During the last 26 years, we’ve certified over 119,000 health, nutrition, and fitness professionals. Each month, we recognize one of our distinguished graduates who use what they have learned to inspire others and make a difference.
Meet our graduate for the month of September, Eric Walsh, an AFPA certified Nutrition and Wellness consultant.
How did you originally become interested in health and wellness?
I have always had a passion for fitness ever since my teenage years, and nutrition truly goes hand in hand with it, in my opinion. After years of training, I knew I needed to make personal adjustments to my nutrition to get the results I wanted. I wanted to ensure I was making the best nutrition choices, so I knew I needed to become a counselor to lead by example with my fitness clients.
Which certification did you choose? Why did you choose AFPA?
I chose the Nutrition and Wellness Counselor certification, as I felt this would be the best fit for my clients. Being able to bring knowledge and information on macronutrients, vitamins, and minerals, along with how to utilize myPlate was what I knew my clients would get the most benefit out of. I was recommended AFPA by my Fitness Pro Trainer, and after looking into it, made the choice to go with them over anyone else!
What was your career like prior to getting certified?
Prior to being certified as a Nutrition and Wellness Counselor, I received my Certification in Personal Training and Indoor Cycling Instructor. I have a good amount of managerial and customer service experience from my years working in retail and hotel management, as well.
What is you career like now?
I am currently working for my local community center gym as a Fitness Trainer and Counselor while things slowly (and hopefully) return to a normal state. I also have two clients that I see regularly on a weekly basis for Nutrition Counseling and Fitness Training.
What are your favorite parts about your career?
I truly enjoy knowing that I’m helping people, being able to provide tips, information, and plans that assist individuals with making healthier choices.
How has becoming AFPA certified impacted your life?
It has impacted my life by continuing to round out my experience in the Fitness and Wellness industry. I truly enjoy it when friends, family, or co-workers ask me questions that I know the answers to, especially when I know that these answers will be able to genuinely help them.
Do you have any client success stories you would like to share?
One of my clients is 25 years old and is about 50 lbs overweight. He is a genuinely amazing person, with lots of enthusiasm, creativity, and great sense of humor. However, he isn’t happy with his physical appearance and struggles with being able to make the right choices on his own. After consulting with him and offering him a few simple tips before we began our counseling relationship, he took the initiative and lost 5 lbs in two weeks! I now see him twice a week, and he has since lost 20 lbs in just over two months with me!
What advice do you have for others thinking about getting certified?
If helping people and health and wellness is something you truly enjoy but haven’t quite pulled the trigger on, do it! I took advantage of the time that many of us had, over the last few months with COVID-19, and completed my certification. I couldn’t be more proud of my choice to do so!
To connect with Eric, follow him on Instagram for more information.
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