October marks Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a critical time to not only spotlight statistics but to uplift the voices of survivors whose stories too often go unheard. With domestic abuse headlines dominating the news, there has never been a more important time to center the lived experiences behind those headlines.
Among those voices is NiaRenee, MBA: a six-time brain surgery survivor, award-winning domestic violence advocate, published model, and founder of How To Love A Battered Woman. At just 32, the Texas-based changemaker has turned a life shaped by abuse, chronic illness, and trauma into a movement of healing and empowerment. Her story is not just one of survival; it’s a testament to resilience, self-love, and the possibility of transformation.
When asked what Domestic Violence Awareness Month personally means to her, NiaRenee doesn’t hesitate:
“October is a sacred month for me. It’s not just about raising awareness; it’s about honoring the voices that were silenced and amplifying the ones still fighting to be heard. As a survivor, this month serves as a reminder of how far I’ve come, and as an advocate, it’s a call to continue creating safe spaces where others can embark on their journey toward freedom and healing. It’s both remembrance and revolution.”
Her health journey adds another profound layer to her advocacy. Surviving six brain surgeries while navigating the impact of abuse and chronic illness has shaped her approach to coaching survivors.
“My health journey has taught me that survival is layered. Healing isn’t just physical; it’s emotional, mental, and spiritual. Walking through medical trauma while still carrying the weight of abuse has given me a deep empathy for those who feel unseen in their pain. In my coaching, I emphasize not just resilience but radical self-trust, the courage to listen to your body, your intuition, and your needs without apology.”
That layered perspective extends to how she talks about the realities of healing.
“Healing doesn’t follow a timeline. There’s no expiration date on grief, no quick fix for trauma. Abuse rewires how you see yourself and the world, and untangling that takes patience and compassion. One truth I wish more people knew is that healing isn’t about ‘getting over it’, it’s about rebuilding yourself with love, layer by layer, until you feel whole again.”
Her nonprofit, How To Love A Battered Woman, reflects that ethos. What began during one of the darkest moments of her life has grown into a movement that helps survivors reclaim their stories and power.
“I started How To Love A Battered Woman during one of the darkest seasons of my life. What began as a desperate attempt to teach my abuser how to love me became, over time, a declaration that I had to first love myself. Today, it’s a movement that empowers survivors to reclaim their power and rewrite their stories. The impact I’m most proud of is watching women realize for the first time that they are not broken, they are becoming.”
Her advocacy also extends into her writing. In her book, The Intentional Dating Workbook, she guides readers through trauma-informed love and the courage to re-enter relationships with clarity and strength. The central lesson?
“Your boundaries are your superpower. Survivors often feel pressure to minimize their needs or ignore red flags just to hold onto love. But intentional dating is about choosing partners who honor your healing, not jeopardize it. The lesson I want every survivor to carry is that you are allowed to take up space, set standards, and wait for the kind of love that aligns with your wholeness.”
For those who may still be living in silence or fear, NiaRenee offers words of encouragement:
“You are not alone, even if it feels like it right now. Your voice matters, your story matters, and your life matters. There is no shame in surviving, and there is profound courage in taking even the smallest step toward safety and healing. You don’t have to have it all figured out, you just need to know that freedom is possible, and you deserve it.”
In a month often marked by statistics, NiaRenee’s story is a reminder of something more powerful: survival can be the seed of transformation, and every survivor carries within them the possibility of wholeness, joy, and a new beginning.
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