Losing My Sister, Finding My Voice: The Story Behind The Shona Project

🎧 Episode Description

In this deeply moving and human conversation, Tammy Darcy opens up about the defining experiences that shaped her life- from the powerful bond with her sister Shona, her traumatic teenage years, bullying, and becoming a single mother at 18, to transforming pain into purpose by founding The Shona Project. She shares how her sister’s brain tumour, family breakdown, and years of emotional isolation shaped her desire to create a community of support for young girls- one rooted in courage, authenticity, and belonging.

With tenderness and honesty, Tammy reflects on self-worth, shame, resilience, and why young people don't just need motivation- they need community, compassion, and a strong sense of who they are. At its core, this episode is about showing up for one another, embracing vulnerability, and believing that our greatest pain may one day serve a greater purpose.

🔑 Key Points

Trauma, Loss & a Sister’s Legacy

Tammy shares the life-changing impact of her sister’s brain tumour, the emotional fallout, and how the loss shaped her outlook on compassion, purpose, and human connection.

Turning Pain into Purpose

Instead of being defined by tragedy, Tammy built The Shona Project- a nationwide movement supporting young girls through workshops, festivals, and leadership programmes.

Bullying and Its Lifelong Effects

She describes years of bullying, hiding in school toilets, and losing trust in other girls, realising that relational harm can sometimes take longer to heal than trauma itself.

Courage Over Confidence

Tammy explains why we should focus on building courage rather than confidence because courage is what allows us to act even when we're unsure.

Why Values Matter More Than Achievements

She explores how helping teenagers identify their personal values gives them a lasting compass for decision-making, identity, and self-worth.

Authenticity as Freedom

Tammy reflects on how embracing her authentic self, rather than trying to be “perfect”, has been liberating and transformative in both life and leadership.

Creating Safe, Supportive Communities

She shares how The Shona Project helps girls recognise that they can both harm and heal and that change begins with accountability, compassion, and kindness.

📚 Mentioned in this Episode

• The Shona Project - https://shona.ie/
• Shine Festival - https://shinefestival.ie/
• 500x500 campaign https://shona.ie/500x500/

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction & Early Confidence

08:10 – Shona’s Diagnosis & Family Breakdown

13:00 – Trauma, Grief & Feeling Lost

16:00 – Becoming Pregnant at 18

23:00 – Bullying, Isolation & Self-Worth

30:00 – How The Shona Project Was Born

45:00 – 500 by 500 Vision & Community

51:00 – Talking to Young People About Values

57:00 – Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway

Thanks for listening! You can watch the full episode on YouTube here. Don’t forget to follow The Laura Dowling Experience podcast on Instagram @lauradowlingexperience for updates and more information. You can also follow our host, Laura Dowling, @fabulouspharmacist for more insights and tips. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it really helps us out! Stay tuned for more great conversations.

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