STORIES OF RESILIENCE
"It's the regular people who have overcome major challenges & found a purpose from it who inspire me."
Listen to the new RESILIENT PEOPLE podcast
I interview people around the world who are admired for their resilience. They've gone through a major challenge and are now helping others be resilient too. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. And if you or someone you know is resilient, write me.
PODCAST: Living with the right attitude, gratitude and exercise is Lee Silverstein's key to resilienceLee Silverstein is 60 years old. He has battled 3 different types of cancer over his life.
He credits his wife Linda and the love they have for one another, but also A.G.E. (attitude, gratitude, exercise) as the key to his perseverance, longevity and positive mindset. |
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PODCAST: Raising resilient kids with education expert Jane KristoffyJane Kristoffy is a well-known education consultant in the Toronto area.
She's a teacher who operates a thriving consulting business, consulting children and their parents along with other educators. Her aim is to ensure that students are reaching their full potential in their personal and academic goals. I spoke with Jane about what parents can do to teach their kids to launch and thrive in the real world. |
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PODCAST: Matthew Pullan & Running Through Cancer inspires people to do more than just runUK teen Matthew Pullan is an avid runner. This 18 year old started a blog to inspire others to run but it's turned into a way to motivate them to not take life for granted.
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PODCAST: In his grief, Jason Fiorotto created The Tory Day Fund to bring comfort to cancer patientsWhen she was being treated for breast cancer, Jason Fiorotto and his wife came up with a plan to help other cancer patients. Hear his inspiring story of how his grief gave him a purpose to bring comfort to others.
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PODCAST: Morgan Frey on teaching others to notice the abilities of physically-challenged peopleAvid knitter, baker, theatre stage manager and writer are just a few of the traits to describe Morgan Frey. She is also a triple amputee but doesn't let that get in the way of her passions.
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PODCAST: Terrence Rodriguez created REXpride and found a purpose in helping LGBTQ+ youth in TorontoThe LGBTQ+ youth of Toronto's Rexdale community have a safe place to meet and socialize, thanks to Terrence Rodriguez. He created a place that he wished had existed when he was younger and coming to terms with his own identity.
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How this year's graduates are coping with quarantine and pandemic life
It's a year that will go down in history. The 2020 graduates are leaving Kindergarten, Grade 8, Grade 12 and their last year of post-grad without auditorium celebrations but socially distanced backyard and driveway parties.
Quarantine days.
But they aren't sad or mad about it. Instead they say, "If no one else is doing it how can I get upset about it?" They put things into perspective and deal with what's in front of them.
Job markets, the economy and environment are uncertain. Black Lives Matter has become a global movement. The class of 2020 is unwavering in their determination to mobilize.
They are optimistic for what's to come and not anxious about it.
A student council president was quoted as saying, "I'm hopeful for the future because I feel that society is changing in a positive way."
They are a resilient group. And I'm looking forward to seeing what they do next.
It's a year that will go down in history. The 2020 graduates are leaving Kindergarten, Grade 8, Grade 12 and their last year of post-grad without auditorium celebrations but socially distanced backyard and driveway parties.
Quarantine days.
But they aren't sad or mad about it. Instead they say, "If no one else is doing it how can I get upset about it?" They put things into perspective and deal with what's in front of them.
Job markets, the economy and environment are uncertain. Black Lives Matter has become a global movement. The class of 2020 is unwavering in their determination to mobilize.
They are optimistic for what's to come and not anxious about it.
A student council president was quoted as saying, "I'm hopeful for the future because I feel that society is changing in a positive way."
They are a resilient group. And I'm looking forward to seeing what they do next.
Lawyer Leanne Townsend on finding work life balance during COVID-19
Leanne Townsend comes back to RESILIENT PEOPLE. She is a Toronto divorce lawyer who describes how she's managing life and work during these changing days of COVID-19, and what she's doing to counter-balance the stresses and strains. We also touched-on the reality of couples spending more time together and where that made lead them.
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Susan Mintz talks about COVID-19, it's impact on seniors and how to stay positiveSusan Mintz and I reunited to talk about COVID-19 and how it's impacting the senior community she lives in. She talks about the similarities she sees in this pandemic and when her husband was diagnosed with HIV & AIDS. It's a talk filled with funny moments and insights into senior life. A little bonus: Be sure to watch the outtake at the end. |
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3 students on coping through crisisCaitlin Starr, Sam Fanaki and Isobel Fanaki are 3 students in Toronto. I sat down with them to talk about their stresses and how they are managing a changing world. |
Dawne McKay created Crash Support Network to fill a void after her own crash
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Massachusetts widow Dana Kyminas honours late husband with award for young studentsDana Kyminas of Peabody, Massachusetts lost her husband George when he was only 27 years old and they were expecting their first child.
She shares the story of their love, being high school sweethearts, his resilience in living with a congenital heart defect since birth and how she continues to honour his legacy. |
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A new children's book by Marnie Hill helps with talking about griefWhen Marnie Hill's son-in-law Matt passed away from an aggressive cancer on December 24, 1997 it was an incredibly sad and difficult time for her family. He left behind her young daughter who was his wife and two very small children.
Marnie wrote a children's book titled, "Daddy's Blue Eyes" to explain his death and help heal her granddaughters, and to help others who would be going through the same experience. |
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"Do it now" says Dawn Custode in her final days living with colon cancerDawn Custode passed away of colon cancer in May 2019. I had the opportunity to interview her in late April as she was living out her last days to the fullest. Since her diagnosis over two and a half years ago, she faced the disease with one idea in mind, "Do It Now". It's the same message that she stressed to others. Here is a transcript of our telephone interview, along with the recording. |
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Entrepreneurs Lisa Owen and Kristy Wieber on maintaining resilience when building a businessKristy Wieber and Lisa Owen are the co-owners of Rent frock Repeat. In 2010, they changed the way women shop for formal occasions with a dress rental business. Now the pair is starting a new venture, a monthly subscription service for day-to-day wear. Kristy and Lisa share their thoughts on going into business with a friend, staying determined and believing in yourself. |
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NYC Housekeeper Luciana on the power of kindnessLuciana is a New York City hotel housekeeper. She left her home in the Dominican Republic as a journalist and built a new life for herself and children in the United States. She admits that not every guest is friendly to her but that doesn't stop her from appreciating the angels around her and continuing to deliver service with a smile. |
Do you know someone resilient? Contact me: info@resilientpeople.ca
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Lauren Chiarello of ChiChiLifeNYC on beating cancer twice and finding purposeAt 23, Lauren Chiarello was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma. She beat it twice and found that fitness was an inspiration to heal her and help others. Now 34 years old, Lauren spoke with me about her resilience, how she took a negative and turned it into a positive, and her passion to help others reach their full potential including teaching fitness at the cancer centre where she received treatment. |
Elizabeth Verwey set new challenges and goals to overcome her midlife fears |
Toronto's dancing lawyer watched his house burn but didn't miss a beat |
Margaret Ng is fighting multi-generational brain tumours with good nutrition, positivity & prayer |
Stunt photographer Lucinda Grange on scaling buildings and bridges with no fear |
Toronto woman launches Canada's first Trauma Support Network after a hit and run cycling crash
Canadian Olympic Sailor Martha Henderson discusses life lessons learned through elite sport |
Ottawa cabbie lives in Canada to provide for his wife and children in Dubai |
The Happy Soul Project connects families worldwide living with Down Syndrome
When Tara McLellan gave birth to her daughter, Pip, she had no idea of the opportunity that lay ahead of her as a worldwide organizer.
Overwhelmed with emotions while crying beside her crib one night, she took to her social network. One by one, people around the world shared their feelings back with her.
Realizing that there were thousands of people who related to her and one another, she created The Happy Soul Project to connect families with Down Syndrome children worldwide.
Elly Gotz survived the Holocaust and now speaks to groups on the power of giving up hate |
Lina Miranda turned to personal training after suffering from stomach cancer |
Losing her husband to AIDS led Susan Mintz to become an advocate for safe sex |
Depression led Emmanuel Lopez to become Motivatorman |
Anti-gun movement March For Our Lives comes to Toronto
Mona Lam-Deslippe on the power of community in healing from her son's murder |
LivingstrongMD demonstrates the love of family and importance of helping others |
Aman Kaur left India for Canada for a life on her own |
Alana Salsberg writes on single motherhood and learning to let go |
Jana Girdauskas started The Period Purse to bring menstrual equality to the homeless |