Abusive relationships often leave deep scars. For many women, the nightmare does not end the moment they walk away — it lingers in the form of guilt, shame, fear, low self-esteem, depression, anger, and trust issues. Nia Renee, a survivor of multiple toxic relationships and childhood abuse herself, understands this struggle and the complex journey of healing. She empowers women to reclaim their identity, recognize their resilience, rebuild their confidence, and create lives filled with intention.
Nia Renee believes that even in the darkest times transformation is possible. As the founder of How To Love A Battered Woman, LLC™, she provides the support, tools, and guidance needed to help survivors transform their lives. One of her guiding quotes is: “There is a life after abuse and there is a life during chronic illness.”
Nia Renee recently worked with a client who, after years in an emotionally abusive relationship, felt completely disconnected from her sense of self. She helped her uncover her values, set meaningful boundaries, and take steps toward building a life on her own terms. “Success stories like hers embody the essence of my mission: to help survivors rediscover their worth and create lives filled with confidence and intention,” she says.
Turning Pain into Purpose
Nia Renee’s journey toward founding How To Love A Battered Woman began during one of the darkest and most transformative periods of her life.
She was in a “narcissistically” abusive relationship, desperately trying to teach her abuser how to love her. “At the time, I thought I was fighting to save the relationship, but in truth, I was losing myself,” she shares. She turned to writing, which became her outlet – a way to process the pain, confusion, and lonliness she felt. “What I didn’t realize was that those words were planting the seeds for something far greater,” Nia Renee says.
She eventually found the strength to leave that toxic relationship, but her challenges didn’t end there. She faced a long road of both physical and emotional healing. During that time, Nia Renee was also battling significant health challenges, including the first of six brain surgeries. “These experiences forced me to reevaluate what mattered most in life and ignited a deep desire to turn my pain into purpose,” she says.
When Nia Renee began to rebuild her life, she saw a glaring need for compassionate, tailored support for survivors of abuse — support that understood the unique complexities of healing from narcissistic relationships. “My journey made me realize that survivors need more than time to heal,” Nia Renee says. We need tools, strategies, and a community that empowers us to reclaim our power. This realization led her to founding How To Love A Battered Woman. “It’s a safe space, a resource, and a movement,” she says.
Facing and Overcoming Challenges
Nia Renee considers starting How To Love A Battered Woman, LLC one of the most challenging and transformative experiences of her life. At the time, she was not only working on her business but also juggling a full-time corporate job and pursuing her MBA. In the midst of these efforts, her health took a serious turn. “I underwent five brain surgeries within a single year, each one testing my resilience in ways I never imagined,” she shares. Despite being recognized as one of the best in her field, she was laid off because of these events.
When she lost her job, Nia Renee felt as if she had lost a part of her identity. She recalls that she went from a place of professional success and confidence to battling feelings of inadequacy and uncertainty. For a time, she wondered if she would ever regain the stability and purpose, she had worked so hard to achieve. This turning point, however, allowed her to focus on her business full-time for the first time.
“Growing my business while recovering from surgeries and finishing my MBA was no small feat, but I reminded myself that harder has never been new to me,” Nia Renee says. “I was born 2.5 months early, and my life has been about overcoming challenges from the very beginning.”
Shaping My Own Journey
Nia Renee has shaped her own journey. She says that the person she is today wouldn’t exist without the path she has traveled and the challenges she has overcome. Her painful personal experiences have taught her resilience, adaptability, and, most importantly, self-compassion. “They’ve forced me to dig deep, confront my pain, and find strength in places I didn’t know existed,” Nia says.
Additionally, her personal experience has also influenced her leadership approach. As a leader, she connects with and guides others in a way that is both authentic and empathetic. She inspires them to find their own resilience and purpose.
Nia Renee also embraces the imperfections that life brings and uses those moments as stepping stones to growth. “Every hardship I’ve endured has shaped not only the way I view the world but also the way I show up for others,” she says. Nia Renee owns her story and uses it as a source of power.
Proud Moments
In 2024, Nia Renee walked in New York Fashion Week for the Runaway of Dreams Foundation. She calls it a “huge moment” in her career. As someone who has survived six brain surgeries and is chronically ill and disabled, this experience was more than just a milestone – it was a statement. She says that being on that stage was a powerful moment of representation, showcasing the intersectionality between the disabled community and survivors of abuse. This opportunity reinforced her belief that “empowerment and resilience are not limited by the challenges we face but are amplified when we embrace our stories.”
For Nia Renee, equally significant has been the growth and impact of the Battered Hearts Army, a thriving support system that she built for survivors of narcissistic abuse. According to her, this community has become a safe space for individuals to connect, share their stories, and draw strength from one another. Through workshops, coaching programs, and resources, Nia Renee has seen members of this army transform the lives of individuals.
“Together, these experiences symbolize the heart of my mission: creating spaces where survivors, regardless of their circumstances, can rise and thrive,” Nia Renee says. “Watching this army grow and knowing the impact it has on the lives of so many fills me with immense pride and fuels my drive to continue this work.”
Empowering Women
For Nia Renee, empowerment means helping women remember who they are at their core while gaining a better understanding of who they are in this moment. She strives to uplift women by encouraging them to love themselves exactly where they are — not where society, circumstances, or others expect them to be. “It’s about embracing their unique journey and realizing that their worth is not defined by anyone else’s standards,” she explains.
Nia often reminds her women clients that they are powerful, resilient, and capable – she addresses them as “boss women,” “boss babes,” or even “survivor baddies.” For her clients living with chronic illnesses, she uses the term “chronic illness baddie” to celebrate their strength in navigating life’s challenges with grace and courage.
Nia Renee shares that a fellow “Battered Heart” recently called her a “survivor baddie,” and it resonated deeply with the way she sees and uplifts others. Through one-on-one coaching, workshops, and resources, she provides tools for women to rediscover their power, set boundaries, and rewrite their stories on their own terms. “Whether it’s helping them prioritize their well-being or navigate professional opportunities,” Nia Renee says, “I empower women to recognize their resilience and reclaim their identity.”
The Driving Philosophy
Nia Renee’s philosophy is rooted in the belief that healing begins with self-awareness and self-compassion. At the heart of her approach is the Battered Hearts Rising Blueprint. She explains that this is a phased methodology designed to guide survivors of narcissistic abuse in healing and repairing their relationship with themselves. This framework focuses on helping individuals rediscover who they are, set firm boundaries, and build intentional relationships that align with their values.
According to Nia Renee, the Battered Hearts Rising Blueprint consists of three transformative phases:
- Ethereal Awakening (Mind): A phase dedicated to gaining clarity, recognizing toxic patterns, and embracing the need for change.
- Phoenix Rising (Body): A stage where survivors rebuild their strength, release past pain, and nurture their emotional and physical well-being.
- Heart Vision (Soul): The final phase focuses on cultivating intentional, meaningful relationships, starting with the foundation of a healed and empowered self.
Nia Renee explains that she approaches her work with the understanding that healing is not linear, and each individual’s journey is unique. The blueprint allows her to adapt to the specific needs of each client, fostering an environment where they can reclaim their identity and, move forward with confidence and purpose.
“Ultimately, my mission is to empower survivors to live authentically and boldly, unburdened by their past, and fully rooted in their own strength and resilience,” Nia says.
Keeping Business Resilient
Nia Renee focuses on adaptability, innovation, and community engagement to keep her business resilient. A key strategy that she follows is: staying attuned to the evolving needs of her audience. Nia Renee regularly engages with her clients and community, which allows her to identify trends and adjust her offerings to remain relevant. For example, she has expanded her digital presence and created mini online courses to meet the demand for accessible resources.
Another strategy she has adopted is diversifying income streams; for example, combining coaching programs, workshops, and digital products. According to Nia Renee, this provides stability even in uncertain times. Lastly, she prioritizes personal and professional growth. She stays informed about best practices and emerging tools to ensure her business remains agile and forward-thinking.
Balancing Business Growth and Mission
Nia Renee points out that balancing business growth while staying true to the mission of How To Love A Battered Woman is an ongoing practice of intentionality and reflection.
To help survivors of abuse redefine their power and step into their purpose, she creates programs, content, and resources that not only address their pain but also guide them toward rediscovering who they are and reclaiming their lives. At the same time, she remains grounded in why she started this journey in the first place: “to help survivors feel less alone.”
Nia Renee shares that when life becomes overwhelming or when business growth begins to feel disconnected from the mission, she tries to go back to the basics. Sometimes, this means revisiting the foundation of How To Love A Battered Woman, re-centering on the core values and methodology that drive her work. “I’ve had to do this several times throughout my journey, and I’m currently in one of those moments of reflection now,” Nia Renee says.
“Going back to the beginning is not just about grounding myself; it’s also a cornerstone of my methodology,” she adds. “I teach survivors that rediscovering who they are often starts with reconnecting to their essence — the version of themselves they may have lost along the way.”
Vision for the Future
In the next five years, Nia Renee envisions How To Love A Battered Woman, LLC becoming a larger global resource for survivors of abuse. She intends to launch more comprehensive digital programs and expand the Battered Hearts Rising Blueprint community. In addition to that, she also wants to create a foundation that provides financial and emotional support to survivors.
Nia Renee plans to collaborate with other organizations and leaders to amplify the mission of empowering women worldwide; she began partnering with The STAR Network in 2024. “My ultimate goal is to ensure that no survivor feels alone by offering them tools, support, and a community where they can heal and thrive,” she says.
Meeting Women’s Needs in Changing World
The world is rapidly changing, and with it, the challenges women face are evolving. Committed to adapting her work to address new challenges, Nia Renee is focused on digital accessibility. She explains that this will ensure her programs and resources reach women no matter where they are. She also plans to address emerging issues like online abuse, cyberbullying, and the increasing intersection of technology and relationships.
To evolve her work, Nia Renee plans to collaborate with other leaders and organizations. She believes it will lead to creating a more unified and impactful approach. “My work will continue to center on helping women rediscover their power and purpose, meeting them where they are and equipping them to navigate an ever-changing world,” Nia Renee says.
Advice to Aspiring Women Leaders
“Start by owning your story,” Nia Renee advises women aspiring to lead and make a difference in their communities. She tells them that their experiences are their superpower, and by sharing them authentically, they can inspire and connect with others in profound ways.
She also advises them to not wait for perfection – take risks, make mistakes, and learn as they go. Nia Renee encourages aspiring women leaders to surround themselves with a strong support system and seek out mentors who can guide them.
“Most importantly, lead with intention. Focus on the impact you want to create and align your actions with your purpose,” she adds. “Remember, leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about showing up, being authentic, and making a difference, one step at a time.”
