We were lucky to catch up with Crystal Buckley recently and have shared our conversation below.

Crystal, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Is there a heartwarming story from your career that you look back on?

I am a Domestic violence survivor, from a previous marriage. Which has taught me alot, and has also pushed me into my purpose. That of becoming an Advocate and Motivational Speaker. Letting woman know that their situation does not define them. But its actually what they do about it that does. I never use to talk about my situation, but that was before i found my voice to speak out. Abuse is not ok, especially against our women. Women are beautiful and are very much needed in today’s society.
While i was in the situation, i can remember like yesterday one slap that changed my life, i was hospitalised, with burst blood vessels behind my nose and was bleeding so hard. That was a position i dont wish upon no one to experience. Everytime i talk about it, or hear other women tell their story i get teary eyed. But God brought me out, and here i am today, a living testimony that Broken Crayons Still Color.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am a nurse by profesional, born in Jamaica but currently residing in the Cayman Islands. I’m mostly know for the platforms i have been on as an Author and Motivational Speaker. In 2022 i authored the book called From Broken To Redeemed.This book narrates the journey of a young woman who was in an abusive marriage, where she experienced physical, verbal, financial and phycological abuse, she eventually found the courage and strength to get out, and started on a journey to heal. She moved away to a different state, where she started her life all over, and everything started to fall in place. She too became an advocate and helped alot of woman get out of their situations. She was able to achieve so much using her past experiences. It become her purpose and her passion to help Abused women. The book can be found on Amazon (From Broken To Redeemed). I am currently putting together bits and pieces to start my second book which will be released in 2025.
I am very proud of all that i have been doing in speaking on platforms and having my story in the magazine. I was recently awarded in recognition of my contribution and dedication to breaking the cycle of abuse against women. And other than the book this is my biggest accomplishment while on this Journey, and i desire to go higher, above and beyond.
I stand on the mantra that with Christ in the vessel you can smile at any storm. I know that it was his Grace and Mercy that brought me here, and if he can do it for me, he will do it for anyone else. There is life and hope after abuse..For surely what didnt kill us will make us stronger. Most persons always congrat me on my Bravery, for speaking up, telling my story and my willingness to help other women. It doesnt matter what you have gone through, I always say you got a second chance, so use it to shine brighter than the stars.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to learn to forgive. Understanding that i had to forgive in order to be forgiven. After coming out of the marriage. I was Broken, hurt, and torn apart. I even at times thought of ways to get back at my abuser, because how could someone who loved me hurt me this much. It took surrendering to God, before the burdens could be lifted off me.
It was never an easy task, but when you give all your situations to God, he will reward you with all good things. The worst thing is the flashbacks, especially when you hear a similar story., when you can definately relate to what they have been true. But God continues to gives me the strategies to navigate. I wil never tell a person that after you walk away from your situstion, that life will be easy, I would be lying. It will get hard, i remember being so depressed, I had days i wanted to just lock myself away from the world, often times too i wish i could disappear. But Here I a stand today as a VICTOR and no longer a VICTIM.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

There are people who knew my story before i started to share it on platforms. They too had helped to boost me in writing the book and standing up against Domestic Violence. So i think because i shared from my heart and from a genuine place. That has helped to mold and shape my reputation. Also i am never judgemental because i know what i have been through, and where i was at one stage, so i am in no position to judge anyone.I pride myself in listening.. before i give any encouragement, i have to listen to every word or detail that a person is sharing, then speak to them based off what they have told me.
Domestic Violence is not a walk over, people have physical scars to show, scars that they will have to see and remember for the rest of their lives and so i am careful what I do are say to a person who has gone through it.

Contact Info:

• Facebook: Crystal Buckley
• Other: Tic toc- crystal_buckley35
  Email- [email protected]