Today we’d like to introduce you to Marshall Harbison.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Marshall. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
It all started on an extended backpacking trip through Southeast Asia. I picked up a couple of parasites, which then led to stomach ulcers and a LOT of pain. After many years of deprivation and what I finally discovered as stress-induced digestion issues, I found Ayurveda and ways that food can heal. I learned about how the human body works and how to listen to the queues mine was giving me, and, slowly, my mindset began to shift.
It was around that time that I met Anna Russ, of Anna Apotheca. I immediately signed up for her Ayurveda Health Counselor certification course. In Winter of 2017, I began working with clients and holding events at local yoga and fitness studios. My vision for my business is continuously evolving, and I am currently working to incorporate wellness travel planning as a major part of it. Travel has always been a huge part of my life and I believe it is some of the best food for the spirit.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Definitely not! I think the main struggle that I have faced, and continue to face from time to time, is fear. Fear of failure; fear of putting myself out there; fear of not being “good enough” or knowing enough. I’ll be honest, it has been crippling at times. I have to come back to my “why” for starting this work in the first place, and that it is okay to not be perfect–the journey is what is beautiful!
Please tell us about This Ayurvedic Life.
I offer one-on-one ayurvedic food and lifestyle counseling services–both locally and virtually– to clients in order to reach their health goals. We start with a detailed meal plan, then work together to see what foods, herbs and practices help them feel their best in mind, body and spirit.
I also have events at local yoga and fitness studios around Atlanta: I prepare Ayurveda-inspired meals and treats while spreading some knowledge on the subject.
What sets me apart from others is my mission to empower people to develop a loving relationship with their whole being–body, mind and spirit. I wholeheartedly believe that this is the most important relationship we have, so everything we take in–food, thoughts, experiences, etc.– should be for the love of ourselves. Which, in turn, allows us to spread this love to others and together, we can elevate the collective consciousness. As a company, I am proud to continue this mission as I incorporate more ways to do this.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
I have two–I’ll tell the short versions.
My first was my first time on a subway when I was eight years old–I hopped onto the metro in Washington, D.C. and the doors closed behind me. As I glared at my parents and siblings on the other side of the glass, I remember thinking to myself, “Well, may as well just sit down and not worry about it.” We were separated for almost two hours.
The next was also when I was 8–I was picked up by the police when I tried to walk to school one night. It was the last day of the book fair and I had been saving my allowance for a dreamy, purple diary with a unicorn on it. My mom had to leave for the meeting without me, but I was determined to get there. Apparently, several people called the cops when they saw a little girl crossing the two busiest roads in town by herself at 7 pm.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://thisayurvediclife.com/
- Email: marshall@thisayurvediclife.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/this.ayurvedic.life/
Image Credit:
Ryan Flaherty
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
