Over the past 27 years, we’ve licensed over 130,000 well being, diet, and health professionals. Every month, we acknowledge one in every of 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 licensed Prenatal and Postnatal Health Specialist
How did you initially turn out to be inquisitive about well being and health?
I initially turned inquisitive about well being and health throughout my freshman 12 months of school. I majored in rehabilitation sciences, as I’ve at all times been inquisitive about 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 subject. Throughout my freshman 12 months, I began exercising extra and gained a serious appreciation for health.
I began learning the most effective workouts for my physique kind whereas taking group health courses and understanding within the gymnasium with mates. 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 turned pregnant, I wished to proceed exercising, however I had a troublesome time discovering a coach who might 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 opinions, I knew that I needed to get this certification via AFPA. I like that they’ve a ton of assets to assist their graduates and felt they might greatest meet my wants. I’m really about to get the Vitamin & Wellness Guide 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 harm to assist them recuperate and dwell 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 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 girls keep wholesome and match all through being pregnant and motherhood. I mix my expertise as a Physician of Occupational Remedy and Pre/Publish Natal Health Specialist to offer well being and health companies to my shoppers just about and in individual.
I’ve at all times seen the worth in caring to your well being and have at all times wished to assist individuals take preventative measures to assist stop sure illnesses and diseases. 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 purpose is to coach girls on the significance of taking cost of their well being and assist them dwell 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 take pleasure in each facet of my profession. I take pleasure in educating and serving to different girls be taught methods to dwell wholesome, extra fulfilling lives. I respect the flexibleness 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 respect the connections I’ve made with different professionals on this area; I’ve discovered a lot helpful data to assist others.
How has changing 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 big impact on my neighborhood. I’m able to educate, coach, and prepare mothers to dwell 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 steadiness on account of a extra versatile schedule and a much less annoying work setting. I now have a profession that I worth, and I really feel like I’m making a real distinction.
Do you might 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 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 handle her particular objectives. Inside a month of working with me, she observed a big change in her power and performance.
I additionally had a consumer 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 occupied with changing into licensed?
To others who’re occupied with changing into licensed, I might say to utterly go along 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 subject. In addition they provide a ton of assets for his or her graduates to assist them keep up-to-date with the most recent within the well being and health subject, which is extraordinarily useful with such a 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 subject.
To attach with Genny, comply with her on Instagram for extra data or go to https://www.thehealthmamas.com/ to be taught extra.
