What is SISU? Exploring Finland’s Powerhouse of Resilience

John R. Miles
ILLUMINATION
Published in
12 min readOct 21, 2023

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Warrior man displaying Sisu, the Finnish art of courage
Photo by Gioele Fazzeri on Unsplash

Ever heard of Sisu? If you’re shaking your head, don’t worry — most folks outside of Finland might draw a blank, too. No, it’s not a sushi roll or an exotic cocktail. It’s something far more intriguing and transformative.

Sisu is a Finnish concept that runs deep in their culture — kind of like the heartbeat beneath the chest.

Imagine it’s a frigid winter night in the Finnish wilderness. You’re lost and alone, but something inside pushes you forward instead of surrendering to despair. That unyielding spirit? That’s sisu. This isn’t just about having guts or grit; it’s courage and resilience on steroids!

And guess what? It’s not just for surviving frosty Nordic nights; it can help transform personal growth, professional success, and even relationships.

Eager to know more? Let’s take an icy plunge into the world of sisu together…

Unraveling the Concept of SISU

“Sisu” might be a term unfamiliar to many outside of Finland, but its power is…

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John R. Miles
ILLUMINATION

Award-winning author, Speaker, and Host of the #1 Passion Struck podcast. My mission is to guide you in becoming your best self. More at www.johnrmiles.com