AACE INTERVIEW: Victor Ung
Victor Ung
A more intentional, mindful practice with cannabis allows us to bring more awareness to the hidden beliefs and emotions that are actually getting in the way of living our lives more fully.
Victor is an outlier in the Asian American community, he not only is an accomplished Wellness Coach, but he is also a Cannabis Wellness Coach. His podcast The Human Up has over 70 episodes that span the top-level topics of cannabis and wellness but also touches upon the effects in the Asian American communities. A notable podcast with Amanda Tran (whom we featured here on AACE) is a standout because to hear her voice her concerns and views on stress, therapy, social justice, and about how we are brought up to be “perfect” by Asian our heritage. - Ophelia Chong
How has your views on cannabis changed?
Growing up, I was so judgmental towards anyone who smoked weed. I thought they were such unhealthy troublemakers. I even associated weed with a lack of intelligence being the goody-two-shoes nerd I was. What I didn't realize was cannabis's connection to the other forms of intelligence, body, emotional, social, creative, everything I lacked. I decided to try it in college after a very lonely and unfulfilling high school and college freshman year with a trusted friend and my mind expanded immediately. I was able to just be me, to have fun, to care less about what anyone else thinks or wants me to do, be more creative, and more importantly, socialize and connect with other people. And as I continued to do well academically, while also meeting other smart people who consumed cannabis, I realized that stereotype of the "stupid stoner" wasn't true.
What was the impetus of that change?
The friend who introduced me to cannabis was seemingly always happy, creative, and social. And I wanted that. I was the shy, lonely, awkward kid who didn't even kiss a girl until well into college. My freshmen year of college was also very routine: go to class, study at the library, work at my part-time job, go home. I didn't socialize or have extracurriculars and the monotony finally got to me.
So seeing how well off and functional my friend was even after smoking, it gave me the confidence to try it myself. That same night, I finally got my first kiss too!
How does your family feel about your cannabis businesses?
My parents immigrated here from Cambodia and Vietnam, so they don't understand what I do. They don't get what life coaching is, they don't understand the medicinal value of cannabis, they don't understand why anyone would pay for any of these services or use cannabis. So of course, they are skeptical and worried about me. Even this year, my mom still asks me if I still like what I'm doing as if trying to guilt me into changing to a career path that would make me stable. The thing is, I feel so lucky, fulfilled, and joyful to be able to provide this space for people to explore themselves through the power of this plant medicine. But they want to see the big houses, the hefty savings account. But the more I talk about it with them, I do feel they're coming around as I continue reassuring them that I'm still responsible and happy.
Where do you see the cannabis industry in five years?
I see it becoming normalized like alcohol or tobacco. Where you could walk into a bar or cafe and consume cannabis foods and drinks, or have designated smoking spots. I see hemp being used for many material goods, as well as being one of the major contributing factors for slowing climate change. Personally, I think the right play here is adding in the more conscious use of cannabis in the messaging. As people are becoming a lot more aware of their mental and emotional health, cannabis can play an important role in improving that.
With your work in the field of mental health, how have you found the use of cannabis to help others?
The connection with cannabis and mental health is of course still being researched, but so far, it's showing many positive signs for a variety of chronic pains and illnesses. Anecdotally, I've seen my clients completely shift into a more relaxed state in their minds and bodies. And it allows us to go deeper in the coaching sessions coming from a more stable foundation. A more intentional, mindful practice with cannabis allows us to bring more awareness to the hidden beliefs and emotions that are actually getting in the way of living our lives more fully. That perfect combination of cannabis, meditation, and coaching actually helps people find more clarity and trust, both within themselves and where they want to go.