Becoming is Messy

What if the patterns you keep repeating in love, work, and life aren’t flaws—but invitations?

In this episode, Meghann is joined by David Lea, a trauma-informed polarity coach and founder of Daring Deeply, LLC. David shares how his journey from grief and people-pleasing to grounded masculine leadership became the catalyst for transforming his marriage, his parenting, and ultimately his purpose. His story is not about perfection—it’s about awareness, reclamation, and the radical courage to go inward.

Together, we explore what it means to unlearn our protective identities and meet the wounded parts of ourselves with love, so that we can finally build the life and relationships we deserve. Whether you’re stuck in unhealthy patterns or just beginning to awaken to your inner work, this episode offers both insight and invitation.

We talk about:

• Why David walked away from a corporate career to follow his purpose
• How trauma inverts our core masculine or feminine energy
• The truth about polarity—and why it matters in modern relationships
• The power of validating our inner child and honoring our triggers
• What it really means to “hold space” without losing yourself
• Why awareness is not enough—and what integration looks like
• Redefining masculinity

If you’re in the messy middle or walking toward your own healing, this conversation is your reminder that becoming isn’t about having it all figured out—it’s about daring to go deeper.

🔗 Links & Resources

✨ Join the Messy community on Instagram: @BecomingIsMessy

✨ Follow Meghann for more real, raw, and messy wisdom: @MeghannDawson

✨ Explore coaching, workshops & more: www.meghanndawson.com (sign up for Meghann's weekly email)

✨ Shop the Messy Collection: www.meghanndawson.com/shop

🌿 Connect with David Lea @ https://daring-deeply.com

💛 Loved this episode? Hit follow, leave a review, and share it with a fellow Messy who needs to hear it!

#BecomingIsMessy #DaringDeeply #TraumaHealing #PolarityWork #InnerChildHealing #MasculineHealing #FeminineEnergy

Death, Reclamation, and Vanderpump Rules – Living and Loving After Traumatic Loss

What does it mean to love again after loss—and to keep living after your world has shattered? In this episode, Meghann is joined by Dr. Red Hoffman, a trauma surgeon, hospice and palliative care physician, writer, speaker, and host of The Surgical Soul and Surgical Palliative Care podcasts.

Dr. Red’s life has been shaped by profound loss—including the violent death of her father, her boyfriend’s suicide, and her own path through addiction and an eating disorder. But through it all, she’s found a way to turn pain into purpose. Red opens up about making meaning from grief, offering whole-person care in medicine, and choosing joy again and again—even in the messiest of seasons.

We talk about:

• Body grief and learning to feel again
• What it means to show up imperfectly (but still show up)
• Grieving while healing from betrayal
• How being present at the end of life transforms how we live
• The unexpected tools that save us (like baths, comedy, and yes… Vanderpump Rules)

This episode is a mix of grace, messiness, and the kind of honesty that connects us all. If you’ve ever felt like your story is “too much,” Red is here to remind you: it’s not. And you don’t have to be fully healed to be worthy of love, community, or your next chapter.

🔗 Links & Resources

✨ Join the Messy community on Instagram: @BecomingIsMessy

✨ Follow Meghann for more real, raw, and messy wisdom: @MeghannDawson

✨ Explore coaching, workshops & more: www.meghanndawson.com (sign up for Meghann's weekly email)

✨ Shop the Messy Collection: www.meghanndawson.com/shop

🌿 Connect with Dr. Red Hoffman @ https://redhoffmanmd.com/

🌿 Watch Dr. Red Hoffman's TED Talk @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DyHplYUc9o

🌿 Check out the book referenced on this episode, This is Body Grief by Jayne Mattingly @ https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/740125/this-is-body-grief-by-jayne-mattingly/

💛 Loved this episode? Hit follow, leave a review, and share it with a fellow Messy who needs to hear it!

I spent most of my life feeling broken.

Surgeries. Scars. Surviving what no kid, what nobody, should have to survive. Trying to outrun the shame with straight A’s, secret drinking, and a smile that made it all look fine.

In this episode, I share the messy, painful, beautiful truth behind my medical trauma.

From a staph infection at birth that shattered my joints, to a limb-lengthening surgery, infertility, cancer, autoimmune disease and more—this is what it’s actually like to live in a body that’s always felt both like home and a battleground.

It’s not just a medical story. It’s a story about fighting to survive—and then learning how to live. About forgiving a body that kept breaking. About choosing to love the only life that’s mine.

A few of the key themes in this episode:

• Trauma often hides behind achievement and smiles.
• Physical scars are only part of the story — emotional scars matter too.
• Healing is messy and non-linear.
• Self-acceptance and gentleness are the foundations of true strength.
• Every body, no matter how broken it feels, deserves love and respect.

If you’ve ever felt broken, tired, or stuck in a body that won’t cooperate—this episode is for you. (Please listen with care. I talk openly about medical and sexual trauma.)

You’re not alone. And you were never too broken to heal.

🔗 Links & Resources

✨ Join the Messy community on Instagram: @BecomingIsMessy

✨ Follow Meghann for more real, raw, and messy wisdom: @MeghannDawson

✨ Explore coaching, workshops & more: www.meghanndawson.com (sign up for Meghann's weekly email)

✨ Shop the Messy Collection: www.meghanndawson.com/shop

💛 Loved this episode? Hit follow, leave a review, and share it with a fellow Messy who needs to hear it!

#BecomingIsMessy #BornIntoBattle #HealingJourney #TraumaSurvivor #CPTSDHealing #SelfLoveRevolution

What happens when your body becomes the messenger your mind refuses to hear?

In this deeply moving episode, Meghann sits down with Crystal Robinson—a former high-powered engineering executive turned intuitive healer and National Board-Certified Health and Wellness Coach. After surviving lupus, a brain tumor, and medical trauma brought on by chronic stress, Crystal redefined her life through a holistic lens. Today, she helps high-achieving women trade burnout for balance and confusion for clarity.

Together, Meghann and Crystal dive into:

• How trauma, stress, and societal pressure manifest in the body
• The turning point that led Crystal from corporate life to energy healing and mediumship
• How to start healing when everything feels overwhelming
• Nutrition tips that go beyond fads—and into alignment
• Why your superpower might be hiding in your past
• Embracing your gifts (even if they scare you)
• The truth about autoimmune conditions, emotional suppression, and reclaiming your voice

Whether you're curious about the mind-body connection, feeling stuck in your own becoming, or simply craving a softer path to wellness—this episode is a breath of fresh air.

Listen in on your favorite streaming platform! 🎧✨

🔗 Links & Resources

✨ Join the Messy community on Instagram: @BecomingIsMessy

✨ Follow Meghann for more real, raw, and messy wisdom: @MeghannDawson

✨ Explore coaching, workshops & more: www.meghanndawson.com (sign up for Meghann's weekly email)

✨ Shop the Messy Collection: www.meghanndawson.com/shop

🌿 Connect with Crystal Robinson @ www.crystalmoonholistichealing.com

💛 Loved this episode? Hit follow, leave a review, and share it with a fellow Messy who needs to hear it!

#BecomingIsMessy #MessiesUnite ##WellnessSimplified #HealingTools #WomenSupportingWomen #YourBodyHasWisdom

If you’ve ever waited for the “perfect” moment to take action, this episode is your wake-up call. Meghann is joined by guest Allison Michels, who has spent over 15 years helping individuals and Fortune 100 companies launch bold ideas, overcome fear, and take imperfect action. From relaunching her business after a major life transition to guiding high-achieving leaders around the world,

Together, Meghann and Allison dig deep into the messiness of transformation, the power of listening to your inner whisper, and why believing in yourself before you feel ready is the real secret sauce. You’ll walk away fired up, grounded, and full of practical tools to step into your potential—right now.

Topics We Explore:

· The origin story of LAUNCH and how a room full of high school students helped inspire a global movement

· Why taking action before you're ready is more powerful than waiting for the "perfect" moment

· Leadership advice for both high performers and the people who manage them

· Why surrounding yourself with happy, kind people is a business strategy

· A sneak peek into Allison’s upcoming retreats, programs, and what she’s launching next

Whether you're launching a business, a new version of yourself, or just trying to keep going through a messy moment—this episode is your nudge to take the leap.

Listen in on your favorite streaming platform! 🎧✨

🔗 Links & Resources

✨ Join the Messy community on Instagram: @BecomingIsMessy

✨ Follow Meghann for more real, raw, and messy wisdom: @MeghannDawson

✨ Explore coaching, workshops & more: www.meghanndawson.com (sign up for Meghann's weekly email)

✨ Shop the Messy Collection: www.meghanndawson.com/shop

🌿 Connect with Allison Michels @ www.launchsuccess.co

💛 Loved this episode? Hit follow, leave a review, and share it with a fellow Messy who needs to hear it!

#BecomingIsMessy #MessiesUnite #LAUNCH #TakeTheLeap #WomenSupportingWomen #UnleashYourPotential

In this episode of Becoming is Messy, I’m joined by the incredible Shawnti Refuge, aka Journal Bae—a Master Certified Mental Health Coach, bestselling author, and founder of Shawnti Refuge Journals. After experiencing what most would call a mental breakdown, Shawnti flipped the script and reframed it as a mental breakthrough—a moment that led her to uncover the healing power of guided journaling. Now, through her journals, workshops, and coaching, she helps others release emotional baggage, silence negative self-talk, and step into true self-care.

We dive into what it really means to break free from survival mode, how to stop perfectionism from running the show, and why so many of us believe the “I’m fine” lie for far too long. Shawnti shares how journaling became her most powerful healing tool, how it can help manifest the life you truly want, and why she’s dedicated to helping others gain freedom from the weight of unresolved emotions.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re running on empty, carrying everyone else’s burdens, or stuck in a cycle of self-doubt—this episode is your permission slip to put yourself first. Because as Shawnti shows us, healing might be messy, but it’s also the most freeing thing you’ll ever do.

🎙️ Grab your journal, press play, and let’s get into it!

🔗 Links & Resources

✨ Join the Messy community on Instagram: @BecomingIsMessy

✨ Follow Meghann for more real, raw, and messy wisdom: @MeghannDawson

✨ Explore coaching, workshops & more: www.meghanndawson.com (sign up for Meghann's weekly email)

✨ Shop the Messy Collection: www.meghanndawson.com/shop

🌿 Connect with Shawnti Refuge @ www.shawntirefugejournals.com

💛 Loved this episode? Hit follow, leave a review, and share it with a fellow Messy who needs to hear it!

#BecomingIsMessy #MessiesUnite #HealingThroughJournaling #QuietAsKept #JournalBae

In this heart-centered conversation, I’m joined by one of my business besties and fellow soul-led leader, Cynthia Campbell. As the founder of Soul Path Leadership, Cynthia helps high-achievers redefine success on their own terms—aligning ambition with authenticity and guiding leaders to lead not just with strategy, but with soul.

We dive into the messy magic of entrepreneurship, the importance of sisterhood over competition, and the story behind the creation of her business. Cynthia opens up about her own becoming journey, her signature ALIGNED Coaching Method™, and why the next evolution of leadership starts within.

If you’ve ever felt like you were meant for more—but weren’t sure how to bridge the gap between your success and your soul—this episode is for you.

Topics We Explore:

• The origin story of Soul Path Leadership
• Why authentic sisterhood beats scarcity every time
• What it means to lead with intuition, alignment, and purpose
• Cynthia’s advice for navigating your rock-bottom moments

Because leadership isn’t about becoming someone else—it’s about becoming more of who you already are.

Listen in on your favorite streaming platform! 🎧✨

🔗 Links & Resources

✨ Join the Messy community on Instagram: @BecomingIsMessy

✨ Follow Meghann for more real, raw, and messy wisdom: @MeghannDawson

✨ Explore coaching, workshops & more: www.meghanndawson.com (sign up for Meghann's weekly email)

✨ Shop the Messy Collection: www.meghanndawson.com/shop

🌿 Connect with Cynthia Campbell + Soul Path Leadership @ www.soulpathleadership.com

💛 Loved this episode? Hit follow, leave a review, and share it with a fellow Messy who needs to hear it!

#BecomingIsMessy #MessiesUnite #LeadWithSoul #SoulPathLeadership #WomenSupportingWomen

Episode 10 marks a special milestone for Becoming is Messy, as we welcome our very first guest. I couldn’t think of anyone more fitting than my person and biggest supporter — Kelly Griego.

Kelly is more than just my husband. He’s a leader, an endurance athlete, a guide for persons with differently abled bodies, an advocate for inclusion, the best dad I know, and the kind of partner who shows up—fully, patiently, and without judgment.

In this episode, we pull back the curtain on what it really means to navigate life’s messiness together—from building a strong foundation on our very first (very unconventional) date to supporting each other’s personal growth, parenting in a blended family, and embracing the chaos of becoming.

We talk about: ✨ Why we didn’t put on a "best foot forward" act when we started dating ✨ The beauty (and challenges) of loving someone with a trauma history ✨ How Kelly never doubted my leap into entrepreneurship—even with all of the possible risks ✨ Our philosophies on navigating life as co-parents for our Hometeam ✨The real, unfiltered side of partnership—without perfection, just presence

Kelly’s final advice? Believe in yourself and let that belief fuel action. And if there’s anything he’s taught me, it’s that real partnership doesn’t mean fixing each other—it means holding space, cheering each other on, and growing side by side.

💡 Tune in for an honest, heartfelt, and sometimes hilarious conversation about love, growth, and showing up—even when it’s messy.

🎧 Available now on your favorite streaming platform!

🔗 Links & Resources

✨ Join the Messy community on Instagram: @BecomingIsMessy

✨ Follow Meghann for more real, raw, and messy wisdom: @MeghannDawson

✨ Explore coaching, workshops & more: www.meghanndawson.com (sign up for Meghann's weekly email)

✨ Shop the Messy Collection: www.meghanndawson.com/shop

🌿 Connect with Kelly Griego @ www.instagram.com/kfgriego/

💛 Loved this episode? Hit follow, leave a review, and share it with a fellow Messy who needs to hear it!

#BecomingIsMessy #MessilyEverAfter #Partnership #LoveAndGrowth

Episode 9 marks a major milestone for Becoming is Messy—our last solo episode before we start welcoming guests! 🎉 In this episode, we take a moment to reflect on the incredible journey so far, celebrating all the growth, learning, and messy magic we’ve shared.

Then, we dive into the final letter of the LEVEL UP system: P for Pass It On (Share Your Own Imperfect LEVEL UP).

Why does sharing our growth matter? Research shows that storytelling, mentorship, and teaching others reinforce our own learning, create ripple effects in our relationships, and even improve mental well-being. We’ll explore the neuroscience behind why sharing is so transformative and break down practical ways to own your story, embrace vulnerability, and pass on what you’ve learned—whether that’s in conversations with friends, setting an example for loved ones, or stepping into a leadership role.

And finally, get ready for an exclusive sneak peek at what’s coming next! Starting with Episode 10, we’re kicking off the guest series with none other than my husband, Kelly. We’ll be diving into what it’s really like to be married to someone with a chronic trauma background, how we built a relationship rooted in honesty and authenticity, and how we parent through the same lens.

Hit play and join me for this milestone episode as we wrap up one chapter and prepare to step into the next! 🎧✨

🔗 Links & Resources

✨ Join the Messy community on Instagram: @BecomingIsMessy

✨ Follow Meghann for more real, raw, and messy wisdom: @MeghannDawson

✨ Explore coaching, workshops & more: www.meghanndawson.com (sign up for Meghann's weekly e-mail)

✨ Shop the Messy Collection: www.meghanndawson.com/shop

💛 Loved this episode? Hit follow, leave a review, and share it with a fellow Messy who needs to hear it!

#BecomingIsMessy #PassItOn #HealingIsContagious #MessiesUnite

What happens when you don’t practice self-love? You might find yourself constantly criticizing every mistake, stuck in cycles of shame and self-doubt. Maybe you say “yes” to things that drain you because you fear disappointing others. Or perhaps you resist accepting your past, believing you’ll only be worthy once you’ve “fixed” yourself. Sound familiar?

In this episode of Becoming is Messy, we’re diving into real self-love—not the fluffy, feel-good kind that ignores reality, but the deep, unapologetic kind that embraces every part of who you are. We’ll explore the power of radical acceptance, self-compassion, and boundaries, and how each of these practices can transform your relationship with yourself. Drawing insights from thought leaders like Sonya Renee Taylor, Dr. Marsha Linehan, and Nedra Glover Tawwab, we’ll break down practical ways to shift from self-criticism to self-kindness, from avoidance to acceptance, and from people-pleasing to self-respect.

If you’ve ever struggled with feeling “enough,” this episode is for you. It’s time to love yourself—not someday, but right now, exactly as you are.

🎧 Listen now and let’s get messy with it!

🔗 Links & Resources

✨ Join the Messy community on Instagram: @BecomingIsMessy

✨ Follow Meghann for more real, raw, and messy wisdom: @MeghannDawson

✨ Explore coaching, workshops & more: www.meghanndawson.com (sign up for Meghann's weekly e-mail)

✨ Shop the Messy Collection: www.meghanndawson.com/shop

💛 Loved this episode? Subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a fellow Messy who needs to hear it!

#BecomingIsMessy #MessyAndMagical #YouAreEnough #PermissionToBeYou #HealingThroughSelfLove