During the last 27 years, we\u2019ve certified over 130,000 health, nutrition, and fitness professionals.\u00a0<\/span>Each month, we recognize one of our distinguished graduates who are using what they have learned to inspire others and make a difference.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Meet our featured graduate for the month of December, Kiana Williams, a AFPA Certified Prenatal\/Postnatal Fitness Specialist<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Health and fitness <\/span>are<\/span> something I\u2019ve been interested in for as long as I can remember. If I had to pinpoint when I initially became <\/span>interested,<\/span> I\u2019d say it began as early as middle school. Growing up<\/span>,<\/span> I always enjoyed physical education class<\/span>,<\/span> learning both the physical and technical benefits of taking care of your body. I found myself always wanting to remain active at a young age<\/span>,<\/span> which has followed me up until this point in my life.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I chose to complete the Prenatal\/Postnatal Fitness Specialist. I chose AFPA because they truly recognize graduates<\/span>,<\/span> which was important to me. Many of the graduates are making great impacts in others<\/span>\u2019<\/span> lives<\/span>,<\/span> which is certainly worth sharing!<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Prior to becoming certified<\/span>,<\/span> I worked in the healthcare field as well as a part<\/span>–<\/span>time job working with children. I studied Public Health at the University of South Florida and right after graduation began my summer job at the Boys and Girls Club<\/span>,<\/span> followed by an Administrative Assistant role at my community health center.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Things are so much <\/span>more different<\/span> now! I am also a registered yoga instructor, so I teach yoga classes 4-5x a week. When I am not teaching<\/span>,<\/span> I am growing my online business<\/span>,<\/span> which consists of creating online personalized workout programs for soon-to-be\/new mama<\/span>s.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n My favorite parts of my career are that I get to connect with other mothers, share my knowledge with others, and that I get to create my own schedule.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Becoming certified with AFPA has impacted my life in so many ways. The first being that I <\/span>am able to<\/span> make my certification my full<\/span>–<\/span>time career. Many of my clients admire how knowledgeable I am in my field<\/span>,<\/span> which I give credit to AFPA. The course was the best combination of educational and enjoyable content.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Absolutely! So<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>I have a client who I\u2019d been working with for quite some time<\/span>,<\/span> and her goal was to lose weight. She ha<\/span>d<\/span> a health condition<\/span>,<\/span> which ma<\/span>de<\/span> losing weight much more of a challenge. Regardless<\/span>,<\/span> she never missed one workout, always trusted me in guiding her, and overall is just such a genuine person. Unfortunately, despite all of this<\/span>,<\/span> she had been unable to see her weight drop. We both knew that the number on the scale is not the determining factor as to progress being made, however<\/span>,<\/span> it was still something we had wanted to work toward. Finally, during one of our check-ins<\/span>,<\/span> we sat down together and re-evaluated how we could make changes in her life that could help her see the results she wanted. Since that check<\/span>–<\/span>in, she had continually seen the number on the scale drop<\/span>,<\/span> but also our bond had just grown on another level because of the trust we had in one another. It was very much a journey<\/span>,<\/span> although I admire her hard work and open mind in our client and trainer relationship.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n My advice is to go for it! Since becoming certified<\/span>,<\/span> I feel as though I live a much more genuine and authentic life<\/span>,<\/span> especially because I have turned it into my full<\/span>-time<\/span> career. I recommend being intentional with each decision you make<\/span>,<\/span> from simply finding the right company you\u2019d like to become certified with and<\/span> to<\/span> having a vision all the way through.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n To connect with Kiana, follow her on<\/span>\u00a0Instagram for more information.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n<\/span><\/h3>\n
How did you initially become interested in health and fitness?<\/h3>\n
What certification did you choose, and why did you choose AFPA?<\/h3>\n
What was your career like prior to becoming certified?<\/h3>\n
What is your career like now?<\/h3>\n
What are your favorite parts of your career?<\/h3>\n
How has becoming certified with AFPA impacted your life?<\/h3>\n
Do you have any client success stories you would like to share?<\/h3>\n
What advice do you give others thinking about becoming certified?<\/h3>\n
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