09: Ayurveda Meets AI: Simplifying Wellness & Business with Julia Geer
I am delighted to have Julia Geer joining me on the podcast today.
Julia is my AI teacher. We met when she was a student at one of the Ayurveda schools where I teach, and now she offers a program to help solopreneurs like me, especially those in the wellness space, automate their businesses using AI.
As the founder of The Gear Shift, Julia blends cutting-edge AI with ancient wellness practices shaped by her 20 years of experience in healthcare, where she helped commercialize the first FDA-approved AI technology for clinical use. She is also a certified yoga therapist, Ayurvedic health counselor, and mindfulness meditation teacher.
With her holistic approach to business and personal growth, Julia makes the journey into AI surprisingly relevant to everyday tasks like cooking. In this episode, she explains how to use tools like ChatGPT and other AI engines to simplify meal planning. She even teaches us how to Ayurveda-size meals and tailor recipes to fit the season or your body type. While we also touch on AI ethics, we focus on practical and hands-on tips.
This episode is full of surprises, and I know you will love it!
Julia's Background
Julia has a strong foundation in both wellness and technology. She attended Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, majoring in technology management. Her yoga journey began during college after a shoulder injury. She saw how yoga positively affected her focus, grades, and athletic performance. Combining her passion for healthcare and her technology background, she transitioned into working with artificial intelligence (AI) in clinical care.
Bridging Wellness and Technology
Stress and burnout are prevalent among clinicians and engineers working in healthcare. Many tasks, like medical charting, become repetitive and overwhelming, stifling innovation. That inspired Julia to advocate for integrating ancient wisdom, like yoga and Ayurveda, with modern technology to improve well-being and reduce burnout. She highlights how technology can enable people, including those not tech-savvy, to lead healthier, more balanced lives.
AI in Daily Life and Business
Julia points out that AI can be useful for anyone, even those intimidated by it. With advancements like ChatGPT, AI now operates in human language, making it accessible for everyday tasks. AI can assist in cooking, travel, and personal productivity by generating recipes from available ingredients or translating menus. AI also has brainstorming capabilities to help with writing, social media content, and even handling difficult conversations.
The Ethical and Dark Side of AI
Many concerns surround AI, particularly about its impact on our mental health. However, Julia believes that the influence of AI depends on how we interact with it. She explains that ChatGPT is designed to encourage mindful interactions and even shuts down if overwhelmed.
The Importance of Staying Updated with AI
As AI continues to evolve, adopting it in daily life and business has become essential to stay competitive. Julia stresses that the future development of AI will be shaped by how humanity engages with it. Positive interactions will lead to beneficial future outcomes, while misuse could steer it in harmful directions.
AI Integration Coaching
Julia offers coaching programs for anyone looking to integrate AI into their lives or businesses. From introductory courses on how to prompt AI effectively to advanced group programs and one-on-one mentorships, her offerings help people harness the power of AI to enhance their businesses and personal lives. Her coaching includes guidance for time, financial, and location freedom, all supported by ancient wisdom principles.
