DUBLIN. “I never intended to be strictly a fitness coach,” says Ciara, with a calm, warm tone in her voice as she sipped green tea from a happy ceramic cup. “I always knew I wanted to build something larger. For me, fitness was just the door; confidence, community, and belief in yourself – that is the real work of transformation.“
Aged 30, Ciara converses via Zoom from her apartment in Dublin, daylight pouring in through the window, and the faint hum of her laptop camera seemed to capture a rare determination in her eyes. She is simply known to many as @fit_coach_ciara, the woman who has transformed over 1,000 bodies, a podcast host, the CEO, the founder of an apparel company, and a mentor for women entrepreneurs. However, her vision extends far beyond numbers or titles.
From Discipline to Destiny
Before her first Mills fitness class, the life of Ciara was one of movement. First came Irish dancing- which imbibed the essence of resilience, rhythm, and never-give-up attitude.
Aspiring at the Irish Dancing Worlds to be able to perform Riverdance at Croke Park Laochra, she realized early on that movement was more about legacy, culture, and expression and less about performance.
These lessons became the underpinnings of everything she does: After studying sports science and physiotherapy and becoming a certified trainer, she considers, “The traditional gym setup was never really for me.” She felt there needed to be a softer side to fitness. She would prefer teaching women how to feel at home in their own skin instead of just yelling at them to lift heavier.
Ciara first opened a gym in Kilbarrack in 2019. Not merely a studio – it was meant to be a community hub. Over two years, more than 1,000 women passed through its doors on the path to strength, confidence, and transformation. The gym became more than a place to train; friendships were forged, breakthroughs occurred, and women began their journey to seeing themselves differently.
Enter the pandemic. “One day I was in the studio, the next one day the doors were shut. It was terrifying,” she says. Where many stood still, Ciara pivoted. She went online, offering virtual classes, nutrition plans, and check-ins. What should have been a setback turned into one of the most defining chapters in her life. From Dublin, her reach went to Dubai and Australia, connecting women from across the globe through digital coaching and workshops.
Philosophy of Transformation
Asked Ciara about what sets her brand of coaching apart, and without hesitation, she goes on: “It’s never about the before-and-after photo,” she insists. “It is about the after-the-after: Who are you six months later? Who are you when stress hits or motivation disappears? That is when coaching makes all the difference.”
Her approach beautifully balances science and compassion. She creates tailor-made training programs founded on evidence while holding group calls during which women can share struggles, celebrate wins, or simply be heard. Clients describe her as “the friend who pushes you harder but never makes you feel judged.” Ciara smiles. “That is the greatest compliment,” she says. “I don’t stand to drill anyone. I stand to guide.“
Ciara’s work, while centered on coaching, now extends far beyond individual training. She thought of free classes, mindset webinars, workshops on nutrition, and building confidence during the lockdowns. Soon after, she ventured into events and retreats, from mindfulness weekends to her famous Fire & Ice weekend events, where women gather to socialize, rejuvenate, and see themselves grow.
She also ventured into the entrepreneurship side. With Ciara Apparel, now in its fifth collection, she merges fitness with fashion for a brand that celebrates empowerment and individuality. The podcast, It’s A Man’s World, helps women in male-dominated sectors find their voices. And through her mentorship, she guides young coaches on how to scale businesses with integrity.
“People think I must have a huge team,” she laughs. “The truth? For a long time, it was just me, my laptop, and very little sleep. I was creating programs, answering emails, designing clothes, and recording podcasts – all in the same day. I thrive on it. It’s my dream life. And I built it from scratch.”
Faith, Resilience, and the Ripple Effect
The journey has not been without struggle. “There have been days I questioned myself. I felt like I wasn’t good enough and just couldn’t compete into this noisy industry,” she admits. That is where faith serves as her grounding. “God has been such a significant part of my journey. I pray before big decisions. It reminds me that it isn’t just about success; it’s about service.“
That spirit of service fuels her mission: the ripple effect. “When one woman steps into her power, she inspires those around her to do the same. Change does not happen overnight, and it does not happen alone. It happens when we come together, share our stories, and lift each other higher.“
When asked what she would say to women who feel stuck, Ciara pauses. “You don’t have to change everything at once,” she whispers. “You just have to take a step. Then another. That’s all: one step at a time; that’s how I created this life. If I can, so can you.“
In a mad marketplace of online coaches and influencers, Ciara’s voice stands apart: Not promising any quick fixes but rather extending a steadying hand, creating a safe space to heal, and building a legacy of resilience.
Looking back, her story has been about more than awards, business milestones, or even physical transformations. It has been about resilience – finding strength in setbacks, courage in reinvention, and purpose in serving others.
And, for every woman standing at the brink of change, Ciara leaves this note:
“Your story is not defined by where you start, but by the moments you choose to rise. Surround yourself with people who believe in you, invest in your growth, and trust that you are capable of more than you can imagine. The strongest change-makers are not those who never fall, but those who rise every single time.”
That is what drives Ciara – and that is Ciara’s name for a legacy left behind.
