We were lucky to catch up with Caroline Ward recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Caroline , thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about how you went about setting up your own practice and if you have any advice for professionals who might be considering starting their own?

When I stepped away from my full-time CPA work to focus on family, I found myself feeling totally lost and disconnected, as may moms do. I wasn’t taking care of my body or mind, and depression crept in. My doctor suggested walking to get moving, but honestly, I could barely get out of bed some days. Those long walks with my babies became my medicine & a lifeline—times I prayed, wrestled, and begged God for clarity and peace. During a walk, I heard from the Lord ‘Do what you love!’ – this led to get my personal training certification and then starting my business,
During those walks, God spoke gently but clearly to me: “Do what you love.” It was a moment of awakening. I realized I needed to follow my passion for fitness and nutrition—things I’d loved all my life but had set aside. I went back to get a certification for personal training, and that was the start of a new journey where my faith, my love for helping others, and my business skills all came together.
The decision wasn’t overnight. It was a process of hearing God’s whisper, saying yes to the small steps, and trusting Him with the outcome. I remember the moment I finished my first session, I thought, “This is where I’m meant to be.” And everyday, I honesty can still say that- it is the biggest gift to finally be and work (if you call it work) in the space where I was created. It was scary and exciting all at once, but it felt like coming alive—body, mind, and spirit. That leap of faith transformed everything for me and led to the birth of TransFit, where I get to serve women daily.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I grew up on the bayou in Louisiana, so landing a full gymnastics scholarship to UGA was a total blessing. I always assumed I would go to LSU or bama, but I had an amazing aunt who lived in Athens and my mom grew up in commerce ga, and I came up to UGA Gym camp as a middle schooler. Fell in love with the coaches, the campus and everything about athens. I was this shy Cajun girl who loved crawfish boils and couldn’t imagine life outside Louisiana! But stepping onto the Bulldog campus, I found a new home. I was a party girl to from LA, so life for me back then looked very different. Gymnastics was so good growing up for me and taught me discipline, resilience, time mgmt and how to pursue excellence—even when I was struggling inside. Winning two National Championships (1998, 199)was incredible, but even more than the medals, I learned about teamwork, sacrifice, encouragement and pushing through challenges and hard times. Fall of My senior year, I felt I was in the best shape of my life and practicing for a new tumbling pass on the floor, i broke my ankle and was out for the start of my senior season, I thought my dreams were shattered and I was heartbroken, but my coach, Suzanne reminded me that a great team needs all types of players, so my role for that season was lead encourager! I truly believe that is where my love and gift of encouraging women started. That chapter shaped my work ethic in ways that still guide me today. I reminded daily that God does His deepest work in our most difficult seasons.
During college, I changed my major 8 times, searching for stability and a clear path, so I followed my dad’s advice: “Caroline, accountants will always have jobs!” So I went into accounting, got my CPA, and worked in Atlanta. But honestly, it felt a lot like my gymnastics days—always striving, people-pleasing, trying to check the boxes. I was good at it, but it didn’t feed my soul. I was always wanting more, but didn’t quite know what that was yet. so i just kept going. I was working in an accounting firm but quickly retired once having our 2nd child, struggled with miscarriage then became pregnant with our 3 miracle baby lyla. Being pregnenat with her was reallly wher my faith was taken to the next level, again, thanks god for using the seaons that stretch us to really sanctify us. Having three children in a short time brought so much joy, but it also challenged me in unexpected ways—especially as I struggled with postpartum depression and balancing my own identity.
It was from that hard time that my business, TransFit, which stands for transformational fitness was born. I wanted women to feel seen, known and heard, and I wanted to be able to help them. Serve them and walk alongside them in their transformation, body mind and spirit. It’s all connected. And I wanted these women to actually live out Their health journey. That’s why the name of my podcast is “living transformed” Women now come to TransFit in our Athens studio in our Oconee location and from all over the US through our online platform to be encouraged in their journey to whole body health and wellness. We offer one on one personal training, one on one nutrition, consulting Small Group classes, we offer a Bone health class for women and we do high intensity, interval, training, yoga, and Pilates. One of my favorite things that we do weekly is a weekly Bible Study in our studio and women online can access this on our free transFit App.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

There were seasons where exhaustion, doubt, and overwhelm which made me question my business. I wanted to give in and give it all up. But I did not. Covid was definitely one of those times. Honestly, it was the encouragement from our amazing staff and clients sending texts and calls. Just reminding me why they love TransFit so much that helped em keep going. Looking back, those were the moments I clung tightest to prayer, community, and the purpose God placed on my heart. I reminded myself why I started—helping women transform their bodies and lives while glorifying God. Yet again, this theme i see in my life, while talking with you, it has been the Challenges that have carved out my specific character that COMFORT could not. I love the truth 2 Corinthians 12:9.‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ I have seen that over and over again. …Taking small steps forward, celebrating tiny victories, and trusting God’s timing helped me keep going. Sometimes it’s about pacing yourself and leaning in deeper spiritually to find strength beyond yourself.

Do you think you’d choose a different profession or specialty if you were starting now?

if I could go back, I would do it exactly the same way that I did it these past many years. I think all the lessons I learned through all the hard times prepared me for what I’m doing right now and how I can encourage and serve women and help them in body mind and spirit. And don’t let the fear of imbalance stop you from stepping out in faith. You don’t have to have it all figured out perfectly—start small, lean on your support system, and remember that God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness. When you follow your passion and gifts, you create space for both your dreams and your family to flourish.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.transfitathens.com
• Instagram: @carolineharrisward @transfitathens
• Youtube: Transfit Athens