Over the last 26 years, we’ve licensed over 119,000 well being, diet, and health professionals. Every month, we acknowledge considered one of our distinguished graduates who use what they’ve realized to encourage others and make a distinction.
Meet our graduate for the month of February, Dr. Maria Banks, an AFPA licensed Prenatal and Postnatal Health Specialist
How did you initially turn out to be fascinated by well being and health?
I initially grew to become fascinated by well being and health throughout my freshman yr of school. I majored in rehabilitation sciences, as I’ve at all times been fascinated by 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 significant appreciation for health.
I began learning the very best workout routines for my physique kind whereas taking group health lessons and understanding within the gymnasium with buddies. Since then, I’ve at all times taken my well being significantly by sustaining a constant gymnasium 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 turn out to be a coach, however I at all times made excuses to not pursue it as a profession. As soon as I grew to become pregnant, I wished to proceed exercising, however I had a troublesome time discovering a coach who might assist me with correct workout routines. After recognizing the necessity for this specialised coaching in my space, I made a decision to pursue this specialty.
I researched applications and got here throughout the certification from AFPA. After reviewing what was included, seeing that it’s nationally acknowledged, and looking out on the opinions, 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 greatest meet my wants. I’m truly about to get the Diet & Wellness Marketing consultant Certification subsequent!
What was your profession like previous to changing into licensed?
Previous to changing into licensed, I used to be working as an occupational therapist for a bit of over ten years. I labored with adults following an sickness or damage to assist them get well 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 midst of the pandemic with constructive sufferers whereas pregnant; it was a high-stress setting 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 ladies keep wholesome and match all through being pregnant and motherhood. I mix my abilities as a Physician of Occupational Remedy and Pre/Publish Natal Health Specialist to supply well being and health providers to my shoppers just about and in individual.
I’ve at all times seen the worth in caring on your well being and have at all times wished to assist folks take preventative measures to assist forestall sure illnesses and diseases. Too many individuals wait till one thing unhealthy occurs with their well being to begin caring. As I used to be creating my enterprise, I noticed a significant want for pregnant and postnatal ladies to take higher care of their well being. My aim is to coach ladies 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 components of your profession?
I take pleasure in each facet of my profession. I get pleasure from educating and serving to different ladies study methods to reside wholesome, extra fulfilling lives. I recognize 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 recognize the connections I’ve made with different professionals on this house; I’ve realized a lot priceless data to assist others.
How has changing into licensed with AFPA impacted your life?
Turning into licensed with AFPA has utterly modified my life. I’m able to use the specialised information that I gained from my certification to make a huge effect on my neighborhood. 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 shoppers. I additionally take pleasure in extra work/life stability as a consequence of a extra versatile schedule and a much less irritating work setting. I now have a profession that I worth, and I really feel like I’m making a real distinction.
Do you could have any consumer success tales you wish to share?
I like listening to my shoppers’ success tales. It makes me really feel that I’m actually making a distinction of their lives! There are two testimonials that I wish to share.
I’ve a consumer who is 2 years postpartum. She tried varied applications however by no means caught with them as she felt like she wasn’t gaining something from the applications. I created a specialised program for her to handle her particular objectives. Inside a month of working with me, she observed a major change in her energy and performance.
I additionally had a consumer who skilled 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 lessons, as she was capable of mingle with different ladies on her identical journey.
What recommendation do you give others interested by changing into licensed?
To others who’re interested by changing into licensed, I’d say to completely go together with a program from AFPA. They’ve many certifications that can aid you meet your shoppers’ wants if you wish to work within the well being and health area. Additionally 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 this sort of profession. I’m glad that I went with a certification from AFPA, as I really feel totally supported as an entrepreneur within the well being and health area.
To attach with Genny, comply with her on Instagram for extra data or go to https://www.thehealthmamas.com/ to study extra.
