Episode 82

full
Published on:

22nd Apr 2026

From Trauma to Triumph: Army Veteran Makissa Lewis on Healing, Iraq, and Building a Seesterhood for Women Veterans

Summary:

In this episode of Dog Tag Diaries, host Captain Kim sits down with Army veteran Makissa Lewis for a deeply honest conversation about service, survival, and sisterhood. Makissa shares her path from Jamaica to New York, then into the Army right out of high school, where she hoped to prove she was stronger than people expected. She opens up about surviving military sexual trauma before there was even common language for it, deploying to Iraq after 9/11, and living with the lasting effects of PTSD. Most of all, she talks about turning pain into purpose by founding My Seester, Inc., a nonprofit that supports women veterans in South Florida. This episode is a powerful reminder that healing often starts when someone decides to create the support they needed most.

In this episode, we cover:

  • Why Makissa joined the Army straight out of high school
  • How books, writing, and faith helped her cope through hard transitions
  • Her experience with military sexual trauma in Germany
  • What Iraq was like and how combat stress stayed with her after coming home
  • Why women veterans are too often unseen in military and civilian systems
  • How My Seester, Inc. was born out of a need for real, in-person support
  • The healing power of art, community, and women showing up for each other
  • Makissa’s advice for women currently serving in the military

Notable Quotes & Moments:

  • “She survived military sexual trauma before it even had a name.” [00:00:05]
  • “I felt it was a, I’ll be able to grow up and show them that I’m not a nerd.” [00:04:30]
  • “There was no one protecting me.” [00:15:36]
  • “If you don’t deal with your mental, it takes all over your whole world.” [00:27:15]
  • “We are so not seen, cause they think we’re invisible.” [00:28:26]
  • “The military cannot be the end and be all of everything you are.” [00:40:28]

Timestamps:

  • 00:00:00 - Introduction to Makissa Lewis and her service story
  • 00:01:11 - Makissa’s background, Army service, and nonprofit mission
  • 00:04:06 - Why she joined the military after high school
  • 00:05:01 - Moving from Jamaica to New York and then Florida
  • 00:09:31 - Entering the Army in 1996 and adjusting to military life
  • 00:14:30 - First duty station in Germany and the trauma she experienced there
  • 00:19:42 - Deployment to Iraq after 9/11
  • 00:22:40 - PTSD symptoms and the hard return to civilian life
  • 00:25:45 - Finding support online and starting My Seester, Inc.
  • 00:31:05 - The Retina Project and healing through art and conversation
  • 00:35:13 - Supporting deployed women and honoring fallen service members
  • 00:37:10 - How Makissa takes care of herself today
  • 00:39:18 - Her advice for women still serving
  • 00:41:16 - Women Who Serve Magazine nomination and closing reflections

About Makissa Lewis:

Makissa Lewis is an Army veteran who served from 1996 to 2010 and is a combat-disabled survivor of military sexual trauma. Born in Jamaica and raised in New York and South Florida, Makissa joined the military straight out of high school.

After experiencing MST, combat deployment to Iraq, and ongoing challenges accessing equitable care, she began asking critical questions about housing, resources, and support for women veterans. Those questions led her to found My Seester, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to serving female veterans in South Florida.

Makissa is also working on an anthology documenting her experiences during and after her military career.

Connect with Makissa:

Instagram: @my_seester

Website: www.myseester.com

Email: founder@myseester.com

Episode note:

This episode includes discussion of military sexual trauma and may be activating for some listeners. If you or someone you know needs support, confidential help is available.

  • VA Military Sexual Trauma Support: Contact your local VA Medical Center and ask to speak with the Military Sexual Trauma Coordinator. Care is available regardless of discharge status.
  • Veterans Crisis Line: Call 988, then press 1, or text 838255 for confidential support 24/7.
  • RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800-656-HOPE (4673) or online chat at rainn.org.

Be sure to follow or subscribe to Dog Tag Diaries wherever you listen to podcasts.

Learn more about the Reveille and Retreat Project:

reveilleandretreatproject.org

Instagram: @reveilleandretreatproject

Facebook: Reveille and Retreat Project

You aren’t alone.

If you’re thinking about hurting yourself or having thoughts of suicide, contact the Veteran crisis line: Dial 988 then press 1, chat online, or text 838255.

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About the Podcast

Dog Tag Diaries
Sharing True Stories from Women in the Military
Dog Tag Diaries provides a platform for military women to tell their stories and speak their truths. We are not only raising awareness about military trauma, and mental health but fostering a supportive community where women can find strength and inspiration in each other's stories. It's an informative way to reduce stigma and promote healing through open dialogue and exploration of therapeutic modalities. Our goal is to increase connections among women to offer empowerment, encouragement, and a sense of belonging as we each navigate the unique challenges and experiences faced by women in the military.
Each week we’ll invite a woman who has served in the military to share her experience and how it has impacted her, or we will bring in a guest who can speak about the healing abilities of specific therapeutic methods. This is a podcast you don’t want to miss.

About your hosts

kimberly Liszka

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Kim served in the United States Army/Reserves as a Combat Medic, Combat Nurse, Flight Nurse Instructor and one of the Top Female athletes in the Army.

Kim worked 20+ years as an ER nurse and decided to explore the world as a travel nurse. She's an Advanced Wilderness Expedition Provider and Chief Medical Officer for numerous endurance/survival expeditions in different countries.

Kim has a son, Jace and a daughter in law, Sammy and 2 grand animals, Joey & Bear. Her dog Camo is her best buddy. Camo is the sweetest yellow Labrador Retriever to walk this earth. He loves licking snow, riding the ocean waves, visiting carnivore food trucks and loves belly rubs and treats.

Fun Facts: Kim's lived in the Reality TV World! Fear Factor, American Ninja Warrior-Military Edition, American Tarzan, Spartan Namibia and more to come!

Dakota Olson-Harris

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Dakota is currently serving in the Army National Guard and has been for the past 15 years. She enlisted as a tank mechanic then earned her commission as a Combat Engineer Officer. She has two deployments, Iraq and United Arab Emirates.

On the civilian side Dakota works as a counselor providing readjustment counseling for Veterans, current service members, and their families.

Dakota is a wife and a bonus mom to four kiddos. They have recently added to their family with a baby girl, totaling five kids. They also have two dogs, Paco and Elsa.

Her family loves to go on adventures whether it's walks, hiking, camping, or just going on a road trip to visit family.