STORIES OF RESILIENCE
"It's the regular people who have overcome major challenges & found a purpose from it who inspire me."
Sherrie Dunlevy on finding joy after facing griefAfter losing her infant son, Sherrie Dunlevy turned her grief into a purpose to help others living with loss. A best-selling author, podcast host and public speaker, she says, "For 13 years following his death, I would describe myself as a mother who was existing, not really living."
Her message is for people to find joy and happiness. |
Caitlin Starr is more than her Type 1 DiabetesEarly into her diagnosis, Caitlin Starr recognized the power of Instagram and Youtube in connecting her with others living with the disease.
Like them, she uses her influence to raise awareness for diabetes, how to continue living a normal life with it and the importance of knowing that you are more than just a label. |
Caregiving expert Donna Thomson wants you to fight for your rights and slow down |
Choosing kindness as your legacy |
AIDS advocate Susan Mintz on making lemonade out of lemons |
Healing from childhood trauma with Agnes Chen |
Embracing midlife with Susan Heinrich |
Embracing an attitude of gratitude |
Kidnapped mom to car safety advocate |
David A. Grant and the Brain Injury Hope Network are building resilience in brain injury survivors
Photo courtesy: The Tempest Two
Pushing through comfort zones |
Photo courtesy: Lindsay Walz
Learning to cross bridges again |
Photo courtesy: Kyle White
Losing weight and gaining a new mindset |
Photographer: Alexandra Petruck
Welcome to season 2 of the podcast |
From prison inmate to popcorn queen |
Teaching children about loss |
Photo courtesy: Ashley Koff
Building resilience through better nutrition |
Photo courtesy: Sean Swarner
Cancer survivor climbs all seven summits |
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When you are missing a loved one on Mother's DayGreeting cards in hues of pink, breakfast in bed and handmade paper creations done lovingly by little hands. These are some of the ways we honour moms on Mother’s Day.
As we look to celebrate them this weekend, many others are seeking ways to just get through it all. Mother’s Day, like other special occasions in the year, can be unbearable for those who are living with grief. |
Photo courtesy: Casey Palmer
Black dad worries blogger Casey Palmer |
Photo courtesy: Melissa Sheldrick
Grieving mom to patient safety advocate |
Photo courtesy: Doris Belland
Financial resilience with Doris Belland |
Photo courtesy: Dale Allen Berg
Stay-at-home dad life with Dale Allen Berg |
How does a skirt made from rejection letters normalize failure?How do you deal with rejection?
When defending her PhD dissertation, Dr. Caitlin Kirby wore a skirt made of her rejection letters that she received over the course of her schooling. It was to make a point to normalize failure and rejection and to change our mindset about them. |
Photo courtesy: Dr. Caitlin Kirby
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Elly Gotz and his resilience in surviving the Holocaust and finding purpose for a happy lifeElly Gotz is a Dachau concentration camp survivor whose heart was filled with hate when World War II ended.
At 93 years old, he continues to deliver speeches to students in schools and groups of all ages on the power of giving up hate. Discover his journey to a better, happier life. |
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Dr. Jim Swan is living with brain cancer and fighting to help others with itJim Swan is a well-known cardiologist in Canada. In 2019, he lost his beloved twin brother George to a terminal brain cancer called glioblastoma (GBM). About a year later, Jim discovered that he has the same deadly disease.
He turned this into a purpose to help others by establishing a $3 million fund to help find the genetic causes for GBM. He spoke with me about his brother, their bond, where he draws his resilience from as well as his new purpose. |
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Elizabeth Verwey hit her mid 50s and gained a fearless attitudeElizabeth Verwey wants women to know that aging does not need to be scary.
A self-described extrovert and natural social organizer, she found herself unexpectedly divorced in her mid-50s. She made a decision to see this stage of her life in a different way and took on a new quality - one of fearlessness. |
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We Have Cancer's Lee Silverstein on living with gratitudeLee 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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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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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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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.
A GTA foster homes agency helps children to build resilienceSince 1999, Carpe Diem Treatment Foster Homes has provided loving foster care to emotionally distressed children in the Greater Toronto Area.
Tyler Greene tells us how foster homes help kids who are falling through the cracks and teaches them to be functioning members of society. |
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Lawyer Leanne Townsend on finding work life balance during COVID-19
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Florida native Susan Mintz on COVID-19 and the impact on seniorsSusan 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. |
Guest Contributor: Cory Resilient on being homeless and finding purpose
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. |
City of Toronto Unveils First Resilience StrategyToronto is one of three Canadian cities chosen to be a part of a global 100 Resilient Cities initiative.
The City of Toronto unveiled its first Resilience Strategy with a focus on two key areas of concern: climate change and social equity. Read on to learn about the research findings. |
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Guest contributor: Nigel Adams on the challenges faced by Indigenous men and his mission to help
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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. |
CONTRIBUTOR: Renowned dietitian Ashley Koff on the connection between nutrition and resilienceAshley Koff RD is an internationally-renowned registered dietitian. She created The Better Nutrition, Simplified Program, a virtual tool kit that will help us achieve our optimal selves.
Ashley has appeared on national television programs including The Doctor Oz show, speaks across the country and is an acclaimed author. She has written an article for RESILIENT PEOPLE on achieving resilience through better nutrition. |
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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
Lauren Chiarello of ChiChiLifeNYC on beating cancer twice and finding purpose through fitness |
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 living with Down SyndromeWhen 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. |
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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 power in finding a purpose |
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 |