About Carl Woolston, CFP®, ChFC®
Founder & Principal Advisor – Thrive Retirement Planning
Helping People Transform the Way They Retire
Retirement is one of the most important transitions a person will ever make. The challenge is no longer accumulating wealth. It’s learning how to use what you’ve built to support the life you want to live.
Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to sit down one-on-one with hundreds of families and help thousands more through workshops, classes, and online content. I’ve found that most people don’t struggle because they lack resources. They struggle because retirement brings a new set of questions and decisions.
Can I retire? How much can I spend? Am I paying more in taxes than necessary? Am I making decisions that support the future I want?
My passion is helping people find clarity around those decisions. I enjoy teaching principles, simplifying complexity, and helping people understand how the many pieces of retirement fit together.
That work has shaped the philosophy behind Thrive Retirement Planning. We focus on coordinating investments, income, taxes, healthcare, and legacy decisions so people can move forward with greater confidence and purpose.
My goal is simple: to help people make better retirement decisions and ultimately transform the way they retire.
Credentials & Affiliations
CFP® – CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional
The CFP® designation requires extensive education, 6,000+ hours of client experience, and a rigorous board exam. It’s recognized as the gold standard for fiduciary financial planning.
ChFC® – Chartered Financial Consultant
The ChFC® involves seven advanced college-level courses covering retirement, tax, insurance, and estate planning, emphasizing practical, real-world application.
Investment Advisor Representative (Series 65 Licensed)
Holding a Series 65 license allows me to provide fiduciary investment advice and ongoing portfolio management aligned with each client’s goals.
NSSA® – National Social Security Advisor® Certificate Holder
The NSSA® certification reflects specialized training in Social Security rules and claiming strategies to help clients optimize lifetime income.
Insurance Licensed
As an insurance-licensed advisor, I help clients evaluate and integrate protection strategies like life, income, and long-term care coverage into their plan.
Beyond the Numbers
When I’m not helping clients plan their financial future, you’ll usually find me spending time with my wife, Christy, our children, and grandchildren. Family is the heartbeat of everything we do — both at home and at Thrive.
I love the outdoors — hiking Utah’s mountains, exploring new trails, and fly fishing quiet rivers where the world slows down enough to think and reflect. I’ve always believed adventure is one of the best teachers, and some of life’s clearest lessons show up when you’re out in nature.
I also love traveling with Christy, discovering new places, and finding inspiration in the people and stories we meet along the way. Whether I’m leading a Coach’s Corner discussion with my family, preparing for a community class, or brainstorming new ways to help others connect their money with their meaning, my purpose remains the same:
To help people use their resources — financial and otherwise — to live with clarity, confidence, and purpose.
Continue the Conversation
Retirement is one of the biggest transitions you’ll ever navigate, and I’m passionate about helping people make better decisions along the way.
Through videos, articles, podcasts, and educational content, I regularly share insights on retirement, taxes, investing, purpose, and the decisions that shape life after work.
Follow along and join the Retire & Thrive community.
What Our Clients Say
See more reviews on our Testimonials page