
About this episode
Steven He is a comedian, actor, and media pioneer who you may have seen online in the last year as the "emotional damage" guy. This line from one of Steven's videos hit a meteoric viral rise in the summer of 2022, but unlike many viral stars who are a flash in the pan, Steven was ready. His years of hustling as a working actor and content creator allowed him to run with his success and build a rapidly growing audience of people who enjoy his "Off Brand" TikToks or YouTube shorts about his most popular character known only as "Asian Dad". Steven has big plans for the future with the impending release of his original series "Ginormo" and a seemingly never-ending waterfall of fresh content across social media. We talked about his health, specifically the recent surgery he had on a cyst above his eye he believes was caused by stress. We also shared stories of our immigration backgrounds. Steven was born in China, raised in Ireland, and then went to college in the UK and studied acting at the Neighborhood Playhouse in NYC, so we actually have a lot on common. I'm so grateful we got to spend a full day together and hope you enjoy our conversation!Follow Steven:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StevenHeIG: https://www.instagram.com/thestevenhe/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@steven_he?lang=en00:00 Intro00:51 Worst Auditions08:32 Starting Social Media16:38 Emotional Damage19:26 Mental and Physical Health26:36 Eyebrow Surgery44:00 Reading Negative Comments59:20 Chinese Pressure1:05:35 Why He Left China1:13:20 Coping Mechanisms1:22:53 Failure Management1:31:30 Lightning Round1:37:08 Q/AExecutive Producer and Host: Dr. Mike VarshavskiProduced by Dan Owens and Sam BowersArt by Caroline WeigumCONTACT: [email protected]
Get every episode summarized
Each time The Checkup with Doctor Mike publishes, we email you a written briefing from the transcript — the topics, who appeared, and any specific claims, with the ad reads skipped.
Email me new episodesFree for 3 shows. No card needed.
No transcript yet
This episode has not been transcribed. Request it and it moves to the front of the queue.
More episodes
More from The Checkup with Doctor Mike

Pitching Pete Buttigieg My New Healthcare Plan
The Checkup with Doctor Mike

Why Jesse Eisenberg Donated His Kidney
The Checkup with Doctor Mike

Should You Be Scared Of A Black Hole? | Dr. Becky Smethurst
The Checkup with Doctor Mike

What Every Medical Influencer Is Getting Wrong | Dr. Glaucomflecken (Will Flanar...
The Checkup with Doctor Mike