Dr. Juli Mazi is a seasoned Naturopathic Doctor and the Owner of Dr. Juli Mazi, A Naturopathic Doctor Corporation. Based in Northern, California, Dr. Mazi focuses on providing patients the care and support needed to discover their own unique path to healing and well-being.
Prior to her present role at Dr. Juli Mazi, A Naturopathic Doctor Corporation, Dr. Mazi served as co-owner and naturopathic physician at Thrive Natural Medicine, a huge holistic health practice in the Soquel, California, area. As longtime leader at Thrive Natural Medicine, Dr. Mazi oversaw operations of a large holistic medical center alongside two other naturopathic doctors..
Dr. Mazi is a trusted expert in the many facets of natural medicine and homeopathic care. These include Naturopathic Medicine, Nutrition and Nutraceutical Medicine, Acute and Classical Homeopathy, Botanical Medicine, Mood and Behavioral Medicine, Pharmaceutical Medicine, Geriatric Care, Acute Care, Injection Therapies, IV Therapy, Autoimmunity, Digestive Health, Men’s Health, Adjuvant Cancer Care, Metabolic Health and Weight Loss, and more.
Dr. Mazi maintains an impeccable bedside manner and approach to naturopathic medicine that has long set her apart from others in her field. This approach helped garner Dr. Mazi’s nine straight “Best Naturopathic Doctor” awards from local newspaper The Good Times between 2012 and 2021.
As a naturopathic medicine practitioner since 2012, Dr. Mazi earned her Doctor of Naturopathy degree (N.D.) from the National University of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon. Dr. Mazi also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication, and a Master of Arts degree in Communication Studies, each earned at Portland State University.
Where did the idea for your career come from?
Since I was a young girl, I knew my purpose was to teach and to heal. I found my inspiration to become a naturopathic doctor when I was in my 20’s. I had a boyfriend, who had a terminal illness, and although he had outlived everyone’s expectations, I watched the conventional medical model slowly kill him through “treatments.” It was then that I began researching natural medicines- vitamins/minerals, botanical medicine, physiotherapy, homeopathy, hydrotherapy, essential oils all became valuable tools for my boyfriend’s healing. Later on, I had the privilege of working directly with a naturopathic doctor on improving my own health. It was then that I knew this was the career path for me.
What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?
I have worked with patients mostly virtually and by phone, since the beginning of the pandemic. When necessary, I offer local house calls, as well. Most of my time with patients is spent listening and asking questions. For example, my new patient visit is 90 minutes long, and most of that visit, I am asking questions regarding the details of a patient’s current health concerns, past medical history, family history, diet, and lifestyle, as well as current regimen of supplements and/or medications. Many patients say this is the most in-depth they’ve ever gone with anyone regarding their health. After each patient visit, I spend time researching on their behalf to come up with the most efficient and effective treatment plan possible. I may recommend further testing, as well. In naturopathy, this type of testing helps to uncover what is going on behind the scenes for someone and can help in determining the underlying causes of their health concerns. This detective work is one of the parts of this work I deeply enjoy. What she loves the most is to witness her patients’ healing. There’s never really a lack of work to be done for my office. There may be another step to take in the healing process for one person, while the next person has reached their health goals and will now move onto monitoring status, to ensure maintenance of those goals.
How do you bring ideas to life?
Naturopathic medicine is the art and science of natural healing. I work to individualize my treatment plans to fit the unique needs of each patient. There is no “one size fits all” in this form of medicine, just as there is no one diet plan suitable for everyone. I choose to create treatment plans that cover all of the bases, so just one supplement may serve many purposes. I enjoy the creative process of concocting a treatment plan that is effective, efficient, and sustainable for each patient.
What’s one trend that excites you?
Naturopathic medicine is ever-growing and evolving. It relies on ancient medicine, as well as cutting-edge science, combining nature cure and integrative medicine. As a Naturopathic Doctor, I love that there is always so much more to learn, and I do so through continuing education and research. I choose continuing education that applies directly to my patients, and what they’re experiencing. Then, I’m able to apply that knowledge directly to my patients to further improve their health and vitality.
What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?
I am a list maker. I love the feeling of checking things off my list. With patient care, the potential exists for a lot to fall through the cracks, but I have multiple systems in place to prevent that from happening. For example, I set up reminders for patients when it’s time for their next set of labs to be performed. Sometimes that next set of labs needs to happen weeks, months, or even years later.
What advice would you give your younger self?
In naturopathy, one of the goals is to do whatever detective work is necessary to find the underlying cause(s) of symptoms and disease. When we can properly identify and treat those causes, that’s how lasting healing takes place, and that’s the key. So, when it comes to underlying causes, one very common underlying cause is Nutrient Deficiencies. For instance, a nutrient deficiency in Vitamin D can cause fatigue, depression, poor immunity, hormone imbalances, muscle weakness, and even bone loss that can lead to osteoporosis. I routinely test each patient’s Vitamin D status, as this deficiency is quite common, and although it may not be the only cause of someone’s symptoms or disease, it can definitely be one of the causes. Correcting these nutrient deficiencies can lead to sustainable health improvement. Many people don’t believe that nutrient deficiencies can cause health problems. In fact, some believe it to be a placebo effect when supplementing with the nutrients actually improves their health. In reality, the science around these various nutrients has been around for a very long time. It’s only more recently, the medical doctors are starting to incorporate some of this knowledge into their patient protocols.
Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.
I genuinely believe that all people are naturally good and honest in their hearts. I often hear objections that it’s not true and you can’t bet on every person, yet I continue to do so.
As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?
I use task management tools to make sure my very long To-Do lists are prioritized. Some urgent patient situations may arise, which need immediate attention, whereas other action items can be completed later. I like to optimize the use of my task management tools through various software programs and apps, which help me to stay on the ball with all of my various tasks and responsibilities.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?
Prior to the pandemic, I would often provide free information to the public regarding how to improve their health. It’s this public outreach work that helps me to impact more people with the wisdom I have to help people heal. I was invited to be a guest speaker on many occasions, at various venues where people would congregate to hear me speak. I would speak about a variety of topics and invite members of the audience to ask questions. Not only was I helping people, but I would often gain patients through these experiences, which would give me the chance to impact even deeper change in those patients’ lives.
What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Infuse your foods and drinks with medicinal herbs. There is a multitude of herbal medicines, which can be used to infuse your diet with the medicinal qualities of those herbs. There are several avenues for infusions. For instance, fats help to deliver the medicinal properties of herbs. So, if you were to add a sprig of Rosemary to your bottle of Olive Oil, then that olive oil would be infused with the medicinal properties of Rosemary, which include:
-improving circulation
-soothing the nervous system
-anti-microbial effects
-promoting focus and mental acuity
-supporting detox
-improves digestion
What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?
I do a lot of healing work for myself. To help others heal, I am committed to helping myself heal, as well. I spend time and money on various modalities to improve my physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health, so I can be the best version of myself, in order to be the best doctor I can be.
What is your favorite quote?
“Your body is precious. It is our vehicle for awakening. Treat it with care.” -Buddha
Key Learnings:
- I became a naturopathic doctor to help people heal using the most natural methods possible.
- Through Naturopathy, I seek to discover the underlying cause(s) of disease, and when treated directly, that’s how lasting healing takes place.
- Each person is unique, there is no one cure for everyone with a specific ailment. I customize treatment plans for each patient accordingly.
- As a naturopathic doctor, I am continuously learning, and I love that about this work.
Steve (Stefan) Junge hails from Germany and helps with the day-to-day publishing of interviews on IdeaMensch. While he and Mario don’t share a favorite soccer club, their enthusiasm to help entrepreneurs is a shared passion.