We Are Power Podcast
The We Are Power podcast is the podcast for your career and your life. A weekly podcast with listeners in over 60 countries worldwide where you'll hear personal life stories, top-notch industry advice, and key leadership insight from amazing role models. The podcast not only aids your personal and professional development but also delves deep into conversations around Gender Equality and Social Mobility. Each week the We Are Power Podcast will bring you a new interview from a leader within the 100,000-strong We Are Power community, hosted by Simone Roche MBE.
We Are Power Podcast
Finding Peace in the Chaos: Ngunan Adamu's Story
Imagine the version of you who has overcome every challenge, embraced resilience, and is living her fullest life. What does she look like? How does she carry herself each day? Tune into today’s episode to unlock the mindset and habits that will help you step into the empowered version of yourself.
Join us as Simone Roche MBE sits down with broadcaster and entrepreneur, Ngunan Adamu, as she shares her inspiring journey of resilience, strength, and self-discovery. In this episode, Ngunan opens up about her personal battle with breast cancer and how she found courage in the face of adversity. She also discusses the importance of financial preparedness, self-care, and embracing life’s blessings.
They also talk about…
Ngunan’s emotional journey through her breast cancer diagnosis
How she found strength and vulnerability during her toughest moments
The critical role of financial security and insurance for entrepreneurs
The therapeutic benefits of travel for mental health
How Ngunan became a godparent to the Queen Anne liner and embraced her cultural identity as a Nigerian Scouser
Her advice on resilience, facing fears, and navigating life’s challenges with grace
Join us for a powerful conversation on embracing resilience, prioritising self-care, and stepping into your inner warrior.
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Hello, hello and welcome to the we Are Power podcast. If this is your first time here, the we Are Power podcast is the podcast for you, your career and your life. We release an episode every single Monday with listeners in over 60 countries worldwide, where you'll hear personal life stories, top-notch industry advice and key leadership insight from amazing role models. As we Are Power is the umbrella brand to Northern Power Women Awards, which celebrates hundreds of female role models and advocates every year. This is where you can hear stories from all of our awards alumni and stay up to date with everything. Mpw Awards and we Are Power Never imitated, never replicated singularly wonderful, everybody's wonder girl. Today I am joined by the awesome Ganan Adamu broadcaster, entrepreneur, superhero, legend, godparent, but we'll come back to that. Welcome. Thank you, samu.
Speaker 2:How are you? You know it's a funny question, matt. I feel good, I feel fantastic mentally. I'm just waiting for the body to catch up. So it's a funny one because when I got diagnosed with cancer, with breast cancer um, I didn't tell no one for two months. So when I was out and about and doing what I was doing and people say, how are you? It just felt that question just felt so deep because when I was answering it it felt like I was lying, I'm fine, I'm fine, I'm good, but then I'll just be like, oh god, you know, because I'm not, I was still waiting for more tests to come up and, you know, more biopsies. So it was just a really crazy time in my life. But now I just feel like a weight's being lifted. I feel so good, um, I feel good, I look good and I've got a little bit more energy as well.
Speaker 1:So why? What was the decision about not telling everyone? Keeping it uh to yourself? I think, because you have and this is just to say you have, you don't know this woman right follow on social, but you have such a big community and a big presence, not just in the city of Liverpool but beyond global. Yeah, oh god, of course should have said that. Should I do the intro again?
Speaker 2:global legend you know what it was, I think I. Just when I first found out they said you know, you've got breast cancer but you still need to have more biopsies. And at that time I just didn't feel that I could tell anyone because I wasn't ready for the questions, because I was waiting for the questions and for the answers. So the only person I told was my mum, and I remember, um, I had my biopsy and then I had to go back and the doctor said to me, you know, it's breast cancer. And she told me what type of breast cancer it was. And then she said, um, and she said you seem so calm and I said, well, I just don't. You know, I already knew and my body told me something wasn't right anyway. So I kind of knew what she was going to say. But also I think it was a bit of shock because, even though you know, it's like hearing it, it's a totally different ball game. And then I remember I was so calm until they took me into another room, so the nurse took me to explain everything to me and I just remember saying how am I going to tell my son? And that's when I broke down, so I wasn't bothered by anyone else. It was the case of how do I tell my son, because he am I going to tell my son, and that's when I broke down, so I wasn't bothered by anyone else. It was a case of how do I tell my son, because he's such he's my little friend, like he's my best mate, you know, and he's such a deep thinker as well, so I just didn't want to break it to him. So, yes, I just didn't feel like I wanted to share it at that time. But also even just saying the word cancer would make me choke up. And I just remember getting in the car because he said to me um, who have you come with? And I said no one. And like, okay, and are you driving? And I said yeah, and literally I remember driving driving home. I had the best Spotify playlist. I was listening to gospel R&B, I was listening to it.
Speaker 2:But that journey probably took me 20 minutes, but it felt like an hour because I was just overthinking, everything overthinking. And then I got home and all the family was in the house as well. So I was like, are you kidding me? So I had to kind of contain myself and then wait until the kids had gone out and my brothers had gone out and then I said to my mum, um, I've got cancer. And then she was like it's okay. And I was like I cried for a bit and then I was like it is okay and she went. You know what? She went, cancer came to the wrong person and I went yeah, it did. She's like you're a warrior. And I was like, yes, I am. You know, it's like, and that was it then. So I did me cry and then it was just waiting for the other biopsies and I did. You know, I did it all.
Speaker 2:I went to all my appointments. For the first two biopsies I went by myself. And I remember my second biopsy. They had to give me an anesthetic and I was just, I just felt this little prick and I just started crying and they were like the ladies were saying I'm so sorry, and I said, no, it doesn't hurt.
Speaker 2:I was like I just don't know why it's happening to me. I don't want to be here in this situation, um and I. But then I just thought it's fine, I'm in an amazing country, I'm in an amazing city that actually knows what they're doing, and I just felt so good. So once I got all my test results. That's when I just shared it with the family and my brothers didn't know what to do with themselves because I'm the only girl as well and I'm, like the, the second mom of the house.
Speaker 2:But, um, once I got that out the way, then I was able to kind of jump, you know, do what I do, what I love doing best, which is jump on on video and audio and just tell everyone. But I just wanted to. The reason why I went on, um on the socials and and told people while I was in Marrakesh was because, um, I felt I felt cheated because I'd been telling my GP practice for like 18 months that you know, I think something's not right and they just weren't listening to me. And I wanted to kind of be that voice for other women, and especially women of colour, and say if you genuinely, if you know something's not right, don't stop, just keep on persisting until you get that one GP that listens to you. So I was just buried on by by anger, really, um, and frustration with, with the system and the misdiagnosis of women of colour.
Speaker 1:It's through the roof, isn't it?
Speaker 2:Oh, it's awful.
Speaker 1:But you spurred on. How many did you say 10? Multiple.
Speaker 2:Oh God, I had so many women come to me saying you know, you've encouraged me to go and get checked. I even had a hug in Tesco, like literally, she'd come off the till and she was like I saw your video. She went, can I give you a hug? And she said you know, I found a lump and I've been scared to go to my GP practice. She went. Well, seeing your video, I'm going and I just thought, if I can, I can encourage as many women as possible to persist. Then I've done my job, you know. But to persist, then I've done my job, you know.
Speaker 2:But the journey is not over. You know, women like us, we always find another purpose. We can't stop with new purposes, can we? So for me, it was all right then. I just need to keep people updated, because I've never gone through cancer before, you know, um, but also I wanted, I know that the way my brain works is very special, um, I'm very logical, so I'm not an emotional person in that sense.
Speaker 2:So I like to get my emotions out the way. And brain works is very special, um, and very logical, so I'm not an emotional person in that sense. So I like to get my emotions out the way and think all right, then what's the next step? What do we need to do? So already I've got all these ideas, um, of how do we make the system better for women and women of color, but also with um, women from working class communities. You know, one of the rants that I had on my social was it is a postcode lottery. So it's not just about being black or brown or, you know, middle East. None of that it's. It could be a postcode, you know, and I shouldn't have to pay for for extra for private care, just to be taken seriously or just to be seen.
Speaker 1:And I just wanted to really push that message out. And that's some people will say, that's really brave if you to go out and make yourself open and vulnerable and educate, as you're still learning yourself. But one of the things I saw this week was talking about, uh, entrepreneur yeah as well as broadcaster, global legend, all those other things. But you talked about the worries financially that entrepreneurs particularly can have and actually in work, if you've not got critical life cover or certain type of healthcare, it's a vulnerable place, isn't it to be in?
Speaker 2:You know what, simone? It's so scary and and I was spared on to get my, to get life insurance, because I was buying a house and if I wouldn't have done, if I wouldn't have done that, I wouldn't be in this situation where I'm not literally I am stress free, you know. So everyone's like, oh my God, you look well because I'm not worried about my finances and I'm not worried about my bills. So I got life insurance with critical illness cover as well as salary protection or salary cover, and but because I was working internationally back then my insurers were like you've got to go for like the top end, because if anything happens to you on one of your trips, your work trips, then you just don't want your family worrying about, you know, bringing your body back or medical, because I wasn't, I wasn't in Europe, I was in Africa or I was in Asia, so I would have had to then get support from the British embassy and all these things.
Speaker 2:So they really, you know, scared me to the point where I was like all right, then whatever you need to add on, put it on there. And it was only when a friend of mine, she, then said, um, whatever you need, let me know, I'll, you know, I'll loan you some money. And then she said, have you got life insurance? And I was like I actually do you know, because I totally forgot about it.
Speaker 2:It's like you know most subscriptions you just keep on paying. Then one day you look and go, what's that 10 pounds for? Or um, and literally I just called me um insurers and just said, look, I've been diagnosed with breast cancer and just want to check if my insurance, my insurance, covers it. And they were like, yeah, it covers it. And they asked me a few questions and then they sent the bulk of the paperwork to my, my nurse, my breast care nurse and my doctor. So they did the rest. So I just didn't have to do anything. Wow, no stress, no, nothing.
Speaker 2:But when I've spoken to other women, not everyone's had that success story. But also, if you're this is another thing if you have genetic and family-related breast cancer, some insurance will not cover you. So mine is oestrogen-related. So you've got to make sure that if you're getting out insurance, seeing what it covers you but also doing your research as well, um, I mean people can get in contact with me and ask me who my insurers are. I'm more more than happy to share that. But I remember from my conversation with me insurers to my um, this, my breast cancer nurse getting my paperwork. The whole process took about four weeks and I just got a phone call while I was at the airport and they were saying, oh, it's gone through and you'll get it in two, three days. And when they told me about it I was like that's nice, more holidays and and that travel has been icy as your outlet.
Speaker 1:You're kind of right, this is going to be my space now to go. I'm going to go travel, yeah, so before not that you weren't like Judith Chalmers, anyway, actually people like who's You're kind of right, this is going to be my space now to go.
Speaker 2:I'm going to go travel. Not that you weren't like Judith Chalmers anyway. Actually, people are like who's Judith Chalmers? It's her. Google it. So yeah. So when, the funny thing is, it's all happened by chance. So, before my surgery, my cousin we'd already planned the year before to go to marrakech and she was coming from brooklyn, I was coming from liverpool, and I said so I don't think I'm going to be able to go because mentally I just don't think I'm fit enough to go. While I'm trying to navigate this new, this new life of mine, and, um, I think I meditated and I was like I'm, you know so went to Marrakesh, had the best time, like literally the best time ever, stayed in the four seasons, I was feeling quite close.
Speaker 2:And then when I got back, I had my surgery a week later, but it put me in such a good space, you know, good mental headspace, I was ready for it. And then, similar, similar thing my mate had booked to go on a cruise and she said look, I've booked the cabin. It'll cost me an extra 200 pounds to add your name to it. Um, let me know if you want to come. And again I was like you know what? Why not? Because I was then waiting for the results of my um, my surgery, to know whether, whether or not I need a chemotherapy, radiotherapy. So, yeah, I was off, came back on the Monday, tuesday, had me appointment and got me you know me, um my treatment, I'll say my biopsy results from the mastectomy. And again, I'm waiting to start radiotherapy in December. So I'm gonna go away again, you know, gonna go away again.
Speaker 2:I think, um, it's, it's an absolute, it's an absolute privilege. Um, we take so much for granted in terms of what we can and can't do, especially as women. We're so bothered about what everyone else thinks oh, you're going away again, or you've got this nice car, you've got nice like it's. We're always second guessing ourselves and feeling like we're not deserve. We don't deserve all these nice things.
Speaker 2:And actually being faced with cancer, I think for me has completely changed, changed my mindset, because now I'm just like no, I am amazing, I do this, I work, I work so hard, you know, so why can't I enjoy myself? Um, but also I was having a conversation with someone else who's gone through cancer and she was saying it's interesting when you're sitting there and the doctor's telling you you know, it's a matter of life or death. You know, if you don't get this treatment you could die within five years, if you, you know. So literally thinking, all right, then for someone like me, I've done everything right. You know I don't drink, I don't smoke, you know.
Speaker 2:And when I say don't drink, I stopped drinking a year ago, but now and again I'd have like a glass of red wine, but I wasn't a big drinker and I go to the gym. So I've done everything right. You know I meditate. So when you get that kind of that cancer diagnosis, you go. You know what F? It I'm, you go, you know what eff it I'm. Just, you know. But also I've been because I've been forced to stop. I'm not bothered about losing work.
Speaker 2:Does that make sense? Because before it's like oh, if I don't do it, then someone else is gonna do it, then maybe they might forget about me, and whereas now I'm like you know what there's, so I I need to practice what I preach. There's room for everyone, yeah, you know, and there's so many new up and coming talents out there that deserve, deserve that space.
Speaker 1:But Moving on and we send you all our love and we'll be with you. We know what the WhatsApp groups are like for wrapping the love around, so people can't forget about you because, quite frankly, you will always come to, because you are one of only five people in the world that are a godparent to a cruise ship. Yeah Right, so this year it was Queen Anne. Is it the Queen Anne the new Cunard liner? I didn't even know that till the big ceremony this year. It was Queen Anne. Is it the Queen Anne the new Cunard liner? There's always I didn't even know that till the big ceremony this year but always have a godparent, and this year they announced five legends of Liverpool I know and being one of those godparents you and Sporty Spice.
Speaker 2:Oh, it was amazing. It was amazing. So the way it worked out was normally they have a royal family and obviously you know Liverpool's history, um, and they decided to bestow the city of Liverpool as the the guardians of, um, the Queenura haywood, um, so we were all it was. Honestly, when I got that email I thought it was a joke because I was reading it. And then I read it again. Then I was like, can you give me a call? Because I thought there's no way that you're naming me one of the godparents to this ship, because in my, in my head, I was like there's so many amazing women in the city and, um, but it was nice because we all had our individual reasons, um, why they picked us. So it was just, yeah, it was, it was mental, but also a lot of things were embargoed as well. So I didn't know Mel C or Katerina Johnson or Laura I didn't know any of them were part of it. So they said to me it was 10 women. Yeah, to kind of throw. You know, throw a fit, what is it called? I don't even know the terminology. But they said look, there's 10 women and you can't say anything. So then later on I was like who else is the? And they said who else is the? And he said we can't tell you.
Speaker 2:So I didn't find out until it was like 48 hours later. Yeah, and I didn't realize how big it was either. So when it all happened I was like, are you kidding me? You know, I've never been so nervous in my life. And then my mum turned off and she was like, oh my god, like this is crazy. But the funny thing is my mum's quite spoilt now because she's been to Buckingham Palace with me, where they loved her, nobody was bothered about quite spoilt now because she's been to Buckingham Palace with me, where they loved her. Nobody was bothered about me, they loved her because she wore her beautiful Nigerian attire. So everyone kept on taking pictures of her and then being a godparent to the Queen Anne and then seeing Andre Pacelli, and it was just, it was absolutely amazing.
Speaker 2:So I always say a lot of these accolades, I number one. It's not just about me, it's about what I represent and it's, you know, the women of the city, and it's also, um, my heritage as well. Um, and then the hard work that my grandparents did in this country, you know. So I'm just a result of my family as well as how the city has shaped me. For me, it's definitely a case of giving back to the city. You know, I remember someone's. I always, I always said I'm a Nigerian Scouser. Always. And someone was like what do you mean? You're a Nigerian Scouser? I was like why am I going to call myself a British Nigerian?
Speaker 2:It's being Scouse that's actually made me who I am, you know, and I love my accent, you know, I've been here since I was three, so, yeah, so being a godparent was just, I just wanted to cry. I did. I wanted to cry because, again, it's that classic thing that we do as women where we underestimate our roles in the city, in the country, you know. And then I had to take stock and go. Actually, gunnar gonna know, you've done a lot, you know, and, like yourself, you're not everyone sees the work that you do. And when I was being interviewed and I was saying actually, no, I've done this, I've done that, then I was like you know what you deserve, this, you do, you deserve this. So, yeah, it was, um, it was a surreal moment.
Speaker 1:Well, I think my final kind of question, which must have been more surreal than anything, was some of those turquoise carpet moments at Eurovision. So last year Eurovision was probably the most bonkers time that I've ever known in this city. It was for me and Rob living on the waterfront. We went to everything every day. There was always something four weeks of crazy, like Sophie Ellis-Bexter playing a disco in John Lewis and Sam Ryder playing on the top of some. It was bogus. Now please tell me you're still in the WhatsApp groups for for your vision?
Speaker 2:oh, we are. And the funny thing is we, we still, like we know what's going on politically as well. So it's just, it's funny. It is funny and, uh, you know, if I've ever heard of the Eurovision blues like it was crazy, because we're all on such a high, like we were working like 14 nowadays, it was mad. So once that all stopped, it was like, oh my god, what do we do? What do we do with our lives? What do we do next? Because you could dress how you wanted to dress and nobody judged you. You know, you could. I mean, it was just bonkers, absolutely bonkers.
Speaker 2:I look back at videos of when we were doing the podcast Eurovision cast. I'm just plugging that out there. It's still, it's still on there, it's still on the iPlayer. Um, when I was doing Eurovision cast, there's so many surreal moments because I was with, you know, mon's Zelima Love, who's like the, it's like the Elvis of um of Eurovision, and literally it was like our banter was crazy. And you know I'm going to watch the live performances and and you realize, those moments you'll never get again, you know. So there's parts of me that goes even with everything I've gone through with the cancer. Actually I've had some amazing moments that people could wish for. You know, like my son now I'm like do I write a book now or later?
Speaker 1:I reckon your son do write a book, right?
Speaker 2:Yeah, I guess Honestly but it is, it's just. It's just, it's um. Yeah, I've been so, so lucky, um. Someone said to me stop saying lucky, say blessed. I've been so blessed, honestly, I mean, I'm not dying, just saying that I'm not dying, it's just I'm. I'm taking stock of everything that I've gone through, um, and I have I've been so blessed with the opportunities I've been given. I've definitely got about 50 guardian angels looking out for me and I'm, if I like, next year it's going to be crazy, just like you know, just like next year, because I've been nominated for another award. I can't tell you about that yet, but next year it's going to be a big year for me and iWoman as well. So there's loads of stuff that I've been doing.
Speaker 1:There's a million things we could talk about, but you'll be back next year. We can have an update. Yeah, we can hopefully kind of cajole some of the numbers out of that WhatsApp group into that. Ganan, we send you big love and hopes. Thank you. Can't wait to catch up with Warrior Woman this time next year. Maybe bring your mum, oh God, looking prepared for that one. Thank you so much for joining here. Love you loads and we'll see you next year. Thank you, subscribe on YouTube, apple, amazon Music, spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Leave us a review or follow us on socials. We are Power underscore net on Insta, tiktok and Twitter. We are Power on LinkedIn, facebook and we are underscore Power on YouTube.
