Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Colin Zhu. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Colin, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about the things you feel your parents did right and how those things have impacted your career and life.

My parents have played pivotal roles in shaping my life and career. My mother’s emphasis on emotional sensitivity and my father’s focus on figuring things out independently have had a profound impact on my journey.

From a young age, my mother instilled in me the importance of empathy and understanding others’ emotions. This upbringing cultivated my ability to connect with people on a deeper level, particularly in my work with patients.

On the other hand, my father encouraged me to develop problem-solving skills and a sense of self-reliance. Instead of readily providing solutions, he empowered me to explore and find answers on my own. This approach taught me the value of perseverance, critical thinking, and resilience.

The combined influence of my parents has shaped my practice and overall foundation. It has allowed me to develop a style of practicing that resonates with me. Their guidance has been instrumental in shaping who I am today.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m Dr. Colin Zhu, and I’m on a mission to transform lives through the intersection of medicine, food, and nutrition. As a Board-Certified Family Practitioner and a dedicated advocate of Lifestyle Medicine, my journey has been driven by a fervent passion for holistic well-being.

As I embarked on culinary medicine, I trained as a chef and health coach at the Natural Gourmet Institute for Health & Culinary Arts which allowed me to embrace a unique perspective on wellness. In 2017, I launched TheChefDoc, an online platform that empowers individuals with wellness and lifestyle education. This has garnered recognition in various esteemed publications. As an international speaker, the author of “Thrive Medicine: How To Cultivate Your Desires and Elevate Your Life,” and the host of the Thrive Bites Podcast, where I interview the latest health and wellness experts about living a plant-powered lifestyle, enhancing emotional wellness, and creating a thriving mindset.

I’ve developed The THR5 Formula™ – a masterclass series that empowers you to unleash your potential. This transformative formula integrates inspiration, education, and actionable tools across my 5 To THR5™ Pillars: Food As Medicine, Functional Fitness, Relationships, Community, & Emotional Resilience. I’m based in Southern California and I extend my care through TheChefDoc Lifestyle Medicine, a virtual medical practice that embraces a holistic approach to health. And now, with the launch of TheChefDoc App, I’m excited to offer coaching and guidance, bridging the gap between aspiration and achievement.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

One important lesson I had to unlearn was the habit of making a lot of assumptions and setting high expectations, both personally and professionally. This tendency to make assumptions often led me to set myself up for failure when my assumptions turned out to be wrong. It taught me the valuable lesson that I can never judge a book by its cover and that it’s essential to unlearn the habit of having rigid expectations and assumptions.

The backstory behind this lesson is that I used to rely heavily on assumptions and expectations as a way to navigate through life. I would make assumptions about people, situations, and outcomes without fully understanding or investigating them. This often resulted in disappointment when reality didn’t align with my assumptions.

Over time, I realized that this approach was limiting and closed-minded. I started challenging my own assumptions and embracing a more open mindset. Instead of assuming things, I learned to approach situations with curiosity and an eagerness to learn. This shift in perspective has allowed me to be more adaptable and receptive to different possibilities. It has also enabled me to be pleasantly surprised by unexpected outcomes and to embrace the richness of diverse experiences.

Unlearning the habit of making assumptions and having high expectations has been transformative for me. It has taught me the importance of being open-minded, flexible, and willing to embrace uncertainty. By letting go of preconceived notions, I have become more receptive to new ideas and perspectives, which has enhanced my personal and professional growth.

Do you think you’d choose a different profession or specialty if you were starting now?

Absolutely! I would still choose the same profession and specialty.

Lifestyle and Culinary Medicine weren’t initially on my radar, but it found me when I began asking questions and seeking opportunities. It resonated deeply, aligning with my passion for health and well-being.

Exploring the connection between lifestyle choices and health led me to Culinary Medicine, which uses food as medicine. This path allows me to combine medicine, nutrition, and culinary arts to empower others to make healthier choices.

It’s been fulfilling, and I’m grateful for the impact it’s had. If I could go back, I would make the same choice without hesitation.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thechefdoc.app/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thechefdoc/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheChefDoc/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colin-zhu-do-dipablm-chef-3905ba60/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/thechefdoc
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeVW6o9F8V5BmCfkkLHUDTw
• Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/thrive-bites/id1459413825
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ph/TheChefDocTHR5/