Angelina Jolie: I Do Believe in the Old Saying ''What Does Not Kill You Makes You Stronger''

"Our experiences, good and bad, make us who we are. By overcoming difficulties, we gain strength and maturity," actress tells Elle magazine

If anyone lives by the saying, "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger," it's Angelina Jolie.

The award-winning actress, philanthropist and mother of six recently revealed that she made the brave decision to have her ovaries and fallopian tubes removed as a preventative measure. And now, during an interview with Elle magazine, Jolie discusses the general sense of struggle and having the will to not only overcome obstacles but learn from them.

"I do believe in the old saying 'What does not kill you makes you stronger,'" the Unbroken director explains when reflecting on Louis Zamperini (the inspiration behind the film) and his struggle. "Our experiences, good and bad, make us who we are. By overcoming difficulties, we gain strength and maturity."

Furthermore, when Angie is asked what she would do if she had the power to redirect Americans' media attention to other, non-gossipy headlines, the celeb explains that it's not the news as much as the solution to the news.

"It is not really the nature of the news, but what we do with the information we have. We know more than ever before in history about conflict and injustice happening across the world, but the will to translate that knowledge into pressure and action at a global level somehow seems to be lacking," she says.

"Time and again, after massacres and atrocities, the world says, 'never again.' But in Syria today, to take just one example, these things are happening with impunity in the full knowledge of the world. We need a greater focus on solutions—not just on information."

Continuing to be a motivating force for people of all ages, the 39-year-old actress made her first post-surgery appearance with kids Zahara and Shiloh at the Kids' Choice Awards on Saturday, and reminded fans to never be afraid of being "different" after accepting her award for Favorite Villain.

"Different is good. So, don't fit," Jolie said. "Don't ever try to be less than what you are, and when someone tells you that you are different, smile and hold your head up high and be proud."