We were lucky to catch up with Israel Castro recently and have shared our conversation below.

Israel, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

Our organization’s heart lies in the passion for our city and community of El Paso, Texas. At Strive Now, we emphasize the importance of finding purpose in daily improvement and growth, not just having to constantly envision it ten years down the line through a career title or college degree. Purpose is something that can be defined, refined, and built every day. We are committed to creating a lasting impact through mentorship, networking resources, developmental support, and promoting soft skill awareness for teens and our mentors. Together, we strive to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those around us.

This all came about because we are fighting the stigma that nothing ever happens in El Paso. Natalia (my co-founder) and I were looking to start something that would inspire the next generation to have hope again. To believe that something great can happen right from where you are, especially in El Paso. We truly believe that purpose is something that happens everyday right from where you are. We want to inspire a new sense of community and a passion to serve those around you.

Israel, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I was born and raised in El Paso, Texas. I grew up mostly around the lower valley and have always had a great love for my community. After high school, I was set on studying civil engineering at UTEP on a scholarship through TXDOT, but everything changed when I was given the opportunity to compete for a spot at the United States Military Academy aka West Point. No one was more surprised than me when I found out I had been nominated and accepted into the class of 2016. At that moment, I made a conscious decision to go on to the Academy in the hopes of becoming a better asset for my hometown. It was a wild ride but four and a half years later, I graduated from the Academy and went to become an Army Artillery officer. Through all the ups and downs of life, I had lost my purpose. I was going through the motions in the hopes of fulfilling the expectations of those around me. When validation never seemed to come, I started to drift away even further from who I thought I had worked so hard to become. Eventually, I forced my way out of the military and began to seek a new beginning elsewhere.
The idea was a great job, with great pay, and a restart. A restart to what end though? As I contemplated my next step, I knew it was time to take a step back and rethink the way I was going about my life. Purpose had become more about expectations and status rather than about the impact I was having on myself and those around me. This was the beginning for me of “purpose is found everyday”. I was tired of living life for the next achievement. I wanted to make a difference with what I did, and so my chapter of academic counselor at a high school began.
As I helped these students achieve their goals, I realized they were going through exactly the same issues I was going through just much much earlier in the process. They were pursuing the typical careers because that’s what everyone around them had defined to them as success. As a 9th grader as a 12th grader, it is completely okay to not have it fully figured out. Life is about giving it your best effort, trying, succeeding and even failing. I realized these students needed an adult to dare them to dream beyond the status quo. Everyone provided the “what” and “how”. Become an engineer. Become a doctor. A lawyer. Go to college. However, it was rare for a student to be asked “why”. Why do you want to be a doctor? How does this fit with who you are? Strive was born from these questions. We have created a place where high school and college students can learn from community leaders and from one another about how purpose comes in all shapes and forms and most often from trying and failing rather than from an ideal linear path.

Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?

I met my cofounder at a school we were working at together. I realized she had a passion for students and was truly invested in their growth. We also both loved music! It was that simple for us. If you hit it off with someone, ask them the deep questions. You never know what can come from that conversation. We had intended to open a coffee shop at first. We initially thought having a coffee shop where kids can study until 3 am could be a cool community to build. It was a great idea but we wanted to have more intentional impact, so Strive Now was created!

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I am a people person. I love to help others without any expectation of a return. Givers and Takers by Adam Grant is an awesome book that helps illustrate my philosophy in life. It is more important to help others than to work transactional relationships all day long in the hopes of hitting it big eventually. I want others to know how passionate I am about my city and I believe that resonates more intensely than how much knowledge we can exchange.

Contact Info:

• Website: epstrivenow.org
• Instagram: israelcastro.ep & epstrivenow
• Linkedin: israelcintexas