Today we’d like to introduce you to Annette Castillo
Hi Annette, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I would say my journey began with playing sports as a child into adulthood. Growing up as an athlete playing multiple sports, I learned to appreciate the stress that the body endures and the consequences of neglecting self care, whether for teenagers or older adults in their later years. I would consider this the foundation laid in my younger years. Fast forward to age 21, three years after my first heartbreak, my mom casually ask me one day, “What happened to my little girl that was always so happy and didn’t need anyone else to experience joy.” At that moment my answer was “Life…Heartbreak.” I was struggling with depression and I felt lost. This realization prompted me to look in the mirror, where I barely recognized myself. I had fallen to 96 pounds from 107. It was from that moment that I took back my power, shifted into a higher timeline and started to grow into the person I was meant to be. One day while reflecting on life I found myself wondering why it’s considered normal to gain weight within a year of graduating. It dawned on me that we no longer engage in at least an hour of physical activity five days a week. This realization sparked my journey into the health & fitness realm. I began by working as an Assistant Manager at a gym, eventually becoming the General Manager and a Personal Trainer. After nearly a decade of training I shifted my focus to organizing community obstacle course events for kids at local businesses. When the pandemic hit in 2020 and everything shut down I had to start from square one. This journey eventually led me to Massage Therapy & where I currently work today. I get to learn a lot about how to help others & implement what I learn into my own Massage Therapy Practice. I love helping others and spreading uplifting energy, it’s what brings me joy in life and why I’ve chosen the path I have.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It’s certainly been a challenging journey, filled with obstacles & setbacks that have taught me valuable lessons, growth and progress. Many of my struggles stemmed from not having significant financial support and having to learn everything independently. Most of my progress has come from exposure on Instagram. Now, my current challenge is managing my time. I’ve been working on something for a while and with many people inquiring whether I’m going to sell more, I feel the universe is gently guiding me to move forward with my idea of partnering with businesses once again in a new way. When you feel called to help others it’s easy to forget to prioritize your own needs. I’ve struggled with this challenge too. Everyone, including health & life coaches, needs someone to check in and ask, “Are you taking care of yourself?” From my experience, many people, particularly moms often neglect their own well being. When my body sends me a signal through some type of pain I’m quick to respond but I recognize that I can do better. This is an ongoing lesson for me: not to be too hard on myself, and to be proud of all that I have and am accomplishing. Life is not meant to be serious all the time. We’re here to play, learn & grow and sometimes just sitting doing nothing can be incredibly valuable. A significant challenge I faced was an unfortunate dog attack on my face & Jaw which profoundly changed my perspective on life. The moment the dog’s teeth pierced my jaw I felt an overwhelming sensation, of my soul jumping out of my chest. I received 20 stitches, both inside and outside my mouth and cheeks. It served as another wake up call. Starring at my reflection days later, I struggled to recognize myself. I kept thinking it had to be a dream this isn’t real. At that time I was already dealing with a separation from my wife. I was just so distraught & devastated from everything going on at that moment in time. I felt like no one would ever love me because my face is all cut up now. I felt so disconnected. I can’t pinpoint when I began to reconnect with myself. All I know is I kept hearing my guides telling me to trust them. To be strong, get up and trust them. After a day or two I finally said Okay and I theoretically got myself off the floor and started living my new life one step at a time. I stopped taking life for granted and I started seeing every day as a gift. I no longer thought why me, I started asking what is this trying to teach me? That time in my life is a mystery that I’m still unfolding and trying to understand. It has definitely guided me even deeper into my spirituality.
The first step that helped me spiritually was recognizing what Ego is. Once I learned what Ego was and started to notice where it ruins a lot of peace in your life, I started to take control of my life. You have to shine light on your darkness. What about you brings conflict to your life? What wounds do you still carry that trigger your anger to react vs responding with calmness. What wounds or wrong doings we’re done against you that you still hold unforgiveness for that ruin your peace? What fears do you have that keep you from taking that step towards the life you want to have? What subconscious thoughts are embedded in you that make you think you’re not good enough to be living the life you want or that makes you feel like you’re a victim to your circumstances? When you start to ask yourself these questions and truly care enough to learn about yourself, learn who you are better than anyone ever has, is when you can start to take control of your life and not allow others unhealed wounds to control your responses.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I practice Massage Therapy & also create and Sale Good Vibe Care Packs. The inspiration for these Packs came after experiencing year after year of continuously receiving inflammatory sweets, foods with cancerous ingredients, & sugar filled drinks during the holidays from all these health industries. I wanted to provide a different alternative. An option to gift others uplifting positive vibes. Each Care Pack includes around 10 items featuring inspirational, motivational, or seasonal designs tailored to the month. I love when someone reads the message on the bag and immediately smiles. That’s what I want to offer people. Smiles and higher vibing energy over foods and drinks that will take from their energy and lower their immune system. Others come to me daily asking my advice on many subjects with healthy & fitness as well as suggestions on where to eat for healthier options in Austin. That is what sparked my journey back to partnering with businesses so I can help connect the people who are wanting healthier options with the businesses that do offer those options and care about their community. I’ve had quite a few friends reach out to me essentially coming to me as a life coach to be their accountability. I enjoy sharing all and any knowledge that I come across that can help potentially better someone’s life. We can’t change the world alone and we can’t change others. All we can do is focus on us and change ourselves. That saying “Be the change you want to see in the world” You have to Be the light and lead by example showing others how to live in love. Like they say “Love is what makes the world go round.”
What were you like growing up?
I grew up in a small town in South Texas, about an hour north of Corpus Christi. As a child I was pretty quiet and kept to myself. I had a vivid imagination and loved playing make believe. I participated in sports like basketball, flag football, baseball, volleyball, & track up until my senior year. I always had a dog. I love all kinds of animals. I was shy at first but if I liked your energy & felt comfortable around you I’d talk all night with you. I’d have to say I’m still like that now. Not as shy but I can still be a little protective with my energy. Many people described me as an old soul. What you believe in and how you choose to live your life is no concern to me. All I care about is how you treat other souls who are also here to live their own journey. Everyone’s journey is uniquely there own and everyone has a right to freely live.
Pricing:
- 60 Minute Massage $150
- 60 Minute Massage First Responder $100
- 90 Minute Massage $200
- Good Vibe Care Pack Bulk 11+ $15 Each
- Good Vibe Care Packs $25
Contact Info:
