Clemson University is taking enterprise-wide well-being to the next level.
The latest tangible example came in the form of a two-day specialized training for 31 University employees — representing a wide range of academic and non-academic disciplines — on Jan. 13-14 in Hendrix Student Center.
Anna Courie, chief well-being officer, coordinated 16 hours of Struggle Well training by welcoming to Clemson a pair of trainers from Boulder Crest Foundation, a nonprofit organization focused on posttraumatic growth. Since its inception in 2014, CEO Josh Goldberg and Vice President Greg Morin have served more than 100,000 individuals, mostly from the military and first responder realm.
This time, the training extended into leaders in higher education — in large part thanks to the overwhelming support of University administrators and academic deans.
“Four years ago, when I first met Josh and learned about the transformative science of posttraumatic growth, I knew it had the power to change lives,” reflects Courie, who initiated the training for first responders in her previous job with AT&T’s FirstNet. “I couldn’t shake the idea of bringing this life-changing work to higher ed. That dream became reality last week.
“The dedication in the room to fostering health and resilience for every member of our extended University community fills my heart with gratitude.”
A focus on posttraumatic growth allows individuals to transform struggle into strength and a life of thriving. Struggle Well training focuses on five major elements — education, regulation, disclosure, story and service. And it’s all built around a fabric of trust and connection.
Program participants heard firsthand, triumphant stories that grew from adversity. Goldberg and Morin facilitated reflection exercises during each section of the curriculum, allowing individuals to share as they felt inclined. At the conclusion of the training, the 31 employees were divided into teams to brainstorm possible ways to integrate Struggle Well for Clemson’s diverse constituent groups.

“I am grateful we have a community of people who were willing to show up for this type of training to embed better well-being practices throughout their places of work at this University,” says Patricia Whitener, a 4-H Extension Associate who has worked at Clemson for the last 13 years. “It was truly inspiring spending time with colleagues in an effort to better ourselves and our community.”
Steve Duzan, senior associate athletics director, echoes Whitener’s view.
“The concepts we discussed in our training were extremely beneficial,” he says. “Struggle Well allows people to acknowledge their obstacles and challenges and embrace them in a positive and supportive environment. Facing these issues collectively and collaboratively enhances our community and allows individuals to find strength from their peers. Struggle Well had an immediate impact on me, and I look forward to continuing with its philosophies to improve myself and my community.”
At the conclusion of the training, each participant received a certificate of completion and a challenge coin that signifies the ability to struggle well and learn to thrive in personal and professional endeavors.
Courie’s hope is to eventually take the training a step further by identifying a pool of well-being trainers on Clemson’s campus who are interested in leading this type of work.
“I told the group it’s never a wrong choice to be a good human,” reflects Courie, after issuing a challenge to participants in her closing remarks. “I urged them to be present, be curious and commit to the health and well-being of the people in this community. This training shows tremendous growth is possible through adversity.”