Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Baylor.
Ashley, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
The Baylor Strong Project actually started as a hashtag. Back then, we were simply known as Baylor Strong—a name inspired by my dad’s battle with pancreatic cancer. After he passed away in 2020, I knew I wanted to get involved and raise money for research in his honor.
I reached out to a friend who told me about the Lustgarten Foundation, and that’s where it all began. I created a fundraising profile, and the rest is history.
In 2023, after time spent in prayer and a powerful conversation with one of my business coaches, I made the decision to turn Baylor Strong into an online coaching business for caregivers of loved ones diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. That’s when I added “Project” to the name—to reflect the ongoing work, advocacy, and support that families need, not just during treatment, but throughout the entire journey.
This has been a five-year journey filled with ups and downs, but what has carried Baylor Strong this far is the unwavering support of our community. I will always believe that community will take you further than an isolated mission.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It hasn’t been a smooth road at all.
When we started with just fundraising, the hardest part was planning locations and marketing. I knew nothing about marketing at the time, and I didn’t have enough connections or partnerships to draw major numbers. But even with all that, I still see every event we hosted as a success. We learned lessons, we showed up, and we still got 20+ people to come out on a weekend for a great cause. We also raised over $5,000 to support pancreatic cancer research—and that encouraged me to keep going.
When I turned Baylor Strong into a business, I knew absolutely nothing. But my business coaches? Top tier. I’m so grateful to still have them walking with me on this journey. They taught me how to build and grow an audience on social media, how to have meaningful conversations with leads, how to nurture those relationships, and the art of content creation and persuasion. Most importantly, they helped me see the dynamic impact Baylor Strong could have.
I’m still a one-woman show when it comes to operations. I’m the graphic designer, the web builder, the social media manager—you name it. And even now, in year two of business, there’s still so much I’m learning.
I’ve had potential leads ghost me. I’ve had to learn when to say no. And I’ve realized that entrepreneurship will bring all your doubts and insecurities to the surface. Honestly? I’d go on record and say that battling how you see yourself is the hardest part of being a business owner.
If you’re going to be successful and persevere, you have to make the decision to shift your mindset. You have to believe in you—even when it’s hard.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Baylor Strong is more than a brand—it’s a movement rooted in love, loss, and legacy.
I started this work after losing my dad to pancreatic cancer. He was my best friend, and his diagnosis flipped my world upside down. At the time, I was in my second year as a science major, and I was an emotional and mental wreck. But the only way I knew how to cope was to research. I didn’t just Google symptoms—I was deep in peer-reviewed journals, medical portals, and leaning on my professors for insight. I turned my dad into my own case study, because that was the only way I felt I could help with the background I had in science and healthcare.
Even with all that, I still didn’t learn 95% of what I know now. And that’s exactly why coaching caregivers is so important to me.
At Baylor Strong, I create resources, tools, and spaces that help caregivers feel seen, supported, and empowered. I specialize in providing education, emotional support, and advocacy for families navigating pancreatic cancer. Whether it’s through free downloadable guides, heartfelt newsletters, or coaching conversations, everything I offer is designed to help caregivers breathe, reset, and remember that they matter too.
What sets Baylor Strong apart is the soul behind it. This isn’t just a business—it’s personal. My dad didn’t allow us to attend his hospital visits until much later in his journey. He didn’t want to “burden” us. He thought he was protecting us. He only shared what he felt we could handle. And while I understand that, I also know how much that left us in the dark—panicked, anxious, and trying to piece together what was really happening.
I don’t want families to feel that way. Is pancreatic cancer scary? Yes. But it’s no longer a death sentence. And that’s what I offer—hope, clarity, and support.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud of the trust I’ve built. People know when they come to Baylor Strong, they’re not getting fluff. They’re getting real talk, real resources, and real love. I want your readers to know that if they’re caring for someone with pancreatic cancer—or know someone who is—they don’t have to walk that road alone. I’ve created guides like Processing the Diagnosis, Understanding Creon, and The Caregiver’s Toolkit because I believe information is power, and support is healing.
Baylor Strong is here to remind caregivers: You are not invisible. You are not alone. And you deserve care, too.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
Absolutely. Baylor Strong would not be what it is without the people who believed in me when I didn’t always believe in myself—but first, I have to give all glory to God.
Baylor Strong is a vision from the Lord that I didn’t initially see. I had no idea God would call me to this work. But He did. And every step of this journey—every open door, every divine connection, every moment I wanted to quit but didn’t—has been guided by Him. Our faith in Christ is the foundation of Baylor Strong. It’s our legacy. My dad leaned hard into his faith during his battle with pancreatic cancer, and that’s how Baylor Strong got its name. This isn’t just a brand—it’s a calling.
My mom and sisters have been my rock. They’ve stood by me through every twist and turn, prayed over me, encouraged me, and reminded me who I am when I started to forget. My friends and church family? They’re my backbone. They’ve shown up for me in ways I can’t even put into words—offering their time, their wisdom, and their unwavering support. I’m so grateful to be surrounded by people who love me deeply and hold me up when I need it most.
I also have to give credit to my business coaches. They’ve been with me since the beginning, and I truly believe God placed them in my life at the right time. They didn’t just teach me strategy—they helped me see the vision. They showed me how to build an audience, how to create meaningful content, how to nurture relationships, and how to turn my pain into purpose. I’m still learning, but their guidance has been foundational.
And finally, the caregivers. The ones who’ve trusted me with their stories, their fears, and their hearts. Every conversation, every message, every “thank you for seeing me” has reminded me why this work matters. They are the heartbeat of Baylor Strong.
This journey hasn’t been easy, but I’ve never walked it alone. God has been with me every step of the way—and for that, I’m deeply grateful.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.baylorstrongproject.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebaylorstrongproject
- Facebook: www.www.facebook.com/soar.baylorstrong
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleylbaylor
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/@TheBaylorStrongProject Joined Apr 11, 2024 28 subscribers 4 videos 167 views
Image Credits
Udo Asomugha
