Over the last 27 years, we’ve licensed over 130,000 well being, diet, and health professionals. Every month, we acknowledge certainly 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 grow to be occupied with well being and health?
I initially grew to become occupied with well being and health throughout my freshman 12 months of faculty. I majored in rehabilitation sciences, as I’ve all the time been occupied with 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 12 months, I began exercising extra and gained a significant appreciation for health.
I began learning one of the best workout routines for my physique sort whereas taking group health courses and figuring out within the fitness center with buddies. Since then, I’ve all the time taken my well being significantly 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 grow to be a coach, however I all the time made excuses to not pursue it as a profession. As soon as I grew to become pregnant, I needed to proceed exercising, however I had a tough time discovering a coach who may 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 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 means of AFPA. I like that they’ve a ton of sources to help their graduates and felt they might finest meet my wants. I’m really about to get the Diet & 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 damage to assist them get better 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 midst of the pandemic with optimistic sufferers whereas pregnant; it was a high-stress atmosphere 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/Submit Natal Health Specialist to offer well being and health providers to my purchasers 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 individuals take preventative measures to assist forestall sure ailments and diseases. Too many individuals wait till one thing dangerous 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 teach ladies 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 all the time needed to do!
What are your favourite components of your profession?
I take pleasure in each facet of my profession. I benefit from educating and serving to different ladies study methods to dwell 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 useful data to assist others.
How has changing into licensed with AFPA impacted your life?
Changing into licensed with AFPA has utterly 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 practice mothers to dwell more healthy lives. I really feel that I’m making a real distinction within the lives of my purchasers. I additionally take pleasure in extra work/life steadiness as a consequence of a extra versatile schedule and a much less hectic work atmosphere. I now have a profession that I worth, and I really feel like I’m making a real distinction.
Do you have got any consumer success tales you want to share?
I 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 consumer 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 objectives. Inside a month of working with me, she seen a big 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 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 identical journey.
What recommendation do you give others fascinated with changing into licensed?
To others who’re fascinated with changing into licensed, I’d say to utterly go along with a program from AFPA. They’ve many certifications that can show you how to meet your purchasers’ wants if you wish to work within the well being and health discipline. 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 discipline, 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 discipline.
To attach with Genny, observe her on Instagram for extra data or go to https://www.thehealthmamas.com/ to study extra.
