Confidence is key. It’s easier said than done, but believing in yourself can be the difference between starting your lifelong career and missing out on an amazing opportunity. Dani Kimble is no stranger to self-confidence and success. After a tragic leg injury ending her dancing career, she was forced to seek new employment opportunities. After entering a marketing interview with no marketing experience or degree, her confidence and grit are what landed her the undeniably beneficial job.

Did someone teach you grit, or were you just born prewired to persevere through your challenges? Lots of us just have that instinct to dig in our heels and not give up, but Cy Smith, Superintendent of Mansfield Christian Schools is seeing that quality dwindle in our younger generations. He now has to put emphasis on encouraging grit in the classroom to help prepare his students for overcoming obstacles and challenges in their life both now and in the future.

Love. The one thing in life that can make us do crazy things. Even when your water is turned off and you don’t know if you’ll be able to pay your next bill, love is what makes you keep showing up. Michelle Powell has not let anything stop her from helping the children in need in her community, especially when the odds are stacked against them. Love and a lot of grit allow her to make a drastic difference to those around her.

We all have problems. Men have different problems than women. Being a single working mother brings its own set of challenges and Sarah Robinson can attest to that. Luckily, with determination and keeping your goals in sight, she has proven you can accomplish your dreams without letting down your family.

Imagine living more than two years without a paid job. Could you do it? Sounds crazy, right? Maybe to some. But, for former NFL athlete Marques Ogden, the grit and perseverance it takes to get through was just what he needed to pursue his passions and calling.

A fluke. It can bring your biggest blessings when you least expect it, or take everything away from you in the blink of an eye. Just when he felt his life was perfect, DJ Santiago was faced with the biggest challenges of his life. Though it was hard, grit and positivity led him through his darkest moments and helped himself and others to brighter days ahead.

You’ve hit rock bottom when you decide to stop digging. However, Mark Busch wasn’t ready to give up or give in to his addiction. He needed a solution. After many attempts to get clean, he checked himself into a rehabilitation facility where he found the strength and determination to recover. Now, Mark leads an abundantly fulfilling life, with his wife, children and friends all thanks to his own grit.

Hope is easy to lose. Especially when you are calling someone for a scholarship everyday but have to hear them tell you no for six weeks straight, or when you and your spouse battle infertility for months. When you have goals to accomplish and dreams to pursue, you can’t let roadblocks stand in your way. Jason Sanders is the perfect example of how grit and perseverance leads you to where you want to be. All you have to do is keep pushing forward.

At the start of a recession with no other job in sight, Ken Guest made the decision to leave his family business to pursue his own dreams and visions. While it can often be scary when we don’t have an exact plan, grit and determination keep us grounded on the path to success.

No matter how badly you want to, there are things in life you just can’t do alone. It takes others pitching in to gain that traction under your tires to get moving. Army veteran, Greg Brown, experienced first-hand the power of community when he struggled to find a job after military retirement. Today, as Superintendent of Medina County Home, he makes a meaningful difference and lends a hand to others who need that extra grit to keep going.

In order to achieve success, you have to start with good leadership. Fortunately for Medina County, Colleen Rice provides just that. Her willingness to take a plunge into new experiences and challenges with an optimistic outlook is just what the area needs to grow and succeed.

We can all do what we are asked to do. We just have to believe in ourselves. But, before that, someone has to believe in us. Todd Whitman was fortunate enough to find those who believed in him, like John Liebler, in order to recover from addiction through grit and perseverance and succeed as Executive Chef at Sérénité Restaurant.

After an almost fatal car accident caused by an oncoming drunk driver, 18-year police veteran, Ron Stollar, was told he wouldn’t make it through the night. With grit and determination he forced himself to stay awake long enough to see the sun rise. Years later, this tragedy led him to become the Superintendent for Medina County Juvenile Detention Center, where he is now changing lives and bettering the future of troubled youth.

Just like running a marathon, running a business takes grit and perseverance. Jeff Smith shared how he has set goals and overcome challenges to excel in the insurance field and inspire those around him.

After facing failure after failure trying to accelerate his career, Nate Eppink was ready to throw in the towel in the Parks and Recreation field. Listen to how he overcame these challenges and found the place he feels he is meant to be.

Dr. Radiah Blanton has always had a passion for people. Now as the Associate Dean of Liberal Arts for Cuyahoga Community College, she has the opportunity to impact individuals, families, and the community. Listen to how Blanton has used her unique work experience to get where she is today.

Having entered corporate America at the young age of 18, Steven Walbolt found a passion for innovating successful businesses. Listen to how the president of MDG Flooring America learned how to get out of his own way and reach his full potential.

Having started as an intern, Andy Felter had a vision for what the future of Webster Industries could look like. Listen to how this President and CEO made changes to grow a sustainable and successful company.

Andy Stephey did not want to work in an environment where there was a ceiling. Instead, he strives everyday to set new benchmarks for sales and revenue. Listen to how he used grit and determination to become one of the leading salespeople for UIS Insurance & Investments.

One of the biggest motivators for former member of the Ohio House of Representatives, Jay Goyal, was to make an impact. Listen to how he went from knocking on doors to solving economic problems all at the age of 25.

Economic developer, Kathy Breitenbucher, has tried to work against her nature in the past. Now, she is motivated by challenge and plays a key role in problem solving for her county. Listen to how Breitenbucher has cultivated her passion to bring in new business.

Owner and founder of Marathon Real Estate Group, Sam Livingston, has found success through consistency and the willingness to take risks. Listen to how he has continued to adapt to changes and become a strong leader.

What has kept top-rated crêpe maker, Kelly Horter, in business for 11 years? The willingness to adapt and prove her doubters wrong. Listen to how she overcame the pandemic and lives everyday differently.

From volunteering to being a regular at her crossfit gym, Debbie Kiley had to build up an emotional toughness to lead her to where she is today. Listen to how Kiley pushed self doubt aside and gained the confidence to lead 106 employees.

As the superintendent of the fifth largest career center in the state of Ohio, Greg Nickoli, has found his purpose in motivating young students to find their light at the end of the tunnel. Listen to how Nickoli has used his own childhood experience to guide future workers.

Pastor, drag racer, and father of 14 children are just some of the ways to describe Mike Bucher. Listen to how he has spread the word of God and became a beacon of light for the Hope Over Heroin movement.

Female business owner, Mary Kay Ziniewicz, saw a need to help strong women like herself: moms. Listen to how she created a workforce marketplace that believes in the intelligence and perseverance of moms.

An unlikely entrepreneur, Peter Graham Dunn, has learned a lot about owning a business over the years. As he faced bankruptcy and starting from scratch, Dunn never lost his entrepreneurial spirit. Listen to how he overcame the obstacles in his career.

Overcoming loss and illness, Victoria Langer is a woman who has not quit, and will not quit. Listen to how this medical entrepreneur has improved the lives of many with her international, woman-owned business of 26 years.

With a focus on turning the volume down on negativity, financial guru of 41 years, Charlie Epstein, has learned how to prioritize his true desires. Listen to how he overcame a rocky divorce and turned his life around by daring to be bold everyday.