Hats Off with Michelle Castle
- Michelle Castle
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Welcome to Hats Off—a space for real talk, inspired moments, and honest reflections from whichever hat I happen to be wearing when I sit down to write. Whether it’s a thought that’s stirring my soul, a spark to keep you moving forward, or a reminder to pause and breathe, each edition comes straight from the heart and is meant to meet you right where you are.
What To Expect
Welcome to Hats Off—a space where I share reflections from the heart, stirred by whatever hat I’m wearing the moment I sit down to write. This newsletter is more than words on a screen. It’s part of a deeper journey—a story still unfolding—one rooted in self-discovery, growth, and the powerful choice to live intentionally.
That journey began for me during a quiet, uncertain time: quarantine in 2020. Life had slowed, the world had paused, and I found myself sitting by the window at our lake house, staring out over the water, wondering: Who am I, really? What do I want from this life? What truly matters?
Like many of you, I had worn so many hats for so long—mom, wife, mortgage professional, coach, community leader—that I wasn’t sure which one was actually me. The stillness gave space for the questions I hadn’t had time to ask. It was in those contemplative, soul-stirring moments that the spark of Living LIT was born.
But I didn’t walk this path alone.
Mentors became dear friends who didn’t just encourage me to keep going… they gave me permission to be more of who I truly was. Staci Wright introduced me to Human Design, and for the first time, I felt seen. I realized there was nothing wrong with me. I wasn’t “too much.” I wasn’t scattered. I was living exactly how I was created to live—with energy, passion, and purpose across many lanes at once.
Living LIT retreats grew from a little idea called Castle on the Coast into a movement of women reconnecting with themselves and their purpose. Friends showed up. They shared it with others. They supported me through every expansion—from retreats to the Living LIT book on Amazon, to coaching real estate and business owners in values-aligned growth, to creating wellness in the workplace initiatives, and now launching the Thrive movement within Guild Mortgage.
I’ve also had the joy of embracing one of my favorite title: Mom-ager to my daughter’s store, Rae of Sunshine, and supporting the Castle family legacy of entrepreneurship. All four of our adult families have businesses and children. Life is beautifully full, and yes—I wear a lot of hats. And for the first time, I don’t feel like I have to apologize for that. Through Human Design, through my faith, through mentorship and deep inner work, I now know—this is how I was designed. This is who I am.
So if you’re here reading this, welcome.
Maybe you’re a woman who’s worn so many hats you’ve forgotten which one is yours.
Maybe you’re craving clarity, or connection, or just a moment to breathe and remember who you are.
Maybe you’re a leader, a mom, a creator, or someone who’s simply tired of living on autopilot. This newsletter and this community are for you.
Inside Hats Off, you’ll find contemplative thoughts, soulful sparks of inspiration, real stories, and honest reminders to live a little slower, a little deeper, and a whole lot more intentionally.
This is my story—but it’s also ours. And I’m honored you’re here to walk it with me.
With heart,
Michelle
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