Resilience is not just about being able to bounce-back. It’s about bouncing-forward stronger and wiser than before. It’s about realising that your pre-crisis life is now gone, but your new life – if you will it – can contain within it opportunities you may never have dreamed possible. 

From our archive I’ve brought together some fundamental lessons on resilience, distilled insights from best-selling author Kit De Waal, world-renowned broadcaster Piers Morgan, business legend and founder of AO.com John Roberts, British cyclist Mark Beaumont, train accident survivor Sarah De Lagarde and geopolitical communications strategist Mark Turnbull.  

Each of their stories are individual and unique, but shared among them is a strength not just to carry on but to squeeze the very best out of the tools and life they’ve been given. 

LESSONS YOU’LL LEARN: 

Resilience isn’t innate – it’s built. Like a muscle, it strengthens through repeated habits, training, and choosing to act in ways that rewire the brain for adaptability.

Attitude is everything. You can’t control what happens, but you can control your response.

Slow down to survive. In moments of extreme crisis, breaking situations into small, manageable steps allows you to act decisively and effectively.

Purpose drives progress. When you focus your energy on positive actions they often come back in ways you can’t predict.

Let go of fear and judgment. Stop holding yourself back because of what others think; true resilience requires authenticity and self-belief.