You’re Stronger Than You Think

We all experience setbacks and hardships. Some are small but relentless. Others shake us to our core. Last week, I was reminded—twice—that resilience often comes from places we never expected to visit.

The first reminder came during our latest Leaderish podcast episode with guest Heidi Siefkas. Through four books, TEDx talks, and now our show, Heidi shares how her seemingly perfect life fell apart—literally—when a thousand-pound tree limb struck her, breaking her neck. In the aftermath, she also lost her marriage and her career. Somehow, she pulled her life back together, only to later lose her life partner in a plane crash.

And yet, she continues to “look up.”

That’s the title of her latest book and her life mantra. Look Up tells the stories of 30 resilient individuals from around the globe who, like Heidi, found a way to rebuild after devastation. Her story—and theirs—reminds us that we are all stronger than we think.

Just a few days later, I heard another story that left me speechless. Tiki Davis was born into poverty, raised by a mother who stole from him, stabbed in the neck at just nine years old, and later incarcerated as a young man. And yet, remarkably, he turned his life around. After prison, he earned multiple degrees, pursued acting, and eventually found success in the oil industry—becoming a millionaire and a motivational speaker.

These stories of unimaginable resilience made me think of my own family. My mom once told me she boarded the last train out of Lotz, Poland before her hometown was bombed in World War II. Her grandparents didn’t survive. She and her mom and sister fled to Germany and survived on scraps and nearly rotten apples. I wish I had asked more questions while I had the chance. Later in life, she endured a difficult marriage to my dad that she intended to leave—until cancer made that decision for her.

My own hardships pale in comparison, but they’ve shaped me. I lost my mom when I was still a teenager, and in many ways, I grew up overnight. I faced infertility and made difficult medical decisions after learning I carried the BRCA1 mutation—the same one I believe my mother had.

Here’s what I’ve come to understand: We all have something to overcome.

Even if your challenges feel small next to someone else's, your pain is still real. Your experience still matters. And your resilience still counts.

Social media has a way of making it look like everyone else is gliding through life while you're dodging potholes. But behind every perfect-looking feed is someone who’s endured loss, disappointment, heartbreak, or fear. You’re not alone.

And you’re stronger than you think.

The first step to resilience is a shift in mindset. When you're in the middle of grief, hardship, or fear, pause and picture a different future. Visualize joy, peace, or even just one breath of relief. Like a marathon runner imagining the finish line, sometimes you need to see yourself laughing again, watching a sunrise, landing a new job, or falling in love—before you can believe it's possible.

When darkness feels endless, look for the light. 

It’s there. 

Even a flicker or a sunrise is enough to guide your next step forward.

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If you're interested in learning more about my coaching and training services or how I can help you turn your visions into realities, email me at doris@dunnwise.com, reach out via DM or visit my website at www.dunnwise.com. And be sure to listen to the Leaderish Podcast for great insights on Leadership.