Wellness Redefined: Dr. Cindy Tsai's Transformative Journey to Holistic Healing

Join us on a transformative journey with Dr. Cindy Tsai, a beacon of holistic health and wellness. As an award-winning double board-certified physician, TEDx speaker, best-selling author, and chief wellness officer, Dr. Cindy Tsai encapsulates her journey from conventional medicine to integrative health. 

She redefines health as she shares her personal battle with an autoimmune condition and sheds light on the pivotal role chronic stress plays on our well-being. By reconnecting with your body, she emphasizes the untapped power of body intelligence and the need to be proactive in managing our health.

Brace yourself as we unravel the mystery of crystals and their healing power. With Dr. Cindy Tsai guidance, learn how to attune yourself to crystals even if you're a novice, and discover the cleansing power of the cello night stone. As we journey through her multicultural upbringing, her innovative programs, and her vision in the holistic health community, Dr. Cindy Tsai reminds us of the significance of self-advocacy and education in our health journey. 

This episode is your portal into a deeper understanding of holistic health and wellness, an awakening of your spiritual side, and a testament to the empowering impact of acknowledging and addressing the messages our bodies send us.

To learn more about Dr. Cindy Tsai: https://www.cindytsaimd.com/ 

Watch Dr. Cindy’s TEDx talk  https://youtu.be/45Mip2dTZpI 

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:47

Hello everyone, welcome to our spiritual spotlight series. Today I am joined by Dr Cindy Sy. She is an award-winning board-certified physician, tedx speaker, best-selling author and chief wellness officer. Drawing from her extensive training at Ivy League institutions and clinical experiences in internal medicine and integrative medicine physician, she recognized the impact of chronic stress on the body and transitioned her entrepreneurship to do more than prescribe medications as a band-aid. Her unwavering passion lies in taking in the integrative mind-body-spirit approach to wellness and advocating for women's health and well-being to thrive. Thank you so much for being on the spiritual spotlight series. I'm so happy you're here.

Speaker 2: 1:27

Thank you so much for having me. I'm excited, me too.

Speaker 1: 1:31

So, as being a board-certified physician, can maybe you tell us about a moment you realize that you need to transform, for, maybe, conventional medicine to a more of a holistic, integrative approach?

Speaker 2: 1:44

Absolutely so. I want you to imagine waking up one day, not being able to see, because that's what happened to me, what Holy moly. That's what I talked about in my TEDx talk on body intelligence and basically what happened. This was more than 10 years ago. I was still in medical training. I was working nights, working super hard. All the stressors were catching up to me and I remember waking up and the whole room was dark and blurry. I tried putting on my glasses, my contacts nothing changed. I went to see the optometrist right away and then they couldn't give me answers. So my prescription increased threefold overnight and then they just gave me a new prescription and they're like okay, well, there you go. And then they told me to go see the ophthalmologist and I went to see them and then got labs done and then everything was fine and so it was still pretty well.

Speaker 2: 2:55

Yeah yeah, my prescription was still completely off and so it was totally confusing and terrifying and, as a physician, I was trying to stay calm to diagnose myself. But when a doctor looks at you and is like, well, this is interesting, You're like you don't want to be interesting to a doctor. No, it's a loaded term, so basically, after a while, other symptoms came up, and I was. I thankfully did receive a diagnosis. I had a rare autoimmune condition impacting my eyes that could have led to full blindness.

Speaker 2: 3:36

Wow, good for you, though, for being proactive and still like trying to go around the rabbit hole, and so once I was diagnosed, I of course started on the serious medications like steroids, immunosuppressants, to help with the inflammation, because that's usually in autoimmune conditions there's significant amounts of inflammation in your body. And then I was also very motivated to get better and to heal, and so that really brought me into the realms of integrative functional medicine, mindfulness, coaching, chinese medicine, acupuncture, energy healing, energy medicine and all of those things together. Thankfully it was a process, but thankfully I was able to heal my eyes and I was able to get better.

Speaker 1: 4:30

That is amazing and I love the fact that you went on this journey and then you were able to find other healing modalities that may not fit your being a physician, that normal physicians may not travel down that road. They might just put on more medications and more specialists, and that's good for you.

Speaker 2: 4:49

For, like I'm going to shift to here, yeah, I think for me, and what I talked about in my TEDx talk, was that the quick fix is not a fix in terms of our health and wellness. I think when you're in acute stressful situations, of course we want to stabilize, take the medications whatever it is. If you break your arm, please go to the hospital.

Speaker 1: 5:17

I'll go to an orthopedic doctor.

Speaker 2: 5:19

Guys get a cast on Right, but I think just when you're looking at something more chronic and long term, it's really important to recognize that there are many options out there and it's not one size fits all, but you really need to assemble a team and to have people who are there to listen and to support you so that you can really get better and heal.

Speaker 1: 5:49

That is amazing. So let's talk about your TEDx talk. It's on body intelligence and it's got a lot of attention. Maybe what is one of the core messages you want people to take away from it and how can we all be better at listening to our bodies?

Speaker 2: 6:02

Yeah, so I think for me, with the talk, it was really about how our body has its own intelligence and wisdom, and I always think that our body is always talking to us and communicating with us.

Speaker 2: 6:19

But because we live in such a busy, hectic world right now and so many things are coming at us, it's very hard for us to slow down and to pay attention and to hear these messages, and so I really encourage people to take time to build in the habits to pause and to really reconnect with yourself, with your body, whether it's through mindfulness, breathing practices, exercise, activity, things like that.

Speaker 2: 6:55

But it's really important to be able to be present so that you can hear what your body has to say, so that you're able to know hey, am I on the right track? Is something going on? Because even though for me it seemed like this condition happened overnight, where I just woke up one day, the reality is it wasn't overnight. When you talk about look at chronic stress and chronic conditions, it's really little moments and experiences, the stress that continues to build up and accumulate to a point where it does erupt. And the point is, when you're able to actually listen to your body, you're able to catch it so much earlier and you can take better care of yourself, so that it never has to get to that point where you do need that quick fix when you have that urgent crisis and wake up call.

Speaker 1: 7:56

It sounds like tune in to your body to learn how to be more proactive and reactive and be more preventative and not in crisis.

Speaker 2: 8:07

Absolutely.

Speaker 1: 8:08

And I love the fact that you are certified in Reiki, emotion Code, eft, theta Healing all of those modalities and you're an energy medicine practitioner. Those modalities are so, so important right now to so many people, and I'm sure that this is something that you believe in. Like our thoughts create a reality. Everything gets embedded into our cellular tissue. Maybe what fascinated you about learning about those other healing modalities?

Speaker 2: 8:39

Yeah, it's interesting because I grew up in Taiwan and I actually did not grow up with any religion or spirituality, so to speak, if anything, maybe slight Buddhist tendencies, just with the teachings. But I was not a religious or spiritual person, and so I think it was really in my healing journey that I felt like I was searching for answers and really feeling drawn to certain things and areas, and I think it was finally when I was able to really listen to myself, my soul, and have that deeper meaning and purpose that really drew me to a lot of these modalities that aren't necessarily mainstream but are very much effective and important in our well-being.

Speaker 1: 9:45

Well, even just like EFT, the tapping, getting the statement and being able to tap that energy kind of out of you. I mean, you don't even have to be spiritual for that. You know what I mean. I just find these modalities that, like you said, they're not really mainstream but they're so transformative for so many people. Do you now because I know you do talk, you have a book coaching do you do any one-on-one type of clients where you work with them and kind of help them through this?

Speaker 2: 10:17

Yes, so I work with clients in many ways, definitely one-on-one and also in group programs, retreats like that and definitely I think that clients are always they're always in shock, especially the ones who are new to a lot of these modalities. I remember my clients, some of them being very skeptical about things like EFT and energy work and then, but then it works Right, and so they're like, they're like, okay, well, I don't know what this is and I feel silly, but I'm going to just do it, and then it works. And then they've since become believers and so I think part of it is really I'm grateful to be able to be a guide and a resource and to really help introduce people to some of these amazing modalities and methods and tools for people, absolutely.

Speaker 1: 11:20

And I think the fact that you're also a physician you're a board certified physician to be able to say look, I'm a physician and these things work, like I think that just holds so much weight to you know, these other modalities, like having a doctor say no, it works. Come on, guys.

Speaker 2: 11:35

Yeah, it does, and I think one thing I mentioned in my TEDx talk was that it's a lot of times, I think, people have very extreme views of healthcare and wellness. They might be, on one end, only about Western medicine and medications, or they're on the other side where it's like only alternative. It's so true, whatever random thing that they've.

Speaker 1: 12:08

They've whatever seen, or Beaches on my body will get the toxins out.

Speaker 2: 12:13

I'm sorry, my whole point is like look, why do we have to choose? Right, because there are so many things that work and we fall along a spectrum, Right, and so at some point in this season of your life, maybe this modality is going to work for you. And then another season, another instant, another, whatever, maybe it's time to consider something else. And it's just about introducing people to just knowing that there are so many options out there, right, and it's not about either or, but rather yes, and let's be inclusive for everything.

Speaker 1: 13:00

That is a beautiful way to put it that you know this might be working for you, but maybe in a different season it's not going to work. And I like that, yes, and that's a beautiful way to put it, because you might like resonate with certain modality for a while and everything's working and going great, but then you hit a wall and then it's like, oh well, let me try something else.

Speaker 2: 13:19

Yeah, I think I definitely see that, especially with a lot of professionals, high achievers, executives. You know we like that things work Right and we, we build in the habits, we keep going, but sometimes things just shift and unfortunately it's not always going to be the same, and so it's really important to still stay open minded to other ways and methods too.

Speaker 1: 13:44

So I'm intrigued by your book. So much better life changing strategies to develop calm, confidence and curiosity to become your own success. I love the, I love the, I love the cover, I love it all. Can you maybe tell us about the book and maybe some some life changing strategies that our audience can apply right away to develop more calm and confidence?

Speaker 2: 14:07

Absolutely so. The book is a bestselling self help book and it's based in mindfulness, and I love that so important.

Speaker 2: 14:18

I wrote the book because, after coaching many clients even though they have they've come from different backgrounds experiences I kept seeing the same things come up again and again and I realized I really wanted to put together a very simple, accessible, practical resource for people as a starting point, and so in it I share many different tools, strategies for people to start on this process to mindfulness and to really improving their overall well being so that they can feel so much better.

Speaker 2: 14:57

And so I break it down into calm, confidence and curiosity, as in the three pillars. And so calm is and if you really think about a calm, is really about regulating your nervous system and it's about working with your body. So a lot of the tools I bring in there are related to that, things like breathing and such. And then, with confidence, it's really about how you show up and who you are, your thoughts, your beliefs about yourself. So it's about working with your mind and having the tools around that. So that's about that pillar. And curiosity is really about connecting to the fun, bringing the playfulness back, you know, and connecting to your soul and your spirit. So there are various practices and strategies in that pillar as well. So it's really taking this holistic mind, body, spirit approach through the lens of mindfulness, being present and aware in your life so that you can feel and be well.

Speaker 1: 16:04

That is beautiful. I would say that so many people right now need to read that book and implement the three pillars, because I mean, right now it's just, you know, we're in this hustle, bustle, this like increase, like feels like increased stress. You know that's definitely you're working on to help people to reduce stress and like do you find that a lot of your clients are coming to you Like they're completely like burnt out and, oh my goodness, I need your help?

Speaker 2: 16:32

Yeah, I think so. I'm glad that we're having more conversations around mental health, especially, though, because I think that in the past, people were just struggling in silence, and I know, especially in being a physician myself and having many contacts in the physician community, physician suicide rates are actually very high, and also addiction. Yeah, and it's really unfortunate, and I think that the more we have open conversations about stress, burnout, well being, the better right, and it's important for people to realize that they're not alone in whatever they're going through and that there is support, there are resources, and to really find that community to help.

Speaker 1: 17:25

I would completely agree with you as somebody who runs a doctor's office and we see pediatric, we have internists and pediatricians and I can't tell you how many young patients struggling with mental health issues and I feel like, if you know, when parents read your book and implement these three pillars, that can be a ripple effect down to the kids and to help them all. Right, let's be calm, let's be confident. You know it's so important.

Speaker 2: 17:54

Really, I wish you taught us this stuff in school.

Speaker 1: 17:57

Same, like, honestly it's. You brought up a very valuable point. Like we're definitely right now in a mental health crisis, Like I can't even I have never in my life called mobile crisis as much as I have get somebody set up a psych, as much as I have get people set up with counseling and thank goodness we actually have an integrative, you know, mental health counselor within our office. But if we didn't have that, months, months, months really unfortunate.

Speaker 1: 18:30

I think just our healthcare system in the US is so broken in many ways that unfortunately it's really not able to provide the support and care that people need, which is another reason, like look at other alternative methods, look for holistic healing, look at the mindfulness, look at, you know, like really shift and look at the other possibilities, which that's what you're doing.

Speaker 2: 18:59

Yeah, yeah, and I always also like to just say that I know a lot of times when people look into alternative treatments and healers, it can be really expensive yes, because they don't accept insurance and things like that. But I think that even then, there are so many resources that are available these days right Through podcasts, books, courses, yeah, yeah, exactly, videos, and so I think that I know sometimes it can feel really jarring or limiting for people, but I would really encourage people to just start the process, to start with their own education, to being responsible, advocating for themselves, starting from there.

Speaker 1: 19:49

And 100% agree with you. So let me ask you this you're fluent in multiple languages and have lived in a lot of different countries. How has this multicultural background shaped your understanding of health and wellness?

Speaker 2: 20:04

It's definitely been really helpful for me. I grew up in Taiwan and spent time abroad. Now and been in the States for so many years now. I think that I feel very fortunate and grateful to have been exposed to these different cultures, because I think different cultures have so many different traditions and practices that are inherent in the cultures right, many of which are related to healing and well-being, and it's also, I think, really helped me in terms of connecting with people, because recognizing that we all have our inherent biases and beliefs and expectations, and I think it's really helped me to be a lot more open-minded and patient when I'm working with people, doesn't matter where they are, their culture, their background, their experiences. So I'm grateful for that exposure and experience.

Speaker 1: 21:08

That is amazing. So your yes and more. That is a personal growth and wellness company. Can you maybe tell us about some of the programs that you offer?

Speaker 2: 21:19

Definitely so. I started yes and More because I wanted to help people say yes to themselves and more. I love that and so I help people in many different ways. So usually I work with leaders, executives, entrepreneurs through direct coaching, whether it be one-on-one, group programs, retreats. I also help organizations with corporate wellness and doing consulting, bringing in a lot of these practices to help organizations prioritize workplace well-being Right, Because we see that the happier, the healthier team members are, the better they do, the better they perform. Profitability goes up, retention goes up, all of those things, and so it's really all connected. So I do a lot of training speaking in that realm as well.

Speaker 1: 22:14

That is amazing. I work for a corporation and I'm just thinking about what you just said. I'm like, wow, that would be really amazing to have that kind of education.

Speaker 2: 22:26

We get emails from our health insurance company and they do challenges, but it doesn't feel vested in my health and well-being, yeah, and that's exactly it, because I would be doing a lot of these talks for corporate, especially in the day of, for the couple of days and whatever, and everyone's feeling great, inspired, low stress, they're relaxed, and then I realized that in order to really have long term sustainable impact and growth, it really needs to be more immersed in the culture, in the organization, starts from leadership and it really has to be fully aligned.

Speaker 1: 23:10

Right.

Speaker 2: 23:10

It's not just about outsourcing it to a group of benefits. I mean sure those can be helpful, but again, I think that it takes this very holistic approach and it's about really bringing in the expertise, the experience, working with everybody on the team to really improve the culture so that team members it doesn't matter where you are in the org chart that you feel safe, that you feel supported and that you have the tools to be empowered to be your best.

Speaker 1: 23:45

That sounds amazing, Like in working in a corporate environment, like something like that. I feel, like you said, it needs to be invested by leadership and all the way down. I think they need to really truly believe in this and that it's going to work. I just can imagine so many good outcomes for your clients. I'm just like I just love that. I just want to sign in myself up. We'll talk after. So let me ask you this what is maybe your ultimate vision for the impact you'd like to make in the holistic health and wellness community? That's a big question. It is a big question.

Speaker 2: 24:30

It's interesting because I think that my answer continues to shift as I continue to evolve and shift, and I think this is the journey of entrepreneurship. I think years ago I would have said you know, just to make a big impact right, and now it's through. After working with different types of people, organizations, it's like you get a little bit more clear, but you also go a little bit different in other ways, and so I really think about big picture, really building a trusted, leading wellness brand that helps educate people and to empower people to advocate for their own health and well-being through taking an integrative, holistic mind, body, spirit.

Speaker 1: 25:34

Well, I love that mission. I think it's wonderful. It's definitely attainable, but you're right about how, like, because you're introduced to different modalities and maybe different client needs, and it is interesting how it shifts and unfolds. But, like you know, your ultimate goal is to help people and that's what you're doing now. You know, which is amazing. So if anyone is interested in either booking a session, buying your book, I'll make sure to link your TEDx talk to this. What is the best place for someone to go to?

Speaker 2: 26:08

Absolutely so. While everyone's welcome to follow me on social media, my handle is at Cindy's high MD, cindy TSA, imd. I'm primarily on LinkedIn and Instagram and then make sure to join my mailing list, where I send out free weekly tips, so you can sign up on my website at Cindy's high MDcom. And, yes, check out my book. It's called so much better. It's available on Amazon, barnes and Noble's all the major retailers and yeah, I'm happy to be here as a resource and to connect with people and see how I can best support.

Speaker 1: 26:48

I love that. So before we wrap up because I do like to try to keep this lighthearted Um could you maybe share a funny or unexpected story from your journey in the wellness field?

Speaker 2: 27:03

In the wellness field.

Speaker 1: 27:05

Or the holistic field and any field.

Speaker 2: 27:07

Well, I'm happy to share that for any. It sounds like the audience for your community generally have been introduced to wellness modalities and all of that. But I can share that, as I mentioned that I didn't grow up with spirituality or any of that, and so it was actually a shock to my sister, to me, right when I first started going down this path. I remember I went to a very nice wellness retreat years ago and basically it was one of the places where they'd have classes and all the things and I signed up for a class. The very first class I went to was a crystal meditation class.

Speaker 1: 27:56

Did you have to hold a crystal and meditate with this?

Speaker 2: 27:58

Yeah, and I. It's so funny, Rachel, because I had never even come into contact with crystals before that.

Speaker 1: 28:07

I love this. Sorry, this is amazing.

Speaker 2: 28:11

I went to the retreat with my sister it was like a sister bonding thing and then and I was so confused we walked in and then there were a bunch of crystals. They're like grab one, which one speaks to you, whatever. And I was like, but what was interesting was I grabbed a cello night and I actually really felt the energy of the crystal, and it was just. I was so confused because I had never been in contact with this realm, right, but then clearly I was very attuned and intuitive already and that really just opened my eyes to this whole field. And so I like to share that story because it doesn't matter where you are, how old you are, whatever, when these things happen, they happen and you just open to it and it takes you on a beautiful journey.

Speaker 1: 29:17

I love the fact that you picked up cello night, because that's such a cleansing stone.

Speaker 2: 29:23

Right and like connecting to the divine Right, Like she's like girl, I am ready to go Like, open me up.

Speaker 1: 29:32

I love that. Well, dr Cindy site, thank you so much for coming on this spiritual spotlight series. I am definitely excited to learn more from you and I know all of listeners are looking forward to use you as a resource for sure.

Speaker 2: 29:45

Thank you so much.