Why ZOey as Special Guest
As someone who grew up in China, my perception of Zhongyi (Traditional Chinese Medicine) was always associated with old men with white beards who would prescribe bitter medicine. However, when I met Zoey, I was impressed by her unique and cool style. At the time we met, Zoey had black long hair, adorned with tattoos all over her arms, and sipping cocktails in a serene and Zen manner. It was fascinating to see someone who could embody both contemporary and traditional Chinese culture so effortlessly. In today's Internet age, it's not uncommon for people to have two distinct versions of themselves - one online and one in real life. However, Zoey is not one of those people. She is authentic and genuine, both online and offline.
Growing up in Shanghai, TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) was an essential aspect of her family's lifestyle, but Zoey turned to Western medicine when she moved to the US and started having health issues. It wasn't until she removed dairy from her diet that she found relief. Zoey pursued a degree in Nutrition and Public Health at New York University, where she began questioning conventional nutrition teachings. She developed an individualized and balanced approach to food therapy inspired by her TCM studies. After completing her studies and TCM training at the Pacific College of Health and Science, Zoey began hosting pop-up dinners. She is now a renowned TCM food therapist, chef, and registered dietitian with 59k Instagram followers. She is also the co-owner of The Red Pavilion in Brooklyn.
We invited Zoey to be a guest speaker because she embodies the qualities we want to promote within the APC community, encouraging individuals to embrace their unique cultural identities. Zoey's ability to embrace her Chinese heritage and incorporate TCM into her daily life is both admirable and inspiring. Her commitment to spreading awareness and understanding of TCM is a testament to her dedication to the practice and her desire to help others. We personally want to extend our gratitude to Zoey for making it "cool" and accessible to a wider audience.
