Host J.R. Yonocruz welcomes back dancer and teacher Yerson Ochoa for his third appearance on One Thousand Gurus. Yerson shares updates from the past year, including learning to say no to sessions, hangouts, and projects to protect his schedule, while continuing to teach and taking a new role at a year-long conservatory that shifted his approach toward stricter fundamentals and measurable student growth. They discuss how friendships can be temporary, the value of low-maintenance, organic connections, and the importance of closing chapters. They also explore creating safe environments by intentionally curating community, how ego and titles/labels affect dance spaces, and differences between choreography/cover mindsets and freestyle creation. Yerson closes with gratitude for patience and being caring toward others.

02:37 Safe Space Friends

03:37 Yearly Life Update & Saying "No" More

11:46 Friends Come and Go

21:20 Closing Old Chapters

29:49 Hobbies Make Friends

32:50 Beginner Mindset, Ego, and Humility

40:15 Dance Sessions Environments & Dynamics

47:08 No Beginner Labels

50:47 Wrap Up Gratitude

Guest bio:
Yerson is a Peruvian, multi-style dancer, performer, and one of the most sought-after dance instructors in SoCal. He is well-known on social media for being one of the most energetic and inspiring kpop dancers in the community. He currently teaches at various studios in SoCal, including S1L Studio in Irvine, Epicenter Arts + Entertainment in Torrance, YG Dance Studio in San Gabriel, and Movement Lifestyle in Burbank.

• IG: @yerson.8a / https://www.instagram.com/yerson.8a/
• TikTok: @yersonochoacandia8 / https://www.tiktok.com/@yersonochoacandia8

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Support the show

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
• 🔗 All links & socials: https://bio.site/onethousandgurus
• 📧 The Weekly Guru newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/c97a350b06d6/newsletter
• 📚 Learning guides: https://stan.store/marloyonocruz

Why We Sleep (Matthew Walker) Book Highlights: The Science and Practice of Better Sleep

Host J.R. Yonocruz highlights Matthew Walker’s Why We Sleep, arguing that sleep is the foundational driver of health, affecting the brain and body more than diet or exercise. He explains circadian rhythm and adenosine-based sleep pressure, the stages of sleep (NREM and REM), and how caffeine and alcohol undermine sleep quality. Key points cover memory and performance, emotional regulation, and links between sleep loss and risks like weight gain, hormone disruption, Alzheimer’s, and cancer. He closes with Walker’s modern sleep obstacles and 12 practical tips, emphasizing a consistent eight hours nightly.

00:00 Welcome and Book Intro
02:07 What Sleep Is
03:42 Stages of Sleep Explained
05:09 Sleep and Brain Power
06:35 Emotions and Disease Risk
07:30 Sleep and the Body
08:49 Dreams and REM Benefits
09:34 Why We Sleep Less Today
10:58 12 Tips for Better Sleep
12:21 Final Takeaways and Wrap Up

Links/resources:

• 📖 Full blog post notes: https://marloyonocruz.com/2020/04/10/book-notes-why-we-sleep-by-matthew-walker/
• 🎧 Audiobook on Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/Why-We-Sleep-Audiobook/B0752ZQR33
• 📺 Slides presentation: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/10KN9_FmTsO1rdbgdprEEQ9kzpXvvbXm1/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=103742804652080246861&rtpof=true&sd=true

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Support the show

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
• 🔗 All links & socials: https://bio.site/onethousandgurus
• 📧 The Weekly Guru newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/c97a350b06d6/newsletter
• 📚 Learning guides: https://stan.store/marloyonocruz

Season 9 Recap: Key Lessons from AI, Productivity, Dance, Fitness, Grief, and Comedy

Host J.R. Yonocruz delivers an audio-only recap of One Thousand Gurus Season 9, reflecting behind the scenes on episodes 81–89 and inviting listeners to revisit conversations that resonated. He highlights the season’s range—random shows, return guests, a book highlight, and deep one-on-ones—covering topics like AI and the future of work, productivity, fitness, dance, medicine, grief, comedy, and mental health. Key takeaways include distinguishing self-care from indulgence and recognizing “phantom costs” of clutter; AI’s limitations and the value of broad, resilient skill-building; Make Time’s “highlight” framework and distraction awareness; treating sales as being the “CEO of your own life”; prioritizing groove and joy in dance; adaptive nutrition tracking and hobby depth; choosing careers by what daily life looks like; grief as love without a destination; and creative discipline plus a practical mental health routine.

01:16 Season 9 Overview

01:44 Ep 81: Random Show with Aeden Pham

02:49 Ep 82: AI And Work with Alex Hung

04:06 Ep 83: Book Highlight - Make Time

04:57 Ep 84 Faith And Fitness with Richard Hardy

05:54 Ep 85 Joy In Dance with Brian "Lil B" Perez

06:58 Ep 86 Cosplay And Bowling with Travis Trinh

08:06 Ep 87 Medicine And Travel with Ramy Sidhom

09:04 Ep 88 Grief Reframed with Blessie Panopio

10:11 Ep 89 Comedy And Mental Health with Andrew Tran

Links/resources:

• #81: Random Show with Aeden Pham - Self-Care vs. Indulgence, Speaking with Integrity, and Spending Habits
• #82: Alex Hung - AI Tools, Leading Productive Teams, and Navigating the Changing Workforce
• #83: Book Highlights - Make Time by Jake Knapp & John Zeratsky
• #84: Richard Hardy - Finding Faith, Exploring Fitness, and Seeking Feedback for Success
• #85: Brian "Lil B" Perez - Winning International Competitions, the Evolution of Locking, Podcasting as Public Therapy, and Finding Joy in Dance
• #86: Travis Trinh - AX Summer Cut Regimen, Cosplay, Anime Spoilers & Hot Takes, and Bowling Technique Deep Dive
• #87: Ramy Sidhom - Embracing the Variety of Life, Advice for Medical School, and Being Bold with Solo Travel
• #88: Blessie Panopio - New Fitness Journey, Reading Habits, Concerts, G.O.A.T. Discussions, and Dealing with Grief
• #89: Andrew Tran - Art Inspirations, Standup Comedy, Financial Planning, and Prioritizing Mental Health

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Support the show

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
• 🔗 All links & socials: https://bio.site/onethousandgurus
• 📧 The Weekly Guru newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/c97a350b06d6/newsletter
• 📚 Learning guides: https://stan.store/marloyonocruz

Andrew “Trandrew” Tran: From Kaba Modern Breakdancer to Financial Services Manager—Comedy, Mental Health, and Fatherhood

Host J.R. Yonocruz reunites with Andrew Tran (Trandrew), a financial services manager and longtime performer with roots in theater, breakdancing, and stand-up comedy, now living in Las Vegas and expecting a baby with his partner, Clarizcel. They reflect on meeting through Kaba Modern, Andrew’s years on the team (2004–2006), and later leadership with Kaba Modern Legacy (2014–2017), including leaving Modern early amid mental health and personal challenges. Andrew shares how he got into stand-up, how he wrote and structured sets, and lessons about taking action despite fear. He also discusses his career shift into financial planning and offers practical takeaways on therapy, exercise, sleep, and emotional self-awareness.

Chapters

02:10 Vegas, Baby News, and Kaba Modern

13:08 Origins and Influences

20:48 Theater to Stand-Up

27:27 Writing and Structuring Sets

39:53 What Makes Jokes Work & Lessons on Performing

43:46 Switching Into Finance

48:36 Finding The Right Advisor

52:29 Mental Health Journey

57:56 Personality Highs And Lows

01:03:40 Rapid Fire Questions

01:16:26 Gratitude And Final Signoff

Guest bio:
Andrew Tran a.k.a. “Trandrew” is currently a financial services manager at a Fortune 100 company. Outside of work, he has a strong background in the performing arts. He grew up doing theatre and even dabbled in stand-up comedy. At age 12, Andrew began breakdancing and is a founding member of Placebo Effect Crew. He also previously served as Executive Director of Kaba Modern Legacy. Currently, he enjoys playing guitar during his free time. He is looking forward to being a first-time parent later this year with his partner, Clarizcel. 

Socials/links:

• Instagram: @trandreww_ / https://www.instagram.com/trandreww_/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-hung-tran/

Links/resources:

• Don’t Stop Me Now - Queen (Trandrew’s dance choreography)
• The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson (book summary)
• The Untethered Soul by Michael Singer (Amazon - affiliate link)

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Support the show

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
• 🔗 All links & socials: https://bio.site/onethousandgurus
• 📧 The Weekly Guru newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/c97a350b06d6/newsletter
• 📚 Learning guides: https://stan.store/marloyonocruz

Blessie Marie Panopio Returns: Fitness Discipline, Sleep, Reading, and Grief

Host J.R. Yonocruz welcomes back Blessie Marie Panopio to share life updates since her last appearance. They talk about moving, her fitness and nutrition journey, and her mom’s recent health scare and recovery. The conversation also covers sleep habits, getting back into reading through library apps, and recent concerts. They close with thoughts on shorter modern songs, GOAT debates, and grief as love with no place to go.

01:30 Life Updates
05:30 Gym Motivation Shift
09:01 Nutrition Portion Control
14:30 Workout Routine Basics
19:08 Accountability Advice
22:33 Sleep First Always
24:32 Library Card Hacks
27:33 Book Goals And Series
30:55 Why Songs Are Shorter
34:05 Michael Jackson Misconceptions
36:32 GOAT Debates Across Eras
41:43 Grief And Love Reframe
45:09 Gratitude And Wrap Up

Guest bio:
Born and raised in the Philippines, Blessie is a dancer, competitive singer, and content creator. She has 880k+ followers across her social media accounts, tens of millions of views across her videos, and is known internationally for her comedy, couple, and Filipino culture content. She was a choreographer for SHERO’s 1st place 2024 K-Factor set, enjoys karaoke during her spare time, dancing K-pop covers, and is a pun-thusiast.

Socials/links:

Instagram: @blessie.mp4 / https://www.instagram.com/blessie.mp4/
TikTok: @blessie.mp4 / https://www.tiktok.com/@blessie.mp4 

Links/resources:

• Finch (self-care app)
• Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker (book summary)
• Hoopla (public library app - audiobooks, ebooks, movies & music)

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

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
• 🔗 All links & socials: https://bio.site/onethousandgurus
• 📧 The Weekly Guru newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/c97a350b06d6/newsletter
• 📚 Learning guides: https://stan.store/marloyonocruz

Dr. Ramy Sidhom on Medicine, Dance, Solo Travel, and Finding Meaning

J.R. Yonocruz reconnects with Dr. Ramy Sidhom to talk about his path from Kaba Modern and diverse cultural interests to becoming a physician with four board certifications (internal medicine, pulmonary/critical care, and hospice/palliative care). Ramy shares lessons on thriving with variety, learning how to study effectively, navigating medical training, and choosing a career by leaning into what brings joy (and avoiding what you hate). They also discuss Ramy’s love of travel—especially solo trips—and end with a rapid-fire on control, meaning, habits, and gratitude for community.

02:15 Kaba Modern Culture
07:33 Ramy The Mentor
09:41 Origin Story Anaheim
19:45 Med School While Competing
29:35 Specialties and Day-to-Day of a Doctor
34:38 Advice For Future Doctors & Career Reflections
38:05 Travel Origins and Mindset
41:37 Solo Travel Tips & Favorite Destinations
46:50 Rapid Fire Wisdom
51:15 Control and Meaning
57:12 Hot Takes and Habits
01:00:36 Gratitude and Farewell

Guest bio:
Ramy is an early-career physician with a few board certifications who still tries to dance as much as possible and travel the world whenever possible. He is social, extroverted, and loves a good meal with good company. He believes that people are good, and God provides what we need to make it through this world.

• Instagram: @ramuluss / https://www.instagram.com/ramuluss/

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

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
• 🔗 All links & socials: https://bio.site/onethousandgurus
• 📧 The Weekly Guru newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/c97a350b06d6/newsletter
• 📚 Learning guides: https://stan.store/marloyonocruz

Catching Up with Travis Trinh: Summer Cut for AX, Cosplay, Anime Takes, and Bowling Tech

J.R. Yonocruz welcomes return guest Travis Trinh to catch up on the past 14 months, from work, gym, Gunpla, and snowboarding to weekly bowling league. They break down Travis’ annual Anime Expo summer cut (including MacroFactor), brainstorm AX cosplay ideas, and talk anime with spoilers for several series and movie arcs. The conversation closes with a deeper dive into bowling technique, lane conditions, and consistency.

01:06 Travis Returns and Life Updates
06:42 Bowling League and Vegas Tournament
10:58 Summer Cut Strategy and MacroFactor
18:18 Carbs Ketosis and Training Split
24:34 AX Cosplay Plans and Shortlist
37:15 Cosplay Meetups
42:00 Chainsaw Man Vs Demon Slayer
48:28 My Hero Ending Thoughts
52:21 Anime Deaths: Mentors & Moms
58:59 Rent A Girlfriend Appeal
01:06:34 Whiny Leads And Plot Charm
01:09:24 Anime Tropes & J.R.'s Favorite Genres
01:12:41 Bowling Technical Deep Dive
01:23:19 Music and Mental Game
01:28:47 Bowling Rituals
01:36:24 Wrapping Up and Gratitude

Guest bio:
Travis Trinh, the closet nerd who grew into an extroverted nerd! Travis is also an anime, cosplay, fitness, and bowling enthusiast.

• IG: @officialT_T / https://www.instagram.com/officialt_t/

Links/resources:

• MacroFactor (nutrition tracking app)

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

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
• 🔗 All links & socials: https://bio.site/onethousandgurus
• 📧 The Weekly Guru newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/c97a350b06d6/newsletter
• 📚 Learning guides: https://stan.store/marloyonocruz

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/

Links/resources:

• #21: Dr. Arnel Calvario Ripkens - From KM to TEDx, Asians in Hip-Hop, and Cultivating Leaders of the Future
• Planet B-Boy (documentary - Wikipedia)

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

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
• 🔗 All links & socials: https://bio.site/onethousandgurus
• 📧 The Weekly Guru newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/c97a350b06d6/newsletter
• 📚 Learning guides: https://stan.store/marloyonocruz

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/
• X: @bosshardy202 / https://x.com/bosshardy202

Links/resources:

• #41: Eric Y. Chen - Learning Sales & Marketing, Launching Sabobatage, and Growing Businesses from A to Z
• Hevy (workout app)

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

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
• 🔗 All links & socials: https://bio.site/onethousandgurus
• 📧 The Weekly Guru newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/c97a350b06d6/newsletter
• 📚 Learning guides: https://stan.store/marloyonocruz

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 (book summary)
• #74: Book Highlights - The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo
• #60: Mastering Personal Finance: Insights and Strategies from Three Major Books | Book Highlights
• Episode Overview: Make Time by Jake Knapp & John Zeratsky
• #83: Make Time (presentation)

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

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
• 🔗 All links & socials: https://bio.site/onethousandgurus
• 📧 The Weekly Guru newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/c97a350b06d6/newsletter
• 📚 Learning guides: https://stan.store/marloyonocruz