Resilience: Are We Born With It or Can We Develop It? 🤔

Resilience is one of the most powerful tools we have in life. Whether it’s bouncing back from personal struggles, professional setbacks, or even global crises, the ability to stay strong and move forward is essential for all of us. But here’s the real question: Is resilience something we’re born with, or is it a skill we can build over time? 💡

In today’s episode of Business Story of the Week, hosted by Joshua Lori, we dive deep into this question with none other than Dr. Sherry Hamby, a trauma psychology expert, researcher, and professor. Dr. Sherry brings her profound insights on resilience and trauma to the table, helping us understand how we can foster strength and healing in our lives and communities.

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🎤 Meet Dr. Sherry Hamby 🎤

Dr. Sherry is not just any psychologist—she’s a trailblazer in the field of trauma psychology. With her research at the University of the South and her directorship at the Life Path Research Center, she’s focused on helping people heal through strength-based approaches. As the founder of ResilienceCon and an upcoming author of The Resilience Equation, Dr. Sherry has dedicated her life to understanding and teaching the pathways to resilience.

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From Struggles to Strength 🌱

In this heartwarming conversation, Dr. Sherry takes us on a journey through her early life. Growing up in a home with alcoholic and depressed parents, she faced many challenges—something that pushed her to understand trauma on a deeper level. “I think the younger Sherry would be surprised by where I am today,” she admits with a smile. But it was these very challenges that led her to pursue a career in psychology, inspired by shows like MASH* and the character of Dr. Sidney Freedman, who helped people overcome trauma.

What stood out to me was Dr. Sherry’s commitment to shifting the narrative around trauma survivors. Instead of viewing them as passive victims, she focuses on empowering people to become survivors—strong, resilient individuals capable of overcoming even the toughest circumstances.

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The Resilience Equation 🧠 + 💪

One of the most fascinating parts of the conversation was when Dr. Sherry introduced her concept of the “Resilience Equation.” She describes resilience as a combination of both individual strength and community support. She emphasizes that while trauma can harm our mental and physical health—leading to issues like heart disease or cancer—there is hope. 🕊️

According to Dr. Sherry, resilience can be built just like a muscle. 💪 Whether through storytelling, mindfulness, or spending time in “green” or “blue” spaces (think forests, oceans, or lakes), these practices help counter the effects of trauma and promote healing.

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Building Resilience in the Midst of Trauma 🌧️

Now, here’s the big question: What if you’re in the middle of trauma right now? How do you develop resilience when you’re already feeling overwhelmed?

Dr. Sherry provides simple yet powerful advice: find ways to reduce chronic stress. Whether it’s practicing mindfulness, talking to others, or spending time in safe spaces, these actions can help mitigate the damage trauma does over time. It’s not just about “toughing it out”—it’s about creating an environment that supports healing.

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Wrapping Up: Dr. Sherry’s Upcoming Book 📚

As the conversation winds down, we get a sneak peek into Dr. Sherry’s new book, The Resilience Equation. In it, she blends personal stories, scientific research, and clinical insights to show us how resilience is not only possible—it’s something we can all build with the right tools.

We can’t wait for this book to be released! Be sure to check out ResilienceCon if you’re interested in strength-based approaches to trauma healing, and visit lifepathresearch.org for more information.

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Have you ever had to build resilience in your life? Share your story in the comments below! Let’s inspire each other to keep going no matter what challenges come our way. 🌟💬