Over the last 26 years, we’ve licensed over 119,000 well being, diet, and health professionals. Every month, we acknowledge one among 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 change into keen on well being and health?
I initially turned keen on well being and health throughout my freshman yr of school. I majored in rehabilitation sciences, as I’ve all the time been keen on 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 discipline. Throughout my freshman yr, I began exercising extra and gained a serious appreciation for health.
I began finding out the perfect workouts for my physique sort whereas taking group health courses and understanding within the fitness center with buddies. Since then, I’ve all the time taken my well being severely by sustaining a constant fitness center 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 all the time needed to change into a coach, however I all the time made excuses to not pursue it as a profession. As soon as I turned pregnant, I needed 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 by AFPA. I like that they’ve a ton of sources to help their graduates and felt they’d finest meet my wants. I’m truly 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 little bit over ten years. I labored with adults following an sickness or harm to assist them get better 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 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 offer well being and health companies to my shoppers just about and in particular person.
I’ve all the time seen the worth in caring to your well being and have all the time needed to assist folks take preventative measures to assist stop 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 ladies to take higher care of their well being. My purpose is to teach 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 all the time needed to do!
What are your favourite elements of your profession?
I take pleasure in each side of my profession. I get pleasure from educating and serving to different ladies be taught methods to reside wholesome, extra fulfilling lives. I admire 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 admire the connections I’ve made with different professionals on this house; I’ve realized a lot priceless info to assist others.
How has changing into licensed with AFPA impacted your life?
Changing 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 neighborhood. I’m able to educate, coach, and practice 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 steadiness as a consequence of a extra versatile schedule and a much less aggravating work setting. I now have a profession that I worth, and I really feel like I’m making a real distinction.
Do you have got any shopper success tales you want to share?
I really 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 want to share.
I’ve a shopper 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 targets. Inside a month of working with me, she seen a major change in her energy and performance.
I additionally had a shopper 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 seen a lower in ache. She additionally loved coming to my group health courses, as she was in a position to mingle with different ladies on her similar journey.
What recommendation do you give others fascinated by changing into licensed?
To others who’re fascinated by changing into licensed, I might say to completely go along with a program from AFPA. They’ve many certifications that can show you how to meet your shoppers’ wants if you wish to work within the well being and health discipline. In addition they supply 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 discipline, which is extraordinarily useful with one of these 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 discipline.
To attach with Genny, comply with her on Instagram for extra info or go to https://www.thehealthmamas.com/ to be taught extra.
