Falling Forward: The New Science of Resilience and Personal Transformation

by Keith Bellizzi

236 pages, Paperback

Published December 15, 2025

About the author

A cancer survivor and resilience researcher exploring how we move forward when life refuses to return to normal.

Keith Bellizzi is a professor, researcher, and cancer survivor whose work focuses on resilience, uncertainty, and how people adapt to life-altering challenges.

Diagnosed with cancer in his early twenties, Keith’s personal experience with serious illness profoundly shaped both his life and his career. For more than two decades, his research has examined how individuals and families adjust to a cancer diagnosis, live with long-term uncertainty, and find meaning in the aftermath of adversity.

Keith is the author of Falling Forward: The New Science of Resilience and Personal Transformation, a nonfiction work that blends personal narrative, psychological science, and practical strategies to redefine resilience not as toughness, but as growth, flexibility, and forward motion. The book challenges the myth of certainty and offers readers tools for navigating disruption with honesty and hope.

You can learn more about his work, writing, and speaking at https://www.keithbellizzi.com.

Falling Forward is available on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G88KL7PW.

Resilience is not about bouncing back. It is about learning how to move forward, even when life does not return to what it once was.

In addition to his writing, Keith regularly speaks with clinicians, researchers, and community audiences about cancer survivorship, mental health, and the human capacity to adapt. His work bridges the worlds of science and storytelling, grounded in the belief that our hardest experiences can become sources of clarity, connection, and strength.

Keith lives in the Northeast, where he continues to teach, write, and explore what it truly means to live well in an uncertain world.

Reviews

[Cali Salafia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must read!! I read this book in 2 days and could not put it down. It was the perfect mix of practical advice, human experience, and beautiful and impactful storytelling. I found myself getting both emotional and inspired throughout the book. Dr. Bellizzi’s story is truly amazing, and I know that this book will serve as a blueprint and tool for me when I face some of life’s hardest challenges. This book is unique and truly applies to everyone, and I would encourage anyone and everyone to read it!!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Falling Forward is deeply relatable and incredibly validating. After surviving a traumatic car accident that permanently changed my life, this book finally gave language to experiences and emotions I’ve struggled to explain. Dr. Keith Bellizzi reframes resilience in a refreshing, honest way, rooted in vulnerability, not toxic positivity. The stories are emotional, human, and real, showing that moving forward happens in small, meaningful steps. I truly believe everyone can benefit from reading this book, no matter their life experience.