What happens when a Ph.D. With a passion for behavioral change, a talent for curriculum design and a gift for connection, does your health cop training lead? You get Dr. Shana Walsh – AFPA’s director of Education and Curriculum, and the leader of our Master Certified Health and Wellness Coach program.
With a Ph.D. In kinesiology, training food and health promotion, as well as references such as a national management certified health and wellness coach, Master-certified specialist in health education and certified Personal Trainer, Dr. Walsh decades of experience with every course she touches. From shaping what you learn behind the scenes to lead live zoom sessions with energy and empathy, she is both the architect and for pleading for your coaching trip.
In this interview, Shana shares her approach to building student-oriented programs, which makes AFPAs live cohorter experience so unique, and a few fun facts, such as the time she did a pull-up during the Hula knocks.
The Secrets behind the Curriculum of AFPA
How do you form the learning experience of the student -learning experience such as AFPAs Education & Curriculum Director?
My role includes the entire life cycle of course development. This varies from the planning phase, where we strategize new course offers and topics that meet the needs of students, creating written and video learning materials and securing top instructors who are experts in their respective areas. I am also involved in helping current students during their AFPA learning journey. In every phase I give priority to the quality of the training that we offer, which guarantees the most valuable and appropriate content for our students. It is extremely worthwhile to see that something goes from an idea that is scribbling at a notepad in pencil to a certification students to earn to change the process of their career and their lives.
What is something that most people might not be able to do Do you realize how AFPA develops its curriculum?
Most people may not realize that we always start asking: “What is the best for the student?” The answer to that single question stimulates every decision we make, of the topics we teach, the teaching methods we use, the instructors we select, and even the small details, such as the colors on the screen in our courses (no for Orange, Yay for Blue).
In addition to course development, what often goes unseen how much we celebrate with our students. When they earn their certificates and find success in the field, we are absolutely ecstatic. After all, that is our ultimate goal: to give the training they need to really push them into the professional roles they are looking for.
How do you ensure that the AFPA programs are kept informed of research, trends and best practices?
In the health industry there is constant new research, which offers new information and redefine best practices. At AFPA we understand that providing outdated information is simply not an option, so we follow a proactive approach instead. We make it part of our routine to check the latest issues of leading academic and industrial magazines, to attend industrial conferences, to coordinate with webinars and network with other professional organizations and experts in the field. We have even been known to edit a live course to tweak one or two facts based on newly recorded knowledge. We do this to guarantee that when our students graduate, they have the most up -to -date information that is possible to excel in their career.
What do you see as some of the most valuable skills that students receive from AFPA programs?
Some of the most valuable skills that students receive from AFPA programs include:
- Extensive knowledge: Each of our courses offers a wealth of knowledge about the subject of the study. For students who really want to win expertise in a specific area, AFPA is the ultimate source.
- Holistic perspectives: At AFPA we deeply understand how intertwined all health areas are. For that reason we bring holistic perspectives in everything we teach and we support our students to see the bigger whole.
- Practical application and coaching skills: It is one thing to know what to do, but it is another to be able to do it effectively. We not only learn the skills, we also offer enough practice options to apply them to scenarios in the real world.
- Professional trust and career readyness: Our programs are designed to build the confidence of students in their capacities and to prepare them to excel in their chosen career trip.
What makes the live cohort experience especially at AFPA?
The advanced intensive health coaching is the dynamic, live part of our certified Master Health and Wellness Coach program, and it is the only live course from AFPA. In a single zoom space we unite people from all over the country and all over the world. Although we all come from very different layers of life, we share a profound commonality: a deep desire to enable others to become the best version of themselves. There is magic in bringing adults of all ages together, with their various backgrounds and rich life experiences, they see learning and growing together. It is really transforming.
Learn how you distinguish yourself as a health coach certified by the board
Dr. Walsh get to know outside of class
What are a few quirky or surprising things about you that your students may not know?
I successfully completed a pull-up during the hoolhoop.
I also scored in the 99one Percentile for extraversion on multiple personality assessments. When I was in the first year, my teacher moved my chair because I had talked so often, I was sitting next to every child in the class.
I only learned to cycle until I was an adult, because as a child I wanted to concentrate all my energy on rolling.
If you don’t work on curriculum, teaching or coaching, how do you charge?
As a typical extrovert, I charge by spending time with others. Whether it is out of a good conversation with my neighbors around the fire pit, a friendly competition in Rec Picleball, or sucking Quality Time at home with my family, the energy that I get from social connectedness fills my cup.
If you have to summarize your philosophy about behavioral change in one sentence, what would that be?
If you change your health, you change your life.
Her advice for aspiring coaches
What advice would you give to someone on the fence to participate in the next live health coaching session?
If you are at the fence about taking the next live course, remind yourself that this is one of the most efficient and affordable ways to become a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach. As a program approved by NBHWC, AFPA offers a direct and supporting road to Board certification without unnecessary delays or costs.
If your goal is to offer others a meaningful service through the power of health and wellness coaching, while you earn a living that work that makes a difference, this is your chance. You will acquire the skills to help people make real, sustainable changes in their lives – and are compensated for the value you offer. Health and wellness coaching is still an emerging field, which means that there is room to grow, contribute and settle yourself in an emerging profession.
At the same time, this is not only about your customers – it is also a transforming experience for you. Through this training you will deepen your own self -consciousness, develop essential coaching skills and build the confidence that is needed to not only take the platform, but also to be a great coach.
If that sounds like the kind of career and personal growth that you were looking for, stop hesitation and sign up today!
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