Unlocking Optimism: Stories & Insights

Our team is mostly comprised of optimists and we are often asked where all this optimism comes from and often these questions have led to enlightening conversations and so we decided to ask others in our community where they feel their optimism comes from?

Abbie Z.

My optimism comes from a few places my main mantra of “I have come this far I just need to keep going, keep pushing because even if their is just one, one buyer that’s one more sale I have made than if I wasn’t their” and my Fiance, I already had my business established before I met him but he has been my rock and biggest cheerleader through all of this. Read more>>

Jesse Aguilera Escalante

I wouldn’t know where to pinpoint it out, but I’d like to say I’ve always been optimistic. Always knowing that there are two sides to every story, and it’s okay to have failures. Somehow having the outlook that everything happens for a reason, and that everything will be okay. Read more>>

Jeannette Ceja

I would greatly attribute my optimism to my mother. To this day, she continues to be an exceptional role model for me. Read more>>

Taylor Dubose

My optimism comes from three parts of my life. They are athletics, culture, and family. As a business and SUStainable company, a lot of the time the challenges that come up sometimes seem steep or insurmountable so a healthy amount of optimism is almost a requirement.  Read more>>

Jonathan Maxim

If we were all completely rational, there would be no tech startup world, nearly no innovation, and culture would be boring. Regardless of how many mistakes I have to make to reach my goal, or to make a real lasting positive impact on the world, I will happily do them. Read more>>

Peter Rachleff

My optimism comes from (1) my study of history, and (2) my experiences as a teacher. My study of history — focused on immigrants and workers — has demonstrated to me that working people can make history, have made history, from the achievement of the eight hour day, the establishment of rights to unionize, bargain collectively, and even strike. Read more>>

Erik Klinger

My optimism traces back to a very young age. Being forced to overcome various obstacles I found early on that anything is possible if you keep an open mind, stay determined, and work towards a positive outcome. I came from a humble home where my mom worked long hours and instilled in me a strong work ethic.  Read more>>

Britton Hein

Having faith and patience. I believe in good of things and that it’s important to stay positive and hope for the best. I would say optimism comes from my mother. It’s important to believe. Read more>>

Tiffany Baymon

My optimism comes from my family and friends and their continued to support and belief to make my dream come true. Read more>>

Jessica Chapin

I think my optimism comes from my resilience, and knowing that everything is temporary. Anything you are going to experience- is just happening in this moment, and this moment is going to pass. This is why we like to relish in the moment, and be optimistic about the moment. I have experienced my fair share of heavy trauma in my life, and I can attest that being optimistic is more fun than being pessimistic.  Read more>>

Keon (Kesli) Nahali

I would have to say my optimism comes from my family. I am blessed to have such an incredible family that always told me that no matter what I am going to go for in my life, whether that’s personal, spiritual, or career-wise to always just give it my all and I could achieve those things. I still hold that belief very near and dear to me to this day as I truly do believe anyone can reach whatever they are looking for in life. We just have to push ourselves. Read more>>

Vanessa Pineda Fox

I don’t know where my optimism comes from, except that I generally feel things will work themselves out. Not without effort. I know life doesn’t always give away roses, for sure. Still, suppose you put more mental energy into believing good outcomes can and will happen. In that case, it certainly makes for a better way of living than thinking the glass is half empty. Read more>>

Brooke Forbes

I don’t know if it’s optimism as much as learning to “change the channel” of your mind, so to speak, when things get tough or I am sick or something makes me depressed, it’s a combination of things that will change my thoughts to optimistic! Read more>>

Keiko Kira

My optimism is deeply rooted in my personal journey, shaped by both adversity and kindness. One of the most defining experiences of my life was stepping into the role of caregiver for my sick mother at a young age. This responsibility forced me to mature quickly, making my own decisions and preparing me for my future.  Read more>>

Rusel Faris Al Rubaae

My optimism comes from my biggest role model, my father. Even though he got sick at a young age and had to go through much his whole life until his very last day on earth, I’ve never met anyone as optimistic as he was. His face was always filled with happiness, even though he was struggling, you would never see it on him. He was such a strong, kind, and beautiful soul and he taught me how to always see the bright side of things.  Read more>>

Walt Shedd

My optimism comes directly from my faith in knowing that there is a Force greater than me, a Benevolent Force that I call God that is accompanying us on this journey. It also comes from an experiential side, in that we have touched trained over 50,000 athletes under the model that we have developed over the past ten years. Read more>>

Gulsum Keskinoglu

My optimism comes from a belief that even in the darkest moments, there is always a glimmer of hope. I trust my instincts and believe that no matter the challenges I face, there is a brighter future ahead. I have faith that every ending is just a new beginning, and the best is yet to come. Read more>>

Samantha Simmons

Curiosity and a sense of gleeful adventure is where my optimism comes from. Retaining a childlike sense of wonder helps keep a pure and neutral outlook when delving into new subjects. The idea that “anything could happen” paired with, “I’ll try it,” creates a space for optimism to flourish. Asking innocent questions like, “why?” or, “how?” Read more>>

Vivián Joiner

My parents taught me that I could do most anything I set my mind to do. My faith confirms it daily. When you look around at all the small things in nature that withstand, thrive many times in spite of its surroundings you should know that we can as well. Read more>>

Liz Brindley

I often remind myself that optimism, hope, and joy are not two-dimensional experiences. They are layered experiences that contain the multitudes of being human – the ecstasy, the grief, the happiness, the sadness, the elation are all part of optimism. Optimism is not about denying reality or sadness or the facts. It is, choosing it *with* those realities present. Read more>>

Hilda Mateiu

I grew up in a relatively low-income community, and being part of a basketball team played a significant role in staying out of trouble and feeling integrated as a kid and a teenager. My family was supportive, but I could start playing and being optimistic because of the community and the local non-profit groups who offered support. Read more>>

Joan Wozniak

Optimism is inside us; it depends on how we see the world around us. We all have problems to solve and goals to achieve. Enjoying small things every day and making little steps towards your goals gives you optimism for the moment and for the future. It is also very important to be active. Physical activity is not only good for your body but also for your mental health. After a nice workout, your brain produces endorphins that make you feel happy and optimistic. Read more>>

Erin Roser

I believe it began with something I read when I was young. My childhood was…let’s just say not storybook material. I read whenever I could as an escape. I can’t recall the exact words but it was something to the effect that there is something to look forward to in every day. Sometimes it’s the smallest of things and if you’re focused on the bad, you might miss it.  Read more>>

Jennifer Carr

My optimism comes from my desire to always choose to see things in the a more positive light. Life throws a lot of obstacles in our way and the only things we have control of is our reaction to those challenges. I choose to react from a feeling of patience, understanding, and curiosity. I believe that by putting positive energy into the world, my days will be filled with more hope and kindness- and what more could I ask for?! Read more>>

Jeremiah Shirk

I was born with a mild case of Cerebral Palsy that effects how I ambulate around the world so when my friends would climb a tree or make their way up onto a roof of some sort I had to find another path to get there. It wasn’t just jumping off the ground or scaling the tree the same way they did. Read more>>

Lydia Knorr

I love this question because it feeds into so many other of the topics you have listed here….. As a speaker, when I am delivering keynotes, I often speak on the topic of what it means to have a Silver Lining Mindset, which is essentially the same thing as being optimistic. This type of mindset is rooted in finding the good, finding the meaning and finding the lessons in our experiences. Read more>>

Dr. Slavoski L. Wright Sr.

In life’s trials and tribulations, I’ve discovered an unwavering source of strength and optimism – “My Faith in God!” It’s been a journey marked by moments of despair, uncertainty, and overwhelming challenges, but amidst it all, my belief in God has remained steadfast. Read more>>

Shane Smith

I think my optimism comes from having had a rather tumultuous childhood. My mom was a single mom and I grew up in a very low income household. Without going into too much detail about that, the first eighteen years of my life were a constant struggle. Now, when things get hard or aren’t going my way, I just take a moment to acknowledge that nothing is as bad as it could be and that I’m so fortunate to be where I am. Read more>>

Luis Garcia

Our optimism is deeply rooted in the timeless wisdom imparted by our parents, who instilled in us the mantra: “Siempre LUCHA por lo que quieres, LUCHA por un futuro mejor.” (Always FIGHT for what you want, FIGHT for a better future.) Their words echo the resilience and determination that characterize our upbringing, reminding us that we must persevere and strive for our aspirations because no one else will do it for us. Read more>>

Andrew Maiorano

I do consider myself an optimist, but it doesn’t come easy. It’s a choice. I can’t pinpoint the specific moment, but I grew up watching Star Trek (and I still do). This was the show we’d sit down and watch as a family (Star Trek: The Next Generation). Star Trek is more than a show – it is a philosophy. Read more>>

Ryder and Chad Wood

Every ounce of optimism in my body comes from my older brother, Brandon. He gave me an up close and personal lesson on optimism at a very young age. Brandon, who’s 2 years older than me suffered from cerebral palsy. He couldn’t walk or talk and most of the time had to eat through a feeding tube.  Read more>>

Anna Kleman

My optimism is deeply rooted in the tapestry of my life experiences. Despite enduring hardships that could have cast a shadow over my spirit, I’ve emerged from them with newfound strength, wisdom, and resilience. Instead of allowing adversity to sour my outlook, I’ve embraced it as a catalyst for personal growth. Read more>>

Ima Leupp

I like to think of my optimism as a super power. I grew up in a rough space and I grew up too fast. I had to take care of myself really early. I made a million mistakes as a child and I’m grateful for that. I’ve seen the worst that humanity has to offer, and knowing that, everything else is manageable. I have survived everything I’ve ever been through and it makes living a relief. Read more>>

Dr. Serena Goldstein, ND

Since I was young, I noticed there are many types of people in the world. I had a lot of happy moments through out my life, so I knew there was potential. As I got older and more scholastically inclined, I got to delve deeper into the understandings of optimism, and how we can change our brain/ ourselves to be more optimistically inclined. Read more>>

Miriam Zylberglait, MD

My optimism is the result of genetics (my dad is the eternal optimism ), the inspiration that I get from those around me overcoming challenges and growing after adversity, the support that I receive from friends and family and important, the love of my sons. Read more>>