Dr. Kien Vuu is a physician, author, speaker, and all-around force of nature. I first met Kien through a keynote speakers group, and I knew we’d get along when our event started at 8 AM—but I ran into him in the hotel gym at 6. A classic midlife male life hack right there!
His energy is relentless, his passion is undeniable, and his approach to human performance and life extension is as insightful as it is practical. I don’t always agree with him, but I always respect his sincerity, his drive to help others, and his commitment to sharing what he’s learned.
How Dr. Kien Vuu Sees It
MLM: Dr. Vuu, let’s start with a phrase that really stood out to me from your work: You are your best medicine. What do you mean by that?
Dr. Kien Vuu: We can take that phrase at a surface level, but it also goes much deeper. We are the architects of our own biology, energy, and overall well-being. The choices we make every day—what we eat, how we sleep, our mindset, relationships, and sense of purpose—send signals to our body that can either lead to optimal health or disease.
For example, I grew up as a refugee, struggled with feelings of not being enough, and chased external success to prove my worth. That mindset led to me becoming a successful doctor, but also overweight, diabetic, and on prescription medication. I had to shift my perspective and lifestyle to heal myself. So, when I say, You are your best medicine, I mean that our way of living—our habits, thoughts, and beliefs—either heal us or harm us.
MLM: Seven years ago, you hit that breaking point. What steps did you take to transform your life and get out of that unhealthy state?
Dr. Vuu: I started by focusing on what I call the seven key factors that impact human biology:
- Sleep
- Nutrition
- Movement
- Thoughts & mindset
- Emotional well-being
- Relationships & community
- Purpose
I made simple, effective changes in areas that were easiest to tackle first. Improving sleep and nutrition gave me more energy, which helped me establish a consistent movement routine. Over time, I explored deeper aspects of personal development, psychology, and spirituality.
The most powerful shift came from realizing that at any moment, I am already safe, and I am already loved. When we internalize that, our stress decreases, and our biology shifts into a state of healing and longevity.
MLM: A lot of men feel trapped chasing external success—salary, title, material possessions—only to realize later that it doesn’t bring fulfillment. How do you reconcile ambition with the realization that success alone isn’t enough?
Dr. Vuu: That’s a great question. I don’t think ambition is bad—it’s natural to strive for success. The problem is when we attach our self-worth to it.
I had the fancy house, the title, and financial success, but I was still unhealthy and unfulfilled. The key is to ensure that our ambition is driven by purpose, service, and alignment with our well-being rather than by a need to prove something to ourselves or others.
Money, for example, is just an amplifier of who we already are. If you chase success from a place of insecurity, no amount of achievement will be enough. But if you pursue it from a place of love and purpose, it becomes a tool for impact, rather than validation.
MLM: You mentioned the importance of feeling safe and loved. But what about people who struggle with those feelings? How do they start shifting their mindset?
Dr. Vuu: First, recognize that this is the human condition. Every person, at some point, has felt unsafe or unloved. Even I, despite being aware of these principles, don’t feel that way 100% of the time.
The key is to develop awareness. When I feel stressed, anxious, or insecure, I ask myself: What belief is causing this feeling? Then, I challenge that belief.
For example, during COVID, my finances took a hit, and I started feeling unsafe. But when I examined it, I realized I had attached my sense of security to a number in my bank account. Once I questioned that belief, I saw it wasn’t true—I was still safe.
A practical exercise I use with clients is having them identify what they think they need to feel safe or loved, then guiding them to access those feelings internally rather than externally.
MLM: There’s a lot of buzz around anti-aging and longevity science. How do you see it evolving, and what’s your take on it?
Dr. Vuu: Longevity science is advancing rapidly. We now understand that aging isn’t just a natural process—it’s a disease of sorts that can be slowed or even reversed.
Tools like epigenetic clocks can measure biological age versus chronological age. Lifestyle factors—like sleep, movement, nutrition, and stress management—play a massive role in how we age. There are also cutting-edge advancements in regenerative medicine, stem cells, and early disease detection.
That said, I emphasize the art of living as much as the science of longevity. The longest-living populations in the world—the Blue Zones—aren’t relying on advanced medical technology. They move daily, eat well, have strong social connections, and live with purpose. That’s what truly matters.
MLM: What does your daily routine look like now compared to seven years ago?
Dr. Vuu: My life has shifted drastically. Back then, I was grinding at the hospital from 6 AM to 6 PM, barely working out, eating poorly, and chasing external success.
Now, my routine is more fluid, but I prioritize:
- Sleep: Non-negotiable
- Nutrition & Movement: Daily habits
- Connection: I invest in my relationships, especially with my partner and family
- Mindfulness & Reflection: Checking in with myself
I’ve learned that life moves in seasons. There are times when I focus on business, times when relationships need more attention, and times for personal growth. I don’t aim for rigid perfection—I aim for sustainable habits that support my well-being.
MLM: You talk a lot about the difference between living longer and living better. How do we ensure we’re not just adding years but actually enjoying them?
Dr. Vuu: That’s a crucial distinction. Some people are so focused on extending their lifespan that they forget to enjoy life itself.
Benjamin Franklin said, Some people die at 25 but aren’t buried until 75. That’s what I want to avoid. The goal isn’t just more years—it’s better years. That comes from:
- Deep relationships
- A sense of purpose
- A thriving body and mind
- Enjoying life’s experiences
So yes, I use longevity science, but the real magic is in how we live each day.
MLM: Dr. Vuu, this has been an incredible conversation. What’s one piece of advice you’d leave readers with?
Dr. Vuu: The two most important decisions you will ever make are:
- Knowing that you are safe.
- Knowing that you are loved.
When you internalize those two truths, everything in life changes. You make better decisions, experience less stress, and truly thrive.
Follow Dr. Kien Vuu on Instagram here. Or visit his website.
