We’ve shared some incredible stories of resilience below that we hope will help you on your journey towards building up your resilience.
Ylva Rietman
In my field of work, I think this is almost the number one quality you need. You get about 99 no’s for every yes. It already started with auditioning for drama schools. I personally went through this for several years before I was accepted somewhere. It was incredibly tough and absolutely terrible for my self-esteem, but I never thought about giving up; there was simply no other option for me. “Where there’s a will, there’s a way”. Read more>>
Veronica Stevens
My resilience comes from my personal health journey. Going through my own challenges taught me the importance of addressing the root cause rather than just the symptoms, and that’s the foundation of everything I do. It’s also what fuels my passion for helping my clients find true healing. The support from my family, friends, and mentors has played a big role in keeping me grounded and focused. And my clients—seeing their transformations and growth inspires me to stay strong, knowing that we’re in this healing journey together. Read more>>
Patrick Hickman
I think having a great support system is key. Between having my wife, family, friends and great acting teachers, I’ve been incredibly lucky to have people that believe in me but also push me. Having people that remind me of I am and what you can do, helps keep me resilient. Read more>>
Ndey Mariam Jobe
Resilience for me is woven into the fabric of my upbringing, a gift passed down from my parents that I continue to carry and nurture every day. Growing up as the firstborn in my family, I was thrust into a position of responsibility early on. I didn’t just learn to be responsible—I had to. I became the one who looked out for my siblings, ensuring their needs were met and providing guidance, all while navigating my own path. This wasn’t always easy, but my parents made it clear that setbacks were part of life, and it was how you faced them that truly mattered. Read more>>
Natalie Duffus
“I remember when the first space I wanted for my med spa, I paid the deposit months in advance of the space being ready. The landlord opened the space without informing me and it was not up to the standards we discussed. I decided it was no longer the space for me and the landlord decided he would not refund any of the deposit even though I never moved into the space. That loss at the very beginning of my spa journey taught me to always have things in writing even if you know the person. That challenge taught me to never let anyone discourage your dream and vision. Read more>>
Charin George
Resilience is something I became familiar with before I realized what resilience was. I was a part of a struggling single parent household in the 1970’s and became hospitalized due to malnutrition. Even though I was only five years old, I can still remember pushing my IV pole down the hall to get to the play room. As I grew up, I remember my mother being creative with her grocery selections so that I could receive the nutrients I needed. After school, I looked forward to the apple she gave me for a snack while we rode the bus home. Read more>>
Nicole Gaskins
For me, my resilience was built as a result of the accumulation of my life experiences. I believe how a person shows up today is a result of their experiences that have shaped their beliefs which is demonstrated in their behaviors. I have been through some tough situations that have instilled this grit within me which has created a stature of endurance that has shaped within me the capacity to withstand and recover quickly from difficulties; a resolving toughness. Read more>>
Gracie Kruger
My resilience is rooted in my upbringing as the child of immigrant parents who worked tirelessly to give me and my brothers a better life. I witnessed their relentless drive as they navigated the challenges of a new country—overcoming language barriers, cultural differences, and the struggle to adjust. Read more>>
Nadine Bridges
I was primarily raised by my father, who played a pivotal role in shaping my resilience. He instilled in my siblings and me the importance of supporting vulnerable populations, connecting with older adults, and standing up for ourselves and others. My father understood the unique challenges of raising Black children and worked hard to foster our confidence, empathy, and resilience. Read more>>
Chanita Monique Britton
My resilience comes from a combination of my faith, which has been my anchor through the most difficult times, and my role as a mother. My daughter looks up to me, and being her source of strength and guidance motivates me to keep pushing forward, no matter the circumstances. Overcoming divorce, illness, and bankruptcy has taught me that resilience isn’t just about surviving, but also about growing stronger and finding hope in the process! Read more>>
Elizabeth Hugen
Growing up, I always wanted to do one thing – be a fashion designer. It was ingrained in me from a young age and to this day, remains one of my biggest passions. However, the road was not easy and many things blocked my path along the way. I grew up in a small town with no connections to the industry and naively thought that talent alone would open doors. After high school, my parents divorced and we moved to a different city. Read more>>
Rob Schwartz
It comes from rejection from the earlier portion of my life. I’ve always wanted to be in the music industry, but I had no connections, no friends or relatives in the industry, and no real role models. This industry is one of the toughest in the world. I had to carve out my own lane and build the confidence in myself to build it up. My journey is a long one, but I have so much more to accomplish. Read more>>
Seth Besse
Resilience ultimately comes from an ingrained inability to accept a status quo that doesn’t make sense. The word resilience isn’t ever associated with something that is easy; it is something that requires persistence and time. At Undivided.io, we have sought to bring technological leverage to a fragmented maze that parents of children with intellectual or developmental disabilities are forced to navigate. Read more>>
Danni Jnai
Resilience, for me, is deeply rooted in a mindset shaped by hard work and a belief in the value of persistence. I’ve learned over time that setbacks and failures are not the end of the road but rather opportunities to learn and grow. Each challenge I encounter teaches me something new, helping me to adapt and improve. I approach every problem with the belief that there’s always a solution, even if it’s not immediately apparent. This perspective, combined with a strong work ethic, drives me to keep pushing forward, no matter how tough things get. It’s the understanding that every failure is just a steppingstone toward success that fuels my resilience. Read more>>
Arianna Ytselle Arelis
When I think of the word resilence, I think of the women that raised me, my Mamá, my Nana, my sisters, my Tía’s who would babysit me growing up. I come from a line of strong woman and I pride myself in my independence. This world was built to favor men and yet the women in my life continue to rise. Strong woman aren’t born-they’re made. I owe it all to the sacrifices and troubles that they experienced. I grew up watching them not be affraid of anything and it has showed me how powerful and beautiful woman are. Read more>>
Kristy Taylor
Resilience, for me, stems from both personal and professional experiences. I began my career in higher education, where I had to navigate the challenges of managing student expectations, shifting academic priorities, and a rapidly changing landscape. These experiences not only strengthened my adaptability but also shaped my ability to find solutions under pressure. When I transitioned into my current career, I encountered new obstacles that tested my resilience in different ways. Read more>>
Danielle Larracuente
I get my resilience from my mother. Watching her growing up navigate through trials and tribulations and still achieve her goals was so inspiring. Growing up my mom was a single mother, and managed to go to college, law school, and become an attorney. Read more>>
Lily Liggins
I draw my resilience from being a raised by immigrant parents who exemplified hard work and determination for as long as I can remember. Watching them put in relentless effort day in and day out to give us a home, meet every need and put my siblings and I through university has shown me the true meaning of perseverance. Their unwavering commitment to creating a better life for our family instilled in me the importance of not giving up, no matter how tough the circumstances may get. Their example serves as my greatest inspiration, reminding me that resilience is built through dedication, a deep love for your family, and the courage to face challenges head-on. Read more>>
Hannah Madgett
As a yoga practitioner, we always end our practice with one word “namaste.” Namaste, means “the light in me, sees the light in you.” My resilience stems from the moments of light I share with others. Whether it be a meaningful conversation, friendship, meal, time spent together, shared laughter, or a new creative endeavor, these moments keep me going. Read more>>
Miriam Portilla
Resilience for me comes from embracing the imperfections and transforming them into tools to improve and grow. It’s about trusting in life’s generosity and that I’ll find my way, no matter how many times the path changes, because I’ve learned to rely on my own instincts to guide me through. Read more>>
Joseph Hardin
I believe my resilience comes from always getting back up when I fall down. Life, much like ultra-running or creating art, is about falling down ten times but getting up eleven. The most important lesson I’ve learned is that the only failure in life is not trying. Believe in yourself, keep showing up, say yes to scary things, and most importantly, never forget to enjoy the journey. Read more>>
Ayata Colbert
My resilience comes from my life experiences. Never judge a book by it’s cover! We often view people at face value, not knowing their life story. Growing up, I faced many challenges that forced me to become stronger and more resourceful. Hardships isn’t something that I allow to define me. My children, My ability to adapt, and lean on my inner strength, is what has helped me to keep pushing forward, even in the hardest moments. Read more>>
Russell Mano
Resilience has been the cornerstone of my life, and it comes from three key experiences: my childhood, failed relationships, and my ongoing fight for family. Each of these has shaped me in ways I couldn’t have imagined, teaching me lessons in perseverance and strength that I carry with me every day. Read more>>
Melissa Overcash
Amid adversity, I found resilience, but I’m not sure my personal journey in overcoming adversity is uncommon, however, it is mine and profoundly shaped who I became. My resilience is deeply rooted in a traumatic childhood. Born into a turbulent environment with zero parental support, my early years were filled with neglect and emotional hardship. Yet, it is precisely these experiences that have shaped me into a business owner that looked at adversity as the norm not the oddity. It is what makes me who I am. Often suspicious of motives, a listener that takes all things in and learned early to “read a room”, and a person that works through a multitude of scenarios for solutions. Read more>>
Fallon Jaye
1. the capacity to withstand or to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness.2. the ability of a substance or object to spring back into shape; elasticity. Resilience is a choice. While we may never “bounce back” we can always view the obstacles in our path AS the path. As well as view our experiences as ways we’re being sharpened in our character, our faith, our capacity to hold space, as well as heal. Read more>>
Diamondnia Mack
My resilience comes from a combination of my upbringing and a deep, innate desire to achieve something extraordinary. My mom modeled resilience and grit with such grace and style for my sisters and I. She taught us to face our challenges head-on with courage, determination, and honesty. Because of her and the wisdom that comes from life experiences, I’ve learned not to let setbacks define me or dictate my path. I’ve realized that if I stop at every bump in the road, I’ll never get to where I’m going, and my life’s purpose is far too big to be dwarfed by fear, insecurity, or the belief that I am incapable or somehow unworthy. Read more>>
Derek Miller
I have cancer. I was diagnosed about a year ago. I still don’t know how to tell people I have cancer because it doesn’t fit in a casual conversation:
“How are you doing?”
“Good. I have cancer.” People are resilient. We always have been. We always will be. Challenges make us more resilient. I’m guessing you’ve heard the phrase, “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” I’m not sure if this statement fits with cancer either. There isn’t a cure for my type of cancer. It won’t change what I do, until it does. I’ll keep taking my family on trips, I’ll do my best at work, I’ll continue to be creative, and I won’t let cancer stop me, until it does. I have good days and I have bad days. Read more>>
Deja Leonard
My resilient spirit has always been a guiding force in my life. One particularly memorable moment that showcases this resilience is when I was pregnant with my son. In November 2019, I discovered that I was expecting, just as my graduation in December was approaching. Despite facing excruciating pain caused by a dermoid cyst in my ovary that was growing alongside my son, I pushed through each day. I can vividly recall dragging myself from one class to another, moving from building to building, all the while battling physical agony. In addition to the physical suffering, I was also grappling with feelings of depression stemming from the circumstances surrounding my pregnancy. Nevertheless, I persisted. Read more>>
Danielle Dunlap
When I was young I wanted to be the first women to play in the NBA. Not a teacher, ballerina, doctor… A professional athlete. From a young age, my mom, dad and nana taught me to be resilient. When I was 7 I was interested in playing basketball… we lived inner city South Bend, Indiana. My parents got me signed up for the city’s basketball program where the kids were assigned to teams. I arrived to my first practice being the only girl on the team. Not realizing this at the time, but being told later I was also the only white girl on the team as well. I continued to work hard even though I didn’t get passed the ball a lot, or get a lot of playing time when games came around.. towards the end of the season things started to change and my teammates started being nicer to me, passed me the ball and coach let me be a part of the plays. Read more>>
Bobbie Rich
When you choose artist as your career path, you have no choice but to be resilient. My family moved around a lot while I grew up, meaning I had to constantly adapt and grow. My Mom has always believed in me and been supportive, no matter how ambitious the challenge. I concretely realized that I needed to forge my own unique path after an advertising job. One summer during college I worked in a boutique ad agency. Even though every day was different with new engaging challenges and creativity, I did not cope well with working in an office 9am-5pm. Read more>>
