The Why Before the How: Awakening the Desire to Be Well

As a coach for over 22 years, I’ve walked alongside thousands of people on their journey 

toward health—women, men, couples, and families. What often begins with a desire to

lose weight or gain energy becomes something deeper: a restoration of identity,

relationships, joy, and God-given purpose. But lasting transformation starts with a question.

Jesus asked this very question to a man who had been lying beside the healing waters

of Bethesda for thirty-eight years: “Do you want to be well?” (John 5:6, ESV). That

question might seem simple, even obvious—but in my experience, it’s the most powerful

starting point of all. So many people long for change, but deep down, they’ve stopped

believing it’s possible. They’re tired. Afraid. Disappointed by previous attempts or held

back by shame or not feeling worthy. And yet, healing begins the moment we answer

honestly and say, “Yes, Lord. I want to be well.”

I still remember the moment I had to face that question myself. It was my 43rd birthday,

and I was in so much pain—physically, emotionally, spiritually. I had been struggling with

chronic autoimmune diseases for over a decade, visiting specialist after specialist, while

slowly watching my health, my relationships, and my joy fall apart. I was overweight, in

constant pain, emotionally unstable, and spiritually weary. I had withdrawn from

friendships. My marriage was strained. We were both broke and broken.

That morning, I tried to sit up in bed, but my elbows gave out beneath me from joint pain.

I fell back on the pillow and then slowly propped myself back up. With tears streaming

down my cheeks, I said out loud, with conviction, I give up. I’m going to be overweight,

unhealthy, and unhappy for the rest of my life.” Looking back, it was such a defeatist

thing to say to myself—especially as a birthday wish. But the rheumatologist had told me

and my husband that I was going to die a slow, painful death, and they would just be

able to treat the symptoms. But God had other plans.

My sister-in-law and brother shared a health program with me that very day, not realizing

I gave up hope three hours before! At first, I reminded myself of my declaration, and

somehow, I found myself saying, Yes...ONE more time, I made a no-matter-what

commitment. No matter how long it took, how hard it felt, or how afraid I was, I wanted to

live a better quality of life... No more excuses. That decision changed the whole

trajectory of my life!

Within days, I started to feel hopeful again. I had more energy. To begin with, I replaced

my chocolate-addicted diet with nourishing foods. In contrast to living as a hermit, two

weeks later, I went whitewater rafting with my coaches and their friends—a feat I never

imagined possible at that point. My body, mind, and relationships began to shift. My

husband and I grew closer. I started dreaming again, and it wasn’t long before I started

helping others do the same.

That’s when I discovered a powerful truth: people don’t need to be talked into health.

They need to be awakened to what’s possible when they live in alignment with how God

designed them to thrive. Most of the people I’ve coached didn’t need more

discipline—they needed to trade their inner narrative. They weren’t failing because they

lacked willpower. They were stuck because they believed lies like, “I always fail, I’ll just

go back to my old ways,” “I’m too broken to change,” or “My circumstances stand in the

way.”

Romans 12:2 (NIV) reminds us to “be transformed by the renewing of your mind”. Real

transformation doesn’t come through sheer grit—it comes by replacing false stories with

truth. That’s why I began identifying the difference between the version of me that

operated out of fear and defeat, and the version that showed up as more energetic,

positive, loving, caring, hopeful, and purpose-driven. When I felt stuck, I asked myself,

“How can I?” Over time, I chose to live from the truth of who I was in Christ and created

a new, healthier identity.

One of the most beautiful results of this healing was how it rippled into my marriage. As I

changed, our relationship changed. We communicated better. We laughed again. We

restored what had been broken, and two years later, Jaime and I renewed our vows on

our 25th anniversary. Now, at 45 years of marriage, we live vibrant lives on the water on

Siesta Key, Florida, where we also co-lead marriage retreats together, creating a safe

and fun place where couples can heal, reconnect, and move forward in unity.

I often tell my clients and couples that their emotional triggers are not their

enemies—they’re signals. When we reach for sugar or screens or stay buried in

busyness, it’s usually because something deeper is going on. Sometimes it’s loneliness,

overwhelm, disappointment, or fear. But instead of numbing those feelings, we can learn

to pause and ask what’s truly going on inside. That kind of emotional awareness, paired

with God’s truth, leads to deeper healing than diet alone ever could.

Small Choices, Big Ripples

Real health isn’t built on perfection. It’s built on sustainable, healthy habits. For me, it

looked like regular exercise (now that I could), controlling my blood sugars through

nutrition, drinking more water, working on my mindset, setting healthier boundaries, and

getting enough sleep. Over time, these small, daily acts of stewardship created space for

presence and joy.

Health affects everything—our energy, activities, our relationships, our faith, our ability to

serve others, our outlook on life, and fulfilling our purpose. The changes I made in my

own life eventually led to a sense of being set free, not just for me, but for those I’ve had

the privilege of walking with. Because when one woman begins to live a JoyFull Life, she

creates a ripple effect that brings light into the world. Are you ready to shine?

If you’re reading this and feeling like a shadow of who you once were, know this: healing

is possible. Joy is possible. Living in alignment with who God created you to be is

possible. Not by trying harder—but by returning to your why; your purpose. Jesus is still

asking, “Do you want to be well?” And if your answer is yes, even if it’s quiet or hesitant,

I pray for Him to meet you right where you are—and carry you to where you want to be.

My life changed when I started with an honest “why” and implemented a viable how;

believe yours can, too. You are welcome to contact me if you want to explore the

possibilities together.

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About the Author: Lisa Castro is a coach, business mentor, and co-owner with her husband, Jaime, in multiple businesses. For over 22 years, she has empowered individuals and couples to

reclaim their health, relationships and purpose. She is passionate about helping others

live a JoyFull Life—aligned with God and overflowing with purpose. Together, Lisa and

Jaime lead faith-based marriage retreats.

www.lisacastro.com