What happens when a secret buried for fifty years finally comes to light?

In this powerful episode of Becoming is Messy, I sit down with Darlene Lekowski—author, speaker, advocate, and survivor. From childhood trauma to a public lawsuit that forced her truth into the open, Darlene has walked through silence, shame, and survival. Today, she shares how she transformed that pain into resilience and purpose.

Her story is raw, courageous, and deeply human. We talk about the strategies she used to survive, the moment she found freedom in telling her truth, and how she is now passing it on to empower others who feel alone in their healing journey.

In This Episode We Cover:

• The hidden cost of carrying trauma in silence
• How Darlene found the courage to finally speak her truth
• The impact of sibling sexual assault and why advocacy matters
• Navigating PTSD, therapy, and healing modalities
• The role of friendship, family, and support in breaking free
• Lessons from the duality of success on the outside while struggling within
• Why “justice” looks different than we expect—and what true freedom means
• How sharing your story, in any form, can light the way for others

Darlene reminds us that no matter how long we’ve carried the weight of our past, it’s never too late to release the burden, reclaim our voice, and move forward whole.

This episode ties to the P in the Imperfect LEVEL UP framework: Pass It On. Healing isn’t only about freeing ourselves—it’s also about lighting the path for others. When we share our stories, we transform pain into purpose, and our vulnerability becomes someone else’s permission slip to speak, heal, and grow.

DISCLAIMER: This conversation includes discussion of childhood sexual abuse and trauma. I know how difficult and triggering this topic can be, so please take care of yourself as you listen. If at any point you need to pause, step away, or come back later, honor that.

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, support is available. You can call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) to be connected with trained advocates in your area.

🔗 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 Messy Middle email)

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

🌿 Connect with Darlene Lekowski @ https://darlene-lekowski.com/

📸 Instagram @darlenelekowski

Sign up for Darlene's quarterly newsletter and stay tuned for the April 2026 release of Darlene's memoir, Shattering Silence: A Story of Survival, Justice and the Power of Telling the Truth.

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