About Dr.Cindy

cindy tsai, md – My Story

For the longest time…

I held onto the story that I was an “accident.”

My parents didn’t plan to have me. And I had this mistaken (subconscious) belief that I was a burden, that I wasn’t wanted or enough as I was. 

I was born in Vancouver, Canada and raised in Taipei, Taiwan where I attended an American school until coming to the U.S. for college. While I appreciated the mix of Western and Eastern culture, I frequently felt torn and unsure where I belonged.

In school, I learned about personal freedom and expression while at home, I learned the importance of fulfilling your duty and how to maintain harmony regardless of your true feelings.  

As I went through life working hard, seeking approval and external validation to fill a void, fit in and prove my worth, I was driven to succeed and went to top schools (Johns Hopkins University, Dartmouth Medical School, CPMC/UCSF) to become the best physician I could be.

As a board-certified Internal Medicine physician and medical director, things looked good on the surface. I was grateful to care for and support my patients’ health journeys but realized that wellness is not just being free of disease or illness.

It’s about thriving. 

Yet all the chronic stress and overachieving was taking its toll. 

When I got sick myself with a rare autoimmune condition impacting my eyes that could have led to full vision loss, I was terrified. I knew something had to change. 

So I decided to slow down.

I learned to listen to my body.

Our body has its own intelligence. We need to pay attention to these messages. 

Watch my TEDx talk (coming soon) to learn about “Body Intelligence: An Integrative Approach to Health & Wellness.”

In becoming my own health advocate, I gave myself permission to explore the options. 

I learned that it’s not one-size-fits-all. It’s not either/or. 

It’s YES-AND.

I embraced an integrative approach to wellness and saw that there are many options available to feel So Much Better.

I learned that I didn’t have to be stuck if I didn’t want to be.

I learned how to prioritize self-care and gave myself permission to do what works for me.

I learned ways to leverage the mind-body connection to heal.

I learned tools and skills to quiet my inner critic, stop people-pleasing and over-working.

I learned to stand in my truth, speak up, and shine unapologetically. 

I recovered and shifted the way I delivered care.

I completed trainings in a wide range of solution-oriented therapeutic modalities. 

I knew I had all these experiences and trainings for a reason. 

I uncovered my true purpose.

To blend the best of all worlds and guide others on their journey to self-care and wellness. 

To help people take better care of themselves so they don’t have to get sick and suffer unnecessarily.

It’s time to redefine self-care and change things for good.

I completed trainings in a wide range of solution-oriented therapeutic modalities (see below).

I have the knowledge, skills, and resources to help.

I do not believe in cookie-cutter because you are unique. 

The most important thing is that it works for you!

Qualifications & Awards

Dr. Cindy Tsai is a board-certified Internal Medicine physician in San Diego, CA.

Dr. Cindy served as a primary care physician and medical director for years before transitioning into entrepreneurship to make a bigger impact empowering people to take control of their health through both conventional and complementary modalities. 

She earned B.A. and M.S. degrees from Johns Hopkins University and M.D. degree from Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth. Through her own healing journey, she has explored and trained in a wide range of therapeutic modalities and emphasizes wellness and caring for the person as a whole. 

Recognition & SERVICE

•  2022 “Rising Star of the Year” Winner- National Women Business Owners (NAWBO)-LA Chapter

• 2022 Inspirational Women Leadership Awards Nominee- Los Angeles Times

• 2022 “Rising Star of the Year” Finalist- National Women Business Owners (NAWBO)-SD Chapter

• National Albert Schweitzer Fellow

• Innovation Women Featured Speaker

• Asian Culture and Media Alliance
  • • Executive Board Member

• Dartmouth Club of Los Angeles
  
  • • Board Member
• Ellevate Network
  • • President, San Diego Chapter
• 6 Degrees Networking
  • • President, Women’s Cohort
      
• Women of Dartmouth
  Alumni in Healthcare

• National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) San Diego

• Junior League San Diego

• Make-A-Wish San Diego