Kris Castro’s Mission to Help Leaders Find Breakthrough Through Faith
In a world marked by uncertainty, anxiety, and constant change, Kris Castro has built her life’s work around helping others find clarity, purpose, and breakthrough. As founder of Shift, Inc., a Christ-centered coaching, leadership development, and speaking organization based in Georgia, Castro combines more than 25 years of coaching experience with a deep faith in Jesus Christ to help leaders navigate life’s most challenging transitions.
What began as a personal journey out of career frustration has evolved into a ministry focused on transformation, faith, and empowering people to embrace what Castro calls an "Adventure Mindset."
When Success No Longer Feels Successful
Like many professionals, Castro spent years climbing the career ladder. But in her early thirties, she found herself miserable in a work environment that was affecting her emotional well-being.
"There was a time where I was coming home in tears because I was so frustrated," Castro recalls. "I started to recognize that my sense of well-being was worth more than my paycheck."
Determined to discover her true calling, she stepped away from the corporate environment and spent nearly a year exploring different opportunities while seeking God’s direction for her life.
That search led her to professional coaching.
"When I found coaching, I realized I had been doing it organically my whole life," she says. "I fell in love with the idea of helping people achieve their goals and discover what God was doing in their lives."
Today, Castro holds a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) credential and works with individuals through coaching, speaking engagements, and leadership training. Her specialty is spiritual coaching through a biblical lens.
"My favorite work is helping people get to a place where every area of their life is aligned with Jesus so things begin flowing more naturally and purposefully."
Becoming a "Breakthrough Midwife"
One of the most unique descriptions Castro uses for herself is "Breakthrough Midwife."
The phrase emerged while she was studying city transformation and community leadership. The more she reflected on her coaching practice, the more she realized the term perfectly described her role.
"People usually reach out when they’re at a breaking point," she explains. "Something has to change. They’re looking for a breakthrough."
Much like a midwife helps deliver a child, Castro helps clients move through uncertainty, confusion, pain, and transition until they reach clarity and transformation.
"I get the privilege of journeying with them through the chaos and helping them discover what God is doing in their lives."
Lessons Learned Through Burnout and Brokenness
Castro believes some of her greatest leadership lessons came through seasons of hardship.
One of the most significant truths she’s learned is that leadership isn’t about personal achievement.
"The biggest lesson God has taught me is that it’s not about me," she says. "My job is simply to be obedient."
Whether God prompts her to encourage a stranger, support someone in need, or step into a new opportunity, Castro believes success is rooted in faithful obedience rather than outcomes.
Her faith also provides resilience during life’s setbacks.
"My identity has always been in Jesus. That allows me to fail miserably, get back up again, and stay humble when things go well."
Launching the Greater Atlanta Christian Chamber Coalition
In addition to Shift, Inc., Castro is currently focused on launching the Greater Atlanta Christian Chamber Coalition, a new initiative designed to connect Christian business leaders, nonprofits, churches, and community organizations throughout metro Atlanta.
The concept was born while Castro was attending seminary and gaining a deeper understanding of how faith influences leadership and community impact.
"We are placed where we are for a purpose," she says. "We’re not in our neighborhoods, workplaces, or communities by accident."
The chamber’s mission centers around collaboration, stewardship, and authentic fellowship.
Castro believes churches, ministries, nonprofits, and businesses can accomplish far more together than they can individually.
"Our city should be flourishing because we’re here," she says. "Not because everyone believes exactly as we do, but because we’re willing to serve, listen, and work together."
The organization is currently accepting founding members and hosting events throughout the Atlanta region, with hopes of expanding its presence across the metro area’s 29 counties.
From Fear to Faith
One of the most common struggles Castro sees among leaders is fear.
Whether it’s fear about finances, career decisions, family challenges, or uncertainty about the future, many people become paralyzed by circumstances they cannot control.
Castro understands the struggle personally.
She remembers the challenge of trusting God financially early in her career. After feeling convicted about withholding tithes because of financial concerns, she chose to trust God despite her fears.
Shortly afterward, an unexpected refund check arrived in the mail, covering her expenses.
"It was one of those moments where God asked me, ‘Don’t you trust Me?’"
Another defining experience came when she sensed God asking her to leave home and embark on a journey without knowing the destination.
Over the course of three and a half months, Castro traveled more than 14,000 miles across the United States.
"It was one of the most unstable times of my life," she says. "But I saw God provide over and over again."
That experience eventually inspired what she now teaches as the Adventure Mindset.
Developing an Adventure Mindset
For Castro, an Adventure Mindset means viewing obstacles as opportunities for growth rather than reasons to quit.
"It’s treating hard things as adventures," she explains. "Being willing to take meaningful risks, do uncomfortable things, and believe that something beautiful exists on the other side."
She often references stories like The Lord of the Rings, where the hero faces overwhelming challenges yet continually receives what he needs to take the next step forward.
The lesson is simple but powerful: trust the process, stay faithful, and keep moving.
What Faith-Based Coaching Looks Like
Unlike traditional consulting, where experts provide answers, Castro sees coaching as a process of helping individuals discover answers for themselves.
"Most clients already have the answers somewhere inside them," she says. "My role is helping them uncover what’s hidden."
Through guided conversations, prayer, reflection, and discernment, clients gain clarity about their purpose, identify beliefs that may be holding them back, and establish goals aligned with God’s direction.
One client who entered coaching feeling stuck emerged with renewed confidence, deeper self-awareness, and a clearer understanding of her next steps.
"The circumstances weren’t all fixed," Castro says. "But she had clarity, confidence, and direction."
Redefining Success
Perhaps the most striking part of Castro’s story is how her definition of success has changed.
"Thirty years ago, success was financial," she says. "Today, success is simply asking: Did I do what Jesus told me to do?"
It’s a perspective that shapes everything from her business decisions to her ministry work.
As for her legacy, Castro hopes the answer is simple.
"I want people to leave better than they came," she says. "Whether it’s a person, a community, or a city, I want things to be better because I was there."
For Georgians feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or uncertain about the future, Castro offers one final encouragement:
"Being stuck is a feeling. It’s not reality. There’s always a path forward. Take one small step, trust God, and keep moving."
For more information about Kris Castro, Shift, Inc., or the Greater Atlanta Christian Chamber Coalition, visit www.BeginToShift.com or connect with her on LinkedIn and Facebook.
