Hidden Gems: Meet Dr.Colin Zhu of TheChefDoc,LLC
Today we'd like to introduce you to Dr. Colin Zhu
Hi Dr. Colin, can you start by introducing yourself? We'd love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Health and wellness have always been a big part of my life. At first, I wanted to be a chiropractor, inspired by a family chiropractor who left a strong impression on me during my childhood. My parents also played key roles in shaping my journey. My mom focused on emotional sensitivity, while my dad encouraged me to figure things out on my own. These two influences have had a deep impact on my path.
My mother is a Chinese medical doctor with over 40 years of experience. She specializes in traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture, and herbs. Growing up under her care, I learned the importance of being authentic, having integrity, and showing compassion. These lessons helped me see patient care in a more holistic way.
From a young age, my mother taught me to be empathetic and to understand other people's feelings. This helped me build stronger connections with people, especially in my work with patients. On the other hand, my dad pushed me to solve problems and be self-reliant. Instead of giving me all the answers, he encouraged me to explore and find solutions on my own. This taught me the importance of perseverance, critical thinking, and resilience.
The combination of these influences has shaped the way I practice today. During my junior year of college, I discovered osteopathic medicine, and its principles really resonated with me. Since 2013, I've been involved with the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, and I see it as my professional home. Lifestyle medicine has given me the tools to better serve my patients.
Growing up with both my parents cooking, I also developed a deep interest in the idea of food as medicine. In medical school, I noticed that the curriculum focused a lot on pathophysiology and pharmacology but didn't spend much time on prevention through things like nutrition, diet, and lifestyle.
