Q: "Can we learn resilience?"

In this new video segment I'm taking reader questions and reporting back with science, culture and resources for our sprit

Jan 30, 2025

Hello and welcome!
This is Fierce Resilience, where you come to recharge and reboot your mind and spirit. Life gets hard, but we can find a way to keep going.

After longer-than-I-expected-but-really-should-have-anticipated, today is the launch of Episode 1 of Fierce Resilience: The Show, named either from lack of imagination or for my penchant for the days of traditional TV with late night talk show hosts and Oprah on in the afternoons. It was a vibe, and I want to bring it back.

Let’s do this

The Show is where I take reader questions, then I go and find the answers. Not just digging into the science & research, but looking at how cultural and pop culture elements play alongside some deeper spiritual rumblings.

These varied lenses come from my hopscotch path of the last 20 years. After an early career in Film and Entertainment, then Tech & New Media, I pivoted to become a meditation guide for entrepreneurs, and was just getting traction and fulfillment there when I was diagnosed with MS in 2014. So my healing journey incorporated many seemingly disconnected elements but now, after almost 11 years, I can say that all of them mattered to me, and they might matter to you too when you’re trying to figure out how to move forward after life sets you back.

And if you’re like me, it’s not just one set back; they keep coming.

But you know what? We keep going.

Now, let’s get on with the show.

Q: Can we learn resilience?

The question this week came to me from Susan, a reader who left a comment on one of my newsletters a few weeks ago. She asked, “can we learn resilience? Can it be taught?” As you’ll hear in the video, her experience in finding her inner strength emerged after a truly awful catalyst. She wanted to know if people can find resilience without a negative inciting event.

Find out the answer—and the science behind the answer—in the video.

But wait, there’s more!

I’ve included an easy formula with 3 tactics to trick your brain into feeling more empowered even when you don’t think you have it in you.

And also!

Check out the movie recommendation for your weekend.

Plus!

A shout out to the newly launched resource created by a fellow writer and Substacker, Kate Speer. The Healing Lab: Experiments in Nervous System Regulation and Reclamation (links below).

Then, there’s a section at the end that you won’t want to miss if you want a little space for your spirit to expand. It’s where we can hold space for those going through some terrifically hard times. I hope you’ll write in and share yours if you ever need a little support.

And until next time,

xxM

Science Bits

Princeton Study - Can Resilience Be Learned?

Everyday Health - Resilience: A Guide to Facing Life’s Challenges, Adversities, and Crises

Peer-Reviewed Study - Mindsets That Promote Resilience: When Students Believe That Personal Characteristics Can Be Developed

Mayo Clinic article - Resilience: Build skills to endure hardship

Pop Culture Bits

If you’re curious and want to learn more about the hero’s journey.

Brittany Runs a Marathon Trailer

Here’s the cool, real life backstory! https://www.runnersworld.com/runners-stories/a28709249/brittany-runs-a-marathon-true-story/

I shared this in the Unraveling Tragedy newsletter a few weeks ago, but I want to shout this out again - my friend’s podcast who lost her home in the LA fires. It’s great and a perfect companion to Fierce Resilience. Hear how songwriters write about life’s hardest moments.

Sad Song Queens podcast -