My Leadership Journey: From Pain to Purpose

Written by Lebby Salinas

When I look back at my leadership journey, it wasn’t a straight path paved with titles, promotions, or accolades. It was a winding, sometimes rocky road marked by faith, resilience, deep reflection, and a relentless commitment to helping others live well, mind, body, and spirit. My story is not one of instant success or traditional power; it’s one of transformation. A story of going from barely surviving to fully thriving, and then using what I’ve learned along the way to create spaces of hope and healing for others.

For me, leadership began not with a title, but with a tug on my heart. A quiet, persistent call to help people live well, embrace wholeness, and walk in their God-given potential. It wasn’t something I chased. It was something that found me in the midst of my own brokenness. And that’s what makes this journey so sacred. Because every step I’ve taken, especially the hardest ones, has shaped the leader I’ve become today.  My journey has led me to lead Well-being Ministries Outreach. 

How Did I Get Here?

I never set out to be a leader. In fact, growing up, I struggled deeply with social anxiety. I was the one who felt safer behind the scenes, content to support others from the background. I didn’t dream of leading anyone, let alone speaking in public or being seen. But God has a way of using what we fear to reveal what we’re meant for.

My turning point came during a personal health crisis that turned my entire life upside down. My energy was depleted, my body was inflamed, and my spirit felt broken. I spent years searching for answers within the conventional medical system, only to be left with more questions and even fewer solutions. After spending tens of thousands of dollars and seeing doctor after doctor, I realized I couldn’t wait for someone else to save me, I had to become an advocate for my own healing.

That moment of desperation became the catalyst for my transformation. I dove deep into learning about nutrition, the power of food, the importance of gut health, herbal remedies, spiritual wellness, and lifestyle medicine. I studied. I experimented. I prayed. And slowly, I started to heal. I began to see not just physical improvement, but a deeper emotional and spiritual awakening.

To my doctor’s surprise, I got better, not from another prescription, but from real food, plant medicine, and a deep alignment with my purpose. That journey sparked a fire in me to help others avoid the pain I went through. I founded Fooducation™ and became known as The Fooducator™. I created wellness workshops, hosted community events, taught cooking classes, partnered with local farmers markets, and launched educational film series on health and healing. What started as a personal mission became a professional calling. Leadership, I’ve learned, isn’t about being in front; it’s about lifting others.

A Defining Moment That Shaped Me

There was a time early in my journey when I hosted a small local wellness event. I was nervous and unsure. What if no one came? What if I failed? I remember standing in that room before anyone arrived, filled with doubt. But slowly, the seats filled. Not just with people, but with possibility.

People came not because I had all the answers, but because I had created a space where they felt seen, safe, and inspired. That moment taught me something I carry with me to this day: leadership isn’t about perfection, it’s about presence. It’s about creating safe spaces for growth, healing, and connection. People don’t follow perfection; they follow authenticity, vulnerability, and heart.

7 Lessons I’ve Learned Along the Way

1. Lead with Empathy Empathy is your greatest leadership tool. People will forget your title, but they’ll remember how you made them feel. When you lead with compassion, you build trust and connection.

2. You Can’t Pour From an Empty Cup Self-care is not selfish, it’s essential. To lead others effectively, you must nurture your own health, spiritual life, and emotional well-being. When you are well, you lead from overflow—not exhaustion.

3. Courage Isn’t the Absence of Fear Fear never fully disappears. I’ve stood in front of audiences with shaking hands, wondering if I was enough. But I showed up anyway. That’s what courage is, saying yes even when you’re afraid.

4. Stay Curious The world is constantly evolving. Leadership requires a teachable spirit. The moment you stop learning is the moment you stop leading.

5. Resilience Is a Muscle Adversity will come. Instead of avoiding it, lean into it. Every challenge is an opportunity to grow stronger, wiser, and more adaptable.

6. Ask for Help Leadership isn’t about doing it all alone. Build a team. Collaborate. Surround yourself with people who believe in your mission and bring their strengths to the table.

7. Your Team Needs Your Vision And Your Vulnerability People don’t need you to be perfect; they need you to be real. I’ve learned to say, “I don’t have all the answers, but I’m willing to figure it out together.” That kind of humility builds trust and cultivates community.

Advice for Aspiring Leaders

If I could offer advice to someone just stepping into their leadership journey, I’d say this: Start where you are. Don’t wait to be perfect. You’ll grow as you go. Show up with heart, stay humble, and be faithful with what’s in your hands. The rest will unfold in time. You don’t need a title to lead. If you’re showing up with love, impacting others, and standing up for what matters, you’re already a leader. Leadership shows up in everyday moments, how you treat people, how you navigate hard conversations, and how you serve your community. And most importantly, stay grounded in your why. Leadership without purpose is just noise. Purpose is what gives you direction, clarity, and endurance.

My Leadership Philosophy

My leadership philosophy can be summed up in one sentence: Lead with purpose. Serve with love. Stay rooted in faith. I believe leadership is stewardship. Every gift we’ve been given is meant to be used to uplift, encourage, and empower others. I value collaboration over competition and believe the best leaders make space for creativity, diversity, and shared ownership. When people feel seen and valued, they shine, and that’s when true transformation happens.

A Personal Story

When I created events like Fooducation Movie Series™, Rise & Shine Wellness Workshops™, Love Yourself Healthy Fest™, and Women, Wellness & Wine™, they were born out of faith, not certainty. I had no guarantee that anyone would come. I often wrestled with fear, wondering: What if this doesn’t work? What if I’m not qualified? What if I’m not enough?

But every time, I prayed through the fear. I said yes anyway. And each time, I watched rooms fill with people who left uplifted and renewed. I saw healing happen. And I realized leadership isn’t about waiting until you feel ready, it’s about trusting the call and stepping forward with faith.

Final Thoughts

Leadership is a journey, not a destination. It’s not about being in charge, it’s about being of service. If my story teaches anything, it’s that you don’t have to have it all figured out to make a difference. You just have to be willing to show up, grow through the process, and help others do the same.

Your story matters. Your voice matters. And someone out there is waiting to be encouraged by the courage you carry. Lead with love. Walk in purpose. And never underestimate the power of one heart on fire.

Lebby Salinas Community Wellness Organizer

Founder of Well-Being Ministries Outreach Certified Health & Wellness Coach, AKA The Fooducator™ Certified Gluten Free Practitioner Natural Health & Herbalist Educator