Meet Maya Asha | Beauty Queen and Sports Medicine Instructor and Coach

We had the good fortune of connecting with Maya Asha and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Maya, is there something you can share with us that those outside of the industry might not be aware of?
As Miss Palm Beach County USA, I get so many questions asking what it is I “actually do”. When it comes to beauty, health, and wellness they can seem extremely shallow and lacking substance, but most only see the results. I think more so in beauty, than in health. In the health and wellness industry, most people are familiar that working out and staying healthy requires daily dedication and planning. As much as most coaches try to say working out is fun, we all know deep down inside that laying on the couch and watching a movie sounds a lot more appetizing. In beauty, more specifically pageantry, the biggest stereotype is that all the women are solely into the glitz and glam and are seen as airheads. The reality is quite the opposite. Just like anyone else stepping on a stage, there are countless hours of rehearsal and prep before the big show. The piece that no one sees is the private interview. We literally only have 2-3 minutes to talk about our greatest challenges, how we have overcome them, what motivates our career choices, how we plan to inspire a community of people, and be likable while talking about it all. That alone takes a lot deep diving that can’t be covered by the right foundation or blush.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My career title isn’t one that most are used to. I am a Sports Medicine instructor in an honors medical program at a high school. It’s really nice being able to do two things that I love. I have the opportunity to explore sports medicine and exercise physiology while instructing my students to do the same. This is definitely a position that I didn’t expect. I started my company Asha’s Choice for personal health coaching and personal training and when a former mentor and I reconnected, he mentioned the job to me, and I was extremely excited for the opportunity. I wouldn’t say it was easy, but I can say I did have the benefit of timing on my side. I’ve always wanted a role in sports medicine but wasn’t 100% sure on what that would entail, so starting my business and finding a job like this required a lot of time and patience. I had to work in spaces that weren’t fulfilling for me in order to understand this field more. I was unhappy at my previous job for a while before discovering this title, but I believe it was necessary for my professional growth. Without those challenges, I would not have been equipped with the skills I needed for my current position. Now, I just want to continue to be an influence in sports medicine and grow that influence to be as big as possible. The biggest lesson I’ve learned so far is trusting the process. Some days you may not understand why you’re in certain positions, but if there is some space about it that you love, sometimes you must ride the wave to get to where you want to be.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Palm Beach is pretty great for getting a little bit of everything. When my friends do visit, I let them know that the food options here are endless!! My favorite places to visit for food would have to be Tacos Al Carbon, Delray Beach Market, the West Palm Beach Green Market on a Saturday morning, and my favorite place since I was a child, Sloan’s Ice Cream for a sweet treat. I think each of these places are so authentically Palm Beach and the food is outstanding. For daytime adventures I would suggest shopping in the Rosemary Square (formerly City Place). There is a little something for everyone to do and the outdoor design is perfect to enjoy sunny Palm Beach without enduring the heat! The beach is a must! It is “Palm Beach” for a reason! I am confident in saying that we have a great multitude of options, and they are some of the most beautiful in Florida! Our performing arts center, Kravis always has an entertaining schedule for shows. When it is time to enjoy Nightlife there are only two right answers if you ask me, Clematis Street in West palm Beach or Atlantic Ave of Delray Beach. Both are so lively and catered to any kind of party you are looking for. From a chill night with a good friend or a full-on Girl’s/Guy’s night out, you won’t be disappointed.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are so many people that have really helped me get to where I am today, but I think the biggest ignitor for my transitions in my fields has to be New Leaders Council Palm Beach. New Leaders Council is a non-profit leadership program that recruits local talent and sends them through an intense 6-month training for personal and professional development. I am a part of the Class of 2019 and my classmates and directors for that year are still some of the most uplifting and inspiring people in my life. The program really forces you to get up and just do-it, stop focusing on excuses and to start finding solutions for what it is you want to accomplish. I HIGHLY encourage anyone with entrepreneurial, high-leader, or non-profit goals to apply to their local chapter. It is definitely a life changing program.

Website: maya-asha.com

Instagram: @maya__asha

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maya-asha-underwood/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mayaasha

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maya.underwood.9

Image Credits
Photographer: Kayla Underwood Photographer 2: Carlos Velez