Today we’d like to introduce you to Kevin Young.
Hi Kevin, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My journey into healing began with food. Growing up, food was my family’s love language—it was how we showed love, care, and connection. I felt supported and seen through shared meals, and I always knew I wanted to offer that same sense of comfort and nourishment to others.
After high school, I felt completely lost. I wasn’t accepted into any traditional colleges and didn’t know what to do next. I moved to Las Vegas to live with my mom and help with our family’s restaurant. My parents, though supportive, were hesitant about me going to culinary school because they knew how demanding the restaurant industry could be. But I was determined. Food was how I understood love, and I wanted to share that with others—so I enrolled in Le Cordon Bleu.
But before all that, during a family trip to Vietnam, something happened that stayed with me. The acupuncturist who treated my relatives looked at me and asked if I practiced martial arts. I had, and I was stunned that she could tell. She told me I had the ability to heal others with my energy if I trained and meditated. That moment stuck with me—but I didn’t believe I was capable. I doubted my intelligence, my discipline, and my worth. So I put that dream aside and pursued food and, later, yoga—paths that felt safer at the time.
While in culinary school, a nutrition class sparked a new understanding: food could be medicine. But I also struggled deeply with isolation. I had few friends and sank into a dark place. When I hit rock bottom, I told myself, I’m done feeling this way. I have to find a way to help myself. That moment of desperation became the beginning of my healing.
I began reading self-help books, meditating, learning about crystals, tarot, and energy work. Eventually, I came across a book by an acupuncturist whose stories of healing struck a deep chord in me. It reminded me of Vietnam. It reminded me of the part of myself I’d been ignoring.
After culinary school, I moved back to San Diego and enrolled in a yoga teacher training program. I loved it. It grounded me and gave me more tools to understand the body, breath, and energy. But even then, the signs were still nudging me toward acupuncture—I just didn’t realize it yet. My yoga teacher’s fiancé, at the time, was studying acupuncture, and we would talk about it often. It was in my orbit, showing up again and again, but I still wasn’t ready to fully say yes.
Then one day, after I graduated yoga teacher training, my mom asked me, “Do you still want to pursue acupuncture? I think you’d be really good at it.” She mentioned Pacific College of Oriental Medicine (now Pacific College of Health and Science) in San Diego. We scheduled an interview, and to my surprise, I was accepted. Even some of my culinary credits transferred over. That moment was the shift—it was like everything finally aligned.
Now, as a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist, I combine my knowledge of food, wellness, and spiritual healing to offer care that nourishes the body, mind, and spirit. I use everything I’ve learned from my personal journey to help others heal and find balance—just as I did.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road—but every challenge has shaped me into the healer I am today.
I began my career working at an established clinic called Bonita Acupuncture. That experience gave me a strong clinical foundation and taught me how to hold space for others in meaningful, compassionate ways. It also showed me the importance of maintaining balance—learning how to care deeply for my patients while honoring my own energy and boundaries.
Opening Red Leaf Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine in 2024 was a leap of faith. One of the greatest challenges was learning to trust the process—and trust the universe. Starting a business from the ground up required more than clinical skill; it tested my confidence, my patience, and my ability to navigate uncertainty. There were moments of doubt, financial strain, and a steep learning curve as I stepped into entrepreneurship.
But through it all, my passion for healing never wavered. Every struggle has deepened my compassion, expanded my approach, and grounded me in my purpose. I’ve learned that healing—whether personal or professional—isn’t linear. And that’s what I bring into every treatment: the understanding that transformation takes time, and that we all deserve grace and support along the way.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Red Leaf Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine?
I specialize in Traditional Chinese Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine, but my approach goes far beyond treating just symptoms. Every patient who walks through my door brings a unique story—and I believe each story deserves a personalized, holistic approach. I see the body as an interconnected whole, and I work with my patients to support healing on physical, emotional, and soul levels.
My treatments are for those who are ready to transform their inner and outer worlds—to go beyond temporary fixes and find true healing from within. What sets my practice apart is the depth of care and the integrative healing modalities I offer. Alongside acupuncture and herbal medicine, I draw from my own healing journey and incorporate tools like yoga, Qi Gong, meditation, energy work, sound frequency therapy, and essential oils to create customized treatment plans.
What I’m most proud of is how grounded and heart-centered my brand is. At Red Leaf, our philosophy is: “Treat the root before the pain.” My goal is not just to relieve symptoms—but to empower my patients to reconnect with their bodies, restore balance, and experience deep, lasting wellness.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I’m always open—and more than happy—to collaborate with others. There are so many different forms and techniques of healing, and I truly believe that integrative medicine creates the most powerful results. Each healing modality offers a unique perspective, and when we bring them together, we can support the whole person more deeply.
If you’re a fellow practitioner, wellness advocate, or community leader, I welcome opportunities to co-create, whether it’s through events, workshops, or shared healing spaces.
One of the most meaningful ways people can support my work is by taking the first step to support themselves. I’m here to hold space for those who are ready to heal—deeply, fully, and at a soul level.
Pricing:
- $150 First Time Patient 90 min – For the first time meeting we will go through a detail intake of your history and discover the root cause of your health concerns. After discussing our treatment plan we will begin the acupuncture and fire cupping treatment.
- $125 Returning Patient 60 min – We will continue the treatment plan discussed during your first initial visit.
- $185 Emotional Alchemy 90 min – Transforming grief, stress, or heartbreak (signature service are intentionally designed to address specific condition)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://redleafacupuncture.com
- Instagram: @redleafacupuncture
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/red-leaf-acupuncture-and-herbal-medicine-san-diego?osq=red+leaf+acupuncture
