During the last 31+ years, AFPA has certified over 130,000 health, nutrition, and fitness professionals. We regularly feature distinguished and new graduates who are using what they have learned to inspire others and make a difference.
Meet one of our featured graduates, Terri Scrivano. Terri has earned her Pilates Instructor Certification from AFPA.
Meet AFPA Graduate Terri Scrivano
Tell us about yourself.
My name is Terri Scrivano. I currently live in Barnegat, NJ, but I was born and raised in a small town north of Buffalo, NY. I am certified as a Group Fitness and Pilates Instructor, Senior Fitness Specialist, and Nutrition Coach. I am also the founder and CEO of Embrace Wellness With Terri, a company I created to help women over 50 achieve sustainable weight loss without dieting. My goal is to help them sleep well and live vibrant, pain-free lives with renewed energy and confidence.
How did you initially become interested in health and wellness?
As far back as my twenties, I struggled to achieve a balanced approach to managing my weight. Despite my commitment to dieting and exercising, my weight and emotions felt trapped in a never-ending yo-yo cycle. At 55, after going through menopause, I found myself carrying an extra 30 pounds, making it the heaviest I had ever been. I was suffering from chronic inflammation and pain that prevented me from even doing simple activities like walking.
I had just lost my mom and was witnessing my dad’s health decline. Both of them had struggled with poor nutrition and a lack of movement in their final years. My mom’s death profoundly affected me; it served as my wake-up call. I realized I not only needed to take action to improve my own health but also wanted to help other older adults.
Fueled by a strong passion for discovering the answers that could benefit both myself and others, I invested in my education and became a Certified Group Fitness and Pilates Instructor, a Senior Fitness Specialist, and a Nutrition Coach.
After retiring from a 35-year career in the corporate world, I launched my own health coaching business. I have successfully lost 30 pounds, gained strength, and am full of energy. I’m once again enjoying the activities I love, such as taking 3-mile walks, teaching Pilates, and traveling. In my coaching practice, I help other women with proper nutrition, the importance of movement, and guide them toward an exciting path to health, wellness, and happiness.
Which AFPA certification have you earned, and why did you choose that certification program?
I obtained my Pilates certification from AFPA. In addition to my Group Fitness Certification, I chose to specialize in Pilates because I believe it is a highly beneficial practice for the women I teach who are over 50.
Learn How to Become a Pilates Instructor Online in Less Than 6 Months
Tell us about your business and how you serve people.
I am the founder and CEO of Embrace Wellness with Terri. I am using my certifications to teach fitness classes in an active adult community, in addition to my health coaching.
What are your favorite parts of running your business or putting your certification to use?
What I absolutely love about running my own business is the freedom to be my own boss and set my schedule! While starting a business comes with its challenges, the time and dedication have truly paid off. Collaborating with incredible women and witnessing their transformations brings me immense joy and fulfillment each day! I would not have come this far or gained confidence without the certifications.
How has becoming certified with AFPA impacted your life?
The impact has been truly remarkable! It’s incredibly rewarding to support women in shaping their futures with confidence and purpose. I’m genuinely excited about the positive change we’re creating together!
Do you have any success stories you would like to share?
I have a couple of success stories I would like to share.
I have been working with a client, and she has been doing Pilates with me for about three months. At the start of Pilates, she talked about how she didn’t feel strong. But now that she’s been exercising with me and working with me on nutrition, she told me the other day that her mom had taken a picture of her. She looked at her arms and said, “Wow, I can’t believe my arms look really sculpted!” I loved hearing that story.
Another woman I’ve been working with—she’s taken my Pilates class every day, and I’m also working with her on nutrition—recently lost about 18 pounds. She was saying how she can now fit into her jeans that she hasn’t been able to put on in probably about 10 years. I was very excited to hear that from her.
These are just a few incredible women making some remarkable changes through proper nutrition and fitness—and, of course, by taking my Pilates class.
What advice would you give others considering getting certified through AFPA?
The advice I would give anyone thinking about trying to become certified with AFPA—or any certification when it comes to health and fitness—is: don’t hesitate.
I was in the corporate world for 35 years, and never did I think I would be where I am today. I started with myself—losing 30 pounds, getting strong, full of energy—and then working with all these other individuals.
It’s just so rewarding, and I probably would not have had the confidence to do any of this without my certification. Don’t hesitate; do something good for yourself, and then maybe you can pay that forward.
