Biography of Marissa Haugh
Marissa Haugh of Oceanport, NJ, is a multifaceted Fitness/Nutrition Coach and Child Life Specialist who transitioned from decades of higher education and professional life to being a proud stay-at-home Mom After high school, Marissa decided to earn a Bachelor’s of Science in Human Development and Family Studies, before going on to pursue two Master’s degrees - one in Fine Arts and another in Child Life Science. She has an insatiable appetite for knowledge and a burning passion for helping younger generations learn and have a higher quality of life through exercise and nutrition
Haugh’s career in serving youth began during her college years when she interned as a day care leader before taking on greater responsibility as a caseworker for Talbot Perkins Children’s Services, a Brooklyn-based nonprofit that specialized in nonsectarian and interracial adoption and foster care services This experience marked the beginning of her
journey to help children, not just in the classroom, but also during recreation She took on the responsibilities of Lead Camp Counselor for Epiphany Nursery School Camp, where she developed art and cooking projects while managing day-to-day classroom activities, solidifying her extensive experience in child development and healthcare
Marissa, now self-employed in New Jersey, is dedicated to her clients as a Nutrition Coach and Fitness Consultant She assesses their medical conditions, eating habits, and fitness levels to create personalized meal plans that reduce or eliminate unhealthy eating patterns, demonstrating her commitment to their well-being
EARLY LIFE and EDUCATION
Marissa Haugh was born in Athens, Greece, but at a young age, her family relocated to New England She had a diverse range of interests during her high school years, but always held an affinity for the health and well-being of babies and young children Her decision to study and obtain a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development and Family Studies at the University of Rhode Island was a good career choice This interdisciplinary degree focuses on individual and family well-being across the lifespan
Marissa's thirst for knowledge and her wide range of interests led her to continue her education She earned a Certificate in Fine Arts and Foundation from Parsons’ School of Design in 2001 and a Master of Science in Child Life at Bank Street College in 2003 This higher study in both fine arts and child sciences appealed to her creative and analytical sides, and she could envision the impact she could make with young people using both art and scientific knowledge
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATOR
Marissa possesses the key qualities of patience, creativity, and empathy that it takes to spend years helping young people learn and grow In 1998, she became Head Teacher at Trevor Day School in New York City, where she assisted in the day-to-day management of classroom activities and assessed students’ needs and capabilities to ensure the appropriate teaching techniques were being utilized. After obtaining her degrees, she transitioned into medical settings, where she used her education and experience in early childhood development to intervene and advocate on behalf of families who may be experiencing a crisis.
CHILD DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST
In 2003, after earning a Master’s degree in Child Life, a degree that prepared Marissa to use therapeutic interventions to support children and families coping with hospitalization, illness,
and traumatic experiences, she took a role as a Child Life Specialist at Mt Sinai Hospital in New York. While there, she worked in various pediatric units of the hospital, helping young patients deal with severe disease and injury, including asthma, cystic fibrosis, respiratory illnesses, transplants, cancer HIV and AIDS Her focus was always on child protection in many forms, including being on the front line to address behavioral or emotional issues
Monmouth Medical Center in New Jersey later recruited Haugh as an Early Intervention Developmental Specialist In this position, she was responsible for multidisciplinary assessments as well as child and family-focused intervention for infants and toddlers from birth to three years old who have developmental delays. Haugh continues to be a staunch advocate for young people in the areas of cognitive and social-emotional development as an active member of the Child Life Council since 2001
NUTRITION AND FITNESS COACH
Currently, Marissa Haugh is the Owner of FIT, FULL AND FOCUSED, based in Oceanport, NJ In 2017, Haugh obtained her Certificate in Fitness and Nutrition from the Academy of Sports Medicine, giving her expert knowledge in nutrition science and behavior change coaching through personalized meal planning. She has a reputation for providing detailed nutritional coaching, sharing her understanding of macronutrients and micronutrients to promote personalized goals such as weight loss or improved gym performance
Not only does Marissa guide clients in ways to monitor calorie intake, she also educates them about nutrition, ingredient selection, food preparation, and meal planning, to eliminate unhealthy behaviors She maintains a program that delivers science-based information for better outcomes. Her strong interpersonal and organizational skills enable her to serve as a motivator and educator as she builds a strong client-coach rapport.
In addition to fitness counseling, Haugh was an avid distance runner, having participated in CrossFit competitions, a Tough Mudder, two Spartan races and numerous marathons.