About AFPA
Our mission is to help students graduate with the most comprehensive, qualified education and to ensure that our graduates are prepared with the knowledge and skill set that sets them on a path to personal and professional success at an affordable price.
Legacy and History of AFPA
AFPA, American Fitness Professionals and Associates, began in 1994, when co-founders Dr. Mark J. Occhipinti and Ms. Amy Campbell, M.S. joined forces to create one organization that would inspire and grow a network of fitness and health professionals with the highest quality and level of skill sets and expertise enabling them to transform the lives of millions through progressive nutrition and training concepts. With over 30 years teaching others in health, they knew they could make a dramatic difference in the way information was taught to health, fitness and nutrition professionals.
The Driving Force That Led AFPA to Become a Leading Health and Nutrition Education Organization
After discovering numerous outdated, debunked scientific research, Dr. Occhipinti and Ms. Campbell knew they had to step in. This created the initial vision behind AFPA to provide cutting-edge, high-quality, scientifically-backed, and readily accessible education opportunities to both fitness and health professionals as well as enthusiasts looking to start a new career.
“Wellness is now a $3.72 trillion industry – with double-digit annual growth – making it one of the world’s fastest-growing, most resilient markets. The growth trajectory of the wellness industry appears unstoppable.”
The Global Wellness Institute
Our Values
Commitment
We are committed to continuous program development to help increase our student satisfaction and competitive advantage while enhancing the value of our curriculum on a global scale.
Contribution
Recognized as an industry leader that continuously updates course curriculums to meet the changing demands of fitness professionals.
Expertise
We offer over 60 certification and continuing education program from holistic wellness to personal coaching skills developed by leading experts.
Impact
Our dedication to high standard and progressive training programs are necessary for long-term success in the fitness profession.
Excellence
Devoted to enhancing the professional development of fitness, health and nutrition students to create worldwide opportunities through distance education.
Excitement
Our passionate organization looks forward to providing you with the education you seek and deserve.
Meet the AFPA Leadership Team
Everyone at AFPA is dedicated, motivated, and qualified to answer any questions that may arise during your journey towards becoming a health, fitness or nutrition professional. Our team is the perfect resource to steer you on the right career path upon certification. We have made it a life mission to help others make the right lifestyle choices for a healthier, longer life. Our remote offices extend across the United States so you have a professional team that is readily accessible whenever you have questions.
Diane Vives, M.S.
Senior Director, Health & Wellness Professional Education
Shana Walsh, PhD, NBC-HWC, MCHES
Education & Curriculum Manager
Sasha Aparicio, B.A., M.S.
Instructional Designer & Content Creator
Melissa Lopez
Marketing Manager
Elizabeth Willett, M.A.
Education Specialist
AFPA Curriculum Origins and Industry-Leading Expertise
We understand how fast-paced the health and wellness field can be. That’s why we prioritize continual updates in each and every one of our programs. With leading professionals in almost every subset of health, fitness, and nutrition, our education material is consistently up-to-date with the most recent scientific research in each respective field.
We let the results speak for themselves. Here’s what our past graduates have to say.
The way my life has changed after getting the certification is like a complete 180, honestly. I definitely could not have counseled people the way I do now without AFPA. I was surprised the most when I just realized really how much I was learning. I knew I was going to learn a lot, and that there were so many different curriculum topics, but at the end of it, I learned even so much more than I expected.”
AFPA feels like more of a family. I can always email or reach out if I have any questions and I get a response immediately. It’s a very caring organization. I’ve been certified with other organizations and that’s not always the case.”
The reason I chose AFPA is because of the recognition that they have worldwide, designed by experts in their fields, so I felt very comfortable choosing them. The certification has been very beneficial in my career. I’m now able to attract more clients because of the certification behind my name. I’m no longer just a fitness trainer, I’m a fitness trainer and nutrition and wellness consultant.”
The price of the certification and the length of time required is really achievable. It was very easy to digest and I like the way the certificatications are modular, so I was able to build on my first certification.”
