Faith, Fitness, and Finding Balance: Kate Horney’s Journey to Helping Moms Prioritize Their Health

If you’ve ever struggled to balance your health with the demands of motherhood, you are not alone. Many women, especially postpartum moms, find themselves putting their well-being on the back burner. But what if taking care of yourself was one of the best ways to serve your family and honor God?

In this episode of the podcast, I had the privilege of sitting down with Kate Horney, founder of Beyond Fit Mom. Kate is a faith-driven fitness expert with nearly two decades of experience in the industry. She specializes in helping women at all stages of life—from pregnancy to postpartum, perimenopause, and beyond—navigate fitness in a way that fits their season of life.

Today, we’re diving deep into Kate’s journey, her passion for merging faith and fitness, and her mission to help busy moms create a sustainable approach to health. Whether you're struggling to make time for movement, feeling overwhelmed by diet culture, or looking for encouragement to embrace strength training, Kate’s story will inspire you to take the next step in your wellness journey.

How Kate Horney’s Health Journey Began

Kate’s passion for fitness started early. She pursued a degree in exercise physiology with a minor in Bible and women’s ministry, combining her love for health with her deep-rooted faith. After college, she jumped into the fitness industry, spending hours in the gym and even competing in fitness competitions.

But everything changed when she became a mom.

“I realized I wanted to show up as the best version of myself for my family,” Kate shared. “And because of that, I had to prioritize my health—but in a way that actually fit my life as a mom.”

Like many new moms, Kate initially struggled to find balance. She had spent years immersed in fitness, but suddenly, her old approach didn’t work anymore. Long gym sessions weren’t practical, and she needed a sustainable way to stay strong while managing the demands of motherhood.

That’s when Beyond Fit Mom was born.

From Overwhelmed Mom to Empowered Coach

During her postpartum journey, Kate noticed a major gap in the fitness industry—women needed specialized postpartum guidance, but it was hard to find trainers who truly understood the unique challenges of recovery after pregnancy.

“There just weren’t enough resources available to help women navigate postpartum fitness in a way that was safe and effective,” Kate said.

So, she decided to create the resources herself.

Beyond Fit Mom started as a way to help postpartum women strengthen their core and regain confidence in their bodies after birth. Over time, Kate’s coaching expanded to include prenatal fitness, perimenopause, and menopause, because she realized that each season of a woman’s life presents unique health challenges.

Through her OB-endorsed fitness programs, she helps women:

✅ Heal their core and rebuild strength postpartum
✅ Navigate perimenopause and menopause with confidence
✅ Find a balanced, grace-filled approach to fitness that fits their season of life

What sets Kate apart is her faith-based approach. She believes that true transformation goes beyond physical changes—it’s about honoring our God-given bodies and aligning our fitness goals with a greater purpose.

Building a Healthy Culture at Home

For Kate, fitness isn’t just about her own health—it’s about creating a culture of wellness for her entire family.

“As my boys have grown, I’ve wanted them to see that health isn’t about perfection—it’s about being good stewards of the bodies God gave us,” she explained.

In her home, movement is a family affair. Whether it’s going on walks together, playing outside, or involving her kids in workouts, she models an active lifestyle that prioritizes both physical and spiritual well-being.

Kate also emphasized the importance of balance. “We pray together, we focus on nourishing foods, and we keep fitness fun,” she said. “But ultimately, our strength and endurance come from the Lord.”

This perspective has helped her break free from the extremes of diet culture—no more obsessing over body image or falling into the all-or-nothing mindset. Instead, she teaches women how to pursue fitness from a place of grace and sustainability.

Overcoming the Struggle with All-or-Nothing Thinking

Kate understands the struggle of going from one extreme to another—being all in on fitness one moment, then completely burned out the next.

“I’ve been there,” she admitted. “And I know every woman I’ve coached has faced that battle at some point.”

So, how do you find the middle ground?

It starts with prayer, humility, and seeking wisdom. Kate encourages women to reject the perfectionist mindset and instead focus on consistency over intensity.

“Health isn’t a one-size-fits-all journey,” she explained. “It’s about figuring out what works for you in your current season.”

This is where grace comes in.

If you’re struggling to stick with a workout plan or feeling guilty about taking time for yourself, Kate wants you to hear this:

💛 Your health is not selfish—it’s a way to serve your family and honor God.
💛 Perfection isn’t the goal—faithfulness and stewardship are.
💛 Small, consistent steps are what lead to lasting transformation.

Why a Biblical Approach to Health Matters

One of the most powerful parts of our conversation was when Kate explained why she believes faith and fitness must go hand in hand.

“If our foundation isn’t built on Christ, everything else crumbles,” she said. “When we align our physical well-being with spiritual purpose, it changes everything.”

She referenced 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, which reminds us that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. Taking care of them isn’t about vanity or achieving a certain look—it’s an act of gratitude and worship.

This perspective helps women shift from chasing unrealistic body standards to focusing on honoring God with their choices.

“When we take care of our bodies, we’re equipping ourselves to fulfill the calling God has placed on our lives,” Kate said. “It’s not about striving—it’s about stewardship.”

Encouragement for Moms Who Feel Stuck

If you’re feeling stuck in your health journey—whether it’s due to exhaustion, guilt, or simply not knowing where to start—Kate’s advice is simple:

Start small.

💡 Drink more water.
💡 Go for a short walk.
💡 Prioritize strength training, even if it’s just 10 minutes.

These aren’t just health habits. They are intentional steps that help you show up as the best version of yourself.

And most importantly, remember that God doesn’t ask for perfection. He asks for faithfulness.

“You don’t have to overhaul your entire lifestyle overnight,” Kate reminded us. “Just start with one small step, and trust that God will bless your efforts.”

Final Thoughts

Kate Horney’s story is a reminder that health isn’t about doing more—it’s about being intentional. Whether you’re in the postpartum season, navigating perimenopause, or just trying to make sense of your fitness journey, the key is to approach health with faith, grace, and balance.

If you’re ready to embrace a sustainable, Christ-centered approach to fitness, I encourage you to check out Kate’s resources at Beyond Fit Mom.