From Cancer Survivor to Community Leader: Mei Mei's Inspiring Journey
02/11/25 • 35 min
In this episode of the Midlife with Courage podcast, host Kim interviews Melissa 'Mei Mei' Abdouch, the owner of Mei Mei's Cookies and Creamery in River Falls, Wisconsin. Melissa shares her inspiring journey from surviving a stage-4 neuroblastoma in childhood to serving in the Air Force, working in finance, and finally running a successful bakery.
The discussion also highlights Melissa's community involvement, support for special needs employees, and her passion for empowering local women-owned businesses. Despite facing personal and professional challenges, including a recent battle with breast cancer, Melissa's story is a testament to resilience, community support, and the importance of following one’s passions.
00:00 Welcome to Midlife with Courage
00:21 Introducing Mei Mei: A Journey of Resilience
01:52 Overcoming Childhood Cancer
02:45 A Life of Service and Determination
07:49 From Finance to Cookies: A Bold Career Pivot
15:17 Building a Community-Focused Business
17:57 Building a Supportive Business Community
19:39 The Joy of Running a Local Shop
21:45 Empowering the Next Generation
23:25 Supporting Local Makers
25:24 Community Support During Tough Times
27:20 Celebrating Women's History Month
29:40 Expanding Beyond Local Boundaries
32:04 Final Thoughts and Advice
If you would like to order those delicious cookies, you can check out her site at this LINK.
Get your free ebook called Daily Habits for Hormonal Harmony by going to my website. This free guide will help you balance your hormones through some easy daily activities.
Just add your email to the popup and your guide will be on its way to your inbox.
From morning until bedtime, you can help yourself feel better!
Kim Benoy is a retired RN, Certified Aromatherapist, wife and mom who is passionate about inspiring and encouraging women over 40. She wants you to see your own beauty, value and worth through sharing stories of other women just like you.
Would you like to get a "sneak" listen to each podcast? Subscribe to my website to get my weekly inspirational message and a link to that week's podcast a day ahead of everyone else! Just click the link below to get on the list!
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In this episode of the Midlife with Courage podcast, host Kim interviews Melissa 'Mei Mei' Abdouch, the owner of Mei Mei's Cookies and Creamery in River Falls, Wisconsin. Melissa shares her inspiring journey from surviving a stage-4 neuroblastoma in childhood to serving in the Air Force, working in finance, and finally running a successful bakery.
The discussion also highlights Melissa's community involvement, support for special needs employees, and her passion for empowering local women-owned businesses. Despite facing personal and professional challenges, including a recent battle with breast cancer, Melissa's story is a testament to resilience, community support, and the importance of following one’s passions.
00:00 Welcome to Midlife with Courage
00:21 Introducing Mei Mei: A Journey of Resilience
01:52 Overcoming Childhood Cancer
02:45 A Life of Service and Determination
07:49 From Finance to Cookies: A Bold Career Pivot
15:17 Building a Community-Focused Business
17:57 Building a Supportive Business Community
19:39 The Joy of Running a Local Shop
21:45 Empowering the Next Generation
23:25 Supporting Local Makers
25:24 Community Support During Tough Times
27:20 Celebrating Women's History Month
29:40 Expanding Beyond Local Boundaries
32:04 Final Thoughts and Advice
If you would like to order those delicious cookies, you can check out her site at this LINK.
Get your free ebook called Daily Habits for Hormonal Harmony by going to my website. This free guide will help you balance your hormones through some easy daily activities.
Just add your email to the popup and your guide will be on its way to your inbox.
From morning until bedtime, you can help yourself feel better!
Kim Benoy is a retired RN, Certified Aromatherapist, wife and mom who is passionate about inspiring and encouraging women over 40. She wants you to see your own beauty, value and worth through sharing stories of other women just like you.
Would you like to get a "sneak" listen to each podcast? Subscribe to my website to get my weekly inspirational message and a link to that week's podcast a day ahead of everyone else! Just click the link below to get on the list!
SUBSCRIBE
WEBSITE
FACEBOOK
Previous Episode
Exploring Motherhood Through Open Adoption: A Journey of Courage with Ayo Haynes
In this episode of 'Midlife with Courage,' Kim welcomes Ayo Haynes, a coach, realtor, keynote speaker, and open adoption success coach. Ayo shares her inspiring journey of becoming a mother through adoption as a single woman in her 40s. She discusses the importance of open adoption, mindset changes, and the detailed adoption process. Ayo also offers insights into balancing motherhood with her career and the significance of community support.
Listen to hear Ayo's encouraging message for women who still dream of motherhood despite the societal norms.
00:00 Welcome to Midlife with Courage
00:23 Meet Ayo Haynes: A Journey of Courage
02:09 Embracing Motherhood Through Adoption
06:00 Navigating the Adoption Process
16:27 The Importance of Open Adoption
26:02 Supporting Women in Their Adoption Journey
34:37 Final Thoughts and Encouragement
If you would like to follow Ayo on Instagram you can click HERE. You will learn more about her work with open adoption and her other amazing endeavors.
Get your free ebook called Daily Habits for Hormonal Harmony by going to my website. This free guide will help you balance your hormones through some easy daily activities.
Just add your email to the popup and your guide will be on its way to your inbox.
From morning until bedtime, you can help yourself feel better!
Kim Benoy is a retired RN, Certified Aromatherapist, wife and mom who is passionate about inspiring and encouraging women over 40. She wants you to see your own beauty, value and worth through sharing stories of other women just like you.
Would you like to get a "sneak" listen to each podcast? Subscribe to my website to get my weekly inspirational message and a link to that week's podcast a day ahead of everyone else! Just click the link below to get on the list!
SUBSCRIBE
WEBSITE
FACEBOOK
Next Episode
From Caregiving to Filmmaking: Katie Prentiss' Midlife Transformation
In this episode of Midlife with Courage, Kim welcomes Katie Prentiss, a filmmaker and actor from Portland, Oregon, who shares her extraordinary journey of embracing creativity and caregiving in midlife.
Katie talks about her transition from being a stay-at-home mom and portrait photographer to diving into the world of acting and filmmaking.
She discusses her mother's battle with frontal temporal dementia (FTD), her midlife pivot to acting, and her ambitious project, 'Wake Up Maggie,' which aims to raise awareness for this lesser-known type of dementia.
Katie's story is a testament to resilience and the pursuit of passion, highlighting the courage required to navigate life's unexpected turns. Listen to this inspiring conversation filled with valuable insights and words of encouragement.
00:00 Welcome to Midlife with Courage
00:26 Meet Katie Prentiss
01:17 Katie's Courageous Journey
02:14 From Stay-at-Home Mom to Entrepreneur
05:49 The Acting Leap
15:46 Creating Her Own Work
22:44 Raising Awareness for FTD
29:27 Final Thoughts and Encouragement
Follow Katie on her WEBSITE to learn more about her.
If you want to learn more about her new movie "Wake Up Maggie" you can go to her Instagram account. You will find updates about the movie's progress and learn how you can support her mission of bringing awareness to FTD.
Get your free ebook called Daily Habits for Hormonal Harmony by going to my website. This free guide will help you balance your hormones through some easy daily activities.
Just add your email to the popup and your guide will be on its way to your inbox.
From morning until bedtime, you can help yourself feel better!
Kim Benoy is a retired RN, Certified Aromatherapist, wife and mom who is passionate about inspiring and encouraging women over 40. She wants you to see your own beauty, value and worth through sharing stories of other women just like you.
Would you like to get a "sneak" listen to each podcast? Subscribe to my website to get my weekly inspirational message and a link to that week's podcast a day ahead of everyone else! Just click the link below to get on the list!
SUBSCRIBE
WEBSITE
FACEBOOK
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