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.
Jessica Decristofaro
I never truly understood the meaning of resilience until I was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer at the age of 28. One moment, I was living my best life in Miami as a pharmaceutical rep, thriving in my career and enjoying the freedom of my late 20s. The next, my world was turned upside down, and I was handed a new full-time job: staying alive. Read more>>
Bethany Kroesing
My journey of resilience is one that is always being written. I believe that resiliency is a destination that we are always traveling toward – sometimes we are steadfast on our path and sometimes we might take a detour. As a mental health therapist specializing in anxiety and trauma, I am often asked about resilience—where it comes from and how you can cultivate it. This question is both deeply personal and universally relevant. I believe that resilience is not merely an abstract quality but a dynamic force that shapes our ability to withstand and grow from adversity. For me, resilience is rooted in a combination of overcoming past challenges, drawing inspiration from my clients’ healing journeys, and leaning on the unwavering support of my family. Read more>>
Jade Dickens
Resilience has the power to shape a person, for better or for worse. Some people might be born with it, while others learn it through experience. Personally, I believe it’s a mix of both. It was only recently that I discovered my mother had mental health struggles that led to our estrangement from her family. Even as a child, I sensed that something wasn’t right. The way she acted, the things she’d say, and how we lived didn’t feel like how things were supposed to be. I can’t quite explain how I knew, but I always felt like I was the adult in our relationship, never really the child. Read more>>
Loreena Ryder
I grew up in rural Pennsylvania, at the foothills of the Appalachian mountains, in a family of 9. Two parents and 7 children. I am number 6. Matter of fact, that is how my mother would introduce me, on occasion. We lived in a mountainous valley, population of approximately 250 people. No stop lights, grocery stores, or gas stations within several miles. Sidewalks, pole lights, and next door neighbors only existed on television and in my imagination. Grocery store shopping occurred every 2 weeks with a butcher stop every month or so. Doctor visits only occurred if there was a problem that could not be solved with folk cures. Read more>>
Melinda Martinez
Resilience is something that developed within me as a child growing up in the Army. My father is retired U. S. Army and we travelled the world for the majority of my young life. We’ve lived on various Army bases in the United States & Germany. I had to be really good with packing up and moving every 2-3 years. As a kid, I hated it because I hated having to leave my friends. But now, I see how it helped me to become adaptable on a personal & professional level. I’ve become accustomed to change and finding my footing relatively quickly. Read more>>
Shelby Measel
I get my resilience from a lifetime of mountains to move, not only my own but being in a front row seat to watching generations combat one another through family systems and society. I have held my friends hands and hearts when it feels like there is no tomorrow coming, when I have felt like there was no tomorrow coming. I have gained the strength to recover from difficult times because I desire a world full of better days, more love and equal opportunities. A world full of better days can not come unless we become more compassionate, educated and willing to fail. It’s really about staying connected to what gives us purpose and strength. A blend of personal reflection, support, and the ongoing learning. Read more>>
Destiny Aparicio
Adapting to stressors is a challenging aspect of the human experience. Resilience is a personal journey. What works for me may not work for you. I do not need to share personal experiences to cope with adversity. I get my resilience from my art. I express my emotions through painting, drawing, and creating. I learn from the past by painting about how I feel. When days get out of control and I feel lost, I find my resilience by drawing the images or feelings I may have inside my mind or as an abstract artist. I allow my hand to move first. I add paint and an assortment of colors. I add texture by scraping with my fingers, and eventually, an image will appear through the beautiful disarray I created. Read more>>
Paola Fiterre
My resilience comes from my work, it’s what keeps me going. Creating allows me to confront and process my vulnerabilities, especially as an immigrant woman navigating complex cultural and societal expectations. In a way, my art transforms these struggles into a source of strength. It’s through performance and photography that I reclaim my agency and channel my personal battles into something empowering. Read more>>
Vaneshia Houston
Resilience has been a constant thread woven throughout my life, forged from adversity, determination, and the pursuit of change not just for myself but for those who would follow in my footsteps. Being the first in my immediate family to graduate from college was more than a personal milestone; it was a seismic shift—a breaking of a generational ceiling that had held back dreams, expectations, and, sometimes, hope. Read more>>
Ll Iii
First off I would like to say, I love these questions. I have over come so much adversity throughout my career, and life in general I really can’t pinpoint it to one area. Truthfully my resilience stems from so many factors. From how I was raised to believe in myself, to how I self regulate myself. My community, my confidence to be optimistic with life. Setting realistic goals and achieving them. Setting unrealistic goals and sticking with them even if it takes years but still achieving them. if I had a bad day, week, month, year or longer, I’m still alive and breathing then nothing is impossible and it’s nothing I can’t overcome. Read more>>
Glenn Aure
I get my resilience from a mix of personal experiences and the support of those around me. Having to overcome many challenges and learning from failures have taught me to stay strong and positive. My family and friends play a crucial role, always encouraging me and offering perspective. My values, beliefs, and goals also drive me, giving me the determination to push through tough times. Each obstacle I’ve faced has made me stronger and more resilient. Read more>>
Squallé
Definitely come from a strong family that has been tested and has persevered time and time again! My mother was super strong and determined. I believe I got my work ethic from her. Growing up I used to look at my environment and I would dream about making it out. I promised myself that I was going to do whatever it took to free my family from poverty! I’ve always been a mentally strong person since a child. I knew that if I could train my mind it would help me to be able to handle adversity in the long run! Read more>>
Chioma Eze
My resilience stems from interactions with my Father at a very ripe age. Though I have had a plethora of positive examples in my life, it was my Father who embodied within me the belief that I can do and be anything that I set my mind to. He always would say, does that other person have two brains or two heads? lol That has been my core belief my entire life. Read more>>
Laura Mahal
My resilience comes from several sources: 1.) My Czech/Moravian maternal grandparents, who came to this country at ages seven (my grandfather) and eighteen (my grandmother) . . . Grandpa Joe ended up earning a degree in landscape architecture from Ohio State University. He and Grandma Emma worked for a wealthy, well-connected family, then their spinster daughter, for more than fifty years as gardener / cook respectively. During this time, Joe and Emma bought a centuries-old farmhouse and three hundred acres of land, which they farmed evenings and weekends while raising my mother and aunt. My grandparents outlived the spinster, inherited some of her antiques, but what my grandparents passed down was this capacity to work hard, to earn one’s bread honestly, through sheer diligence. Read more>>
Nancy Reeder
Maybe it started with my two grandmothers. Both had large families. Each of my parents were the ninth child born, both born in 1919, so by the time I was born my grandmothers were pretty old, but both were tough, taking care of their families as best they could. Read more>>
Yvonne Ruke
I get my resilience from a journey that began with a belief in certainty—a belief I quickly learned was an illusion. Growing up, I was taught that success was a straightforward path: earn a good degree, land a good job with a stable company, and enjoy a secure future with a pension. So, I worked hard to ensure that path would be open to me. I was determined to graduate with a solid degree, no less than a 2:1, and I made sure to gain some corporate experience before graduating to set myself up for success. Read more>>
Rvl
My resilience comes from the wild, unfiltered stories of the people in this community. Vegas is known as a real-life GTA server, where every day brings a new, unexpected twist. Living here feels like being part of a reality show, and each of us has a role in it. Read more>>
Five Fontaire
My resilience comes from all of the struggles that I’ve overcome in life and the influences surrounding them. Life often has its tests and challenges and our job is to overcome them through prayer and faith. My relationship with God has played the biggest part in my resilience. Knowing that He is always with me leading me and guiding me through my struggles is what helps me get through every challenge that I am faced with. My belief in Christ is my foundation and it keeps me stable when times are rough. Another place that I’ve gained resilience from is my mother. Watching my mother fight cancer while raising three children and running her own business was one of the biggest influences that I’ve had when it comes to resilience. Read more>>
Dwayne E Noel
I owe my resilience to my mother, who taught me so much about overcoming obstacles. Growing up with a single mom raising two kids without much support, I watched her face numerous challenges. My father lived in a different state, so she handled all the important moments in our lives. Additionally, my younger brother didn’t have his father around during his early years, which added to her responsibilities. Read more>>
Rich Lamonica
I was raised in Jersey City, NJ in a Railroad Apartment. A Railroad apartment is an apartment with no hallways, just rooms attached by doors. I had two brothers and a sister along with our parents living within feet of each other. My parents were both hard working and encouraging people. My Mother and Father worked multiple jobs to ensure we had everything we needed. Watching them go through ups and downs dealing with us being hurt, sick or knuckleheads forged us to learn a path to be resilient. Jersey City in the 70s and 80s was not a town for someone who could not bounce back. If you made a mistake , got hurt or failed at something you had to get right back up and try to make a better path forward or you would get run over by life. Read more>>
Corby Jackson
My resilience comes from a deep commitment to honoring my word to myself. At the start of my weight loss journey, resilience was simply about surviving the struggle — “I didn’t die this time” became my measure of strength. But as that no longer resonated, I realized resilience was more than just making it through hard times; it meant setting new benchmarks that pushed me to take action and stay disciplined. Read more>>
Martha Gaffney
I had a rough childhood growing up so I believe I get my resilience from there. Children that grow up in a rough environment have a choice as adults to go one way or the other. That means rebel towards not a good path or decide to mold themselves to become better people and learn from what they went through. Those children tend to mature faster and also dream big when they decide to make something of themselves. Read more>>
Tiffany Grice
I think ultimately my resilience comes from having strong and encouraging parents. My parents have always been very supportive of my accomplishments and goals and have always stood beside me every step of the way. They are the ones that I look to first for advice and I value their opinions greatly. I have watched both my mother and my father beat the odds when it comes to their own personal goals and achievements, something that has helped foster my own strength and determination. We are a family built on perseverance. We are go getters. I don’t think I know how NOT to be resilient. Read more>>
Syeara Dunlap
My resilience does not come from me; its a completely separate acknowledgement that I am still recognizing from my self discovery journey. In asking where my resilience comes from I have to briefly discuss how I digest and understand the world. There are a lot of people and laws that oppose the way my soul would like to live peacefully on this Earth. Due to these facts, when obstacles occur in my life I have to digest it at two different levels. The first is my natural emotional response; this can take me down a dangerous rabbit hole, but typically before I cross that line there’s a quiet and powerful reminder that helps me calm down. Read more>>
Ashley Clinton
From a young age I admired my grandmother, whom I would say was the epitome of resilience for me at the time. She grew up in the south, endured the Great Depression, relocated to a small town in the pacific northwest, started a business with my grandfather, had 3 sons, lost their home and all of their possessions in a fire and had to start over from scratch, lost her youngest son to non Hodgkins lymphoma…. and yet through all of that she was consistently a strong woman, worked hard for her family, was always well put together and proud, successfully ran a small business until retirement, LOVED her family more than anything and would quite literally do anything for them. I remember nothing but love from her, a woman who genuinely appreciated everything and everyone around her. Read more>>
Natalie Guzman
My resilience comes largely from my upbringing with a strong single mother. Watching her navigate life’s challenges with unwavering strength and a positive outlook has had a profound impact on me. She taught me to find the good in every situation, even when it seems invisible to others. Her ability to remain unbroken by adversity inspired me to do the same. Read more>>
Emma Rose Williamson
I’m a huge believer that pain happens for a reason. It teaches us, grows us, shapes us. In college I was bullied, shunned, and misunderstood. At the time I thought, “why me? A people-pleasing perfectionist who wants nothing but to be kind and understood STILL has everyone hating them?” It was unfair. But it was needed in order for me to undertsand myself, and to empathize with others. The truth of the matter is that we were all growing and learning who we are. There are always going to be bumps in the road, and you’re gonna hurt one another due to insecurities, trauma, etc. I think once I understood that everyone was on the same journey, I realized that they needed grace, and so did I. I learned about empathy throygh learning how to give myself grace, in order to love others and give them that same grace. Read more>>
Kandace Cain Rather
Growing up in the 70’s and discovering I was the only one in my 3rd grade class with parents who were divorcing was my first introduction to feeling “different.” Not only were my parents divorcing, but I soon found out that other kids were not allowed to come over to my house, and definitely not to spend the night. By the time I hit high school, I appreciated that drugs, sex, and alcohol numbed the pain of having a very unpredictable home. Being sexually abused and feeling frozen in fear often as a child also took a severe toll on my growing mind and little body. Read more>>
Tiffany Walker
Resilience, for me, is about learning from setbacks and using those experiences to fuel my growth. It’s the ability to bounce back from challenges, to adapt to change, and to find opportunities in adversity. I’ve developed this strength through personal experiences, the support of my loved ones, and a conscious effort to cultivate a positive mindset. By practicing self-care, seeking out new experiences, and embracing mindfulness, I’ve been able to build a solid foundation of resilience that helps me navigate life’s ups and downs. Read more>>
Alishia Winters
My resilience stems from a combination of family values and an unwavering passion for what I do. Growing up, I had the unique privilege of watching two incredible women – my mother, Valerie, and Aunt Shirley – orchestrate every family, church, and community event with such grace and attention to detail. My mother taught me the power of time management and the importance of genuinely welcoming every guest, while my aunt inspired my creative side, showing me the beauty in personal touches and design. Read more>>
Cristin Manzanillo
I would say I get my resilience from my immigrant parents, despite all odds against them they never gave up. My mother worked day in & day out to keeps us well maintained, I would see my dad wake up at 4am to get to work before 5am everyday to build his business. My parents are the definition of resilience & i honestly aspire to be as hard working & inspirational as them. Read more>>
Kirsten Tucker ,CNMT
The roots of my resilience run deep and are woven with a journey that started long before I even realized it. In college, I witnessed my parents face one of their hardest seasons, nearly losing everything. My mom lost her job while I was in high school, and then, while I was in college, my dad lost his. Suddenly, I was putting myself through school, paying for my own apartment, and balancing the pressures of a pre-med workload with two jobs. I’d dreamed of becoming a doctor, but those dreams came with a hefty price, financially and emotionally. Through it all, I had to remain resilient, leaning on the example my parents had set. I saw how, despite circumstances that could have shattered them, they kept going. Read more>>
Leanna Carriere
Resilience- the capacity to withstand or to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness. When I think of this word I can’t help but smile a little. The ability to adapt to challenging obstacles and still push forward is something I have been doing since I was young. I am not sure exactly if resilience is soul or science based. The studies are currently not clear as well. Funny enough for our upcoming expedition Wings of Survival we are partnered with the UofA focusing on a study around this very topic. Read more>>
Kimberly Caldwell
My resilience stems from a combination of personal experiences, faith, and a deep sense of purpose. Growing up, I faced and overcame various challenges, including childhood trauma, which required me to develop inner strength at an early age. Becoming a single mother at the tender age of 15, has also cultivated my capacity to persevere through adversity and remain steadfast in my mission to create a better future for my family and community. Read more>>
JENNY JAMES
Growing up, my family struggled with financial instability, emotional and mental health difficulties, and substance abuse. While these challenges shaped much of my upbringing, they also gave me a strong sense of determination and taught me the importance of perseverance, compassion, and finding strength even in the toughest of circumstances. By the time I turned 18, I lived in over ten different homes; sometimes living with friends and their families. It’s this troubled life that has shaped the resilient woman that I am today. I always wanted more for myself, and with my grandmother as a positive role model, I knew there was a better life and future to foresee, but it was only I who would be responsible for creating that. Read more>>
Nataly Freidel
I believe I get part of resiliency from generations of strong women; being raised by many strong women is the first example that is set of how you have to push past everyone who wants to bring you down and tell you, you’re not capable and just prove them wrong. I have been on my own since I was 14 and I’ve had to prove everyone who doubted me wrong, even myself at times. Read more>>
Ashley Vaughn Hortman-Cooper
I grew up in a household that required resilience to survive, that is the short answer. The long answer is, my resilience just like anyone else described as such, has been through some shit. Trauma is often the shared narrative to those who are called “resilient”. I am proud to describe myself as such, and I do not take offense when others label me as resilient, but the truth is, it’s a bittersweet thing to say. I have to acknowledge that as a Black woman, living in America today, with history of home violence, verbal and mental abuse, becoming a first-generation college student, going on to get my Masters, navigating personal mental health struggles and now adding on entrepreneur, I am one resilient badass. Read more>>
T. Alexander Evans
Defiant resilience is what I like to call it. I face a lot of disadvantages, hardship and adversity. However I’m a visionary and I look into the future to see where I want to be placed at despite of the odds and I move accordingly with my actions and determination. I eat NO’s for breakfast daily and just roll up my sleeves and get to work. Read more>>
Jayse Vegas
My resilience comes from my queer identity. I’ve spent my life embracing who I am as a unique individual, and with that I’ve learned how to navigate the negative scenarios “being yourself” can bring. I’ve learned how to be self-disciplined, how to stay focused, and most importantly transform/ enhance positive energy. Being met with a lot of hate has made me the warrior I am now. I’m not going to stop living my life, creating my art, or attempting to make the world a better place because of homophobia. It’s not all bad though, there is an overwhelming amount of love that also gives me strength. People like me, or who relate, want to see me win and need to see me win- so we can see each other dominating in systems set against us. Read more>>
Ming-Ming Tung-Edelman
From my grandmother and mother. My grandmother was a seamstress who raised three children as a single mother. She taught me tools and life skills and how to become self sufficient like her. My mother was an immigrant who brought her three children to the US while my father was working overseas. She had to learn to navigate a new country on her own. They showed me the importance of self reliance and they are my inspiration to give back after living here for forty years. Read more>>
Debra York
My resilience stems from a choice I made long ago to confront my fears and challenges directly. Growing up in a home rife with substance and alcohol use, along with various forms of abuse, it was a decision I, as a child, had to make in order to survive. Read more>>
Karen Kelsay
I had a good role model in my mother. She was productive and never let negative things hold her back. My husband was a motorcycle road racer in England, a three-time British Champion many years ago. He never gives up on a goal; I have also learned to keep pushing ahead from watching him. Read more>>
Felicity Scott
Growing up, I watched my dad’s health gradually impact his mobility, yet he never stopped pursuing his dreams. For 29 years, he was the pianist and music director for The Whispers, and even as his health changed, he continued to play at events, showing me the power of resilience. I remember sitting in on his rehearsals, watching as he directed the group with respect and precision, always reminding me, “There’s more than one way to skin a cat.” Read more>>
