I grew up in Asia, where Traditional Chinese Medicine was simply part of everyday life. It wasn't considered alternative or trendy. Things like tongue readings, herbal teas, and choosing foods based on how they affect the body were just normal. I absorbed all of it before I even had the words to explain it.

Nine years ago, I moved to New York, and the healthcare system felt like a completely different world. Specialists didn't talk to each other, costs were unpredictable, and appointments often left me with more questions than answers. My TCM doctor back in Taiwan was hard to reach across the time difference, and the doctor I found in Chinatown became so popular that every visit meant waiting for hours. Neither felt sustainable.

What stayed with me was how difficult it was to access this knowledge. Not because people didn't care, but because it hasn't been widely accessible. I saw this firsthand in Chinatown. The TCM doctor I go to offers free consultations and only charges for herbs, which are affordable for most people. The clinic draws a diverse group of patients, many of whom are looking for care that is both accessible and holistic. In many cases, doctor and patient don't even share a common language, yet care still happens through tongue observation and physical cues. It highlighted both the demand and the gaps in accessibility, translation, and continuity of care.

As a builder by trade, I decided to create what I couldn't find. Yuè is the app I wish I had when I first moved here. 悅 in Mandarin means a felt sense of internal harmony. That's what I'm chasing. That's what I want to help you find. :)