Over the last 27 years, we’ve licensed over 130,000 well being, vitamin, and health professionals. Every month, we acknowledge considered one 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 serious about well being and health?
I initially turned serious about well being and health throughout my freshman 12 months of faculty. I majored in rehabilitation sciences, as I’ve all the time been serious 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 area. Throughout my freshman 12 months, I began exercising extra and gained a significant appreciation for health.
I began finding out the very best workouts for my physique sort whereas taking group health lessons and figuring out within the gymnasium with mates. Since then, I’ve all the time 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 all the time needed to turn out to be 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 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 applications and got here throughout the certification from AFPA. After reviewing what was included, seeing that it’s nationally acknowledged, and searching on the opinions, I knew that I needed to get this certification via 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 Vitamin & 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 just a little over ten years. I labored with adults following an sickness or damage 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 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 supply well being and health companies to my purchasers nearly and in particular person.
I’ve all the time seen the worth in caring in your well being and have all the time needed to assist individuals take preventative measures to assist forestall sure ailments and sicknesses. 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 girls to take higher care of their well being. My objective is to teach 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 all the time needed to do!
What are your favourite elements of your profession?
I get pleasure from each side of my profession. I get pleasure from educating and serving to different girls study methods to reside 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 useful data to assist others.
How has turning into licensed with AFPA impacted your life?
Changing into licensed with AFPA has fully modified my life. I’m able to use the specialised information that I gained from my certification to make a big impact on my group. 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 purchasers. I additionally get pleasure from extra work/life steadiness as a consequence of a extra versatile schedule and a much less worrying work setting. I now have a profession that I worth, and I really feel like I’m making a real distinction.
Do you’ve got any shopper 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 shopper who is 2 years postpartum. She tried numerous 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 seen a big 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 lessons, as she was capable of mingle with different girls on her identical journey.
What recommendation do you give others excited about turning into licensed?
To others who’re excited about turning into licensed, I’d say to completely go along with a program from AFPA. They’ve many certifications that may assist you to meet your purchasers’ 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 most recent within the well being and health area, which is extraordinarily useful with any such 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, observe her on Instagram for extra data or go to https://www.thehealthmamas.com/ to study extra.
