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

Thanks for listening - if you feel so inclined, we’d really appreciate a 5-star rating and review on Apple podcasts so that others may discover this show…

Let’s rebrand wellness together!

Elizabeth, Tara & Maria

Resources:

The Ultimate Self Care Planner: https://elizabethharrisnutrition.ck.page/9e817ab37e

Get Audible: https://www.audibletrial.com/wellnessrebranded

Let’s connect and keep the conversation going!

Elizabeth Harris, MS, RDN, LDN

FB: Health and Healing with Intuitive Eating community

https://www.facebook.com/groups/healthandhealingwithintuitiveeating

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ElizabethHarrisNutrition

Email: livehealthy@elizabethharrisnutrition.com

Free download to break up with diet culture: https://elizabethharrisnutrition.com/invisible-diet

Tara De Leon, Master Personal Trainer

Email: FitnessTrainer19@hotmail.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tara_de_leon_fitness

Join Tara’s Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/5290e3f13e08/email-signup

Maria Winters, LCPC, NCC

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coaching_therapist/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/MWcoachingtherapy

Website: www.thecoachingtherapist.com

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