Nelsy Lara is a domestic violence survivor originally from Texas. After high school, she enlisted in the military and served for six years. During that time, she met her ex-husband and believed the relationship was her “finish line.” Instead, Nelsy shares that she endured four years of physical, emotional, financial, and psychological abuse before leaving in April 2024.

“I remember what drowning felt like.”

As she slowly began opening up about the abuse, Nelsy remembers feeling as though no one would listen or believe her. She began documenting what was happening in case she ever needed the evidence. She explains that the abuse wasn’t always physical—sometimes she was simply living in anticipation of when it would become physical again.

Her son became her greatest motivation to speak up. As the abuse escalated, Nelsy feared for her life and knew that protecting her son meant she had to leave.

Since leaving, she says she feels relieved and happier. “I can be myself without shrinking. I can be the mom I was always meant to be, and my son gets to be himself too.”

Nelsy began sharing her story online as a way to express what she had survived. When other survivors started asking, “How do I leave too?” she realized how many people felt just as lost and alone as she once did.

Today, Nelsy is rediscovering who she is outside of survival while using her story to help others recognize the signs of abuse and know they aren’t alone.

For her, leaving wasn’t the end of the story—it was the beginning of finding herself again.

“There is life on the other side.”