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RESILIENT PEOPLE, resilience, how to be resilient, Janet Petruck Fanaki, good news, inspiring stories

STORIES OF RESILIENCE

"It's the regular people who have overcome major challenges & found a purpose from it who inspire me." 


RESILIENT PEOPLE, RESILIENT PEOPLE podcast, Janet Fanaki

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.
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PODCAST: Living with the right attitude, gratitude and exercise is Lee Silverstein's key to resilience

Lee 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.

How to be resilient. A conversation with Lee Silverstein of We Have Cancer podcast and his wife Linda on living with the right attitude, gratitude and exercise is the key to resilience

PODCAST:  Raising resilient kids with education expert Jane Kristoffy

​Jane 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. 
How to be resilient. Raising resilient kids with education expert Jane Kristoffy

PODCAST:  Matthew Pullan & Running Through Cancer inspires people to do more than just run 

UK 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. 
How to be resilient. Matthew Pullan & Running Through Cancer inspires people to do more than just run
How to be resilient. Matthew Pullan, Running Through Cancer

PODCAST:  In his grief, Jason Fiorotto created The Tory Day Fund to bring comfort to cancer patients

When 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. 
How to be resilient. In his grief, Jason Fiorotto created The Tory Day Fund to bring comfort to cancer patients
How to be resilient. Jason Fiorotto, The Tory Day Fund

​PODCAST:  Morgan Frey on teaching others to notice the abilities of physically-challenged people

Avid 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. 
How to be resilient. Morgan Frey on teaching others to notice the abilities of physically-challenged people

​PODCAST:  Terrence Rodriguez created REXpride and found a purpose in helping LGBTQ+ youth in Toronto

The 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.
How to be resilient. Terrence Rodriguez created REXpride and found a purpose in helping LGBTQ+ youth in Toronto

How to be resilient. The resilience of the class of 2020

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.

How to be resilient. Casey Palmer of #blackdadworries

Casey Palmer of #blackdadworries

watch here
How to be resilient. Emily O'Brien of Comeback Snacks, rebuilding a life after prison

Emily O'Brien from Comeback Snacks

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How to be resilient. Leanne Townsend on finding balance during COVID-19

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.  
watch here

How to be resilient. Susan Mintz, how seniors can stay positive during COVID-19

Susan Mintz talks about COVID-19, it's impact on seniors and how to stay positive


Susan 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.


watch the interview

3 students on coping through crisis


Caitlin 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.

How to be resilient. Cory Resilient on living life on the streets and maintaining resilience

Guest Contributor: Cory Resilient on being homeless and finding purpose

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How to be resilient. Toronto teen Caitlin Starr on educating people on Type 1 Diabetes and how she maintains resilience

Toronto teen Caitlin Starr aims to debunk Type 1 Diabetes myths

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How to be resilient. Kayla Moryoussef is a death doula and aims to educate people on planning a good death and how she does this with severe chronic health issues

Death Doula Kayla Moryoussef on living with chronic illness and helping others to die a good death

watch the interview here
How to be resilient. David A. Grant started The Brain Injury Hope Network to help himself and others find a community and build their resilience

David Grant created the Brain Injury Hope Network to build a community for himself and others

watch the interview here

Dawne McKay created Crash Support Network to fill a void after her own crash

How to be resilient. The Crash Support Network, Dawne McKay, helping survivors of motor vehicle crashes to connect with other survivors, RESILIENT PEOPLE, resilience, how to be resilient, Janet Petruck Fanaki, good news, inspiring stories
Read Dawne's story

How to be resilient. Dana Kyminas is a Massachusetts widow who honoured her late husband by creating an award for young students.

Massachusetts widow Dana Kyminas honours late husband with award for young students

Dana 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. 
watch the interview here

How to be resilient. Marnie Hill, Marnie Hill Toronto, Daddy's Blue Eyes, RESILIENT PEOPLE, A children's book helps in having conversations about grief, Marnie Hill Communications

A new children's book by Marnie Hill helps with talking about grief

When 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.  
Watch the interview here

How to be resilient. Former Australian police officer Shaun O'Gorman on dealing with PTSD and finding resilience, RESILIENT PEOPLE

Former Australian officer Shaun O'Gorman on dealing with PTSD and helping men to open up

watch the interview here
How to be resilient. Marshalee Facey, RESILIENT PEOPLE

Guest contributor: Marshalee Facey opens her own school in Jamaica against all odds

Marshalee's story

How to be resilient. Son's death turned Melissa Sheldrick to become patient safety advocate, RESILIENT PEOPLE

Son's death turned Melissa Sheldrick to advocate for patient safety in prescription medicine

Watch the interview here
Nigel Adams, RESILIENT PEOPLE, The challenges faced by Indigenous men and how he is helping them to build resilience

Guest contributor: Nigel Adams on the challenges faced by Indigenous men and his mission to help

Nigel's story

Dawn Custode, RESILIENT PEOPLE,

"Do it now" says Dawn Custode in her final days living with colon cancer


​Dawn 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.

​
Dawn's story

Lisa Owen, Kristy Wieber, being women entrepreneurs and the resilience it takes to build a business

Entrepreneurs Lisa Owen and Kristy Wieber on maintaining resilience when building a business


​Kristy 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.
Lisa & Kristy's story

Jennifer Hsiung, CP24, rolling with the punches on and off stage

Toronto comic Jennifer Hsiung rolls with the punches on and off stage

Jennifer's story
Shahzad, moved from war torn Afghanistan for a better life in Canada

Shahzad moved from war-torn Afghanistan to Toronto to start a new life

Shahzad's story

Luciana, NYC Housekeeper on the power of kindness

NYC Housekeeper Luciana on the power of kindness


​Luciana 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.
read the story

Kayla Moryoussef, death doula

Do you know someone resilient? Contact me: info@resilientpeople.ca


Lauren Chiarello, ChiChiLifeNYC on beating cancer

Lauren Chiarello of ChiChiLifeNYC on beating cancer twice and finding purpose


At 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.  
Watch the interview here

Elizabeth Verwey, Spoken Lives, setting new challenges and goals to overcome midlife fears

Elizabeth Verwey set new challenges and goals to overcome her midlife fears

John Yates, dancing lawyer watches his house burn but didn't miss a beat

Toronto's dancing lawyer watched his house burn but didn't miss a beat


Margaret Ng, fighting multi-generational brain tumours with the power of prayer

Margaret Ng is fighting multi-generational brain tumours with good nutrition, positivity & prayer

Lucinda Grange, stunt photographer on scaling buildings and bridges with no fear

Stunt photographer Lucinda Grange on scaling buildings and bridges with no fear


Margaret Harvey, Toronto woman launches Canada's first trauma support network after a hit and run cycling crash

Toronto woman launches Canada's first Trauma Support Network after a hit and run cycling crash


FUNDING matters inc., Bill Petruck, William Petruck

Martha Henderson, Canadian Olympian on life lessons learned through sports

Canadian Olympic Sailor Martha Henderson discusses life lessons learned through elite sport

Sultan, Ottawa cabbie lives in Canada to provide for family in Dubai

Ottawa cabbie lives in Canada to provide for his wife and children in Dubai


Tara and Pip of The Happy Soul Project on building a community for families living with Down Syndrome

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.
Tara's story

Elly Gotz, survived the Holocaust and now speaks to groups on the power of giving up hate

Elly Gotz survived the Holocaust and now speaks to groups on the power of giving up hate

Lina Miranda, turning to fitness after surviving stomach cancer

Lina Miranda turned to personal training after suffering from stomach cancer


Susan Mintz, losing her husband to AIDS led her to become an advocate for safe sex

Losing her husband to AIDS led Susan Mintz to become an advocate for safe sex

Emmanue Lopez, depression led him to become Motivatorman

Depression led Emmanuel Lopez to become Motivatorman


Anti-gun movement March For Our Lives comes to Toronto

Anti-gun movement March For Our Lives comes to Toronto


The power of community helped Mona Lam-Deslippe after son's brutal murder

Mona Lam-Deslippe on the power of community in healing from her son's murder

Toronto's Britney Colussi created LivingstrongMD in honour of cousin and Sick Kids Hospital

LivingstrongMD demonstrates the love of family and importance of helping others


Aman Kaur left India to start a new life on her own terms in Canada

Aman Kaur left India for Canada for a life on her own

Alana Salsberg writes on single motherhood and learning to let go

Alana Salsberg writes on single motherhood and learning to let go


Jana Girdauskas starts a charity directed at menstrual inequality

Jana Girdauskas started The Period Purse to bring menstrual equality to the homeless