Meet Reggie. The alarm blares again as steam rises from the conveyor belt. Some employees shout over the noise while others stand idle. As plant manager of a mid-sized food processing facility, Reggie has held this place together for more than 25 years. But lately, he feels like he’s plugging holes in a dam that’s about to burst.
Veteran workers are burning out. New hires quit after a few weeks. Corporate demands more efficiency, more output, more results. And in the middle of it all, Reggie’s stress boils over. In one meeting, after hearing complaints about impossible quotas, he snaps: “You think you have it hard? Try running this place.” The silence that followed stung worse than his outburst. Walking the plant alone that evening, Reggie realized he hadn’t been caring for his people, or himself.
In this episode, Jay is joined by Mark Black, resilience expert, coach, and award-winning author of The Resilience Roadmap. Born with a life-threatening heart defect, Mark received a rare heart and double-lung transplant at 24. Against all odds, he went on to run four marathons, build a thriving career, and dedicate his life to teaching resilience.
Together, Jay and Mark explore why resilience isn’t about bouncing back to who you were before, but about growing through adversity to become stronger. Mark shares his seven-step framework for resilience, explains why acceptance and adaptability are the twin pillars of growth, and reveals how to close the gap between “oh no” and “now what”.
If you’ve ever felt like you’re carrying the weight of the world or resisting changes you can’t control, this conversation will give you a new perspective on resilience, and the tools to cultivate it every day.
Notable Quotes
“Resilience isn’t about bouncing back. It’s about growing through adversity and becoming stronger.” — Mark Black
“When you’re healthy, you have dozens of priorities. When you’re sick, you have one.” — Mark Black
“The best version of you already exists. Resilience is choosing to show up as that version, even on hard days.” — Jay Abbasi
About Our Guest
Mark Black, CSP is a resilience expert, coach, and award-winning author of The Resilience Roadmap. After surviving a rare heart and double-lung transplant at age 24, Mark went on to run marathons and build a career inspiring leaders and organizations worldwide. His powerful story, combined with practical strategies, helps people reframe adversity as an opportunity for growth. Mark has spoken to thousands across North America, equipping them with tools to adapt, persevere, and thrive in the face of constant change.
Resources and Links
Mark Black
Website – https://markblack.ca/
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/IAmMarkBlack
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/IAmMarkBlack
X – https://twitter.com/IAmMarkBlack
Jay Abbasi
Website – https://jayabbasi.me/
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayabbasi/
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/jayabbasi_/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/thejayabbasi/
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@jayabbasipodcast
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Join Us Next Time
On Friday, Jay will do something a little different. Jay will explore the timeless words of Khalil Gibran and the 13th-century Sufi poet Rumi. He’ll share seven of his favorite Rumi quotes, unpack what they mean, and explain how they’ve shifted his own perspective on resilience, happiness, and purpose. These words have shaped Jay in countless ways, and now he’ll break down how you can apply their wisdom to your own life.
Until then, stay strong, stay adaptable, and keep growing through the challenges.