Highest Version

I got to sit down with one of my hometown friends, Nick Desrocher, as he shares with us his relationship with anxiety for decades now! From acknowledging it to finding the right mechanisms that work best for him, Nick has immersed himself in understanding the brain and how to cope with it in his everyday life. Nick also speaks on what it’s like to be a young entrepreneur and his passion for how the brain works in the world of marketing!

Chapters:
0:00 – Episode Highlight
0:32 – Guest Intro
2:17 – Featured Funko Pop
7:04 – First Instance of Feeling Anxiety
12:48 – Dealing with Anxiety
19:04 – Developing a Healthy Relationship with Anxiety
24:42 – Mental Health in Sports
34:23 – Mind and Body Connection
42:57 – Best Advice to Deal With Anxiety
45:21 – Creating Your Own Business
49:26 – Choosing Entrepreneurship Over 9-5
56:09 – Attracting New Clients
1:01:04 – Struggles of an Entrepreneur
1:07:16 – Advice to New Entrepreneurs
1:12:55 – The Creation of Highest Version
1:21:59 – Getting Out of Your Comfort Zone
1:24:11 – How Social Media Affects Your Mental Health
1:30:36 – Stigma of Men and Mental Health
1:36:34 – Song Association
1:40:57 – Big 3 Questions

GroClix’s socials: @groclix on IG
Nick’s socials: @nick.desrocher on IG
Highest Version Social: https://linkin.bio/highestversion

This was an episode filled with tears but also filled with much much laughter. I invited a good friend of mine, Peter Lorn, on the podcast to discuss his story on how he manages the loss of his mother at an early age and how that has shaped him to be the best father he can be. In addition, Peter’s story teaches that you don’t have to take the traditional route to reach success and to focus on you. As long as you start your day off with positivity and be grateful to wake up yet another day, it’s just going to make your day a lot better. Furthermore, we listen to Peter’s dance journey as we think back to memories and talk about how dance changed our lives.

Chapters:
0:00 – Episode Highlight
0:23 – Guest Intro
1:15 – Featured Funko Pop
2:37 – The Loss That Changed Peter’s Life
11:28 – The Meaning of Family
19:50 – Starting the Day with Positivity
24:46 – Understanding Vulnerability
28:40 – Taking the Non-Traditional Route
59:28 – Chuck E. Cheese to K-Pop Covers
1:10:42 – How Dance Changed His Life
1:19:51 – Peter’s Message
1:25:58 – Flowers For Our Guest
1:26:49 – Song Association
1:30:27 – Questions from the Audience
1:32:30 – Big 3 Questions

Highest Version Social: https://linkin.bio/highestversion

What an episode to unpack! I sit down with my friend, Li Chen, who changed his career trajectory from actuary to becoming a biostatistician. The turning point in his life took place during a profound experience, which made him see whole new outlook for his future! Listen in as we discuss:

• How you are not confined or restricted to your initial life choices
• It’s okay to be playful with life and try new things no matter what part of life you are at
• How to get the most out of life even when life throws you a lot of challenges

Chapters:
0:00 – Episode Highlight
0:24 – Guest Intro
2:12 – Featured Funko Pop
4:53 – Experience Immigrating to the States
12:46 – Going Through Childhood Alone
16:20 – Finding Confidence in Your Decisions
23:25 – Handling Others Perspectives of Us
29:02 – Picking a Career That Wasn’t Our Passion
39:23 – Realizing This Isn’t What’s Best
44:16 – Finding New Purpose Through a Profound Experience?!
54:42 – Dealing with Failure Every Single Day
58:24 – Passion for Health & Wellness
1:05:19 – Building Health to the Fullest Potential
1:12:10 – Competition Races = New Challenges
1:18:38 – Internal Validation vs. External Validation
1:24:04 – Challenging Our Own Labels
1:32:07 – Getting Out of Our Comfort Zone
1:41:46 – Doing The Hard Things
1:46:25 – Flowers to the Guest
1:47:30 – Song Association
1:49:13 – Questions from the Audience
1:53:58 – Big 3 Questions

Li Chen’s Socials: @li.chhen
Highest Version Social: https://linkin.bio/highestversion

In this episode, we welcome back our very first guest on the podcast, Zachary Aglugub! We catch up with Zach as he and his wife are expecting a new baby boy and discuss how that has changed his life! As we all know, Zach is continuing his journey of growth, and this time, he's taking a different approach to his fitness. This episode is filled with laugher, tears, and deep conversations about understanding ourselves and the direction we want to go in!

Chapters:
0:00 – Episode Highlight
0:23 – Guest Intro
1:49 – Featured Funko Pop 
3:26 – Becoming a Soon To Be Father
9:42 – Creating a “Team” With Your Partner
13:35 –Setting an Example as a Father
18:01 – Things to Build a Strong Relationship
26:13 – Having Uncomfortable Conversations
35:06 – Benefits of Getting a Fitness Coach
48:28 – Debating the Effects of Ego
52:29 – Struggling With Understanding One’s Self
1:03:52 – Struggles of Celebrating Our Wins
1:09:00 – Finding Purpose and Fulfillment
1:15:49 – The Feeling of Getting Let Go
1:27:11 – Appreciation/Flowers to Guest 
1:28:55 – Song Association
1:31:06 – Big 3 Questions

Zach’s Social: @agluegun 
Zach’s Fitness Coach: @francisrances
My Fitness Coach: @steven_chenfit
Highest Version Social: https://linkin.bio/highestversion

In this episode we dive into the mind of a DJ and how they are giving groove to your local club…or local fried chicken shop or rooftop or coffee café. I sit down with Brendan Lau a.k.a DJ Breadman to learn about his music journey and his mindset pursuing his passion! We go through how he became a DJ, his mindset when doing a gig, and where his brand, Giving Groove, is headed. This is an episode you won’t want to miss!

Chapters:
0:00 – Episode Highlight
0:22 – Guest Intro
3:02 – Featured Funko Pop
4:05 – Going After Passions    
9:17 – Being Intune with Our Asian Side
19:01 – Making Music Journey Began
34:16 – Reminiscing on Dance in College
36:30 – Choosing House Music Over Other Genres
38:28 – The Science Behind the DJ Booth
45:22 – How to Grow in Your Passion
52:02 – Giving Groove and What It Stands For
1:04:46 – Inside the Mind of A DJ
1:10:48 – Advice for Beginner DJ’s & Young Creatives
1:14:43 – Where Our Mental Health Stands
1:26:06 – Song Association
1:27:38 – Goals For the Upcoming Future
1:31:14 – Flowers for Brendan
1:31:51 – Big 3 Questions 


DJ Breadman Social: https://www.instagram.com/breadman.wav?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
Giving Groove Social: https://www.instagram.com/giving.groove?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
Highest Version Social: https://linkin.bio/highestversion

In this episode, we dive into the mind of a children's book author/business owner/creator! I sit down with the author of Vivi's New Year, Connie Ong, and learn more about the inspiration behind the creation of the book. We also dove into the struggles that have shaped her to the person she is today and how she pursues a balanced life of being a creator! 

Chapters:
0:00 – Episode Highlight
0:18 – Guest Intro
1:48 – Featured Funko Pop
3:45 – Fitting In Was Hard to Do
8:24 – Parental Pressure
11:22 – Struggles Faced Growing Up
17:54 – Connie’s Passion for Art
23:15 – Sibling Respect
26:29 – Not Being Asian Enough
32:51 – Life Changing Event
39:04 – Pandemic Effect
51:11 – Connie’s First Written Children’s Book!
1:01:47 – Life of a Creator
1:09:03 – Struggles of a Business Owner
1:14:14 – Flowers to Guest
1:15:05 – Song Association
1:16:34 – Meeting Each Other Indirectly
1:20:51 – Big 3 Questions

Connie's IG: https://www.instagram.com/connieomg_?igsh=MWpsZmdxY3lsZWJneA==
Connie's Etsy Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/connieomg/?etsrc=sdt
Connie's 1st Children's Book!: https://a.co/d/gbTRTk1

Highest Version Socials: https://linkin.bio/highestversion

Have you realized how much more of life you can experience just by using credit cards? No? You got to click into this episode!

I sit down with my good friend, Billy Kan, to discuss a variety of topics but the biggest one was Billy created memorable life experiences through the use of credit cards! We, also, dove into a more personal side of Billy where he discussed: 

-His passion to live life to the fullest
-Keys to a healthy relationship
-How to support someone who is struggling with mental health

This is an episode that will give you a lot of added value to your life!

Chapters:
0:00 – Episode Highlight
0:22 – Guest Intro
1:24 – Featured Funko Pop
2:10 – How Growing Up Not Well Off Shaped Billy
7:44 – The Letter That Changed Billy’s Life
17:31 – Pressured Into Academic Success?
20:12 – How to Deal with Pressure
28:11 – The Passion for Credit Cards
30:47 – CREDIT CARD TIPS
55:29 – Keys to a Healthy Relationship
1:04:41 – Being Able to Be Authentic
1:08:28 – How To Support Someone Struggling With Mental Health
1:21:34 – Flowers to Billy
1:24:00 – Song Association
1:26:13 – Questions from the Audience
1:29:26 – Big 3 Questions

Highest Version Socials: https://linkin.bio/highestversion

In this raw and honest episode, we dive deep into the experience of living with depression—its weight, and the small steps that can help along the way. 

We talk through with Wayland on his experiences with depression and navigating building a new life. Although not totally overcoming it yet, he gives anecdotes and advice that has helped on a path to improving his mental health. Whether you've struggled with your mental health or are supporting someone who is, this episodes offers practical advice, personal stories, and insights on how to cope. We discuss the obstacles with reaching out but how important it is. 

Join us as we shed light on the realities of depression, while offering hope, healing, and tangible tools to navigate the storm. It’s okay to not be okay. You don’t have to go through this alone. Tune in to hear more.

Chapters:
0:00 – Episode Highlight
0:20 – Guest Introduction
1:43 – Featured Funko Pop
2:22 – First Gen Experience
4:21 – Effects of Sibling Relationship On Mental Health
9:36 – Dealing With Internal Pressures
16:09 – Opening Up to Parents About Mental Health
24:50 – Experiences of Having Depression
39:04 – Things That Have Helped With Depression
44:34 – How to Ask For Help
49:00 – Deciding Your Career at 18?!
56:10 – Flowers for Wayland
58:35 – Passion for Teaching & Math
1:11:29 – Flowers for Wayland Pt 2
1:12:56 – Song Association
1:16:30 – Questions from the Audience
1:18:21 – Big 3 Questions

Highest Version Socials: https://linkin.bio/highestversion

In this episode, we explore why the journey often holds more value than the destination itself. While goals are important, it’s the experiences, growth, and lessons along the way that truly shape who we are. We’ll dive into how embracing the process can lead to unexpected rewards, increased resilience, and a deeper connection to our purpose. 

Highest Version Socials: https://linkin.bio/highestversion

In this episode, we sit down with Kyle Ouk and discuss a whole range of topics! We go through how to deal with failure and overcome it, how storytelling can teach us approaches to life, and becoming your own main character in the book of life! 

Kyle and I emphasized how failure doesn't have to be the end of a journey but could be the beginning! Listen in on this episode to learn more!

Chapters:
0:00 – Episode Highlight
0:28 – Guest Introduction
2:39 – Featured Funko Pop
3:42 – Kyle’s Backstory
11:45 – How Kyle’s Work Ethic Developed
17:01 – Dealing with Loss
23:45 – When Did You Log In?
27:37 – What Storytelling Can Teach Us
38:22 – Dealing with Failure
49:58 – Main Character Energy
58:21 – Being Your Authentic Self
1:06:28 – The Idea of Perception
1:10:48 – Understanding One’s New Self 
1:17:39 – Kyle’s Favorite Quote About Life Detours 
1:20:51 – Flowers to Kyle
1:22:14 – Song Association
1:24:48 – Questions from the Audience
1:32:26 – Big 3 Questions

Kyle's Socials: (kyleouk) on all social media platforms
Highest Version Socials: https://linkin.bio/highestversion