Releasing Resilience, Gratitude, Purpose, & Growth with Phebe Trotman

Amber Stitt
Jun 10
3 min read

Finding Resilience and Redefining Success: Lessons from Phebe Trotman on Pathways with Amber Stitt

What does it really mean to succeed—and how do we push through when life serves up setbacks instead of victories? On a recent episode of Pathways with Amber Stitt, Phebe Trotman—entrepreneur, athlete, and author of Never Quit on a Bad Day—joins the show to share her powerful insights on resilience, growth, and pursuing one’s personal definition of success.

From Setbacks to Motivation

Phebe’s journey is rooted in her experiences as an athlete, which she credits with teaching her some of life’s most vital lessons. She speaks candidly about a defining moment: getting cut from a soccer team she yearned to play for. “I cried and I cried and I cried for, like, weeks on end,” she admits. Rather than allowing defeat to have the final word, her parents encouraged her to make a choice: let one coach’s decision shape her future, or double down on her efforts. This tough love inspired the mindset that would carry Phebe forward, not just in sports, but in every arena of her life.

She adopted the mentality of being an “impact player,” someone who makes the most of every opportunity—no matter how big or small. That philosophy translates well beyond the playing field. In business, or in daily life, Phebe believes true impact comes from using whatever platform, time, or resources you’re given, and always striving to contribute meaningfully.

Success as a Personal Pathway

A central theme of Phebe’s message is that success isn’t a one-size-fits-all scenario. “Success is different for every single person,” she explains, encouraging listeners to pause and define what their dream life truly looks like. Her book, Never Quit on a Bad Day, is designed to help others on their unique journeys, offering not just inspiration but also practical tools for navigating tough moments.

Through sharing the “story behind the story,” Phebe wants readers to understand that anyone’s social media highlight reel is just that—a highlight. The real growth, she emphasizes, happens in the trenches, when we face challenges and choose to persevere.

Harnessing the Power of Community

Interestingly, the idea for Never Quit on a Bad Day was born out of a conversation with close friends. Not only did her support system recognize her innate desire to help others, but they also reframed the purpose of writing a book: “It’s not for you. It’s for the people you can help.” This community-driven approach is woven through every aspect of Phebe’s life and work, echoing her soccer days when each player’s role contributed to the greater good of the team.

The book itself mirrors this spirit, featuring a collection of stories from diverse contributors and a unique workbook-style section called “Reflections on Resilience.” These interactive elements allow readers to apply the lessons from each story to their own lives, making the book a living, breathing resource for anyone working to build their resilience muscle.

Daily Practices for Resilience

Phebe shares the practical habits that ground her, notably a daily gratitude reminder set as an alarm on her phone each night. This simple practice, she says, was transformational—forcing her to acknowledge moments of gratitude, which in turn shifted her perspective even during challenging times.

She’s also a strong advocate for ongoing personal development, whether it’s through reading, attending workshops, or connecting with mentors and accountability partners.

Looking Ahead

The journey doesn’t stop with one book: Phebe reveals she’s working on the next installment in the Never Quit on a Bad Day series, continuing her mission of helping people turn adversity into advantage.

Most powerfully, she challenges us all: “Step into your greatness. Find what success means for you, and move toward it—one step at a time.” Phebe’s story is a reminder that resilience can be learned, cultivated, and—most importantly—shared.

Let’s keep taking action—one resilient step at a time.