Your Lifestyle Medicine Doctor & Culinary Medicine Specialist

Hi, I’m Colin Zhu, DO and I’m not your typical physician. I’m also a certified health coach and a trained chef. 

TheChefDoc - Cooking

ABOUT DR. COLIN ZHU: 

Throughout my education and medical career, I’ve strived to ask – and answer – as many questions as possible. This curiosity has led me to fill the gaps in my education by learning about the benefits of plant-based nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine. Now, I am proud to share the broad knowledge I’ve gained and the tools I’ve developed to help my patients truly thrive in life and discover lasting health.

The WHY to all this is pretty simple. I want to create a ripple effect, empowering as many people as possible to live a higher state of well-being, while bringing forth the most authentic, healthy version of themselves.

Through my online wellness and education platform, TheChefDoc, I’m able to share my unique blend of medical knowledge and skills as a trained chef and health coach. I’m the author of “Thrive Medicine: How To Cultivate Your Desires and Elevate Your Life,” an international speaker and host of the Thrive Bites podcast which features interviews with the latest health and wellness experts about incorporating a plant-powered lifestyle, enhancing emotional wellness and creating a thriving mindset. 

My self-educational masterclass series called The THR5 Formula™ combines inspiration, education, and practical tools on how to THRIVE! Here you’ll learn the 5 To THR5™ Pillars: Food As Medicine, Functional Fitness, Relationships, Community, & Emotional Resilience!

I currently reside in Southern California and work directly with patients through Plant-Based Telehealth and medically co-direct The Yu Center in which we take patients in-person visits in the Orange County, California area.

CREDENTIALS & EXPERIENCE: 

Fellow, American College of Lifestyle Medicine

Board Certified, Lifestyle Medicine

Board Certified, Family Medicine

Doctor of Osteopathy, West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine

Diploma of Culinary Arts / Chef Training, Natural Gourmet Institute

Diplomate, American Board of Lifestyle Medicine

Certification in Health Coaching, Institute for Integrative Nutrition

Certified International Health Coach, International Association for Health Coaches

Licensed in California, Washington, Texas, Connecticut, New Jersey, Florida, Vermont, West Virginia, Minnesota and Hawaii

Meet The Team

  • colin zhu thechefdoc

    Colin Zhu, DO, FACLM, DipABLM, Chef

    CEO/FOUNDER

    FUN FACT:

    AVID SCUBA DIVER, CONSTANTLY IN SEARCH OF WHALE SHARKS!

  • Naruto

    CPO/CHIEF PAWSITIVITY OFFICER

    FUN FACT:

    My best ideas come from belly rubs & cheek rubs. Social connection & relationships are my favorite lifestyle pillars to teach!

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