“Live life to the fullest, excel despite challenges, and never let those who wish you harm dictate your path.”

In this raw and transformative episode of Resilient Voices & Beyond Podcast, host Michael D. Davis-Thomas is joined by Maegan “Mae” Mason, a resilient advocate, mentor, and lived experience expert who shares her powerful story of survival, self-discovery, and growth.

Mae opens up about her early life—navigating a turbulent home environment that led her into the juvenile justice system by the age of 13. Through 12 years of personal turmoil, system involvement, and institutionalization, she encountered abuse, neglect, and the emotional weight of being misunderstood. Her story reflects the harsh realities many youth face when systems fail to meet their needs with compassion and care.