We connected with some of the most resilient folks in the community and one of the most insightful questions we had an opportunity to ask centered around whether there was ever a time they almost gave up. Highlighting some of the responses below.

Joey Thurmond

Wow! What a question right out of the gate! Without a doubt the answer to this question is my music. After doing so many different things in entertainment, from being a professional wrestler, to acting, I never thought I’d be making music at all much less releasing singles, albums, videos, and doing it with some of the most incredibly talented people that I’ve ever met. I released my first single in November of 2024 and it had wonderful success and since have released two other singles and soon to release the third and with it goes the entirety of the new album “Stealing the Covers”. Read More>>

Timothy Gipson

A normal day for me right now consists of getting up and getting started on any farm work that needs to be done. We are short staffed this year so all the work is falling to me to get done. So i stay very busy Read More>>

Pooja

Pets are my spirit animals—literally! 🐾 The connection I feel with them is so real. That’s why volunteering my time and camera to capture shelter and rescue cuties fills me with so much joy. The funny thing? By the end, I swear it’s not them getting rescued—it’s us. Because the love, the wiggles, the sloppy kisses… they give way more than they take. Now that’s happiness on four paws, don’t you think? Read More>>

Ida Y. Robles

Well this will be a very basic answer thats for sure, I am a stay at home wife. I get up and start my day off with getting ready (brushing teeth, brushing hair and face routine), then I do any straightening up that I may need to do after my husband leaves to work for the day. I get things ready for whatever dinner I will cook in the evening. At some point during the morning my oldest daughter calls me on her way to work and we’re on the phone for at least 20 mins. After that if I have any errands I need to do, I get ready and out on the road I go. That’s pretty much how most of my mornings of the week are for me. Read More>>

A.R. Mauriella

I would say I am chasing Legacy. The idea of legacy and generational wealth have been on my mind since I was a teenager. Carrying my father’s name and the history of both sides of my family is something I take great pride in. That’s why I created Arturo Rose—a brand built to stand among the great heritage houses like Ralph Lauren, Louis Vuitton, and Fendi. My vision has always been to craft more than clothing; it’s about establishing a timeless identity, rooted in excellence, innovation, and culture, that will carry the Arturo Rose name into the same echelon of global luxury. Read More>>

Matheo Techer

Most meaningful relationships, both personal and professional, need time and patience to grow. Many of my achievements came from not rushing but instead trusting the process. The fine line is staying proactive without being pushy.

On a recent major project, I could have pressured the team for opportunities, but instead I focused on building an honest, trust-based relationship. In the end, that patience paid off. I’m convinced that had I rushed, the door would have closed. Read More>>

Chloe Chen

I’m currently an artist and art educator based in the Bay Area, California. On a typical workday, about 80% of my time is dedicated to teaching art and developing curriculum projects, while the other 20% I reserve for personal work. My husband and I have two cats, so most mornings begin with them jumping on the bed to wake us up. We both find joy in cleaning and organizing, so we usually do a bit of tidying before heading to work. Read More>>

Alex Leo Garcia

Disciplined & intentional dedication to the craft of cinematography.

I feel pretty strong about the systems of production I’ve been able to create in order to keep me both focused on the tasks at hand while also making the barrier to achieving said tasks as easy as possible. Read More>>

Marijana Kurcubic

My normal day starts early, often with coffee in one hand and my phone in the other, checking messages from clients and confirming event details. I usually spend the morning coordinating with vendors, ordering flowers, and making sure decorations are on schedule. In between, I’m answering calls, sending quick updates, and working on new event ideas. Afternoons are for site visits, setting up spaces, or meeting clients to discuss their vision. There’s always a little creative chaos—choosing colors, arranging flowers, or finding that one perfect detail to make an event special. Even in the evenings, I’m often wrapping up last-minute tasks or thinking ahead to the next big celebration. Read More>>

Leah Tarleton

Most of what I’ve built in my work so far has been under the surface — like the root system of a garden that hasn’t fully bloomed yet. The Nourished Sensitive has grown quietly in seasons of deep inner tending: refining my 9 Elements framework, designing business systems that honor my feminine, cyclical, sensitive, and neurodivergent-led nervous system, creating safe spaces for honest conversation, and writing in a way that nourishes the soul more than the algorithm. Read More>>

Dr. Shadaria Allison

There is no greater pride and yet anguish I’ve felt in life more than the privilege of standing up for someone, while it costed my everything. In fact, I’m doing it right now. I believe that those who felt led and called to serve greater causes in humanity are almost born with that gene. I cannot remember a time in my life where I wasn’t standing up for someone else. I’m honored to do if. Even now. Read More>>

nery kim

I usually wake up and, like most people, my hand goes straight for my phone to check emails and messages. Once I’ve caught up, I head to the bathroom to wash my face and brush my teeth. Then it’s time to get dressed and let the light in — I open all the blinds so the day feels officially started. Next stop is the kitchen. I drink a glass of water with probiotics, then make my “power juice” — a mix of apple, carrot, cabbage, and water. After that, I put together my favorite yogurt bowl with blueberries, banana slices, and granola. Finally, I sit down to enjoy my brunch while watching a bit of YouTube — my way of easing into the day with both fuel and inspiration. Read More>>

Megan Correa

Summer is one of the busiest seasons for me. Since June 8th alone, I’ve taught six weeks of music programming in Juvenile Hall, led a week of rapping and beat-making classes at a music camp, and ran a seven-day Hip Hop x Environmental youth artist residency program. I’m also currently organizing three benefit shows, writing and recording songs for sync placements every week, and working as the Program Coordinator for Hip Hop For Change—a nonprofit that uses Hip Hop as a vehicle for positive change in our community. Read More>>

Radha Subramanian

As a passionate dancer, the first 90 minutes of my day are dedicated to preparing myself for the perfect day ahead. Each morning, I wake up with a beautiful routine that I look forward to – a grounding rhythm that sets the tone for everything that follows.

It begins with a bit of walking to warm up the body, followed by gentle yoga, mainly Surya Namaskars, and then the practice of adavus, the foundational steps in Bharatanatyam. For me, practising adavus go far beyond physical exercise; it is a true sadhana. Read More>>

Brandon Schrichten

My day starts with stretching and reading the news while my coffee brews. I then spend about an hour practicing calligraphy—writing alphabets, penning letters to penpals, and transcribing the Bible in reverse from Revelation as both a writing exercise and devotional. After that, I shift into work mode and begin answering emails. Read More>>

Rami Kalla

Good morning, this is a great question. My family and I have been training in Jiu Jitsu. It has been nice to not only work on my skills, but to do an activity together as a family. It is bringing us together and keeping us strong at the same time. My son and wife are truly enjoying spending this time together. Read More>>

Samantha Gregerson

A normal day in the life of Samantha looks like this:

1. Get woken up by my husband with a kiss before he goes to work
2. Let the dog out, feed him and get ready for the day
3. Coffee! Can’t work without my coffee haha
4. Start conquering client emails and check my Google Calendar for tasks to be done that day
5. Get to workin’
6. Around 1 PM, I take a break to head to the gym and workout for about an hour (definitely helps reset the brain) Read More>>

DJ

In January my first grandchild was born. Becoming a grandfather is something that I’m extremely proud and happy of. Helping my daughter and her husband care for my granddaughter makes me so happy. Read More>>

Jameelah Wilkerson

A normal day for me right now starts with centering myself. I get up early, take a moment to level out my energy, pray, and express gratitude for the day ahead. From there, I run through my mental checklist—whether it’s business strategy, creative direction, or a client breakthrough I need to support. I move between calls, content planning, brand development sessions, and managing operations for multiple ventures. Every day looks different, but the structure remains rooted in intention, execution, and impact. I stay focused on aligning purpose with productivity, making sure that whatever I touch helps someone build, grow, or heal. Read More>>

Foster D. Coburn III

I spend the first few minutes of the day checking email that has come in overnight. Typically, there are one or two messages that are important enough to act on them right away. The rest can wait for a little bit later.

Once the important emails are handled, I go on a walk of at least two miles. Initially the walk was for my dog, but I still do it for myself even though I’m currently without a dog. Yes, I’ll probably get another dog before the end of the year. I take in all that nature offers and often stop and talk to neighbors and to pet their dogs. While walking I think about what’s on my day’s agenda and the best ways to get everything accomplished. Read More>>

Stacy Crawley

With my kids out for the summer, I’ve really been enjoying the extra time with them including playing games, doing arts and crafts, watching movies, and even creating our own little ‘field trips.’ They’re growing up so fast and I truly value this season of being present with them. It’s just something about being able to slow down and make those memories together. Read More>>

Dennis Sohocki

For the last few years, my wife and I volunteered to teach stone sculpture to kids ages 10, 11, and 12. They absolutely love carving stone, and they are so creative in both their ideas and their execution. One girl made a sandstone video game controller. Another made a mushroom with a smiling face and then a refrigerator for her mushroom. Seeing the joy and the pure creativity in their faces and their work is inspiring. Read More>>

Marcel Santos

Currently, I am focused on learning from my past experiences. I reflect on the mistakes I’ve made and the actions I should have taken or maybe avoided. The Fine Art business can be very cut-throat at times, and it is natural to encounter setbacks along the way. I believe that one of the most valuable teachers in the creative industry is our past selves. By analyzing my previous decisions and identifying areas for improvement, I am gaining insights that will help me navigate my career more effectively. With that in mind, I’m confident that this “reflective approach” will enable me to reach the next level in my professional journey. Read More>>

Jonathan Dritto

For most of my journey, I’d say I was wandering. I started my creative life with wire wrapping back in 2011 and wandered with that until around 2018 when I began exploring more traditional forms of jewelry making. I taught myself basic fabrication, then moved into stone setting and eventually hand engraving. Always trying to keep pace with my creativity, I sought out classes through GRS to go deeper into advanced techniques and push my work further. Read More>>

Kevin Hinton

In the near future, I am actively pursuing several exciting endeavors. One of these is the establishment of a dedicated space that will serve as a hub for content creation and collaboration. The prospect of this project materializing is filled with immense joy and anticipation. Read More>>

Diana Kouprina

I’m not an early riser in the traditional sense—I’m usually the last one to bed—but I do love waking early enough to catch that peaceful window before the heat of the day sets in. There’s something magical about the morning sun—soft, quiet, and forgiving.

My day starts with a tall, cold glass of water, followed by a comforting cup of coffee. Then, almost instinctively, I find myself in my garden. It’s a space I’ve spent five years creating—what was once overrun with weeds is now a sanctuary filled with color, life, and intention. Read More>>

Camila Battiato

Absolutely, I would hire me! I bring a strong blend of creativity, technical skills, and a true passion for interior design. I care deeply about every project I take on, and I’m always thinking about how to create a space that feels personal, functional, and beautiful. I thrive in collaborative environments, and I’m constantly pushing myself to grow, whether that’s exploring new materials, learning new tools, or staying inspired by trends while staying true to my client’s style. I’d hire me because I show up with intention, warmth, and a genuine love for what I do. Read More>>