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.

Heidi Carlson

Growing up, I witnessed committed, hard working parents who had a hard life, unhappy and difficult marriage. My parents’ upbringing and life was not easy—it was filled with a lot of struggle and disappointments. But seeing how hard they worked to provide for their family and give us opportunities, instilled a strong work ethic, belief in myself, determination, and the same level of resilience they had. Read more>>

Cuic Suarez

Resilience runs deep within me, forged through life’s challenges and experiences. It comes from a blend of my upbringing, the values instilled in me by my family, and the lessons learned on the journey. I draw strength from the man who came before me—my father—who faced his own struggles head-on and taught me the importance of perseverance. Read more>>

Troy Ericson

My resilience comes from a few different places, but it’s all tied together by my mindset and approach to challenges.

I refuse to accept defeat. When I face a setback, like when a client wanted to fire me or my baseball career ended, I don’t just throw in the towel. Instead, I dig in and figure out what went wrong. For instance, when that client wanted to fire me, I asked them why, and it turned out to be an issue with their emails going to spam. That’s how I got into email marketing in the first place. Read more>>

Serena Sacks

Because of the challenges I had in my early years, I became strong, driven, and resilient. Some of it came from a need to succeed on my own terms, some out of fear of failure, and a bit of proving energy that I’m not proud of. I shifted much of this strength from fear to purpose when I began working in Educational technology 15 years ago. Read more>>

Pari Aryafar

My mom is one of the strongest and most inspiring individuals I’ve ever known. As an immigrant to the U.S. in her early 20s, she faced immense challenges, including navigating a new culture and language, surviving a difficult marriage, and overcoming cancer. Despite these hardships, she always prioritized my growth and success, instilling in me the importance of education, leadership, and pursuing my passions. Her resilience and unwavering determination have profoundly shaped who I am today, teaching me the value of perseverance and the power of a positive mindset. Read more>>

Jamie Deehan

My resilience comes from a deep-rooted sense of purpose and the example set by my family, especially my father. Growing up, I watched him build his business from the ground up, overcoming challenges with determination and drive. That instilled in me a belief that hard work and perseverance can turn dreams into reality. Read more>>

Chad Green Bey

I get my resilience from my knowledge of G_d. Knowing that my creator gave me the strength and will power to have dominion over Earth gives me the ability to recover from setbacks. I have felt like quitting many times but I could never stop being who I am designed to be. The more you surmount numerous challenges, the easier it becomes to maintain mental fortitude in adverse challenges. The challenges may not get easier but keeping a level head and a keen-eyed approach to solutions makes getting through them seem less burdensome. I was raised to have a focused work ethic ensuring whatever job I begin gets completed. Read more>>

Jared Greer

My resilence comes from my relationship with Jesus. I know that may sound over the top. But for me, it’s the truth. There are a few Bible verses that I cling too when things get hard. These verses help me remember truth and remember my why. Psalm 121:1-2 says “I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” Psalm 46:1-3 says “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.” Read more>>

Megan Piccione

I have learned that I cannot change what’s happened to me; I know I cannot forget it. But I can change my reaction to it, and that is what makes me resilient in everything else that I do – because I know I will survive the chaos no matter what. I believe so fiercely that I am deserving of what I want out of life, and I refuse to give in to blockades, no matter how big or small they present. I have been through hell and back, and I survived all of it. My fearlessness is knowing that I’ve already experienced the worst of it, so everything else will be gravy. Read more>>

Lina Taylor

Growing up in communist Bulgaria, we didn’t have a lot of material things and very few, if any, opportunities to create a better life – what you got to do and who you got to be seemed to be determined by outside circumstances, not within my control. Instinctively, I knew this was wrong and although as a child I couldn’t change my outside world much, I focused my energy on my inner world. I nurtured my dreams and protected them, so that outside people couldn’t destroy them with their ridicule. Little by little, I started to extend this inner world full of hope and optimism into my outside reality – I started playing volleyball and dreamt of playing in the Olympics, traveling abroad, even daring to dream of going to an American University (at that time, this was unheard of in Bulgaria). After many years of hard work and sacrifices, I finally made it to the top level of my club team – now the National team coaches could see me and potentially select me to be on the National Team.  Read more>>

Cali Three

My resilience comes from a combination of my past experiences and the inspiration I draw from those who have shaped my journey. Life hasn’t always been easy—I’ve faced difficulties and moments of depression that could have easily pulled me down. However, I’ve learned to see these challenges as opportunities to grow stronger. My past experiences have taught me that even in the darkest times, there’s a way to move forward. Read more>>

Aja Blanco

My resilience has been shaped by a series of transformative experiences, both personal and professional. After graduating with a degree in Sports Management, I spent some time in the corporate world, but after a couple years, I realized it wasn’t fulfilling. My true calling emerged as I dealt with years of major sports injuries, which led me to develop a deep fascination with anatomy and a desire to help others with chronic pain. These personal challenges translated into a passion for holistic healing, so I shifted my focus to massage therapy. This opened up a world of holistic practices and made me acutely aware of what I was putting into my body and on my skin. Read more>>

Barbie Yang

My resilience stems from a childhood that demanded I adapt and mature at an accelerated pace. Growing up in an environment full of uncertainty, I quickly learned that life is rarely straightforward, and I had to cultivate a strong sense of determination and flexibility. Each challenge presented an opportunity for growth, often pushing me to take on responsibilities and make decisions far beyond my years. The need to continuously adjust to shifting circumstances helped shape a foundation of grit and perseverance. Over time, I realized that resilience is not about avoiding adversity, but rather about confronting it head-on, learning from the experience, and using those lessons to move forward, regardless of the setbacks or changes that arise. Read more>>

Nicolette Richards

I believe much of my resilience stems from my background, my roots, and my soul. I grew up on a farm in the countryside—a bit of a tomboy who also loved fashion and the arts. My family were farming people, owning and managing a modest yet noteworthy few acres of land in the Caribbean. From an early age, we were assigned tasks that most children today might only imagine. Fetching water as a little girl, watching the adults till the land, helping with the goats, and, my favorite, feeding the pigs mango peels, were all part of my upbringing. Read more>>

Andreya D. Matthew

I naturally have a can do attitude that I am grateful for. I think it comes from witnessing loved ones like my parents, family and friends overcome challenges. My mother passed some years ago and she was one of the warmest people I’ve ever known. There are some heavy things I’ve recently learned about her childhood that she didn’t allow to emotionally harm her children. I’ve seen loved ones be homeless with children, get themselves into a shelter, and fight to now have a safe apartment of their own. Witnessing their resilience fills me strength. There are quite a few proffesional opportunities I haven’t gotten that I felt would change my life and were close to getting but didn’t. As a result I’ve become very adaptable and learned that there is always something I can take away from a challenge and use to make or find a new opportunity for myself. Read more>>

Vanessa And Kevin Boggiano

 

As both entrepreneurs and parents, resilience is cultivated through several key practices:

1. Time management and prioritization: The ability to balance family and work responsibilities is crucial. Having a well-organized routine and knowing when to delegate or ask for help can reduce stress and allow you to face challenges more effectively.
2. Positive mindset: Maintaining an optimistic attitude, even when circumstances are tough, is essential. As an entrepreneur, this might mean dealing with failures or unexpected events, and as a parent, it could involve handling emotional or developmental challenges with your children.
3. Flexibility and adaptability: Being able to adapt quickly to changes, whether in your business or family dynamics, is one of the most important traits of resilience. Mental flexibility allows you to see difficulties not as insurmountable obstacles but as opportunities to learn and improve. Read more>>

Starlin Hamilton
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My resilience comes from the idea that when we consistently do the right things, AT SOME POINT, opportunity WILL meet perfect timing. That’s where you have those major moments that create momentum that can change the trajectory of your life. It’s just the way I live my life – Through discipline through consistency & just moving right!

I didn’t get exactly as far as
I wanted to get in my sporting career, (which is where I learned my work ethic). I spent so much time & put in so much consistent work behind closed doors that nobody could see, & it paid off in skill, just not as much accomplishment as I would’ve liked, but I know I can rest well knowing that at the end of my career I put all work in I was supposed to & more. Read more>>

Anna Choiniere

Resilience is such an essential quality to have as a person and even more so as a business owner. I would say my resilience comes from a combination of many personal experiences and having a strong role model of resilience growing up. When I was young, my family and I lost my father due to a battle with cancer. My mother is the embodiment of resilience. Watching her raise us on her own, I saw firsthand what strength and determination look like. She faced every challenge with grace and never gave up, no matter how difficult things became. She taught me that resilience isn’t about never falling—it’s about getting back up every time you do, with even more courage than before. When I journeyed into my own adulthood, I faced many challenges, one of which was becoming a young single mother myself. Read more>>

Edna Sims

Resilience comes from within. It’s how you have handled your personal journey situations.
It’s the ability to “bounce back” from difficult experiences. And not only bounce back, but
to learn from your circumstances and come out a better person. Thus, I turn within and think about how to keep moving forward. Read more>>

Samar Hussaini

My resilience comes from my roots—my family, my culture, and the stories of my ancestors that have been passed down through generations. Growing up as a Palestinian American, I experienced the richness of my cultural identity as well as the discrimination it often faces. These experiences have taught me the importance of staying true to who you are, no matter the challenges. Read more>>

Luke Bauer

I think my resilience comes from a mix of my experiences and my mindset. Growing up on a small farm in Minnesota, I faced emotional challenges that forced me to develop a strong inner voice. I was also an avid motocross racer, which resulted in many injuries and taught me how to never quit. I’ve learned to find comfort and strength in things like acting, music, creativity, and moments of rest, which help me recharge. I also focus on staying productive and adapting to whatever life throws at me—whether it’s living in my car, creating art, traveling, or pursuing my goals. My ability to push forward comes from knowing that I can create a better life for myself, no matter the circumstances. Read more>>

Kelly Buckley

I believe that life unfolds as it should, so my entire journey has prepared me to be the resilient and hopeful soul I am today.

I grew up in Newfoundland, Canada, a beautiful and rugged island on the east coast of Canada. The very roots of my resilience come from there. The history of the island and its people inspire me, and I am so proud of my roots.

I became a mother as a teenager, so my resilience journey began at a very young age. I delivered twins prematurely, and one son lived, while my second son, Matthew, died at birth. Read more>>

Claudia Irusta Vera

Resilience was modeled by my mother, que en paz descanse. I learned so much about her life through chats over coffee or a slice of pizza. She had a rough childhood and I witnessed her go through obstacles as a mom. I thought I knew what it was but I didn’t fully understand or embody resilience until she was diagnosed with brain cancer. I see that resilience is defined by the capacity to withstand or to recover quickly from difficulties. I don’t think it was quick though. It started from the moment we got her diagnosis and all throughout the process of losing her. I learned to break down in the arms of my friends and family first before I developed resilience. Read more>>

Christa Aleman

I believe that resilience comes from within…
It can be a skill that is refined, and perfected- but ultimately you need to have grit, grace and confidence in yourself to know that you have to keep pushing through and if you try, and you don’t get the result you want… You have reevaluate the desired result and you try again, take what you’ve learned from every lesson and have faith in the dream.  Read more>>

Shawn Jones

My resilience comes from working toward goals & things that I believe. This helps me stay motivated and committed. My positive mindset and strongly believe in myself to accomplish anything I want even when I’m faced with tuff obstacles. I believe that keeping positive mindset allows me keep strong relationships in my everyday social connections. Read more>>

Vanessa Coy

I get my resilience from my family. Both sides have always been my example to look up to. Their stories are all about hard work, starting from scratch, and making things happen by following their instincts, knocking on doors, and exploring every possible option. My mom is an Indigenous woman who’s overcome so many challenges since the day she was born. My dad and my grandma are some of the hardest-working people I know, and they’ve always believed that if you put in the effort, you can make anything happen. Seeing their determination has taught me to keep going, no matter what. Read more>>

Sandra Atiles-tyrrell

My resilience comes from my upbringing. I grew up in a middle-class family in Puerto Rico. My parents divorced when I was young, and my grandparents stepped in to help raise me and my brother while my mom worked two jobs to keep us in private school. We weren’t poor, but we were on the lower end of middle class. This meant learning how to “make do” with the limited resources we had—whether it was clothing, toys, or school supplies. Read more>>

Rose Nyang

I get my resilience from a deep sense of responsibility and love for my community and those around me. The challenges I face motivate me to keep pushing forward, especially when I think about empowering others and creating a space where everyone feels represented and celebrated. It’s this drive to make a difference that fuels my determination. Read more>>

Jan Reed

Resilience was a survival skill I learned in my early years. I am the oldest of five children with 7 years between us. I lived in five different towns in three states and attended four different schools by the time I was ten. My parents were both educators and this also became my profession. I learned to adapt to each move we made, and I realized that I could thrive wherever I lived. My motto was “To bloom where I was planted”. That has served me throughout my life. I was fortunate to have a strong bond with my family and the people I met on my journey through the moves and changes in my life. I learned to embrace change, adapt, and experience what change it brought to my life. Failures and mistakes were opportunities for growth. Another quote or motto I had was, “This too shall pass.” Either good or bad, I learned to live in the moment, not even realizing that that was what I was doing! Read more>>

Ariella Peskin-owens

Growing up I was a part of a pretty standard middle class family. I had both of my parents and two siblings, with me being in the middle. In May 2012 my world got flipped upside down finals week of my sophomore year of high school. My father unexpectedly passed away while I was in class. He suffered from a sudden cardiac arrest at home with no warning or preexisting health issues. Just like that my rock, my best friend, my inspiration, my dad was gone.
I would say the school system let me down miserably. My English teacher at the time failed me because I wasn’t there to take my final meanwhile I had a “B” in the class. Sorry not sorry Ms. Hennessey, I was at my fathers funeral which greatly superseded your damn test. Read more>>

J.j. Duncan

I think my natural resilience comes from my father. He is the kind of guy who just keeps going, even when he’s been knocked down. I’ve always admired it. I remember one time when I was in my twenties, I wanted to take my brand new tandem kayak down the river in my hometown, and I invited my father along. Neither of us really knew how to navigate a kayak in a river, much less a tandem one, but it was not like we were going to hit any serious white water, so we figured it was worth a shot. Read more>>

Maggie Wu

I build resilience by setting up different zones for myself. The first one is for work, the second one is for curiosity, and the third one is for self-care. To stabilize my output throughout my work, I often heal myself in my second and third zones, exploring more hobbies and possibilities outside of work, such as hands-on learning like pottery making and glass casting. I also give myself a half to one day a week to do physical stretching and relaxation. The key is to input energy in order to output energy. Read more>>

Quiessence Giles

Growing up, I had to overcome a lot of adversity. I’ve always been a “strong” individual being able to push through and deal with tough circumstances. However, it wasn’t until I loss my husband in car accident that I really had to dig deep and see how “strong” I actually was.

Quick back story, before the Covid-19 pandemic, I was a Behavioral Therapist for children. When we were mandated into quarantine and I could no longer hold in person sessions, I started to get bored. As always, I started cooking more and more. One day my late husband came to me for what seemed like the 2,436th time (LOL) saying that he really thought I should take cooking seriously and start a catering business. It’s ironic that after the countless times he talked to me about catering, it was this last time, that I listened and agreed to follow through. I decided to quit my job and step out on faith. He and I spent the next 7 months focusing on Pot of Essence. Read more>>

Kiki Sabater

My family has a long history of struggle and strife that I believe truly informs my own personal resilience. My grandfather was taken from his home in Poland as a teenager and placed in a Nazi labor camp. He spent his time there secretly photographing the conditions of the camp and forging documents to help other prisoners escape. During a locker inspection, his camera was found and he was sent to Dachau concentration camp in Germany. From there, he was sent back to the labor camp after some time, and eventually, the camp was liberated and he made his way to America to start a new life. Once settled, he met my grandmother and they sponsored over 30 families during their lifetimes here in the U.S. Their daughter, my mother, now works as a legal guardian, helping people in need, extending the legacy of aid to those who need it the most. Read more>>

Aditya Gaurav

My name is Aditya Gaurav, born in the small town of Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, India, on January 8, 2004. From the moment I came into this world, my life was set on a unique trajectory—one of challenges, perseverance, and a constant drive to build something meaningful. But the most significant question I’ve been asked throughout my life is, Where do you get your resilience from? Read more>>

Darin Nakakihara

As a third-generation Japanese American, my resilience is deeply rooted in the cultural values imparted by my parents. My mother often emphasized the importance of gaman (我慢), a Japanese term meaning to endure the seemingly unbearable with patience and dignity. She would remind me to embody gaman, instilling in me the strength to persevere through challenges without complaint. My father reinforced these lessons, teaching me the value of hard work and silent endurance. Together, they cultivated in me a steadfast spirit, enabling me to face adversity with grace and determination. Both of my parents endured much adversity during their lives. During the second world of war, my father was incarcerated in an interment camp in Colorado and my mother was sent back to Japan, where she witnessed the dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima. I am forever grateful to both of them. Read more>>

Wilfredo Morel

My resilience started during my childhood. I was born in the Dominican Republic- one of the poorest countries in the Caribbean. My mother was Haitian and my father was Dominican. I was very young when my parents divorced, and I was left to live with my Grandmother. She did the best she could to support us with the money my mother sent her while living and working in Venezuela. There were 10 of us living with my grandmother (siblings, uncles and cousins). I became a shoe shine at the age of 7 to help financially contribute to our well-being. Although I was around those with money, who didn’t always treat me with respect, I was determined to continue and help my family. Years later, my mother returned with great news- she had petitioned for my 3 siblings and I to go to Puerto Rico- a U.S. territory. This was life changing. The beauty of the island was a complete transformation for us, but I never forgot where I came from, and who I was.  Read more>>

Juanita Perez-adelman

The practice of yoga and insight Vipassana meditation keeps me centered and focussed in what is important in my life in the present moment. Both disciplines keep me strong and resilient. Read more>>

Keisha Shurland

I believe my resilience was birthed from the many obstacles I have faced as well as my strong faith in God. I grew up in a Christian household and always had an awareness of and appreciation for God.

Two of the major events that occurred that strengthened my resilience was getting a divorce and the loss of my mother. I experienced immense pain and grief and had to find a way to get back up and continue to face life day by day.

I would read my bible, worship and cry out to God for strength each and everyday. Through these events I started on my personal development journey through following Tony Robbins and Dean Graziosi, among others. I also incorporate mindset training and affirmations into my daily routine. Read more>>

Gwenn Vallone

I had a very scattered childhood; my natural father left home when I was very young and then my mother died when I was only nine. Even though there was quite a bit of chaos around me, I learned at an early age how to take care of myself and do what was necessary to ensure I was ok. I feel like after surviving those early traumas, nothing worse could happen so I was extremely resilient to life happenings that would otherwise derail a person who didn’t learn how to survive tragedy earlier. Read more>>

Giovanna Ferigotti Furlanetto

I believe my resilience comes from my life experiences, my faith, and the incredible example set by my family. Moving from Brazil to the USA 18 years ago was a challenge that shaped me, but my foundation in resilience was built by my parents, who have always been my greatest inspiration.

My mom was a true warrior, and my dad was our superhero. Both worked tirelessly in their own ways—my mom to provide for us daily and my dad to ensure we had opportunities, like paying for our education. They taught me the value of hard work, honesty, and simplicity, and they inspired me to always strive to be better. Read more>>

Lisa Doneyson

For the last 25 years I have been filled with a drive to find my purpose. To make a meaningful difference. I broke into the world of dog training at the age of 16. My parents purchased my first working dog. A red Doberman I named Reicher. Our local schutzhund club was where I was introduced to obedience and protection training. My parents were of the mind that as long as I had my Doberman with me, no one would bother me. They were right lol. On more than one occasion that dog saved me. Read more>>

Dov Fuchs

I believe my resilience draws upon several key aspects of my life and career. First and foremost, my 33 years in the aerospace industry taught me the value of meticulous research, disciplined problem-solving, and perseverance in the face of highly complex challenges. Whether I was running tests on rocket propulsion systems or troubleshooting technical issues, I learned to approach each obstacle methodically, to test and refine until the solution emerged. That same mindset now underpins my work in digital art: I’ve carried over the patience, endurance, and analytical thinking from aerospace and applied them to my creative process. Read more>>

Elena Rivera

I definitely learned resilience from my mom. She has been such a huge role model to me. Life has never been easy and she has always taught me to get back up and try again no matter the circumstances. Being able to push past the mental battle of being disappointed or discouraged is the hardest part. Read more>>

Louise Nayer

When I dedicated myself to writing (first poetry and later prose) I found my purpose and also my strength in life. My parents had been severely burned in a gas explosion when I was four. When they returned, my mother was disfigured facially and my father was depressed, sitting in a rocking chair for hours bemoaning his fate. My parents, particularly my mother, mirrored enormous strength in reconstructing our family. But that strength left little room for emotions. As a young adult trying to be on my own, the trauma from the past–a nine month separation from my parents and the horror of the burns–caused me to feel anxious. At times, the anxiety overwhelmed me and led to panic attacks. Read more>>

Ivy Case

The first thought that comes to mind when I think of “where” I developed my resilience from is less of a place and more of a person. I suspect my answer may be a common cliche’, but nonetheless, it’s the most honest. I believe that I developed a large part of my resilience from my mother; from watching her muddle herself and 4 children through the chaos that was our lives when we were young, largely on her own, and doing so with the driest, most inappropriate but necessary humor one can muster (which I can assure you, IS a necessity to surviving the hurdles of life.) Her resilience was more so an adaptation born of force rather than choice, but nonetheless, I believe it had an undoubted impact on how I would make choices. It’s shaped how I respond to pressure, how I attempt to understand and survive the hard parts of life, and how I form habits that I try my best to follow as an Artist.  Read more>>