We recently connected with Fandy Wu and have shared our conversation below.

Fandy, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I didn’t set out to become a creative professional—it kind of just happened. My journey started in 2020, the year the pandemic turned everything upside down. Stuck at home, I decided to focus on my passion for fitness by sharing it on Instagram. Back then, the algorithm favored established creators, so getting noticed as a newcomer was tough. Determined to make it, I spent hours liking posts and engaging with similar accounts, hoping people would check out my page.

I juggled this effort with online classes from my home country, where the 12-hour time difference made everything harder. My grades took a hit because I was putting so much energy into social media, not academics. But eventually, my persistence paid off—I began appearing on the explore page, and my following grew. I look back now and cringe a little at my early “influencer” tactics, but it taught me a lot.

This path even impacted my relationships and, eventually, my choice of career. By 2022, I realized I didn’t want my summer to go by without an internship, even though I was still finishing my degree in nutrition science. Knowing my grades weren’t the best, I didn’t think I’d land an internship in my field, so I started exploring design as a creative outlet and learned the basics of Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.

As graduation neared, I faced a choice. I didn’t have the grades to easily jump into a nutrition science career, but I did have years of experience with social media and marketing—and a budding interest in design. So, I took a leap and applied for a master’s program in Communication Design, which I’m now pursuing at Pratt Institute.

Looking back, I see how everything led me to where I am. COVID might’ve thrown me off my original path, but it gave me real experience in marketing and showed me the creative side of social media, which I love. Now, I’m aiming to work in digital marketing and design here in the U.S. Both fields blend perfectly with my skills, allowing me to combine fitness, nutrition, and creativity.

If I’d stuck to my original degree, I’d probably be in a clinic somewhere, missing out on this creative journey that I genuinely enjoy. I believe that’s key to success—pursuing something you love, with passion.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Getting into content creation and design was never something I mapped out, but it’s become one of the best learning journeys. When I started sharing my fitness journey on Instagram back in 2020, I faced the hurdles of a tough algorithm and minimal visibility for new creators. I spent countless hours manually engaging with similar pages just to build my following. Those long hours came at a cost—my grades took a hit, and I ended up sacrificing a relationship. But in the end, I wouldn’t change a thing.

Now, having my partner’s support means everything to me. He’s my biggest fan, genuinely encouraging me to chase my goals. But what I’ve realized along the way is that, at the core, you have to be your own biggest supporter. If you spend your life letting other people’s opinions hold you back, you’ll never get anywhere. My parents support my design path, but they don’t fully get my content creation. If I’d let their opinions or people’s comments about being “cringe” stop me, I wouldn’t have pushed this far. Sometimes, embracing the cringe is just part of the journey!

The one thing I’m most proud of is knowing I didn’t quit from day one. That consistency drives me forward because I know that if I set my mind to something, I’ll see it through. For instance, my school cautioned against overloading classes, and people around me kept reminding me how tough it would be, saying they’ve heard it’s even intense for Americans. But if I let that get to me, I’d have chosen the easy path. Instead, I’ve handled my classes well, even had time to learn Figma on the side, and kept up with brand collabs on social media.

If you spend your life worrying about others’ opinions, you won’t get anywhere. Honestly, the thing I’m most proud of is that I didn’t quit—not once since I decided to start. Knowing that I have the grit to keep going fuels me. I know that if I set my mind to something, I’ll follow through. For example, my school strongly discouraged class overloads in a meeting, and people around me would mention how challenging it is, even for locals. If I were easily swayed, I would’ve taken the easier route. Instead, I’ve managed to handle my classes, learn Figma on the side, and still collaborate with brands on social media.

No one truly knows what you’re capable of—only you do. Having someone on your side is amazing, but the most important lesson I’ve learned is to stay true to myself and keep pushing forward.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

I did it all by myself.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

I was thinking about reading The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fck*, but then I realized I’m already a pro at that. If you want to create content, just do it. Stop worrying about being “cringe.” Who cares? Honestly, people love it when you do something that others wouldn’t dare. Being “cringe” can make you stand out and even lead to success, depending on how you define success. If you’re too worried about how you’re being perceived, that’s when you come off as cringey, not when you’re just being yourself. So, embrace it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.fandywu.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fandy_wuu/?hl=en
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hsin-fang-wu-3a445a2ba/?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/fandywu_the_foodie/?hl=en

Image Credits

Mine