What happens when a Ph.D. with a passion for behavior change, a knack for curriculum design, and a gift for connection leads your health coach training? 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, Exercise Nutrition, and Health Promotion, as well as credentials as a National Board-Certified Health and Wellness Coach, Master Certified Health Education Specialist, and Certified Personal Trainer, Dr. Walsh brings decades of experience to every course she touches. From shaping what you learn behind the scenes to guiding live Zoom sessions with energy and empathy, she’s both the architect and advocate for your coaching journey.
In this interview, Shana shares her approach to building student-centered programs, what makes AFPA’s live cohort experience so unique, and a few fun facts, like the time she did a pull-up while hula-hooping.
The Secrets Behind AFPA’s Curriculum
As AFPA’s Education & Curriculum Director, how do you shape the student learning experience?
My role encompasses the entire course development lifecycle. This ranges from the planning stage, where we strategize new course offerings and topics that align with student needs, to creating written and video learning materials, and securing top-tier instructors that are experts in their respective areas. I am also involved in assisting current students throughout their AFPA learning journey. In every stage, I prioritize the quality of the education we provide, ensuring the most valuable and applicable content for our students. It’s extremely rewarding to see something go from an idea scribbled on a notepad in pencil to a certification students can earn to change the trajectory of their career and their lives.
What’s something most people might not realize about how AFPA develops its curriculum?
Most people might not realize that we always start by asking, ‘What’s best for the student?’ The answer to that single question drives every decision we make, from the topics we teach, the teaching methods we employ, the instructors we select, and even the little details, like the on-screen colors in our courses (nay for orange, yay for blue).
Beyond course development, what often goes unseen is how much we celebrate alongside our students. When they earn their certificates and find success in the field, we’re absolutely ecstatic. After all, that’s our ultimate goal: to provide the education they need to truly propel them into the professional roles they seek.
How do you ensure AFPA’s programs stay current with research, trends, and best practices?
In the health industry, new research is constantly emerging, providing new information and redefining best practices. At AFPA, we understand that providing our students with outdated information is simply not an option, so we take a proactive approach instead. We make it a part of our routine to monitor the latest issues of leading academic and industry journals, attend industry conferences, tune into webinars, and network with other professional organizations and experts in the field. We’ve even been known to edit a live course to tweak a fact or two based on newly gleaned knowledge. We do this to guarantee that when our students graduate, they have the most current information possible to excel in their careers.
What do you see as some of the most valuable skills students gain from AFPA programs?
Some of the most valuable skills students gain from AFPA programs include:
- Comprehensive Knowledge: Every single one of our courses provides a wealth of knowledge on the topic of study. For students really seeking to gain expertise in a specific area, AFPA is the ultimate resource.
- Holistic Perspectives: At AFPA, we deeply understand how intertwined all areas of health are. For that reason, we infuse holistic perspectives into everything we teach, supporting our students to see the bigger picture.
- Practical Application and Coaching Skills: It’s one thing to know what to do, but it’s another to be able to do it effectively. We don’t just teach the skills, we also provide ample practice opportunities to apply them to real world scenarios.
- Professional Confidence and Career Readiness: Our programs are designed to build students’ confidence in their abilities, preparing them to excel on their chosen career journey.
What makes the live cohort experience special at AFPA?
The Advanced Health Coaching Intensive is the dynamic, live component of our Certified Master Health and Wellness Coach program, and it’s AFPA’s only live course. In a single Zoom room, we unite people from across the country and around the globe. While we all come from vastly different walks of life, we share a profound commonality: a deep desire to empower others to become the best version of themselves. There’s magic in bringing together adults of all ages, with their diverse backgrounds and rich life experiences, watching them learn and grow together. It’s truly transformative.
Learn How to Set Yourself Apart as a Board-Certified Health Coach
Getting to Know Dr. Walsh Outside the Classroom
What are a few quirky or surprising things about you that your students might not know?
I have successfully completed one pull up while hula-hooping.
Also, I’ve scored in the 99th percentile for extroversion on multiple personality assessments. When I was in first grade, my teacher moved my seat for talking so many times, I ended up sitting next to every single kid in class.
I didn’t learn to ride a bike until I was an adult, because as a kid I wanted to focus all my energy on rollerblading.
When you’re not working on curriculum, teaching, or coaching, how do you recharge?
As a quintessential extrovert, I recharge by spending time with others. Whether it’s from good conversation with my neighbors sitting around the firepit, some friendly competition in rec pickleball, or soaking up quality time at home with my family, the energy I get from social connectedness fills my cup.
If you had to sum up your philosophy on behavior change in one sentence, what would it be?
If you change your health, you change your life.
Her Advice for Aspiring Coaches
What advice would you give to someone who’s on the fence about joining the next live health coaching session?
If you’re on the fence about joining 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 an NBHWC-Approved program, AFPA offers a direct and supportive path to board certification without unnecessary delays or expenses.
If your goal is to provide a meaningful service to others through the power of health and wellness coaching, while earning a living doing work that makes a difference, this is your opportunity. You’ll gain the skills to help people make real, lasting changes in their lives—and be compensated for the value you provide. Health and wellness coaching is still an emerging field, which means there’s room to grow, contribute, and establish yourself in an emerging profession.
At the same time, this isn’t just about your clients—it’s a transformative experience for you, too. Through this training, you’ll deepen your own self-awareness, develop essential coaching skills, and build the confidence needed to not only pass the board exam but to truly be a great coach.
If that sounds like the kind of career and personal growth you’ve been looking for, stop hesitating and sign up today!
📆 The next AFPA live health coaching session begins soon.
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