Peeling Back the Layers: Why True Health Is More Than Just Diet and Exercise
May 11, 2025
When we think about “getting healthy,” it’s easy to jump straight to meal plans, workout schedules, or the latest wellness trends. But here’s the truth that often gets overlooked: real, lasting health is about so much more than what we eat or how often we move.
In a recent episode of my podcast Carissa Explains It All, I sat down with Coach Lee Grigsby — a fellow health and wellness coach, personal trainer, and entrepreneur — to unpack what holistic health really means and why “one size doesn’t fit all” when it comes to wellness.
Why Physical Health Alone Isn’t Enough
Many people struggle to connect the dots between their physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. They may work hard at the gym, follow a strict nutrition plan, and still feel stuck, burned out, or unfulfilled.
Why? Because we’re not just physical beings — we’re whole beings. Our mindset, our emotions, and our sense of purpose deeply influence our well-being. Without tending to the mind-body connection, sustainable wellness is nearly impossible.
Peeling Back the Layers
Holistic health coaching invites us to go deeper. It asks questions like:
- Why do I keep falling back into old patterns?
- What emotional needs am I trying to meet through food, exercise, or control?
- Where am I out of alignment in my life, and how is that showing up in my health?
When we peel back the layers, we move beyond surface-level solutions and start addressing the root causes of health issues. We stop looking for quick fixes and start building sustainable health habits that honor all parts of ourselves — not just the physical.
The Power of Choice in Health
One of the most powerful themes that came up in my conversation with Lee was the power of choice.
We always have the ability to reframe our experiences, shift our mindset, and change our circumstances. That doesn’t mean the work is easy — but it does mean we’re never powerless. The stories we tell ourselves about who we are and what we’re capable of will either keep us stuck or help us create a sustainable lifestyle that feels good inside and out.
Your Next Step
If you’ve been feeling frustrated, disconnected, or like you can’t figure out why your health efforts aren’t “working,” this is your invitation to zoom out. Look at the bigger picture of your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health — and give yourself permission to explore what’s really going on beneath the surface.
👉 Listen to the full podcast episode here
And if you’re ready for guidance in peeling back those layers, I’d love to help. My one-on-one health coaching is designed to help you create sustainable wellness practices that align with your unique needs, values, and lifestyle.
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