Meet Calvin Kang | Business Owner & Content Creator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Calvin Kang and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Calvin, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I’ll never forget my first day as a full-time content creator. No alarm. No rush. Just me, waking up when I felt like it. I hit the gym, came back, filmed a video, edited, posted… and by 2 PM, I was staring at my screen with nothing left to do. No calls, no meetings, no coworkers—just silence. My friends were all at work, and I had no one to text, no plans to look forward to.

For two weeks, this was my life. And honestly? It was extremely boring. I had worked so hard to get to this point, to have full control over my time… and yet, I felt like there could be more to do. That’s when I realized: freedom is only fun if you know how to use it.

Fast forward to today, and sometimes I wish I had that extra time. You always appreciate what you don’t have. Today, I run five businesses. My schedule is packed, my days are full, and somehow, I’ve become a founder, a coach, and a full-time creator all at once. Wild. I never planned for this, but I always knew one thing—I wanted to help people and stay connected to the food and nutrition space. Food brings people together. And nutrition? That’s a daily battle we all face in our own way.

Even as an introvert, I’ve learned that the right people—the ones who share my passion, my drive—make everything better. Looking back, I see how much has changed, how much I’ve grown. There’s so much more that I want to accomplish and see through and I’m excited to see how that unfolds this coming year.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
What sets my channel apart from traditional nutrition pages is its approachable, no-BS approach. Nutrition isn’t about proving who’s right or finding the perfect diet—it’s about consistency. Can you build a lifestyle that’s healthy enough to sustain long-term? That’s what really matters.

When growing my page, the challenge wasn’t whether it was difficult but rather if I could stay locked in for 90 days straight—no matter the results. Success can make people complacent, while setbacks often lead to discouragement and quitting too soon. But progress will always come when you show up, especially when you show up with purpose and intent.

Overcoming challenges is about perspective. If you can embrace obstacles as opportunities for growth rather than barriers, you already have a successful mindset that can win. Focus on what you can control instead of dwelling on what you can’t. And above all—be relentless. Setbacks are part of the process and you can’t be scared to fail. Results are just a byproduct of the process. No one falls in love with running because they did a marathon. They fall in love with running while training for it. Love the journey.

I want people to know that nutrition doesn’t have to be complicated. Don’t let food dictate your emotions or your life. Social media often makes nutrition confusing, with endless conflicting advice. The reality? The answer to most nutrition questions is: It depends. Instead of obsessing over the “perfect” diet, integrate food into your life in a balanced way. When find the balance, you’ll not only improve your relationship with food but also with daily life. I don’t know anyone that didn’t improve their life financially, mentally, and/or physically when they found their personal balance with food.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friends were visiting Los Angeles, our plan would be simple: hoop and eat—that’s all we need. No matter who you are, if you’re in LA, you have to eat. Our must-hit spots? Sun Nong Dan for Korean comfort food, Cabron for street tacos, Wake N Late for breakfast burritos, and at least one Korean bar at night. There’s so much more that I am probably forgetting but I always show anyone who visits me with a great time. LA’s food scene is unbeatable, so we’d definitely take full advantage.

As adults, I feel like there isn’t too much to do besides eat, but since all my friends are active, we’d mix in some movement. The Hollywood hike is always a fun option, followed by acai bowls—because nothing screams LA more than that. And of course, coffee is a must—especially from Korean coffee shops, where they get creative with their drinks. If time allows, we’d take a trip to Orange County for some next-level Vietnamese food.

For me, staying active always elevates a vacation. When you move, you feel good—and when you feel good, you can eat like you’re on vacation without coming home feeling like you undid all your fitness progress. That’s why I always make sure to prioritize an active lifestyle when traveling, whether it’s playing basketball, getting in steps, or hitting the gym. Balance is key.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The group that matters most to my success is the incredible community on my platform. While some may think creators credit their audience out of courtesy, the truth is, the audience is everything. Without them, there’s no brand, no momentum—just ideas without impact. They inspire, motivate, and give purpose to everything I post. Monetization is simply a byproduct of content creation. I believe most of us would continue creating regardless—because we love our community. I genuinely enjoy curating content for people and am deeply grateful for their trust in what I do and believe in.

Beyond my audience, there are a few people in my personal life who have been the backbone of this journey. They are my foundation, my unwavering support system, and the reason I’ve been able to accomplish so much. Huge shoutout to my parents, Jerry Chu, Wallace Wong, Richie Lee, Vincent Lim, Farhan Tai, Catherine Zhang, Jay Yoon, Chris Yin, Storm Yoon, John Lee, and Addison & Moriah DiFrancesco. They have never doubted me, never discouraged my ambitions, and most importantly, never laughed at an idea—because they know with my stubborness, anything is possible.

Lastly, a special shoutout to Lisa Chu and Paul Kang. These two mean the world to me and are the reason I’m never satisfied with just “good enough.” They push me to be relentless, to dream bigger, and to strive for more. A win isn’t a win unless I can share it with them.

I love and appreciate you all—thank you for being part of this journey!

Website: https://cooklikeimbook.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cooklikeimbook/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cooklikeimbook/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@cooklikeimbook

Other: https://drizzisauce.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoqDe6WYWj–

Image Credits
Calvin Kang