Expecting the best possible outcome of events often leads to just that.

When psychologist Shelley Taylor wanted to see how attitudes toward our health may affect outcomes, she looked at a group of women with breast cancer. The results were clear: The women who ignored some grim statistics — that breast cancer is the world’s most prevalent, that it killed nearly 700,000 people in 2020 — and believed that they actually had control over their own health, were able to cope better with the disease itself.

21 Days of Optimism, a new video series of motivational talks and interviews from an expert panel of inspirational leaders from around the country. Each of whom will share their tips for overcoming deep adversity they have faced in their own lives.