If you’re a coach, consultant, or practitioner who’s feeling overwhelmed (or even a little fearful) about how AI is shaking up the online business world, this episode is for you.

I’m sharing my real experience as a mom, entrepreneur, and business mentor navigating the rise of AI—and showing you how to adapt, stay relevant, and thrive in this new era.

LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE OF THE NOURISHED CEO PODCAST

Or listen and subscribe for free on your favorite app: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube Music

---

Memorable Quotes From This Episode

• “AI is not going anywhere. They’re not going to put that toothpaste back in the tube.”
• “At the end of the day, AI is not ever going to replace humans. It’s going to make us all more efficient.”
• “If your paid offer can easily be replaced by an AI chatbot, you’re going to struggle.”
• “I want to be the face of a movement, not just a coach or program creator.”
• “My energy and my voice and my experience—that is the product. AI can never replicate that.”
• “The coaches and practitioners who adapt early, stay human-first, and lead with experience will be the ones who thrive.”
• “Honestly, if you’re not using AI to streamline your operations or client support, you’re behind.”

---

How I’m Adapting to the Rise of AI in My Online Business

As a business coach and mentor, I’ve seen online trends come and go over my 12+ years as an entrepreneur. Periscope, Clubhouse, even Facebook Live—they all came in hot and fizzled out just as fast.

But artificial intelligence? AI is a whole different ballgame.

What I’ve experienced in the past 6 to 12 months is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. AI didn’t slowly creep into our world like Instagram did over the years. It exploded seemingly overnight, and its capabilities continue to grow at an exponential rate.

If you’re an online coach, consultant, or practitioner, ignoring AI is not an option.

AI is here, and it’s not going anywhere.

The best thing you can do for your business right now is what I decided to do: adapt and thrive.

This post shares how I’m doing exactly that. I’ll break down the three big ways I’m evolving my business to not just survive, but grow in this new AI-powered era.

---

The Rise of AI and What It Means for Online Coaches

I get it. AI can feel overwhelming even when you’re smart and tech savvy.

When ChatGPT and other AI tools started popping up everywhere, I was pregnant, raising a toddler, running two group programs, and managing my business with a lean team of one full-time employee and a few contractors.

I didn’t have the luxury of resisting change.

What I discovered was that AI, when used properly, isn’t something to fear. It’s a tool that allows you to work smarter, not harder, and spend your energy where it matters most: in your zone of genius serving your clients.

In this post, I want to take you behind the scenes and show you the exact ways I’m using AI, how I’m shifting my messaging and offers, and why doubling down on my personal brand is my long-term strategy for staying irreplaceable.

---

1. Using AI to Multiply My Content and Serve My Clients Faster

The first major shift I made was learning how to use AI to amplify and distribute my thought leadership without replacing my voice.

Here’s the key: AI doesn’t come up with my ideas or teach my frameworks. I’m still the source of the wisdom, experience, and strategy my clients rely on.

But once I create something—whether it’s a coaching call, a podcast episode, or a workshop—AI helps me:

• Repurpose my ideas into blogs, social media captions, emails, and more

• Edit and refine drafts quickly

• Brainstorm content outlines

• Generate ideas for promotions and launches

This has allowed me to stay consistent and visible, even with limited time and energy.

How We’re Using AI for Client Support

We’ve taken things a step further inside our coaching programs. I’ve built custom AI chatbots to help clients get support between sessions.

Here’s what they can do:

• Analyze a client’s niche, offer, or program design

• Review sales call transcripts and offer specific feedback

• Suggest follow-up email templates

• Provide immediate guidance aligned with my ethical sales philosophy

The sales call review bot has been a game-changer. Clients can upload a transcript and get actionable feedback in seconds—feedback that would have taken me an hour (and quite honestly, isn’t the best use of my energy).

These tools allow me to scale my support in ways I never thought possible while still delivering quality, personalized guidance.

---

2. Elevating My Ideal Client to Stay Competitive

The second big pivot I’ve made? Shifting my ideal client avatar.

When I transitioned from nutritionist to business coach in 2021, I was still speaking to the beginner coach or practitioner: someone brand new who needed all the basics.

Here’s what changed:

• Entry-level education is now widely available (and in many cases, free thanks to AI).

• Beginners often lack the financial confidence to invest at the level required for high-touch mentorship.

• Advanced clients were feeling our program messaging was “too beginner.”

I realized I was spending far too much time convincing beginners of the value of coaching, only to have them struggle to make decisions or implement what I taught.

That’s when I knew: I had to elevate my avatar.

Who I Serve Now

I’ve shifted my messaging and offer positioning to attract coaches and wellness practitioners who:

• Have already launched and validated their offer

  Would you like to save this post?

  We'll email a link to this post to you, so you can come back to it later!

  I agree to be sent email from Laura Schoenfeld

  Your email address is 100% safe and will never be sent spam.

• Are generating consistent revenue (even if it’s not yet where they want it)

• Want to step into CEO mode and build scalable, systems-based businesses

• Are willing to invest in mentorship and want personalized guidance

I call these clients “the implementers”. They don’t want hand-holding or endless checklists. They want my strategic brain, experience, and leadership energy to guide them toward the next level.

And here’s why this matters in the AI revolution: AI cannot truly mentor.

AI can give suggestions, outline steps, or analyze data. But AI will never have the intuition, creativity, empathy, or lived experience of a human mentor.

This decision has been huge for me and my team.

We’ve not only made sales easier, we’ve improved client results dramatically by working with people who are aligned with our program’s pace and expectations.

---

3. Doubling Down on My Personal Brand

The third pillar of my strategy is something that AI simply cannot replicate: my personal brand and thought leadership.

I built my original nutrition business through blogging and podcasting starting back in 2011. This year, I relaunched my show as The Nourished CEO Podcast and began building out The Nourished CEO as a full brand platform.

Why Your Personal Brand Matters More Than Ever

AI can generate decent content. AI can write emails.

But AI will never be able to:

• Recreate my energy, my tone, or my style

• Tell my personal stories of wins and challenges

• Lead a movement around my philosophy of business growth without burnout

• Inspire others through my real-world experience

As I said in this episode: “My energy and my voice and my experience—that is the product.”

And here’s what I know from mentoring hundreds of coaches and wellness professionals: the people who will win in the AI era are those who show up visibly as a personal brand leader.

It’s why I’ve fully recommitted to:

• Showing up weekly on the podcast

• Writing long-form content like this

• Building community around The Nourished CEO movement

• Exploring creative ways to expand the brand (yes, there might be merch in the future!)

This is not just about “being a business coach.” I am stepping into the role of mentor, leader, and movement creator.

And that’s a position AI simply can’t touch.

---

What This Means for Online Coaches and Practitioners

If you’re an online coach, consultant, or expert wondering how to adapt to the rise of AI, here’s my advice:

1. Use AI to support, not replace, your expertise

• Let AI help you repurpose content, brainstorm ideas, and handle admin tasks.

• Keep your original ideas, frameworks, and teachings human-first.

2. Elevate your ideal client

• Don’t build your core offers for beginners who just want free information.

• Speak to the implementers—the people who want real coaching and support and are ready to invest.

3. Invest in your personal brand

• Show up consistently and authentically.

• Share your stories, your energy, and your personality everywhere you can.

• Remember: AI can’t lead a movement. Only you can.

---

My Final Thoughts on AI and Online Business

AI is absolutely going to reshape the way we run online businesses. That’s the reality.

But it’s also the biggest opportunity I’ve seen in over a decade for those who adapt early, embrace it as a tool, and focus on what makes them irreplaceable: their experience, their leadership, and their personal brand presence.

As I tell my clients: “If you don’t get on board with AI, your business may not exist in the next few years. But if you do adapt strategically, you can absolutely thrive.”

This is how I’m staying ahead of the curve, and you can too.

---

Want to Thrive Through the AI Revolution?

If this post resonated with you, and you’re ready to learn how to incorporate AI in your online business without blending in with the crowd, I invite you to take the next step to work with me.

Check out my programs and services or DM me on Instagram @lauraschoenfeldrd to chat about how we can work together.

Let’s navigate this new era together.

Share this with someone who needs it!