Resilience is often the x-factor that differentiates between mild and wild success. The stories of most of the wildly successful folks in our community have exhibit an extreme degree of resilience and we’ve come to believe that if our goal is to help our community achieve great outcomes we have to help build resources and knowledge around how one can become more resilient.
Dr. Cashuna Huddleston, Ph.d.
Being born and raised in Tupelo, Mississippi where the state collectively has some of the highest poverty rates in the United States taught me well about resilience. In fact, around 20% of Mississippi’s population is living in poverty and contributing factors include limited access to high-paying jobs, lower educational attainment levels, and historical economic disparities. To give a short historical story of my upbringing, my maternal and paternal grandparents had elementary school level educations and had jobs where they worked long hours in fields or factories. Read more>>
Sharon Yaoxi He
I view resilience as a skill that strengthens with experience. Every challenge in painting—whether technical or conceptual—offers an opportunity for learning and growth. Rather than fearing mistakes, I see them as integral to the creative process. The process of problem-solving, more than the final outcome, is what keeps my passion for painting alive. When I encounter creative emptiness, I remind myself that rich input always precedes output. Stepping away from the studio and engaging with life’s experiences, such as reading, observing, taking a walk, etc., often provides the insights that elevate my work and is usually out of subconscious absorption, surprisingly. Ultimately, I believe that every challenge in art and life is interconnected and opens doors for more profound development. Read more>>
Christopher Joe
My dad, Cornelius Joe. He taught in the Tuscaloosa County School System for over 30 years in Agribusiness. I can hear him say it loud and clear to me and my 3 siblings, “You have to be BULLDOG tough.” That philosophy has helped me be resilient in a venture that I never would have thought I’d be in less known the only one in the entire state of Alabama.
That philosophy also translates to my overall desire to operate in the lane that I have. I’m not focused on who is doing what or what is the new “wave.” Read more>>
Pedro O Estévez
Resilience comes from the early experience of migrating to the United States and adapting to new environments. It’s also built through years of navigating the business world and a deep commitment to empowering the Latino community, which fuels perseverance and strength. Read more>>
Mary Clark
Ultimately, my resilience comes from my mom, her own unwavering drive to persist, and the indelible truth that I can simply try–no matter what. At 15 months old, I was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma. I underwent two major surgeries and received a year of chemotherapy. The chemotherapy caused me to lose some of my hearing, and I got my first pair of hearing aids at the age of 3. My mom never let my hearing loss be an excuse to not have access to or participate in any class, sport or musical activity. For better or for worse, I was expected to achieve and function the same as my hearing peers. This, coupled with our rigorous home schedule, instilled in me that practice and preparation would sow success; failure was simply not an option. Read more>>
Lucrezia Mapelli
My father, no doubt. From a young age, he instilled in me the idea that no matter what challenges I faced, I had to keep pushing forward and continually improve. Read more>>
Kate Reboli
When I first began my journey, I was surprised to realize that my biggest obstacle was myself. Despite a proven track record in my craft, my inner dialogue wasn’t always my ally. It felt like scaling a mountain with a heavy burden on my back—constantly weighed down by thoughts of all that I hadn’t yet achieved. It soon became clear that this approach was unsustainable, and I knew I needed to focus on cultivating resilience. Read more>>
Buki Domingos
The honest answer to this question is I have no idea. My lows in life are enough to break anyone, even the strongest of folks, but here I am, still standing, unable to explain how and why I am called to lean into my spirituality and Christian faith and know that I am resilient because of God’s grace. Read more>>
Emily Stroia
I am sexual trauma survivor and also experienced a lot of childhood adverse experiences with abuse. As a young child, I was forced to grow up quickly and found strength in believing in something greater guiding me. I trusted my intuition to find my way through some incredibly dark moments and a supportive circle of friends to be there for me. Resilience isn’t something you learn but what you experience during and after painful moments. Read more>>
Nancy Cruz
A mix of life experiences, a support system from close friends, and the ability to adapt to life’s challenges. It’s about learning from my setbacks, finding the strength in difficult times, and leaning on the people and resources I have around me. Read more>>
Luke & Hannah Sunderland
Whenever our company has experienced hardship or challenges, we view that as an opportunity to learn and grow. This creates a growth mindset that ultimately propels our business forward, rather than fixating on a moment of failure. Read more>>
Elissa Goodman
My resilience was born out of necessity when I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma at 32, and later with Hypothyroidism, Hashimoto’s, and Celiac disease. Instead of following the traditional medical route, I chose to pursue an alternative, holistic approach to healing, which required not only a lot of strength but also a deep trust in my body’s ability to heal with the right nourishment and care. Read more>>
Mitch Connelly
“While it is always best to believe in one’s self, a little help from others can be a great blessing.” – Uncle Iroh, Avatar: The Last Airbender. At the end of the day, resilience must come from within. Dealing with doubt, with insecurity, with fear – it’s all part of the artist’s journey, and, strangely, I take heart knowing that it’s something many of us struggle with. Unfortunately though, that struggle doesn’t have a cure-all answer. I often think about this life as an act of faith; believing in your Voice as an artist; trusting that, given enough determination and adaptability, your dreams can come true. Read more>>
Josh Cafasso
My journey has been exciting because of the work ethic of my parents and the example they have provided. My career path began at Western Colorado University in 2001, where I not only pursued my education but was also a member of the wrestling team. The experience taught me the value of perseverance and discipline, and helped shape my mindset that has been so beneficial. I also had a professor that told me to always do just a little more than is expected of you. That has been great advice that is continuing to help me. In addition, in 2004 I studied abroad in Italy which opened my world up and pushed me beyond my comfort zone. Read more>>
Sheterus Platt-shepherd
My resilience comes from my upbringing and life experiences combined. My Mom has always been my biggest supporter, she taught myself and my sisters at an early age to never quit! Regardless of the outcome, continue striving to achieve whatever the goal is. Read more>>
Michele Lefler
Resilience has been the foundation of my journey, both personally and professionally. Building my coaching practice hasn’t just been about starting a business; it has been about reclaiming my strength after some of the hardest experiences life threw my way. Read more>>
Elissa Fertig
Resilience is a skill that gets a bad rap, but it is an essential part of being a creative and having success in your chosen field. More than “getting back up when you’ve fallen”, resilience is also about self-respect. You must respect yourself, and your goals, enough to honor them even when things are difficult. Read more>>
Inbal Segev
Growing up in Israel in a single parent family, my childhood was definitely leaning on Spartan, with not many distractions, so I focused my energies on the cello. My mother and I had music to keep us going and dreaming. When I got the opportunity to come to study at the Yale School of Music on a full scholarship, I came alone as we didn’t have the means for my mother to join. I was only 16 when I came to the US and I didn’t see my family for two years. In retrospect, the culture shock and being alone in a foreign country at such a young age were definitely resilience building. Read more>>
Charlene/aka Crone Wolf Wolf
My resilience is based on my inner process of becoming a more conscious person. As a Facilitator to Consciousness Raising for 27 year,before I began my Wolf Dog Rescue Shelter, I realized years ago that none of it matters if I do not look into myself very deeply and bring my own shadow up into the light engaging with my own work first and foremost.This process enables me to not hold on to the things that do not matter and to embrace those that are a priority in my life that consistently move Me forward in my day today life. Read more>>
Joelle Sellner
I had a very difficult childhood. I grew up poor with a single mom who died when I was 16. She was basically my only family, and within weeks of her death I was evicted from our apartment. With no guardian and nobody in my extended family that was interested in helping, I was homeless and desperately wanted to avoid being placed in foster care or a group home. I reached out to my friends for help, determined to take control of my life. I was working hard to get into a good college and nothing was going to derail me. Read more>>
Susan Gonzales
There was no hesitation given to this question! My grandmother. My grandmother was born and raised in Mexico. She had 11 children and raised them alone. She crossed the border twice with her 11 children! She knew that this would provide a better life. However, being in the states was challenging, too. She did not speak English, and she and her 11 children worked on a farm “picking.” Read more>>
Kween
My health has played a significant role in shaping my resilience. Navigating personal health challenges while also working in the field of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) has required a deep well of strength. Fighting for the rights of Black bodies, advocating for better health care, and pushing for systemic change takes an emotional and physical toll, especially when you’re already managing your own health battles. Read more>>
Jordann Murphy
My resilience comes from my past of fighting tooth and nail for what I know is right and what I know I need and deserve. I have been in a place where I felt fully buried by the burden of my ill health. And I clawed my way out of it with my bare hands, seemingly alone and found my way back ot the surface. I had no choice but to be resilient. Be resilient or be buried by the weight of my diagnosis. I spent the better part of my 20’s being so sick I could barely function. Read more>>
Jertonya Feemster
Resilience, for me, comes from a deep desire to break generational curses and struggles, especially the financial burdens that have weighed on my family and so many others. When I look at the hardships my family has faced, I know it’s my responsibility to break that chain. You don’t have to come from wealth to make a difference—you can be self-made. My journey is about showing others that success is possible through hard work, perseverance, and purpose. I’m driven by the need to create a lasting legacy, ensuring that future generations—my children, grandchildren, and beyond—won’t have to endure the same struggles. Read more>>
Deangelo Rogers
My resilience comes from the challenges I’ve faced growing up, which taught me how to adapt and stay strong in tough situations. Recently, I get my resilience from the support of my family and friends, who have always been there for me during tough times. I believe that every setback is an opportunity to learn and grow, and that belief keeps me going, no matter what. However, I stay resilient because I’m deeply committed to my goals and values, and I know that overcoming adversity is part of the process to achieve them. Read more>>
Neena Perez
My resilience isn’t just a result of the struggles I’ve endured—it’s the divine strength and purpose behind each obstacle that has shaped me into the woman I am today. You see, resilience doesn’t come from comfort; it comes from being tested in the fire of hardship, and I’ve been through my share of it. Growing up with domestic violence, becoming a mother at 15, and navigating homelessness while raising another child at 21—those weren’t just life experiences; they were the crucibles that refined me. Read more>>
Sonia Daptardar
I’ve been a ballet dancer since I was 2 years old, and from the beginning, I dreamed of dancing en pointe. But ballet, much like life, is not as effortless as it seems. I fell countless times before perfecting even the smallest step. While I remained determined, there were moments where I felt like a failure. Ballerinas may look graceful on stage, but every step behind the scenes is a testament to grit and perseverance—lessons reinforced throughout my pointe journey. Read more>>
Andrew Buerger
Resilience has been woven into my life since I was just a year old when I lost my mother. Growing up without her set the stage for facing challenges early on, and though I couldn’t comprehend it at that age, it left a lasting imprint on me. Then, at 31, I lost my father—a loss that reopened old wounds and forced me to confront the fragility of life once again. These two defining events, spaced three decades apart, shaped my understanding of resilience as something that isn’t built in a moment, but through life’s toughest experiences. Read more>>
Klara Lima
I would say my resilience really comes from my grandmother and my faith. I used to live driven by fear, and the results reflected that. When I decided to give it a try and believe that everything would work out, that’s when all the miracles in my life started to happen. Being strong also means developing self-love and taking actions that reflect it. Weakness is self-destruction in any form. When we realize that operating from love, self-love, and heart is the only path, life gets easier because the right doors open, and fear disappears. Read more>>
Maurice Ager
I believe my resilience stems deeply from my spiritual roots and upbringing. From a young age, I developed a unique level of mental awareness that set me apart from my peers. Martial arts, particularly the teachings of Bruce Lee, captivated me as a child. His ability to harness energy was truly inspiring. Read more>>
Mike Browne
Being a creative, I have always expressed myself artistically. I started drawing seriously at about 5 years old. I would watch the Rams on TV and draw football players. As I grew up, I continued my art habit while pursuing sports. Baseball and football were my main interests. I was a decent shortstop and a wide receiver. To learn more about my position I would sketch what I wanted to achieve. I’m a pretty good artist, I had obvious talent. Read more>>
Kimaria Howard
The women in my family. They went through a lot of things in life that they don’t didn’t talk about much, but meeting them, you would never know. They had a vision for themselves and their families and moved with a goal in mind and the support of each other as they worked through them. Read more>>
Rita Pinto
I am really passionate about what I do and the people I work with. In times of stress or financial troubles, as we have seen in the past 5 years, knowing that I have built an amazing team of artists and administrators around me has given me the resilience I need to be creative and persist beyond problem solving and focus on real brand development and growth. Read more>>
