161. From Routine Mammogram to Resilience: Ellen Lunay’s Journey of Business, Health & Community

Today we welcome Ellen Lunay, the founder of Here: A Pop-Up Shop in Annapolis, whose life took a dramatic turn when a routine mammogram in August 2022 revealed breast cancer. At 54, at the same moment she'd just dropped her oldest daughter off at college and was prepping for her fall pop-up shop, Ellen found herself walking through surgery, radiation, business care and motherhood all at once.

In this episode, El opens up about what carried her through: the power of community over competition, learning how to ask for help, embracing grace and boundaries, and why sharing your story matters. If you’re navigating a health challenge, a business hurdle, or wondering how to build meaningful connections in your life, you’ll want to hear this.

In this episode:

• How Ellen discovered the diagnosis and how she responded immediately.
• Why the community she built through her business became one of her greatest supports.
• The difference between being the giver and being willing to receive help.
• How naming your story actually helps calm your nervous system and guide decisions.
• Why rest, grace and boundaries are essential — especially when you’re used to “hustle.”
• What’s changed for Ellen for the better since her diagnosis — how she now shows up differently in business, in motherhood, in life.
• Words of encouragement for anyone facing big change or a health scare: how to breathe, how to advocate, how to accept help.

This episode was brought to you by Leading Lady Coaching. Learn more here: https://leadinglady-coaching.com/

This episode is brought to you by TCP Youth Empowerment. Every child deserves someone in their corner. To sponsor a child, visit TCP to 44-321 or visit https://www.tcpyouthempowerment.org/

Connect with El: Website: https://www.hereapopupshop.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hereapopupshop/ Read El’s Chapter in We Lead: https://www.amazon.com/We-Lead-Connection-Community-Collaboration/dp/1961493527

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