We’ve shared some incredible stories of resilience below that we hope will help you on your journey towards building up your resilience.

Sabrina Harb

My dad was diagnosed with lung cancer when I was 13, and he died when I was 17. During the last six months of his life, he had a seizure that his brain wasn’t quite able to recover from; he was in a state of dementia, and I was slowly watching my best friend deteriorate. Although he was struggling internally, he always smiled, laughed, and put on a brave face; he consistently exuded strength and resilience and refused to let his diagnosis control his life. Read More>>

Aaron-Jon North

Ah honestly my resilience has been built, like many, from a lot of set backs and some tough life moments. They may not feel good for us at the time, but in the long run they are essential to success.
Of course it’s not about focusing on the failing when these moments occur, but its about nurturing the ability to refocus on adapting and overcoming when these things invariably happen. Read More>>

Elsa Del Pozo

My resilience came from one simple, unshakable truth: I had to survive—for my children. In every challenge, setback, or moment of exhaustion, giving up was never an option. I saw their faces, imagined their futures, and held onto the life I was determined to build for them. That vision fueled me. It kept me moving forward, even when I felt I had nothing left. My children weren’t just my responsibility—they were my motivation, my anchor, and the reason I kept rising every time I fell. They didn’t just witness my strength—they were the reason it existed. Read More>>

Brandy Ange

I think resilience is a hard one character trait, one you develop out of necessity. I had a difficult childhood and ended up moving out on my own at fifteen. You get your act together and learn how to get by because that’s what is needed to survive. Thriving is even harder. After a fraught childhood cut short, I knew I wanted to create a different kind of life for myself, that there had to be something healthier, safer, and happier- but I would have to create it and make it happen. Read More>>

Hannah Kathleen Lopez

My resilience comes from a deep belief in the power of second chances. In the credit repair industry, I’ve seen firsthand how financial struggles can hold people back, and it’s always been my mission to help them overcome that. Building this business wasn’t easy—there were countless challenges, setbacks, and moments of doubt. But I kept pushing forward because I knew the impact it could have on people’s lives. Read More>>

LaQuesha Ford-Mcquay

Resilence isn’t something I discovered all at once. It wasn’t wrapped in a “breakthrough moment” or tied to a single victory. For me, it was slowly shaped-carved through rejection, sculpted by sacrifice, and rooted in an unwavering faith that anchored me when life felt unsteady.

I’ve always stood out, not just as a woman, or as an African American, but as someone who clings tightly to strong Christian values in a culture that often pressures people to let go of their convictions. It hasn’t been easy. I’ve been overlooked –  Read More>>

Belinda (Belle) Morey

Where do I get my resilience from? Honestly, I think I was forced to find it the hard way.

There’s one moment that stands out — a real before-and-after line in my life. I woke up in a hospital in Wausau, Wisconsin, with tubes in me, tied to a bed, not fully sure if I was dead or alive. I’d been airlifted there after intentionally driving my car off the road, after drinking too much Bacardi and taking Xanax bars. Heartbreak, addiction, and pain had all piled on top of each other.  Read More>>

Craig E. Higgins

I grew up in a different era that lent itself to developing survival skills in an environment fraught with temptation and occasional danger. Arriving at age nineteen in New Orleans’s French Quarter in the late 1980s exposed me to an international crowd of people from all walks of life, and not all of them were nice people: I got beaten up once in a housing project, then was held up at gunpoint a few years later.  Read More>>

Linda Bonner

I’ve learned over the years that resilience, like contentment, comes from the inside! Like many, I spent years doubting myself, wondering if I was good enough, and trying to develop resilience with outside efforts. I fought imposter syndrome and was constantly seeking outside approval. It was, of course, never enough. Read More>>

Elisabeth Rhoads

I’ve failed. A lot. Whether it’s been in acting or writing, I’ve spent more time flat on my face than moving forward. When I was trying to break into acting, I let the failure get to me. I was tired of auditioning and getting no for an answer. I gave up. Read More>>

Mercedes Mitchell

I get my resilience from my ability to problem solve. I am a very resourceful person and that deprives from my creativity. I can always create something whether it is a better circumstance or project. All Things Interior was became what it is today from my resilience. When Covid happened, I got laid off of from an architecture firm, I did not like the feeling of my fate in other people’s hands so I promised to never feel that feeling again.  Read More>>

Roniq Bartanen

Optimism, adventure and curiosity fuel my resilience. In 2017, after working in salons as a hair stylist since my late teens, I made the decision to leave the industry I’d worked in for over 30 years at age 48. I had no immediate plans except for an upcoming trip to Denali National Park for its centennial celebration. I took a year to reflect, take classes on various interests, talk to others about their life, all while continuing to travel. Read More>>

Adrienne Dowdy Odum

My resilience is rooted in the example set by my mother. As a single parent of four, perseverance was second nature to her-giving up was simply not an option. She dedicated over 30 years of service to the Walton County Health Department, where she earned a reputation for her tireless work ethic and unshakeable dedication. Read More>>

Jordan Oakley

When I was really young, whenever I scraped my knees or got sick, I’d tell myself the same thing- this won’t last until college. My little self would screw up her face and try to imagine themselves in a dorm, and the image of myself with that same scrape on my knee was clearly ridiculous. It would heal. These things didn’t last forever. Obviously, I’ve had to adjust this sentiment as I’ve grown older. I’ve graduated college, I’ve moved on into the world. But, this notion that there is a future where these momentary pains no longer exists keeps me afloat. Read More>>

Melodie Garneau

My grandparents were immigrants to the U.S. from Canada and France around 1902. They didn’t speak English and came here for work. The factories needed laborers and the immigrants seemed perfect. They didn’t pay them well, had dangerous working conditions and the owners basically enslaved them with company stores and mill housing. Even the small children were exploited with the dangerous jobs under weaving machines where adults could not fit. Many were maimed or killed. Read More>>

Andrea Teresa Trinidad Idioma

If there’s one reason I consider myself resilient, it’s because I’m Filipino—and that resilience is deeply rooted in our culture. Our people have endured over 350 plus years of colonization and hardship, and yet we continue to move forward with strength, faith, and even joy. That spirit lives in me. Read More>> 

Sophie Szew

My generation’s resilience is rooted in our knowledge of the truth. Many youth who identify as mental health advocates are often told that sharing our story is a revolutionary act. We are encouraged to share our stories by narratives claiming that speaking up about our experiences with mental illness and mental health challenges dispel stigma, which in turn leads to better mental health outcomes for our community members.  Read More>>

Tura Sugden

My resilience is built at the bench—through repetition, focus, and a return to process. It’s not about ease; it’s earned through uncertainty, and refined by patience.

I learned about resilience from my mentors, my apprenticeship, and the daily rhythm of making things by hand. The invisible labor, the quiet choices, the long path to mastery—all of it adds up. Read More>>

Alexander Scott

It may sound corny but honestly… I run on LOVE(awwwww lol) but seriously in my lowest point, down and out, it’s always love that gets me to pull myself back up and keep pushing. In our own personal obstacles, there’s always a lesson we can learn from. And I’ve found in every lesson, if we really look, there’s ALWAYS an opportunity to show some kind of love in situations difficult or not so difficult. But you have to soul-tie yourself to love. When we dedicate our lives to moving with love it keeps us honest and open and free. Read More>> 

Mary Sullivan

When I think of all of the decisions I’ve made and hard work I’ve put into my education, my business, and my craft I have to credit my family for their support, because without them none of this would be possible. My family was borne of strong willed people who made it possible for me and my family to thrive. While it is true that Crowing Hens Bindery is a one-person business, my Mom, my sister, and by twin brother have all rallied around me to put me in a position to excel in my studies, my trade, and my life. Read More>>

Gloria Izu

Resilience, for me, is not just a trait, it is a legacy. It is the quiet strength passed down through generations of determined women and forward-thinking men. It is the internal flame that kept burning even when external conditions tried to extinguish it. My journey through biomedical research, clinical trials, and natural product drug discovery has been defined by persistence but the roots of my resilience trace far deeper than my degrees or certifications. Read More>>

Delores Williams

My resilience comes from a combination of life experience, faith and purpose. I’ve faced challenges—personally and professionally—that tested my strength, but each one taught me to keep going, adapt and grow.

Faith has been a constant anchor, reminding me that setbacks are setups for comebacks. I also draw strength from my passion for helping others—knowing that I’m making a real difference in people’s lives keeps me moving forward, no matter what. Read More>>

JL Fields

Resilience, for me, isn’t something I mastered. It’s something I’ve practiced again and again across the many chapters of my life.

I grew up in a blue collar family, where “figuring it out” was less a motto and more a way of life. I watched my parents stretch themselves thin so their kids had options they didn’t. That kind of quiet, persistent problem-solving planted the earliest seeds of resilience. Read More>> 

Monica Ortega

Facing fears. I am naturally afraid of almost everything. But I learned that I don’t want fear to hold me back, especially when what I want is on the other side. So by facing fears I learned that I not only loved the feeling of adrenaline and accomplishment on the other side but over time it started building up confidence. That confidence turned into the resilience of knowing I can handle the next scary thing. Read More>>

Sade Harper

I got my resilience from life itself—specifically from growing up on the east side of Detroit. That environment taught me early on how to adapt, survive, and push through no matter what. But beyond the grit, it was watching the women in my family—my mother, my grandmother—handle every storm with grace that really shaped me. I learned that struggle doesn’t mean stop. It just means shift, pivot, and keep going. Read More>>

Dionne Blackledge

I am one of four children. My mom was a single mom. I saw her work very hard, sometimes two jobs, my whole life. She supported us in every way she could but being the soul breadwinner, she physically worked hard to provide our needs. Through it all I never saw her give up or get down. She persevered. Even though we were low middle class, she always made a way to make sure Christmas was done big! I’m quite confident I got my independence from her but it went hand in hand with resilience. I bounce back quickly from things and try not to let myself get too down. Read More>>

Jess Letkemann

Resilience is a bold word in my vocabulary. The best way I can say I became resilient is by learning how to cope with anxiety my whole life. The mental struggle has controlled the better part of my life- I didn’t join sports teams, I went to the nurses office every time there was a field trip in school, I would literally be over a sink in the mornings before school because I didn’t want to go socialize. Isn’t it funny I’m now a hairstylist? My entire career is fueled by socializing. Read More>>

Toni Bullock

I get my resilience from a mix of lived experiences, strong role models, and an internal drive to not let setbacks define me. Growing up, I learned early on that I had to advocate for myself and push through obstacles that others didn’t always see or understand. It wasn’t something that came naturally. I had a lot of strong women in my life—my grandmothers, aunts and my mother—who always taught me that just because one door closes doesn’t mean another one won’t open. Read More>>

Gabrielle Rosenblum-Zampella

Resilience isn’t just a buzzword for me — it’s my backbone. I’ve lost my entire family. That kind of pain doesn’t just visit you; it moves in, rearranges everything. I quit my full-time job because I knew I couldn’t waste this one life playing it safe. So I built something from scratch — something real. I show up, I hustle hard, I pour everything I have into what I do, because I have to. It’s just me. Read More>>

Kelly Johnson

Life threw a major plot twist my way in 2015 when my mom was in a horrific car accident, leaving her in a coma for over a month and requiring two years of rehab. I stepped away from my restaurant job to become her primary caregiver, juggling hospital visits, rehab schedules, and the emotional rollercoaster that came with it. Meanwhile, I had to survive entirely on my fledgling junk removal business, IREP Junk Removal, to keep the bills paid. Read More>>

Edward Brown

My resilience was forged in the fire of life’s toughest trials—and it lives in every drop of what I create.
I was disowned by my own family, cast off when I needed love the most. That pain could have broken me, but instead it ignited a fierce flame of self-reliance. I learned that my worth didn’t come from blood, but from the values I chose to carry forward. Read More>>

Jamal Crews

I draw my resilience from two inspiring figures, God and my mom, Jackie Crews. Reflecting on past experiences, I recall moments of fear and embarrassment that tested my self-esteem. However, instead of letting those setbacks define me, I chose to tap into a deeper sense of confidence and inner strength. I asked myself, how often do we put on a brave face, hiding our true emotions? How many times do we fake a smile or laughter to mask our discomfort?  Read More>>

Jim Trotta Davis

My resilience stems from my inspiration to create and my desire to forge a deeper connection with both myself and the world around me; this connection, in turn, fuels my resilience and inspires me further. Read More>>

Clark Vincent

I’ve realized that I am resilient by the challenges that I’ve face in the past that I’ve either worked through, overcome with help from others that I had to ask for help from and trusting in prayer and faith. Praying and having faith have kept me resilient.  Read More>>

Thitiwat

Resilience and work ethic are both so closely tied together for me I will have to answer two panel questions with my response. Work ethic has to do with how much pride you have in whatever craft it is you are pursuing. It refers to the dedication, the commitment to excellence. I think having resiliency is a byproduct of having exceptional work ethic. Read More>>

Maddison Brooke

I’ve had early life experiences that, both fortunately and unfortunately, forced me to build resilience from a young age. It’s now programmed into my nervous system to withstand intense stress and recover quickly. While I’m deeply grateful that my life today feels peaceful both personally and professionally, I carry a grounded knowing that I can survive anything that comes my way. Read More>>