Desnudo Fitness: ANDREW VU

Hi fam! I’m Dru, 28 years old, I was born in Hawaii and raised in LA. 

What is your heritage/ethnic background? 

I’m mixed AAPI with some Southern European ancestry

What is your morning routine?

My alarm goes off at 5:45am every morning. I hit snooze until about 6am.  Once I hop out of bed, I wash my face, throw on my shorts and a cut-off, make my preworkout, and drive to the gym.  I usually get there at 6:15 and start stretching immediately. 

What do you usually eat on an average day at work?

I try to eat as clean as possible, avoiding sugar and processed foods.  Breakfast is usually eggs, turkey bacon, toast, and a protein shake.  I usually do a chicken salad or a sandwich for lunch.  And for dinner, my go-to meal is salmon with Brussel sprouts and cauliflower rice.  I got an air fryer last year and it’s such a game changer. 

Whats your favorite cheat day meal or snack?

McDonald’s chicken nuggets, no doubt

Do you have a daily exercise regime?

I hit a push, pull, leg split on a weekly basis.  I’ll start off with walking on the treadmill for half an hour on a high incline, then move onto lifting which ever muscle group I’m training that day in particular.  And, they’re my least favorite to train, but I end every session with half an hour of abs.

How long do you usually work out for?

2-2.5 hours

Who do you look up to the most?

Personally, I would have to say my dad, as cliche as that may be.  He came to the US with no money and didn’t  speak any English.  He was able to build a life for himself and his family through dedication and tenacity; truly self-made.  He’s my hero and if I can be half the man that he is one day, then I know I’ve done well in life.  My goal is to give him everything that he gave me and more. 

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Hopefully continuing to pursue something in entertainment.  Not sure what that entails at the moment, but there have been a lot of exciting opportunities come about this year.  This was never a path that I saw for myself, but I’m learning to accept every experience as a blessing and understand how fortunate that I am. 

Who is your biggest influence and why?

Steve Cook! Not only is he physically goals, but the respect and kindness that he shows to everyone is something that I really want to see more of in fitness.  More empathy, less egos.  

What health advice you were ever given and would pass on to others?

I fell in love with fitness because it became my own form of therapy. Your mental health is your number one priority.  Lifting weights and building muscle is great, but it means nothing unless you don’t have your mental well-being in check.  Understand that everyone is at different points on their health and wellness journey; stop comparing yourself to others and fall in love with the process.