Over the past 26 years, we’ve licensed over 119,000 well being, vitamin, and health professionals. Every month, we acknowledge one among our distinguished graduates who use what they’ve discovered to encourage others and make a distinction.
Meet our graduate for the month of February, Dr. Maria Banks, an AFPA certified Prenatal and Postnatal Fitness Specialist
How did you initially change into all for well being and health?
I initially turned all for well being and health throughout my freshman yr of school. I majored in rehabilitation sciences, as I’ve at all times been all for well being and serving to others. I made a decision that I ought to pay extra consideration to my well being if I used to be going to assist others within the well being area. Throughout my freshman yr, I began exercising extra and gained a serious appreciation for health.
I began learning the most effective workouts for my physique sort whereas taking group health courses and understanding within the health club with associates. Since then, I’ve at all times taken my well being critically by sustaining a constant health club routine and a nutritious diet.
What certification did you select, and why did you select AFPA?
I selected the Prenatal and Postnatal Health Specialist Certification from AFPA. I selected this as a result of I’ve at all times wished to change into a coach, however I at all times made excuses to not pursue it as a profession. As soon as I turned pregnant, I wished to proceed exercising, however I had a tough time discovering a coach who may assist me with correct workouts. After recognizing the necessity for this specialised coaching in my space, I made a decision to pursue this specialty.
I researched packages and got here throughout the certification from AFPA. After reviewing what was included, seeing that it’s nationally acknowledged, and looking out on the evaluations, I knew that I needed to get this certification by means of AFPA. I like that they’ve a ton of sources to help their graduates and felt they’d finest meet my wants. I’m really about to get the Diet & Wellness Marketing consultant Certification subsequent!
What was your profession like previous to turning into licensed?
Previous to turning into licensed, I used to be working as an occupational therapist for slightly over ten years. I labored with adults following an sickness or harm to assist them recuperate and reside extra fulfilling lives. As I used to be getting my certification, I used to be working in a talented nursing facility in the course of the pandemic with optimistic sufferers whereas pregnant; it was a high-stress surroundings on the time.
What’s your profession like now?
I’m now the proprietor of The Well being Mamas, which is an organization I began to assist pregnant and postnatal girls keep wholesome and match all through being pregnant and motherhood. I mix my abilities as a Physician of Occupational Remedy and Pre/Submit Natal Health Specialist to offer well being and health companies to my purchasers just about and in individual.
I’ve at all times seen the worth in caring in your well being and have at all times wished to assist folks take preventative measures to assist forestall sure illnesses and sicknesses. Too many individuals wait till one thing dangerous occurs with their well being to start out caring. As I used to be growing my enterprise, I noticed a serious want for pregnant and postnatal girls to take higher care of their well being. My aim is to coach girls on the significance of taking cost of their well being and assist them reside wholesome, extra fulfilling lives for themselves and their little ones. The profession I’ve now permits me to do what I’ve at all times wished to do!
What are your favourite elements of your profession?
I get pleasure from each facet of my profession. I benefit from educating and serving to different girls study methods to reside wholesome, extra fulfilling lives. I admire the pliability of my schedule, particularly with being a brand new mother. It permits me to spend high quality time with my household whereas additionally having a satisfying profession. I additionally admire the connections I’ve made with different professionals on this area; I’ve discovered a lot priceless data to assist others.
How has turning into licensed with AFPA impacted your life?
Turning into licensed with AFPA has fully modified my life. I’m able to use the specialised data that I gained from my certification to make a huge effect on my group. I’m able to educate, coach, and prepare mothers to reside more healthy lives. I really feel that I’m making a real distinction within the lives of my purchasers. I additionally get pleasure from extra work/life steadiness because of a extra versatile schedule and a much less demanding work surroundings. I now have a profession that I worth, and I really feel like I’m making a real distinction.
Do you’ve gotten any shopper success tales you want to share?
I really like listening to my purchasers’ success tales. It makes me really feel that I’m actually making a distinction of their lives! There are two testimonials that I want to share.
I’ve a shopper who is 2 years postpartum. She tried numerous packages however by no means caught with them as she felt like she wasn’t gaining something from the packages. I created a specialised program for her to deal with her particular targets. Inside a month of working with me, she observed a big change in her energy and performance.
I additionally had a shopper who educated with me whereas pregnant. She had hip and again ache all through her second trimester. She began coaching with me, and I created an train plan particular to her wants; she observed a lower in ache. She additionally loved coming to my group health courses, as she was in a position to mingle with different girls on her identical journey.
What recommendation do you give others eager about turning into licensed?
To others who’re eager about turning into licensed, I might say to completely go together with a program from AFPA. They’ve many certifications that may allow you to meet your purchasers’ wants if you wish to work within the well being and health area. In addition they provide a ton of sources for his or her graduates to assist them keep up-to-date with the newest within the well being and health area, which is extraordinarily useful with such a profession. I’m glad that I went with a certification from AFPA, as I really feel absolutely supported as an entrepreneur within the well being and health area.
To attach with Genny, observe her on Instagram for extra data or go to https://www.thehealthmamas.com/ to study extra.
