Throughout my life, I have faced challenges that not only tested my resilience but also propelled me to disrupt the status quo. I have lived through childhood abuse, medical trauma, domestic violence and the complexities of recovering from narcissistic abuse. Each of these experiences has shaped me into the woman I am today—a Disruptor, a truth-teller, and an advocate for those who have been silenced.
One of the biggest challenges I have faced was growing up in a toxic, chaotic, and abusive household with a narcissistic mother. This foundation of instability normalized dysfunction in my life and directly influenced my adult relationships. Or as my therapist has worded it, “You were indoctrinated into abuse”.
I found myself in abusive relationships because I was conditioned to believe love and chaos were intertwined. Then came my medical battles—six brain surgeries, the diagnoses of rare brain disorders, and the ongoing struggle of navigating a world that often dismisses chronic illness and disability. Medical professionals often gaslit me, attributing my symptoms to mental health rather than considering the reality of my conditions. This systemic failure led me to advocate for myself in ways I never thought I would have to, demanding to be heard and properly treated.
When I finally left an abusive relationship, I realized how little support there was for survivors of abuse. The world tells us to “just leave,” but no one prepares you for the emotional unravelling that comes after. I saw the need for real conversations about healing, self-discovery, and rebuilding. That realization led me to challenge how society views abuse survivors and how healing is often framed as a linear process when, in reality, it is anything but.
Instead of allowing my circumstances to define me, I have used them to create impact. I built How to Love a Battered Woman from the depths of my pain, initially as a personal blog but now as a full-time coaching business, a growing community, and a movement for survivors.
I have written books that serve as roadmaps for healing. My Intentional Dating Workbook helps survivors rediscover themselves and approach relationships with clarity and self-worth. Letters to You gives a voice to emotions many survivors struggle to articulate. Beyond my books, I have designed coaching frameworks that guide individuals through healing and rebuilding their lives.
Representation has also been a driving force in my journey. As a disabled model, I walked in New York Fashion Week for Runway of Dreams in 2024, proving that disability and beauty are not mutually exclusive. In an industry that often overlooks those with disabilities, I made space for myself and others like me, advocating for inclusivity in fashion.
Through my advocacy, I have challenged the notion that surviving abuse or chronic illness means simply “getting through it.” Instead, I teach that healing is about reclaiming power, setting intentional boundaries, and redefining what life looks like on our own terms.
Disrupting societal norms is not a path for the faint of heart. Speaking openly about narcissistic abuse, childhood trauma, and medical gaslighting means encountering resistance from those who would rather these topics remain unspoken. I have faced scrutiny for challenging outdated narratives about abuse and for rejecting the idea that survivors are simply “damaged” or “broken.”
Starting my coaching business full-time after being laid off from my corporate job was another bold move. Many questioned if it was sustainable, but I knew that my purpose was bigger than a conventional career path. I have had to navigate moments of uncertainty, financial instability, and self-doubt, but every challenge reaffirmed that I was on the right path.
Despite the hardships, the impact has been undeniable. The messages I receive from survivors who feel seen, the clients who reclaim their confidence, and the community I have built remind me why I continue pushing forward.
Disruptors are those who see gaps in society and take action to fill them. I saw the lack of resources for narcissistic abuse survivors, so I built a framework for healing. I saw the erasure of disabled models in the fashion industry, so I stepped onto the runway.
To truly support survivors, we need systemic change in multiple areas:
- Better Education on Abuse: Society still struggles to recognize emotional and psychological abuse as valid and damaging. We need more awareness about how manipulation, gaslighting, and trauma bonding affect survivors.
- Improved Medical Advocacy: Too many chronically ill individuals experience medical neglect because doctors dismiss symptoms that don’t fit textbook definitions. Patients deserve to be heard and taken seriously.
- Financial and Legal Support for Survivors: Many survivors feel trapped in abusive situations due to financial dependence or a lack of legal resources. More programs should be in place to help survivors secure independence.
- Greater Representation in Media and Business: The world needs to see more disabled, chronically ill, and abuse survivor voices in mainstream spaces. Whether in fashion, business, or advocacy, representation matters.
My journey has been filled with accomplishments that I never could have imagined during my darkest moments. They include:
- Self-publishing my books and knowing they are helping others heal.
- Walking in New York Fashion Week and breaking barriers for disabled models.
- Taking How to Love a Battered Woman from a blog to a full-scale coaching business.
- Launching courses that provide structured healing paths for survivors.
- Creating The Battered Hearts Rising Blueprint, my signature coaching program and methodology.
- After surviving five brain surgeries in one year and taking a year and a half off from my program, I graduated with my Master’s in Business Administration—an achievement made even more meaningful by the incredible honour of being the guest speaker at my graduation.
Each of these milestones represents resilience, growth, and the unwavering belief that my voice and my story matter.
My story is not just one of survival; it is one of disruption. I am a Disruptor because I refused to be silenced—not in my personal life, not against my mother or my other abusers, not against anyone who has ever tried to break me. Not the system, not corporate America. No one has successfully silenced my voice, no matter how hard they have tried. And that is what makes me a Disruptor.
I refuse to accept that things must remain as they are. I challenge outdated beliefs about abuse, healing, and disability. I speak up when the world tries to silence me. I create spaces for those who have been overlooked, reminding them that they are worthy of love, safety, and success.
Disruptors are those who see gaps in society and take action to fill them. I saw the lack of resources for narcissistic abuse survivors, so I built a framework for healing. I saw the erasure of disabled models in the fashion industry, so I stepped onto the runway. I saw the struggles of women trying to rebuild their lives post-abuse, so I dedicated my work to guiding them forward. I don’t just challenge the norm—I redefine it.
At 31, Nia Renee, MBA is a testament to resilience and transformation. A seasoned published model with a decade of experience, she is also a certified relationship coach, motivational speaker, and author. Nia Renee has navigated a life marked by extraordinary challenges, from surviving abuse and childhood trauma to overcoming abusive relationships as an adult. Her medical journey is equally inspiring, having endured six brain surgeries and living with three rare brain disorders—Chiari I Malformation, Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension, and Auditory Processing Disorder—along with over 20 other chronic and invisible illnesses.
Despite these hurdles, Nia Renee’s spirit remains unshaken. She founded How To Love A Battered Woman, an initiative dedicated to supporting survivors of abuse through education, empowerment, and advocacy. Her mission is clear: to inspire others, no matter their abilities, limitations, history, or trauma, to redefine their power and step into their purpose. Nia Renee champions the belief that there is life after abuse and life during chronic illness, guiding countless individuals to transform their pain into power with compassion, expertise, and unwavering determination.
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