Hi, I’m Liliana Brown—host of Resilient Now. I created this podcast as a safe, supportive, and free resource for anyone navigating life’s most difficult challenges.

On this deeply delicate and courageous episode of the Resilient Now Podcast, Cam shares a story that no young person should ever have to live through. At just 15 years old, she believed she had found the love she had always dreamed of—someone to finally make her feel seen. With low self-esteem and an unhealthy obsession with love, she ignored every red flag because she thought love wasn’t meant for her.

What began as a teenage crush quickly spiraled into a dangerous relationship. Her boyfriend struggled with drugs, violence, and emotional instability. When he was arrested for assaulting his own mother, Cam—still a child—was encouraged by adults to “stand by him,” advice she now knows was painfully wrong. She poured her heart into letters, collect calls, and promises that were never real.

As their relationship continued, the truth became impossible to ignore. Cam found herself trapped in a cycle of manipulation, betrayal, and repeated violations of her consent. She endured trauma no one—especially not a teenager—should ever face. She reported what happened, but the system failed her. Still, she found the strength to leave.

Cam is not a victim.
She is a survivor.
She is resilient.

With the help of a psychiatrist and a growing community of survivors she found online, Cam reclaimed her voice. She began speaking out about teen relationships, consent, and the warning signs of emotional and sexual abuse. Her blog reached other young people who felt alone, proving that her honesty was helping someone else find their way out.
Today, at 24, Cam reflects on her journey with clarity, gratitude, and unshakable strength. She knows now what she didn’t know at 15:

Consent is real. Boundaries matter.
No one—at any age—should ever be forced into anything they do not want.
Love should never hurt.

This episode is a testament to healing, self-worth, and the power of walking away from what tries to break you.

Cam survived. Cam healed. Cam is resilient.