Dancing in the Shower: Jessica Renfeldt on Cultivating Radical Resilience
- Oct 14
- 3 min read
Life has a way of testing us in the most unexpected ways. For Jessica Renfeldt, those tests have been extraordinary—cancer, a stroke, and even a heart transplant. Yet, instead of letting those experiences define her, Jessica chose to transform them into lessons of courage, gratitude, and joy. Today, she is the founder of Resilience Coaching by Jessica Anne, a published author, and an inspiring voice who embodies what it means to live fully, even when life brings storms.
Jessica’s new book, Dancing in the Shower: Cultivating Radical Resilience to Live the Life You Love, released in September 2024, is not just a memoir—it’s a guidebook for embracing life with authenticity and strength. With honesty, wit, and vulnerability, she invites readers to see resilience not as a trait reserved for the strong, but as a practice anyone can cultivate. “Resilience is built in the ordinary moments,” Jessica explains. “It’s found in gratitude, in laughter, and in daring to dream again after life knocks you down.”
Her story begins in the wide-open spaces of her childhood on a family farm.
Rooted in the rhythm of nature and hard work in the alfalfa fields, Jessica learned early the importance of perseverance. That grounding carried her through the many transitions of adulthood: raising three daughters—Myranda, Claryssa, and Madilyn—building a career, and later reinventing herself after stepping away from corporate America. Each chapter of her life carried both joy and adversity, but one constant remained—her determination to find meaning, hope, and beauty in every season.
For Jessica, resilience is not simply survival. It is about thriving. She lives this truth daily, embracing adventure as an avid fisherwoman, hiker, backpacker, and dog mom. Whether she is casting a line into a quiet stream or setting out on a rugged trail, she finds clarity and connection in the great outdoors. “Nature teaches us balance,” she reflects. “It reminds us that storms pass, that growth is always possible, and that we are stronger than we imagine.”
Her coaching practice, Resilience Coaching by Jessica Anne, reflects that same spirit. With humor, compassion, and generosity, Jessica walks alongside her clients as they navigate life’s challenges. She helps them discover resilience in places they didn’t know existed—through gratitude, mindfulness, and cultivating joy in small daily practices. Her approach is both practical and heartfelt, grounded in her lived experience and a deep belief in the human spirit.
But Jessica is not just a coach and author—she is a creative at heart. Known as a master chef in her kitchen, she crafts meals that nourish both body and soul. She also expresses herself through quilting, watercolor painting, and storytelling. Each of these outlets is an extension of her philosophy: to live fully, savor deeply, and create beauty in the ordinary.
Those who meet Jessica describe her as authentic, witty, and luminous—a beacon of strength who inspires by simply living her truth. Her journey is not one of perfection but of perseverance. By sharing her story, she gives others permission to embrace their own imperfections and to recognize resilience as a daily choice.
Her mantra, “Embrace life, cherish every moment, and never lose sight of the blessings that surround you,” is more than words—it is her way of life. Whether speaking to audiences, coaching one-on-one, or writing, Jessica embodies the very lessons she teaches: resilience is radical, joy is powerful, and gratitude is transformative.
As we step into the season of harvest this October, Jessica’s story reminds us that resilience is not born in the absence of hardship but in the decision to dance anyway—even in the shower, even in the storm.
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