#85: Brian “Lil B” Perez - Winning International Competitions, the Evolution of Locking, Podcasting as Public Therapy, and Finding Joy in Dance

#85: Brian “Lil B” Perez - Winning International Competitions, the Evolution of Locking, Podcasting as Public Therapy, and Finding Joy in Dance

Host J.R. Yonocruz reconnects with Bay Area locker Brian “Lil B” Perez to reflect on their early Academy of Villains days and AOV’s mission to bridge freestyle and choreography. Lil B shares his path from DDR and working for Konami/tech QA into locking, plus lessons from battles, travel, and learning to train groove and feeling. They also discuss mentorship, safer dance spaces, therapy and identity, and how social media has changed dance culture and learning. Chapters: 01:57 Reconnecting After Years 02:59 AOV Origins and Early Days 08:20 Mentorship and Team Culture 12:27 Freestyle Meets Choreo 22:22 Building Safer Dance Spaces & Shoutout to Arnel Calvario 31:45 Brian Origin Story Begins 33:47 DDR Community, Konami Job & QA Career 41:14 Why Locking Clicked 46:08 Flow State And Loss 51:37 Prestige Locking Training 54:44 Finding Groove In Between 01:00:40 Teaching Joy And Music 01:09:04 Therapy Identity And Pitfalls 01:12:30 Keeping Locking Alive 01:17:40 Traveling For Dance Life 01:24:39 Travel For Dance Growth 01:28:59 Politics Roots And Leadership 01:32:41 Social Media & Dance Classes 01:48:26 OG Gatekeeping And Fallout 01:52:03 Locking Ceiling And Exposure 02:00:43 Dancing In The TikTok Era 02:09:04 Rapid Fire Reflections 02:15:44 Vulnerability and Therapy 02:20:56 Anime and K Pop Identity 02:27:49 Gratitude and Final Message Guest bio: Brian Perez a.k.a. "Lil B" is a locker from San Francisco, California who started his journey in 2007. In the previous years he has entered competitions and taught in California, Las Vegas, New York, Japan, Paris, and China.  Dance Affiliations: Unortholockx, Groovmekanex, DS Players, Academy of Villains (1st gen), All My Friends, and co-founder of Dance Over Styles. He has also been in the tech field doing Quality Assurance for about 20 years.  * Instagram: @lockinglilb / https://www.instagram.com/lockinglilb/ [https://www.instagram.com/lockinglilb/] Links/resources: * #21: Dr. Arnel Calvario Ripkens - From KM to TEDx, Asians in Hip-Hop, and Cultivating Leaders of the Future [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2389613/episodes/16337487] * Planet B-Boy [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planet_B-Boy] (documentary - Wikipedia) Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2389613/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2389613/support] One Thousand Gurus Podcast: Everyone has a compelling story to tell with insights we can all be inspired by. J.R. Yonocruz is a self-improvement blogger, relationship coach, and serial hobbyist with a passion for learning. He interviews unique guests from various fields to distill the strategies, habits, and mindsets we can use in our own lives. Each “guru” has a chance to give the audience a peek into a new world. * 💻 Website: www.onethousandgurus.com [https://www.onethousandgurus.com/] * 🔗 All links & socials: https://bio.site/onethousandgurus [https://bio.site/onethousandgurus] * 📧 The Weekly Guru newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/c97a350b06d6/newsletter [https://mailchi.mp/c97a350b06d6/newsletter] * 📚 Learning guides: https://stan.store/marloyonocruz [https://stan.store/marloyonocruz]

#84: Richard Hardy - Finding Faith, Exploring Fitness, and Seeking Feedback for Success

Richard Hardy Returns: 75 Hard Discipline, Door-to-Door Sales Psychology, and Renewed Faith Richard Hardy returns in-studio to share updates on 75 Hard, including a daily Bible-reading habit, plus his fitness and nutrition approach. He revisits his path from Pennsylvania to door-to-door solar in California and breaks down sales psychology—personality types, mirroring, body language, and the importance of getting the utility bill. The conversation closes with his goals to build a team, a long-term marketing-company vision, and reflections on re-engaging with church and faith. 00:00 Welcome Back Part Two 00:59 Studio Banter And Traffic 02:37 Life Updates And 75 Hard 06:41 Workout Split And Tracking 11:31 Nutrition And Fitness Goals 16:52 Backstory To California 20:53 Why Sales Fits Him 24:21 CEO Of Your Own Life 26:57 Sales as Entrepreneur Training 29:50 Sales Feedback Loop 32:11 Money Myths and Scaling 34:05 Personality Types in Sales, Mirroring & Energy Matching 42:20 Body Language Door Tactics 49:21 Career Path and Marketing Vision 53:25 Faith Journey and Church Return 57:15 Advice for Seeking Faith 59:54 Gratitude and Wrap Up Guest bio: Works in door-to-door sales for solar. * Instagram: @rhardy202 / https://www.instagram.com/rhardy202/ [https://www.instagram.com/rhardy202/] * X: @bosshardy202 / https://x.com/bosshardy202 [https://x.com/bosshardy202] Links/resources: * #41: Eric Y. Chen - Learning Sales & Marketing, Launching Sabobatage, and Growing Businesses from A to Z [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2389613/episodes/17361764] * Hevy [https://www.hevyapp.com/] (workout app) Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2389613/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2389613/support] One Thousand Gurus Podcast: Everyone has a compelling story to tell with insights we can all be inspired by. J.R. Yonocruz is a self-improvement blogger, relationship coach, and serial hobbyist with a passion for learning. He interviews unique guests from various fields to distill the strategies, habits, and mindsets we can use in our own lives. Each “guru” has a chance to give the audience a peek into a new world. * 💻 Website: www.onethousandgurus.com [https://www.onethousandgurus.com/] * 🔗 All links & socials: https://bio.site/onethousandgurus [https://bio.site/onethousandgurus] * 📧 The Weekly Guru newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/c97a350b06d6/newsletter [https://mailchi.mp/c97a350b06d6/newsletter] * 📚 Learning guides: https://stan.store/marloyonocruz [https://stan.store/marloyonocruz]

#83: Book Highlights - Make Time by Jake Knapp & John Zeratsky

Make Time Book Highlights: Focus on What Matters Every Day J.R. Yonocruz highlights Make Time by Jake Knapp and John Zeratsky, and how to reclaim attention from constant busyness and endless distractions. He breaks down the four-step daily framework—Highlight, Laser, Energize, Reflect—with practical tactics for prioritizing what matters, reducing tech distractions, boosting energy, and iterating through reflection. 00:00 Welcome and Setup 01:48 Why Make Time 02:51 Busy Bandwagon 03:55 Four Step Framework 05:25 Pick a Highlight 06:57 Laser and Focus 07:31 Tech and Distractions 09:15 Flow and Wholeheartedness 10:27 Energize Your Body 10:54 Six Energy Principles 15:38 Reflect and Iterate 16:10 Key Takeaways Recap 17:33 Final Thoughts and Outro Links/resources: * Make Time by Jake Knapp & John Zeratsky [https://marloyonocruz.com/2019/03/11/make-time-by-jake-knapp-and-john-zeratsky/] (book summary) * #74: Book Highlights - The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2389613/episodes/18830303] * #60: Mastering Personal Finance: Insights and Strategies from Three Major Books | Book Highlights [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2389613/episodes/18086872] * Episode Overview: Make Time by Jake Knapp & John Zeratsky [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lKtt4rGSF8fUo7_W31lt8Hxa9If3rUaa/view?usp=sharing] * #83: Make Time (presentation) [https://gamma.app/docs/Make-Time-fvnzo5f5dz3dsxy] Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2389613/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2389613/support] One Thousand Gurus Podcast: Everyone has a compelling story to tell with insights we can all be inspired by. J.R. Yonocruz is a self-improvement blogger, relationship coach, and serial hobbyist with a passion for learning. He interviews unique guests from various fields to distill the strategies, habits, and mindsets we can use in our own lives. Each “guru” has a chance to give the audience a peek into a new world. * 💻 Website: www.onethousandgurus.com [https://www.onethousandgurus.com/] * 🔗 All links & socials: https://bio.site/onethousandgurus [https://bio.site/onethousandgurus] * 📧 The Weekly Guru newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/c97a350b06d6/newsletter [https://mailchi.mp/c97a350b06d6/newsletter] * 📚 Learning guides: https://stan.store/marloyonocruz [https://stan.store/marloyonocruz]

#82: Alex Hung - AI Tools, Leading Productive Teams, and Navigating the Changing Workforce

J.R. Yonocruz welcomes back Alex Hung for his third appearance to discuss AI tools, agents vs chat models, and how his company is rolling out Claude to improve efficiency. They share real examples like automating sales-lead prioritization through a CRM and summarizing work across Slack/Jira, while noting its clear limitation due to lack of context and inconsistencies. The conversation also explores AI’s impact on layoffs and entry-level roles, plus advice to broaden skills, build proof-of-work, and develop resilience through failure. Alex closes with leadership insights from his LinkedIn posts on toxic high performers, professionalism, and keeping teams engaged through progress, clarity, and recognition. 02:45 Career Shift and AI 04:42 From Chatbots to Agents 08:42 Claude Product Breakdown 14:37 Rolling Out AI at Work 17:42 Automation Use Cases 21:59 Birthday Freebie Workflow 25:52 AI and Layoff Reality 34:44 Entry Level Jobs Squeeze 36:19 Doom Loop and Entrepreneurship 39:33 Go Horizontal With AI 42:41 Advice For Students 46:33 Gen Z And Caring 48:14 AI Fake Content Labels 51:32 LinkedIn Topics 52:55 Toxic High Performers 54:29 Be Yourself At Work 57:46 Keeping Teams Engaged 01:03:23 Managing Toxic Stars 01:06:51 AI Anxiety And Gratitude 01:10:54 Disconnect And Reset Guest bio: Alex is the Chief of Staff at a start-up that provides back-office solutions for property managers, focusing on business enablement and strategy to grow the business, and unblock operational challenges. He loves debating with friends to challenge his ideas and opinions. His best friend is his white and grey shih tzu, Teddy. * Instagram: @hungonlife / https://www.instagram.com/hungonlife/ [https://www.instagram.com/hungonlife/] * LinkedIn: @AlexanderHung / https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexander-hung/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexander-hung/] Links/resources: * #34: Alex Hung - From HR to Chief of Staff, the Velocity of Money, and Understanding Women [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2389613/episodes/17154931] * #47: KM Class of 2010 - Being on a Competitive Team, Maintaining Friendships, the Burdens of Leadership, and 15-Year Aspirations [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2389613/episodes/17567847] Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2389613/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2389613/support] One Thousand Gurus Podcast: Everyone has a compelling story to tell with insights we can all be inspired by. J.R. Yonocruz is a self-improvement blogger, relationship coach, and serial hobbyist with a passion for learning. He interviews unique guests from various fields to distill the strategies, habits, and mindsets we can use in our own lives. Each “guru” has a chance to give the audience a peek into a new world. * 💻 Website: www.onethousandgurus.com [https://www.onethousandgurus.com/] * 🔗 All links & socials: https://bio.site/onethousandgurus [https://bio.site/onethousandgurus] * 📧 The Weekly Guru newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/c97a350b06d6/newsletter [https://mailchi.mp/c97a350b06d6/newsletter] * 📚 Learning guides: https://stan.store/marloyonocruz [https://stan.store/marloyonocruz]

#81: Random Show with Aeden Pham - Self-Care vs. Indulgence, Speaking with Integrity, and Spending Habits

Relaxation, Compassion, and the Hidden Cost of “Good Deals” | Random Show with Aeden Pham J.R. Yonocruz welcomes repeat guest Aeden Pham for a chill random-show catch-up on recent life updates and personal reflections. They discuss how relaxation improves learning and performance in music and dance, plus navigating dating by managing eagerness and staying genuine. They also unpack therapy lessons on compassion and emotional processing, frustrations with people whose words and actions don’t align, and the difference between self-care and indulgence. The conversation closes with reflections on spending habits, recurring subscriptions, and the “phantom cost” of buying things that take up space. 02:31 Life Updates Catch-up 03:50 Relaxation In Music 06:13 Relaxed Dance Mindset 09:29 Managing Dating Eagerness 11:25 Adult Authenticity Talk 16:47 Therapy And Compassion 23:12 Burnout Versus Self-Care 27:30 Boundaries And Recovery 31:37 People Who Just Talk 35:05 Aspirational Talkers 38:25 Ethics Versus Deals 42:42 Phantom Cost Of Space 49:04 Spending Habits Reset 56:41 Questioning Your Subscriptions 01:00:24 Own Your Vices 01:01:25 Gratitude And Sign Off Guest bio: Aeden Anthony Pham is a published researcher, knowledgeable in the topics of race, gender, and sexuality in popular media, has 2 masters degrees, and has studied in 5 different countries. Professionally, he has worked in multiple industries, including service, non-profit, entertainment, and technology. In their 20+ years of work experience, they've received recognition from the city council, the state government, the office of the president, and even Disneyland. Aeden is an award-winning singer, dancer, writer, and film director also enjoys investing their time in various activities, such as stand-up comedy, archery, ice skating, and video/board gaming. * IG: @aedenanthony [https://www.instagram.com/aedenanthony] - https://www.instagram.com/aedenanthony / @iamajrp [https://www.instagram.com/iamajrp] - https://www.instagram.com/iamajrp Links/resources: * #50: Random Show with Aeden Pham - Dieting Tips, Dating Stories, Long-Term Goals, Personality Tests, and More [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2389613/episodes/17668489] * #31: Random Show with Aeden Pham - Karaoke Enthusiasts, Project Management Tips, and Unexpected Hot Takes [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2389613/episodes/16846582] * #16: Aeden Anthony Pham - Adaptability for Growth, the Power of Therapy, and Investing in Relationships [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2389613/episodes/16181697] * The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up [https://marloyonocruz.com/2018/06/05/book-notes-the-life-changing-magic-of-tidying-up/] (book summary) Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2389613/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2389613/support] One Thousand Gurus Podcast: Everyone has a compelling story to tell with insights we can all be inspired by. J.R. Yonocruz is a self-improvement blogger, relationship coach, and serial hobbyist with a passion for learning. He interviews unique guests from various fields to distill the strategies, habits, and mindsets we can use in our own lives. Each “guru” has a chance to give the audience a peek into a new world. * 💻 Website: www.onethousandgurus.com [https://www.onethousandgurus.com/] * 🔗 All links & socials: https://bio.site/onethousandgurus [https://bio.site/onethousandgurus] * 📧 The Weekly Guru newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/c97a350b06d6/newsletter [https://mailchi.mp/c97a350b06d6/newsletter] * 📚 Learning guides: https://stan.store/marloyonocruz [https://stan.store/marloyonocruz]