Meet Maria Banks of Dr. Maria Fitness

Today we’d like to introduce you to Maria Banks.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My journey started about 14 years ago working as an Occupational Therapist (OT), mostly working in adult rehab, where I saw firsthand how reactive our healthcare system can be. I’ve always been passionate about helping people stay well, not just treating them once something goes wrong, which is what I was doing as an OT. I knew I wanted a change, but I wasn’t quite sure how to channel that passion. That changed in 2020 when I became pregnant.

At the time, I was working with a personal trainer who didn’t know how to properly modify workouts for pregnancy. It left me feeling unsupported and unsafe, and it lit a fire in me to learn more. I dove deep into the world of women’s health—specifically how to exercise safely during pregnancy and recover well postpartum. What I found was a massive gap in care. There simply weren’t enough professionals helping women through these transformative stages with both knowledge and empathy.

That’s when I knew I wanted to become that resource I wish I had during pregnancy. I created my business with a mission to empower women to feel strong, capable, and confident in their bodies—especially during pregnancy and postpartum, but also far beyond.

Today, I work with women across every life stage—from early motherhood to perimenopause and beyond—supporting their strength, function, and overall well-being. It’s been an incredibly rewarding journey. There’s nothing more powerful than helping a woman reconnect with her body, trust herself again, and discover just how strong she really is.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Absolutely not! Starting my business in the middle of the pandemic while pregnant came with its fair share of challenges. As a healthcare professional, I was confident in my expertise, but the business side of things was a steep learning curve. I had to seek out resources to help me navigate entrepreneurship, all while leaning on my family for support during the postpartum period. It was far from easy, but those early struggles helped shape the resilience I carry into my work today.

We’ve been impressed with Dr. Maria Fitness, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Dr. Maria Fitness is a women-focused fitness business dedicated to empowering women through every stage of life—from pregnancy and postpartum to perimenopause and beyond. I specialize in improving overall strength and function while addressing women-specific concerns such as core and pelvic floor health, hormonal shifts, the physical demands of motherhood, and building strength to help prevent bone density loss as women age.

What sets my business apart is my deep understanding of the unique physiological changes women experience and my commitment to honoring those changes through personalized, sustainable fitness solutions. As a Women’s Fitness Specialist, I create individualized training programs that meet each woman exactly where she is, helping her build strength, confidence, and resilience in her body and mind.

I’m most proud of the heartfelt stories I hear from clients—women who tell me they can now play with their children without pain, feel stronger and more energized, and have regained confidence they thought they lost. These transformations are the heart of my work and keep me going.

I offer both in-person 1:1 training and online coaching with custom fitness plans tailored to each woman’s specific needs. I help women safely exercise during pregnancy, return to exercise after birth and navigate the hormonal shifts of midlife, along with cycle syncing workouts. I help support women with expertise, compassion, and a deep respect for her journey.

This is more than a fitness business, it’s about helping women improve functional strength, self-trust, and the joy of living fully in your body.

Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
True to my love for healthcare, I listen to a couple of health focused podcasts. My favorite right now is the Dr. Hyman Show. It discusses more functional medicine, which I appreciate. I also listen to Slay Girl Slay by Ashley Leggs, which is a podcast to uplift and inspire women. It helps with my confidence and also helps with my business as I uplift others.

Pricing:

• Initial Assessment: $60
• 1:1 Training/Online Coaching: Starting at $45

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thehealthmamas.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/drmariafitness
• Youtube: thehealthmamas.com/workouts-recipes