Welcome to Rebel Thriver!

I’m Ella Hicks, the founder of Rebel Thriver. I would like to share with you the journey that led me to where we are today because, like most of the women in our community, I too am a survivor of domestic violence.

In my late twenties, I found myself trapped in an abusive marriage, the veil of love obscured all of the warning signs to me, not that I would have recognized them anyway. What began as a whirlwind romance soon descended into a nightmare of abuse and manipulation. The honeymoon phase shattered with an explosion, leaving me terrified and uncertain of what lay ahead.

Over the years of our marriage, the abuse ebbed and flowed, a relentless cycle of hope and despair. Despite the red flags and the escalating danger, I clung to the belief that love could conquer all. It wasn’t until the arrival of my children that the gravity of the situation became undeniable. The pressures of parenthood only fueled the volatility, and I knew I had to break free to protect my children and myself, but I didn’t know how. I was threatened that if I tried to leave, it would be the end of all of us.

Leaving behind everything I knew, I made a literal leap of faith—one cold, dark night, with a child on each hip and nothing but the clothes on our backs. It was a moment of profound uncertainty, stepping into the unknown without a roadmap or safety net. Home, career, friends, colleagues, finances, identities—all left behind in pursuit of safety and freedom.

As I started out on this journey of survival, I faced unimaginable challenges and moments of deep despair. Isolation and fear were present every day. The road to healing was long and arduous, but through sheer determination and the unwavering love for my children, I found the strength to rebuild my life from the ground up.

Rebel Thriver emerged from the depths of my own struggle—a beacon of hope for survivors like me, seeking solace and solidarity in the face of adversity. It all started as a humble blog, a space for me to connect to other survivors for support. I reached my hand into the darkness, and I still can’t believe how many hands reached back to me!

Today, Rebel Thriver stands as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit—a community of survivors united in our commitment to healing and empowerment. Our mission is clear: to provide holistic support to survivors of domestic violence, offering a lifeline in their darkest hours.

Did you know that domestic violence is a pervasive global issue, affecting one in four women? Yet, despite its prevalence, many survivors face profound isolation and lack access to essential support services. When I left my abusive marriage, there was no organization to help me rebuild my life—I was alone, grappling with the aftermath of trauma and navigating uncharted territory. The therapists I sought out were not trauma-informed and often retraumatized both myself and my children in their misguided attempts to help us heal.

Our team of dedicated volunteers shares a deep understanding of the challenges survivors face, drawing strength from our own journeys of healing and transformation. Together, we stand against domestic violence, advocating for a future where every individual is free from fear and oppression. Our community is a beautiful reflection of survivors’ strength and vulnerability. Together, we face daily challenges in a peer-to-peer environment that never fails to deliver hope and loving support.

If you’re here, I don’t think that it is by mistake. Please know that you’re not alone. You matter. Your story matters, and by sharing it, you inspire hope in others.

Welcome to Rebel Thriver, where every voice is heard, and every story is valued.

Rebel Thriver envisions a world where every woman is free from the shackles of domestic violence and are empowered to live a life of dignity, resilience, and joy. We aspire to create a global community of survivors who stand together in solidarity, supporting each other in their journey towards healing and transformation. Through our collective efforts, we seek to inspire hope, drive social change, and build a future where love, respect, and compassion prevail.

The illustration that I use for my icon is  by the talented artist, Elizabeth Mayville. The reason I use this is because I am a survivor of DV myself and still not able to make my identity public for the safety of myself and my children.