diff --git a/flo_ai/flo_ai/llm/gemini_llm.py b/flo_ai/flo_ai/llm/gemini_llm.py
index 55065527..372c44ee 100644
--- a/flo_ai/flo_ai/llm/gemini_llm.py
+++ b/flo_ai/flo_ai/llm/gemini_llm.py
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 import base64
+import asyncio
 from typing import Dict, Any, List, Optional, AsyncIterator
 from google import genai
 from google.genai import types
@@ -66,8 +67,9 @@ async def generate(
                 generation_config.response_mime_type = 'application/json'
                 generation_config.response_schema = output_schema
 
-            # Make the API call
-            response = self.client.models.generate_content(
+            # Make the API call (run in thread pool to avoid blocking event loop)
+            response = await asyncio.to_thread(
+                self.client.models.generate_content,
                 model=self.model,
                 contents=contents,
                 config=generation_config,
@@ -159,14 +161,26 @@ async def stream(
             tools = types.Tool(function_declarations=functions)
             generation_config.tools = [tools]
 
-        # Stream the API call
-        stream = self.client.models.generate_content_stream(
+        # Get stream in thread to avoid blocking the initial call
+        stream = await asyncio.to_thread(
+            self.client.models.generate_content_stream,
             model=self.model,
             contents=contents,
             config=generation_config,
         )
 
-        for chunk in stream:
+        # Helper to get next chunk in thread pool
+        def get_next_chunk():
+            try:
+                return next(stream)
+            except StopIteration:
+                return None
+
+        # Iterate over synchronous stream without blocking event loop
+        while True:
+            chunk = await asyncio.to_thread(get_next_chunk)
+            if chunk is None:
+                break
             if hasattr(chunk, 'text') and chunk.text:
                 yield {'content': chunk.text}