at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and had art in public school. My middle school teacher, Shauna Carey, was phenomenal and really encouraged me. But when I got to college, it was painfully obvious that my peers had been taking classes at the Art Institute of Chicago while I was entering mall art contests in downstate Illinois. I had a lot of catching up to do. Read more>>
Harley Monteleone
I have been a little hustler since probably the 5th grade. Little me in the classroom selling candy and things from the store I made my mom buy me with food stamps. I didn’t have money for lunch growing up and for some reason I wasn’t able to use the free lunch program. I had to do whatever to eat, honestly. Flash to 16. One day I asked my dad for some cash for a movie or something and he opened the garage door, gave me a bucket and said to come back with money. I washed cars all summer. I earned $200 a day washing cars. Read more>>
Alexandre Nguyen
A big part of my resilience comes from patience. When I was younger, I was impatient and wanted quick results to prove myself to others and to my parents. Over time, I realized that what really matters is how I feel about my own progress. I’ve learned to appreciate the journey more than the results. Prayer and staying focused on the present moment also help me stay resilient. Read more>>
Vaishnavi Vsrma
From my parents. My mom was always ahead of her time – her resilience set the foundation for me even before I was born. She was one of the two girls in her high school in a small town in India to study STEM. When I started my journey as an immigrant in the US and especially after I became a founder, I often found her voice in my head – everything is possible when you have the courage to tell yourself it is possible. My dad has singlehandedly helped us navigate life abroad, managing working in workplaces that haven’t always been easy whilst still making sure we had all the comfort in the world. Read more>>
Derdine Brown
Simply put being Haitian. Haitians are known to be resilient folks. The Haitian people have endured many pains s suffering from history to even today . Yet we continue to focus on what we have control over and do what we can. It’s in the culture. Read more>>
Nia Renée
For my age, I’ve been through a lot… in this industry, in Los Angeles, during my travels, in my personal & family life, etc. I’ve met a lot of different people from all walks of life, some at their lowest points & some extremely successful. A piece of wisdom that stuck with me is never take advice from someone who isn’t living a life that you’re striving for. Read more>>
Pamela Mckinney
Internal Strength: I’ve overcome self-doubt and negative thoughts through self-belief and a commitment to the vision that I recognize as my single biggest gift. This highlights the importance of inner strength as a source of resilience.
Multifaceted Approach: The expansive balance to support my individual concepts of values that align on one accord through a multifaceted approach is impressive. Adaptive strategy layered through every thought to leverage creativity, and to build a foundation for future success. This demonstrates how resourcefulness and adaptability contribute to resilience. Read more>>
Amanda Singrassia
My resilience has developed over a lifetime of navigating the world through progressive chronic illness, while determined to achieve the goals I have set forth. I have continued to dance through a slew of challenging symptoms, including joint subluxations, a paralyzed stomach, hearing loss and seizure-like episodes. I have had to learn to be patient with myself, and to not allow critical voices (of others or my own) to deter me. My journey hasn’t been entirely traditional, however, I’ve never stopped working towards my dreams. Read more>>
Rosheka Davis
My resilience comes from knowing that nobody else can do what I do and that it is up to me to leave my imprint in this world. My gifts are from God for Gods people. My resilience comes because I can’t give up on me. Read more>>
Ashley Campbell
I get my resilience from both my faith and upbringing, learning survival skills as an only child in a home with alcoholism, sexual abuse and bipolar disorder. Home was a mix of feeling alone, fearful and confused as well as leaned upon by both parents to be “the perfect child,” in order to offer stability and family pride. With no siblings or extended family, I knew I was on my own to get through it and eventually figure things out. Read more>>
Heidi Zin
I get my resilience from quiet time with myself in nature observing. Sitting in contemplation, pondering how things have affected me and how my mind can play tricks, thinking it has to rush, get it done now! When Im rushed I loose my inspiration because my mind becomes to cluttered with complication, the creative flow has no space to come into me.
I watch the birds dart too and fro past me. They Gather their life from bushes and trees and I watch the bees and I listen. I sit in quiet nature and I listen. Feeling what the breeze feels like as it brushes my skin. I listen till I make a connection with spirit and it moves me with an idea for a new piece or direction in an easy gentle natural pull. Read more>>
Jwalt
I feel like I was born resilient. As a baby, I had a hole in my heart, and the doctors said I would need surgery. But a few months later, it healed on its own, and the doctors called it a miracle. That experience has always stuck with me and shows true resilience. On top of that, I’m from Oakland, CA, a place that’s known for its resilience. The culture here breeds strength and determination, and I feel like that’s a big part of who I am. Read more>>
Nick Fancher
I am a survival of childhood abuse. Because the abuse was such a regular part of my life, I never knew to seek help. It wasn’t until my son reached a certain age and I could see how a healthy household and family dynamic played out for him that I had a frame of reference for understanding my own childhood neglect and abuse.
For years I’d find myself fantasizing about what my life would be like had I not experienced the abuse. These exercises ultimately left me angry and immobilized. After more than a decade of therapy, medication, support groups, journaling, and countless hours spent talking with friends and loved ones, I have been able to embrace the fact that my negative experiences played a part in making me who I am today. The resilience, awareness of light (or darkness), and problem-solving skills that are so crucial in my career as an artist are skills that were born out of the abuse. Had I not experienced it, who knows who I’d be or what I’d be doing today. That’s not to say I’m grateful to have been abused, but rather to articulate that I can see how it shaped who I am today, and I can therefore make peace with it. Read more>>
Florencia Clement De Grandprey
Resilience is like a muscle—developed through use. I’ve had many opportunities to exercise it, and each time, though different, it gets a little easier. I’ve fallen down 100 times and gotten back up 101.
Let me share a bit about my journey, as becoming an artist wasn’t always in my plan, though I’m incredibly grateful to be one now.
Let’s go back to 1996 when I saw an ad from British Airways seeking flight cadets. I was determined to become an airline pilot, even though my application was not successful. I decided to start by becoming cabin crew to get a taste of the aviation life. I joined British Airways and flew long-haul as a flight attendant for nearly three years, based in London Gatwick. During that time, I earned my single and multi-engine pilot licenses in my spare hours. Read more>>
Nicole And Marissa
Nicole King is the creative force and founder behind Cosmo Contour, known for her exceptional eye for design and unwavering commitment to health and wellness. With over two decades of experience as an entrepreneur, Nicole has built Cosmo Contour into one of the most sought-after fitness and wellness brands in Los Angeles and Miami. Her visionary approach integrates advanced bio-hacking technologies in a modern, luxurious setting, a unique combination that has drawn a dedicated clientele of A-list celebrities and elite athletes. Read more>>
Judy & Kendall Mansfield
Judy was widowed with six children ranging from three months to twelve years. She then determined that she would not wait for circumstances to control her. Judy would take action first and expect more favorable outcomes. Through this proactive stance she learned much. She admittedly made mistakes, but continued to act upon decisions she made. It was less difficult for her to get back up, if she made the conditions of the situation. This was passed down to her daughter Kendall. Read more>>
Yvonne Saldivar
This may sound sad in a way, but my resilience came from my childhood struggle. My father was an alcoholic and my mother was extremely passive in terms of how she dealt with his vices, and it was a weekly ongoing struggle for my entire life. There were other things that went on in my home and outside of my home, that were definitely things that could have broken my spirit and I could have used as an excuse to not prevail – but I didn’t. I couldn’t, and I wouldn’t. Going through tumultuous and unpredictable circumstances at home taught me to be strong and that my circumstances shouldn’t define the type of human being that I became. I walked through life knowing that I didn’t want to be a victim. I wanted to be a victor. I really like to think that for the most part, I’ve succeeded in doing the best that I could given the tools that I had. Read more>>
Ben Carter Olcott
In a purely creative sense, my resilience comes from a vital relationship between two factors: a kind of faith in the creative drive, and a highly conscious forging and re-forging of artistic practice. As a writer, that second point really begins and ends with something straightforward: sitting down and doing it. It’s a matter of making the time, putting your butt in a seat, opening a blank page, picking up a pen, placing fingers on a keyboard, and starting. Relentlessly and always starting. The energy for this daily practice ends up getting fed by that first more ineffable aspect, and I don’t shy away from giving the creative drive a spiritual quality: I do think it derives from a place both deep within and almost beyond myself. Read more>>
Rocco Carlo Distefano
My resilience is deeply rooted in the challenges I’ve faced and the lessons I’ve learned from them. Losing my mother just weeks before I moved to Los Angeles was one of the hardest moments of my life, but it also became a turning point. It taught me that adversity doesn’t define you—it reveals your strength. Read more>>
Dr. Monvelea Makor
I draw my resilience from a multitude of life experiences that have shaped me into the person I am today. As a first-generation American, I’ve witnessed my parents’ unwavering dedication to providing a better life for our family, and their motivation has been a constant source of inspiration for me. Growing up in less fortunate circumstances taught me the value of hard work, perseverance, and adaptability. Additionally, overcoming physical challenges, such as recovering from knee surgery, has shown me that I’m capable of pushing through adversity. Perhaps most notably, completing my final year of optometry school while pregnant required an immense amount of resilience, but it also taught me the importance of prioritizing my goals and well-being. Through these experiences, I’ve developed a strong foundation of resilience that continues to propel me forward, both personally and professionally. Read more>>
Jennifer Cook
Growing up in a first-generation immigrant family, I quickly learned to rely on myself. With both parents working and two younger sisters to care for, I understood that achieving my goals depended on my own efforts. As the oldest of three daughters, I also realized that nothing would be handed to me, given our family’s limited resources. Read more>>
Chelo Mercado
I grew up in a humble single parent household, second youngest to a mother of 5. Having so many siblings meant I had to compete to get anything in a home where there was little to be shared. My mother, a driven-tenacious woman who worked away from home for long hours, labored hard to keep us together. Over the years, she recruited each of us to help navigate our families’ daily needs. I had to grow up fast in order to keep up in that a fast-paced environment.
Since I couldn’t be left home alone while my family was out, I would accompany my mom to her various jobs. At 8 years old I was helping her clean bank facilities and corporate office buildings. At 9 years she would drive me door to door to sell authentic homemade Puerto Rican delicacies I would help prepare. By the time I reached 11 years old I was recruited to be a sort of ‘jack of all trades’ administrative assistant. Read more>>
Monica Wayts
My resilience comes from overcoming struggles and learning from my failures. At the beginning of my string art journey, I was faced with all of the challenges of being a first-time business owner and yet, despite self-doubt and uncertainty, I kept striving to move forward.
Then came additional difficulties. Covid, slow sales, and moments of frustration reshaped my outlook and strengthened my resolve to shift my offerings to more online options, leading DIY workshops, and finding events that supported my art. Read more>>
Leanne Ross
When I reflect on my resilience, it always takes me back to a conversation I used to have with others;
“Why do these things always happen to me?”
This was a repeated phrase that I’d throw into conversation on a fairly frequent basis.
“I don’t know Leanne. It’s such a shame… These things always do seem to happen to you, don’t they?”
Whether it was relationships, friendships, jobs or general misfortune events, everything DID seem to happen to me. Read more>>
Sapna Radhakrishnan
Resilience comes from embracing failure as part of the journey and staying focused on the bigger goal—on meaning and purpose. I’ve learned that every setback carries a lesson, and it’s through those moments of discomfort and growth that true strength emerges. For me, resilience isn’t about perfection; it’s about staying aligned with my purpose, trusting the process, and knowing that each challenge is a stepping stone toward something greater. When you’re rooted in meaning, setbacks lose their power to derail you—they simply become part of your story. Read more>>
Stormie Cueto
Growing up I was diagnosed with dyslexia and ADHD at a young age. Although it came with a lot of trial and error discovering how I learn differently from others, it inspired me. Being aware that like myself, other people learn differently showed me how there’s always ways to move forward, sometimes you just need to examine things from a different angle. At the age of 16 years old I was diagnosed with polycystic ovarian disease (PCOS) and endometriosis (ENDO) which are two chronic illnesses that effect both the body as well as the mind. These conditions come with some burdens that are impossible to control such as unstable hormones, mental fog and daily pain or discomfort. Read more>>
Dealvia Hurd
My resilience stems from my identity as a Black woman, raised to persevere and embody strength not only for myself but also as a beacon for other women like me. I draw deeply from the legacy of my foremothers and my heritage, who were responsible, nurturing, and unwavering in their guidance. They instilled in me the importance of fighting for who I am and pursuing the things I want to achieve. From a young age, I was often described as tenacious, and I’ve embraced that quality throughout my life. When faced with challenges, I’ve learned to adapt—either by finding new paths or remaining persistent until I achieve the desired outcome. This mindset has been instrumental in shaping my journey and purpose. Read more>>
Elizabeth Ombrellaro
When I was an undergrad, I had to face a hard decision of what I wanted to do with my life. I had spent my whole teen years dreaming of becoming an actor and a theatre maker. By the time high school had ended I had devised my own piece with a small theatre company in Seattle and was touring around the state of Washington. It was a good beginning and I thought I would then grow my career consistently. When I got to Uchicago, I was told that the theatre major didn’t have a lot of resources and would thrive if I studied something different and participated in University Theater instead. In retrospect, some friends had different outcomes with doing the TAPS major, so I don’t know how true that advice was but I followed it nonetheless: I decided to invest in a different interest for my college degree. Read more>>
Rowen Merrill
There are two key factors that have contributed to my resilience. First, I grew up in a family of professional musicians who not only helped me refine my skills but also provided rigorous critique of my playing. In my family, praise for the violin was only given if the performance truly deserved it. This instilled a strong work ethic in me, as I learned to continually strive for improvement. Fortunately, the environment was not overly rigid, which allowed my passion for the violin and music to flourish. Read more>>
Jennifer Bradley
There is only one being that I can credit for my resilience, and that’s God. I have rebounded from situations that would have broken many, but it is through those difficult experiences, losses, set-backs, and heartbreak that have given me passion and purpose. Read more>>
Giles Gibbon
My work ethic comes from the unique lens through which I see the world as a mixed race,multinational individual. Growing up between the United Kingdom and America, I never fit neatly into a single mold, and that brought its own set of challenges—adversity, naysayers, and haters. But instead of letting that hold me back, it shaped me into someone resilient and relentless. I learned early on that no one is going to hand you anything in life, especially in an industry as competitive as music, and even more so in Hip Hop. You have to be dependable and a person of your word. Read more>>
Wellie Jackson
My Resilience comes from my up bringing I grew up in the projects and I know its a real place so everyday I do my best to make sure thats in my past and not my future. Read more>>
Melody Lacayanga
I get my resilience from my mom. She came to the US from the Philippines in the 70s with practically nothing and was able to not only build a life with my dad for my sisters and me, but was also responsible for bringing in my grandparents, aunts and uncles. Read more>>
Princess Princesspepperspray
Thanks for noticing! I haven’t always been fierce. When I was younger, being short, female, and shy, folks readily dismissed me. My life felt small until I decided I could no longer bear the feeling of stagnation. So I made a decision to be more intentional about what I want, and who I choose to be around. I got better at researching and at communicating. Being a big picture person, I always have in mind a goal I want to achieve. Then I make a plan to get to these benchmarks, breaking them down into achievable steps. I love the process. And I love showing others how their interests align with mine. It was a long learning curve, but I went from being scared and intimidated by others to enjoying collaboration. Read more>>
Elodie Dufroux
My resilience comes from the way I was raised and the lessons I learned from the challenges I faced along the way. Growing up, I faced significant challenges, particularly with bullying that lasted for seven years during my time in school. The constant pressure, negativity, and isolation were difficult to endure, and at times, it became overwhelming. There were moments when I even had to switch to homeschooling to protect myself and find a space where I could heal and focus on my education. Read more>>
Laurent Quenioux
Growing up in a dysfunctional family, I learned to navigate life independently from a young age. I began working at 15 and have dedicated 40 years to the demanding culinary industry, building a career defined by perseverance and passion. I’ve faced life with minimal support or guidance, yet I’ve achieved numerous successes along the way. While I’ve encountered setbacks, I’ve always embraced challenges, pivoted when necessary, and bounced back stronger, demonstrating unwavering resilience and adaptability throughout my journey. Read more>>
Edyta Deng
Embrace everything as an adventure. Whether the outcome is good or not, it’s all part of life’s journey. Funny to say but as an artist, I’ve come to appreciate even the darker moments because they expand my perspective and fuel my creative inspiration.
Last year, I experienced what felt like a perfect storm – all within a single week, a painful breakup, lost my job, had my car stolen, and several other following unexpected crazy things. Last year I had this wild one week where everything went sideways. Lost my job, went through a breakup, got my car stolen, plus a bunch of other crazy stuff piled on top. But I started finding it pretty funny like I was in some dark comedy shows. Every time someone asks about it, I just turn it into this wild story that gets people laughing. Read more>>
Brianna Moore
Resiliency seems to be something that builds up over time. Once you know you’re capable of accomplishing or surviving something hard/new/scary, your capacity for the next thing grows. I kind of think there is no other option but to be resilient. I have always had a very driven and gritty personality, and giving up is not really an option for me. I have experienced some really hard seasons in life and because I chose to embrace it instead of run from it, I have come out better on the other side. I love that resiliency can be applied to life circumstances as well as to creativity. It’s fun to experiment with different types of shoots or styles and if it doesn’t end up working out well, that’s okay. I probably learned something along the way. Read more>>
Laura Martin Baseman
Before I opened my yarn and fabric store, Hacer Santa Fe, I was a multi-faith hospital and hospice chaplain. Dealing with death on a daily basis changes your relationship to other problems. There have been no challenges in my retail business that are life or death. Failure is not death. I am glad to have that perspective when ideas I had did not work out or a project did not manifest. It is also something I can remind my customers when they are disappointed. Maybe a fabric they love is sold out or their favorite sweater got eaten by moths. I try to kindly point out that it isn’t the end of the world and hopefully we can find a solution together. Read more>>
Terina J. Hicks, Mpm
First and foremost, my resilience comes from my Lord, Savior Jesus Christ. Without Him I can do nothing. It is in Him that I move, live and have my being. Secondly, I drew a lot of strength from my mother. I watched her as I was growing up the things that she endured. Never, having know her mother because died five days after her birth. Her dad remarried and never raised her, so she was bounced around from home to home. I watched her how she stayed in a marriage to a man, my dad, who was an alcoholic for as long as I can remember. It was her prayers that sustained her. It was her prayers, that my father turned his life around. It was her prayers in which I saw the God move on her behalf. So, it was her example that has made me the person that I am today. Therefore, all that I endure, personally and professionally, I know that I can overcome what may seem like insurmountable odds because of the example she set before me. Read more>>
Devin Penn
My resiliency comes from deeply trusting in God’s plan for me and having faith that every challenge I face is part of a greater process.
I believe that, even when the road seems difficult or uncertain, God is guiding me, and that every hardship has a purpose in shaping me into the person I’m meant to be. This trust allows me to face obstacles with a sense of peace, knowing that I don’t have to navigate them alone. Instead of dwelling on the struggle, I focus on the bigger picture and lean into my faith, believing that, in time, everything will unfold as it’s meant to. With God’s strength and guidance, I find the courage to keep moving forward, trusting that each step, no matter how difficult, is leading me to growth and transformation. Read more>>
Efigenia Guzmán Domínguez
My resilience comes from my dad, who grew up in a very rural and impoverished area of México. Opportunities were very limited, and for many, survival meant working the land with no guarantees of stability. Despite these hardships, my dad was determined. He refused to let his circumstances dictate his future. He worked tirelessly, fueled by a vision of something better, not just for himself but for his family. Read more>>
Roslyn Mizgorski
My mother is my biggest role model when it comes to resilience. When I was about five or six, my mother asked a question that would change our lives forever. She asked, “How can I help?” This led her to her volunteering in my community and eventually to her running and being elected as a Township Commissioner and later, State Representative. My mom has faced many challenges throughout her time as a civil servant especially when she was in office during the pandemic. It is difficult for anyone to be involved in politics, but especially for women. I have seen the joy on the faces of the people she has helped. But I have also seen all the unwarranted criticism. My mom never lost sight of her passion to help others and that drove her in her resilience, creative problem solving, and confidence. Because of her, I grew up knowing that I can do anything. Read more>>
Ayana Whitaker
I am a huge day dreamer who takes all my goals very seriously. Once I set my mind to something, I have to accomplish it. Throughout my experience, every time I feel I am so close to a goal, roadblocks appear. I learned that even with detours, the lemons will always turn into lemonade. It’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey so enjoy every moment of the process. Resiliency has taught me that things don’t always turn out how I vision them, sometimes they turn out even better than imagined. No matter how many no’s I get, I will not allow anything to get in the way of my goals. Regardless of any set backs, you have to see the journey all the way through. Read more>>
Sunny Rawal
deep in my roots – never give up attitude. work hard towards your goal and results will come for sure! Read more>>
Davy Mccall
1. “Davy, Happy new year and congrats on the online release of your volleyball short, “AGAIN”, pleased to see it’s getting attention. This is such a niche concept and film… Why did you make it?
Thank you so much! And wow, great question… Considering I’ve only played volleyball as research for this film, I’ll be honest—the reason I made it was as an avid anime fan. I’ve seen the show Haikyuu, which I absolutely love, and that show gave me a relationship with a sport I never would have had otherwise. What I love about Haikyuu is its deep connection to the sport itself. I feel the same level of excitement watching a world-ending battle between superheroes as I do watching a player decide how to hit a ball, why they’d touch it in a certain way, or how they strategize against their opponent to score a point. Read more>>
David Mullins
My work ethic is deeply rooted in the example set by my dad, who ran a small fleet repair business. Growing up, I watched him fix large trucks and trailers for companies like Sysco, FedEx, and Roadway Express. I started working in the family business at just eight years old – painting the underbodies of trucks, painting two-wheel hand trucks, washing floors, and helping with paperwork. Read more>>
