Meet Cindy Tsai, MD | Physician & Life Coach

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cindy Tsai, MD and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cindy, can you tell us about an impactful book you’ve read and why you liked it or what impact it had on you?
One of my favorite books is “The Big Leap” by Gaye Hendricks because it explains how we are all playing small. He describes the “upper limit problem”, which is the idea that we hold ourselves back when we reach the upper limit/edge of our comfort zone because it feels scary to take the next step to become a better version of ourselves. Because of this fear, it prevents us from living in our Zone of Genius and enjoying the abundance of life that’s available to us.

The concept really spoke to me because I was always playing it safe and following a scripted path to becoming a physician. After so many years of school and training, I was disappointed when I realized I wasn’t feeling fully fulfilled as a doctor. But I was afraid to explore what else was out there. Until I started working with a life coach and recognized I had the power to choose and change my life trajectory. I then decided to leap into entrepreneurship and become a life coach for other high-achieving women. Now I help women uncover their true purpose to live a meaningful life of ease and joy. The book is a wonderful reminder to live boldly and claim the life you are meant to live. It takes intention and practice to be comfortable with the uncomfortable and live in your zone of genius but it’s totally possible. Don’t wait for the other shoe to drop. You get to live your best life now.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My dad was a surgeon and I was exposed to medicine from a young age. I wanted to follow in his footsteps to become a doctor and help people feel better. I worked hard, attended top schools (Johns Hopkins for undergrad, Dartmouth for med school) and was so excited to finally start working as a primary care physician. And then reality hit me.

I saw so many patients come in when they were burnt out or in health crises and I was frustrated I couldn’t do more. I wish I could have done something earlier to help rewrite their story. I wanted to help them look at the root cause and not just prescribe medications as a bandaid. But I felt stuck because medicine was all I knew and I was still early in my career. Could I really do this for decades? I didn’t know what else I could do.

Thankfully, I found life coaching and revealed all the limiting beliefs and stories I was telling myself. I learned how to work with my inner critic and perfectionist so that I could stop being so hard on myself and others. I developed strong boundaries and let go of people-pleasing. I embraced how to listen and honor my own needs to take care of myself. I recognized that true validation comes from within, not from receiving approval or achieving certain milestones to prove my worth. And most importantly, I understood that I have the power to create the extraordinary life I am meant to live.

Coaching was a supportive and fun process that transformed me completely and inspired me to become a coach to do the same for other women. I spent extensive time and resources training and learning a variety of skills to offer an effective and comprehensive coaching experience for clients. It has been really gratifying empowering high-achieving women to feel better, uncover their true purpose and believe in themselves to live a meaningful life of ease and joy.

I always say that everyone is different, and the things you need are going to be different. You are here because you have unique gifts to share, and the world needs you to be you. Please know that you don’t have to struggle alone because help is always available if you are open to receiving it. You deserve to enjoy your life your way.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Friends appreciate that I seek and bring calm in the midst of chaos. I love helping people feel more grounded and at ease. We would spend time in nature, meditating and hiking trails enjoying views of the city at Griffith Park or foliage at Switzer Falls. After the workout, we could grab some authentic pizza from L’Antica Pizzeria Da Michele or a leisurely brunch from Laurel Hardware.

If looking for inspiration to tap into our creative sides, we could visit the many museums with contemporary exhibits from the Broad to the Hammer or classical pieces at the Getty Villa or Huntington Library with beautiful outdoor gardens. When hungry, there’s no shortage of delicious Asian food from Taiwanese delicacies at Din Tai Fung to tsukemen at Tsujita. If craving Korean barbecue, we could head to K-town and then sing the latest hits at Pharaoh Karaoke Lounge.

Of course, you won’t want to miss the quintessential beaches in Southern California. There are many options including Santa Monica pier with rides, games and funnel cake, but I also make time for quiet walks along the gorgeous and lesser known beaches in Malibu. Plus, we can conclude with dinner enjoying unparalleled oceanfront and sunset views from Nobu in Malibu. There’s something for everyone!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I am so grateful to my parents for giving me the support and resources to become a physician. I wanted to make them proud and become the best physician I could be. Even though I am not currently practicing primary care, my medical training and experiences have served me well in my coaching career because I have heard many challenging stories and learned how to connect, listen and heal others.

Website: www.cindytsaimd.com

Instagram: instagram.com/cindytsaimd

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/cindytsaimd

Twitter: twitter.com/cindytsaimd

Facebook: facebook.com/cindytsaimd

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIlODPH8d-vPTu8uXa3oOtQ

Other: Teacher Profile on Insight Timer: https://insig.ht/3cbPfq9jWjb?utm_source=copy_link&utm_medium=live_stream_share

Image Credits
Ashley DuChene Photography