We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Misty Chaviers. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Misty below.

Misty, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

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I came up with the idea for my podcast after spending years feeling silenced in my own story. As a survivor of domestic violence, there were so many things I carried that I never felt safe or able to speak out loud. When I finally found my voice, I realized how powerful it was—not just for my own healing, but for others who were still suffering in silence.

I created I’m a Survivor Podcast as a way to turn my pain into purpose. I wanted to share my story, but more importantly, I wanted to create a space where other survivors could feel seen, heard, and understood. There was a need for real, raw, and honest conversations about abuse and healing—especially from someone who has truly lived it.

What excited me most was the possibility of reaching even one person who felt alone and helping them realize they are not. Over time, the podcast has grown into something bigger than I ever imagined—it’s not just my story anymore, it’s a platform for voices that deserve to be heard.

Misty, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Misty Chaviers, and I am a domestic violence survivor, advocate, and the host of I’m a Survivor Podcast. My journey into this work is deeply personal. I once sat in the very seat that many of the women I now serve are in—feeling afraid, silenced, and unsure of what my future would look like. Over time, through healing and support, I found my voice and realized I wanted to use it to help others.

Today, I serve as a Case Manager and Advocate with the YWCA, where I work directly with survivors by providing support, safety planning, court advocacy, and guidance through some of the most difficult moments of their lives. I also host I’m a Survivor Podcast, a platform I created to share real, raw stories of survival, healing, and strength. The podcast allows survivors to be heard and reminds others that they are not alone.

What sets my work apart is that I don’t just speak about this—I have lived it. I understand the fear, the confusion, and the strength it takes to leave and rebuild. That lived experience allows me to connect with survivors in a way that is deeply authentic and compassionate.

The problem I aim to solve is the silence surrounding domestic violence. So many people suffer quietly, feeling isolated and unheard. Through both my advocacy work and my podcast, I strive to break that silence, offer hope, and create a safe space where survivors feel seen and supported.

What I am most proud of is turning my pain into purpose and coming full circle—now working in the same community where I once experienced abuse, helping others find their way to safety and healing.

I want people to know that my brand and my work are rooted in one simple message: you are not alone, and your story matters. There is life after survival, and there is strength on the other side.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

One of the most defining moments of resilience in my journey was finding the strength to leave an abusive relationship and rebuild my life from the ground up. At the time, I didn’t fully understand what I was experiencing—I only knew I felt trapped, isolated, and silenced. Leaving wasn’t just a physical decision, it was an emotional and mental battle that took everything in me.

There were moments after I left when I felt lost and unsure of who I even was anymore. I had to relearn my worth, rebuild my confidence, and begin healing from years of trauma. It wasn’t a quick or easy process, but step by step, I chose to keep going.

What makes that chapter of my life so meaningful now is what came after. I didn’t just survive—I found purpose. I went from being a victim to becoming an advocate, now working directly with survivors in the same community where I once experienced abuse. I sit beside women in courtrooms, help them find safety, and remind them that their voice matters—because I once needed someone to do that for me.

That transformation is what resilience looks like to me. It’s not about being unbreakable—it’s about choosing to rise, even after you’ve been broken, and using your story to help others find their way forward.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

I built my audience on social media through consistency, authenticity, and a deep passion for the work I do. I didn’t start with a large following or a big strategy—I simply showed up and shared my story, my purpose, and the realities of domestic violence advocacy. I worked hard, stayed committed, and most importantly, I never gave up, even during seasons when growth felt slow.

What truly connected people to my platform was honesty. I wasn’t trying to be perfect—I was being real. I shared not only my experiences as a survivor, but also what I see every day as an advocate. That authenticity created trust, and over time, that trust built a loyal and engaged audience.

My advice for anyone just starting out is to stay consistent and stay true to who you are. You don’t need to have everything figured out—you just need to start. Focus on impact over numbers, because when you genuinely help people or make them feel seen, growth will follow naturally.

For me, it has never just been about building a platform—it’s been about building a space where people feel heard, supported, and reminded that they are not alone.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: • https://www.instagram.com/im_a_survivor_podcast/ 
• Facebook: • https://www.facebook.com/Survivorpodcast
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/misty-chaviers-0b36a9224?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_ios