J.R.: [00:00:00] Hello everyone, and welcome back to another episode of One Thousand Gurus with me, your host, J.R. Yonocruz.

Today's guest is My Vo. My is a full-time tenure track professor teaching chemistry. He earned his BS in both chemistry and biology while at UCI and studied abroad. He then went on to earn his master's in chemistry.

He teaches at a community college during the day. And after work you can typically find him playing tennis or rock climbing.

This was a great conversation. I loved catching up with another college friend who shares similar interests and mindsets as I do.

He's a fantastic teacher and gives such insightful reflections. My is a wealth of information and I think it'd be cool to have him back on the show to get some of his thoughts on topics we didn't get to. But in this show, we cover his background growing up how he picked chemistry as a major and how it led to him being a college professor in oc.

How he got into so many different hobbies like tricking, rock climbing, dance, tennis, and photography, his pursuits of getting better in all of them. How he managed to buy his first home on a single income.

We talk about side hustle culture, dating culture, and [00:01:00] his change from being frugal to enjoying life a bit more, which he claims has made him a bit more extroverted and social.

So without further ado, please enjoy this wide ranging conversation with My Vo.

Hello and welcome back to One Thousand Gurus. My, welcome to the show. Insert applause. Cool. Thanks for being here, man. 

My: No problem. Thanks for having me. 

J.R.: Yeah, of course. Alright, so I will, I know we caught up a little bit before the recording started, but I will go into how I know you. For those of you, I would've already read your bio to the audience, but I don't think the bio does you justice, so I'll give you a little bit more context for the audience.

So My and I, we danced for the same team in college URMO at UCI from formerly Urban Motus. And we're both in the ACD fam. If you know, you know, we both trick and also we collabed this one time. I dunno if you read or saw that, but like, I wish I had the video, but I didn't record it. I don't think I have a recording, [00:02:00] but then it was, we collabed, right?

And then you showcased it. But I couldn't make it and I'm, maybe they recorded and posted it somewhere in like their archives, but like, I never had one of me doing it, so I was like, dang, I even forgot what it looked like. But that's 

My: okay. It was mostly you. I was first year of dancing then. Couldn't do much yet.

J.R.: I mean, it was fun though. I remember having fun. I don't remember what it looked like. I don't remember if it was good. I just remember having fun just collabing at you. 

So, yeah, so that's cool. I follow your posts on social media and it usually includes, like I mentioned, your rock climbing endeavors and then sometimes hilarious emails from your students asking for extensions or just funny stuff and whatnot.

Yeah, and I think that's pretty much it. It's been cool to see you grow on your journey and whatnot. And also just to reconnect. So any clarifications we should know or what else have you been up to? 

My: Thank you pretty much covered everything. Just living my life, working as a community college professor and enjoy my hobbies.

J.R.: Nice. Yeah. And then I think we'll get into it too, but then you mentioned like buying your own [00:03:00] home a couple years back, which is fantastic, super cool. Props to you. It's like the, it's like the dream man. 

My: Yeah. It's expensive though. 

J.R.: No, I bet. Yeah. I have some of my kaba modern friends too, who have hou like, who, you know, bought their first houses and stuff like that, and they're like, man, so house poor right now.

And then some of us were like, man, you have a house. And then my other friend was like, you guys have rooms, you're stupid. 

My: Meme. 

J.R.: Yeah, exactly. That one. Yeah. Cool. All right. So anything else? Otherwise we'll go into topics. Let's just jump straight in, 

My: hits everything. 

J.R.: You're like, no, you're like, yeah, let's get into it.

All right, cool. So as usual we'll go into origin story, career path. So first question, where did you grow up? My And what were your main influences? 

My: I grew up in Westminster, in Orange County. If you can't tell me my name, I am Vietnamese. So I think Westminster makes a lot of sense. 

J.R.: Yeah. Local grown.

My: Yeah, pretty much born and raised influences. It's kind of weird to say, but I [00:04:00] feel like my high school is actually really impactful. High, high school is a weird bubble. I would say Washington High School. More stereotypical. Okay. Yeah. But I feel like a lot of people meet me, they kind of say, I'm like this weird person that does so much to so many different things.

But then you meet my friends from high school and I feel like we're all kind of similar. We just dive into every different hobby and just enjoy doing everything. 

J.R.: So is there just something in the water at your high school or like what's going on? 

My: Yeah, the Westchester Water is really good. Huh? I think it's probably just like being inspired from each other.

Like one guy will start a hobby or start, you know, cooking for example, and then as he improves post more, we'll see. I mean, oh, he's doing that. Like, why can't I do that? Or, we'll, you know, invite each other to experience things. Like I have vivid memories of me and my high school peers in like our sophomore year of high school, literally gonna the gym at like 4:00 AM right before classes because we could, 

J.R.: so is it.

So was it just your friends who are like that, who just kind of did a lot of things? Or [00:05:00] is it just like everyone in your school or is it like the city or the OC culture? Do you think it's like that? 

My: I think it's a lot of people in my high school. I think also kind of similarly kind of weird. I didn't feel like we were super cliquey.

You obviously had your close group of friends and more common groups, but I feel like everyone was on really good terms with each other. Everyone knew each other. Like whenever I hear people who don't recognize others from their high school, that's really strange and foreign to me. And it's not like my high school is exceptionally small or anything.

I think my graduating class was still like 400. I have heard there are bigger high schools out there. Something. That's why, but 

J.R.: So you think it's like partially because of like it's maybe a smaller ish school and so it's like a more tight-knit community 

My: maybe? Yeah. I think it's just the culture also.

Like we're all out there grinding, doing different things, trying to do the best we can. 

J.R.: Yeah. Would you say like your group of friends at your high school was like on the nerdier side? When I say nerdier, I mean it in the best possible way. Like, you know, those high achieving sort of Asians or do you, was it like [00:06:00] mixed?

I don't know. 

My: I feel like not as bad as the stereotype can be. But I think it's also kind of a culture thing because I didn't grow up like in the most, well, what is not super well off, like I believe the statistic back then is like 90 plus percent of students are on like government assistance, so they get like free lunch and stuff.

So that's very normal for us, meaning we're not getting like extra tutoring, extra classes outside. We're just doing the best that we can with what we have, you know? So then with that, I think we're trying to really utilize and do everything best we can because we know we don't really get extra on top of that.

J.R.: Yeah, I see. Yeah, I asked because where I grew up, NorCal, like Southeast Bay, so I was fortunate enough to live. On the side of the track, so to speak, where all of my Asian friends were very, like, they had Tiger parents, well, off lived in mansions. I did, I definitely did not grow up Rich. But like, you know, they were like all [00:07:00] AP classes have to get into bur they, most of 'em got into like Berkeley and like Stanford and all this sort of stuff, right?

Yeah. And so being around that helped me because it's like, oh, I can probably do more, but just right across the city where like my cousins grew up in like, Milpitas, for anyone who knows the area, it's more of like not well off, like, kind of like what you're saying. And so a lot of my cousins and people in that area especially a lot of Filipinos who just live in Milita, there's a whole thing there.

But anyways they don't really aspire to go to college a lot. Right. And so, like, it was more just, I just so happened to go in this district and that made me wanna go to college and stuff like that. But being surrounded by a lot of these high achievers you know, I think that's part of like the osmosis of that.

So I was just curious what it was like at like Westminster High if it was similar. 

My: Yeah, I'm sure individuals definitely had their tiger parents. I don't think our goals were as high like no one really aspired to go outta state. Maybe a few, but it's very rare. So for us it's kinda just like a uc or bust mindset.

And that was it back then, at least. 

J.R.: Yeah, that makes sense. Okay, so going into UCI, [00:08:00] right, like so high school, what influenced you to wanting to double major in biology and chemistry? 

My: So this kind of sounds really counterintuitive, but I literally went to UCI out of my options because I was too lazy and unable to go check out like any other campuses.

So I literally just went to UCI, it was close, it was easy, it worked out. And then I think kind of related to the upbringing, I honestly feel kind of stupid now thinking about it in hindsight. I honestly didn't know crap. That's what, I dunno how much I'm allowed to swear here, but I honestly didn't know crap going into college.

Up, I swear more then. 

J.R.: Yeah, go for it. 

My: I didn't know what majors there were or anything besides what I was good at in high school. So I was good at stem, I was good at chemistry. I liked bio and at the time I didn't really know a lot of jobs. Like honestly, I didn't know you could do an econ degree and I loved econ.

I wish I did that. I didn't even know computer science was a thing and like, I'm not that old. What? I'm 32 this year. I graduated from college like 11 years ago. So it's just like the upbringing [00:09:00] I knew, I feel like my options are very limited just by being ignorant. From there. I wanted to be a high school teacher.

Originally I wanted to teach chemistry and biology at a local high school because I had really great STEM teachers at my high school. Although, honestly some crazy stuff with that, we had to, like with the Epstein follower now too, we actually had like two different biology teachers who got charged for like, sodomy and, you know, underage relationships.

J.R.: Wow. Crazy. 

My: In hindsight, there are great teachers, but maybe some personal things to work on. 

J.R.: Yeah, right. Of course. Of course. Dang, that's great. So, so in high school, going into college I guess, so the way I wanna phrase this is like, you basically went in based on like ignorance, right? Meaning like, I don't really know what's out there.

So that's just chemistry and, but so you went a double major, but you knew you wanted to teach high school in those fields, or at least that was the goal. 

My: Yeah, those are the options. That's what I thought. 

J.R.: Gotcha, gotcha. 

My: Part of it was, I didn't think I was intelligent enough to go pre-med. 

J.R.: I [00:10:00] see, I see.

But I mean, I mean, I've never been a STEM major, but like isn't biology and chemistry also hard? 

My: Yeah, now I know. 

J.R.: Oh, gotcha, gotcha. Yeah. 

My: And honestly, once I went through it, I was like, dude, I totally could have done pre-med. I, but I was pretty happy with the route I took and I told myself, as long as I got to where I am now, I'd be perfectly content with the route I took.

J.R.: Hey, that's cool man. Okay, so then, so you graduate double major. How did that transition into, did you go straight into your master's or? 

My: I didn't, I kind of a funny tidbit also. So UCI used to have this program for your master's in chemistry and your T credentials at the same time. So this is going to be after undergrad.

I was planning to do this program totally the entire time when I was an undergrad. And I remember graduating being actually at a URMO summer retreat. I tried to look up the website for this program [00:11:00] and the website was gone. Yeah. So I called them about it and they're like, oh, we're so sorry. We actually canceled this program like two years ago.

J.R.: Damn. 

My: Yeah. So then my, I had like a, you know. Moment of panic, basically where I was planning on was just gone like that. So I worked in a lab for a year first and then eventually decided to get my master's in chemistry. Anyways, just that though, at Cal State Long Beach. 

J.R.: Mm, okay. So, so there was this program which was like both teaching and your master's, but that went away.

And then you, so you worked at a lab and then you eventually went back just to get your master's. Gotcha. Okay. So then, but there was no other, so you still wanted to teach at that point, right? 

My: Yeah. So was the plan was to get me a master's that would give me a higher pay higher paying salary 'cause I have a higher degree and then I figured I can get my teach credentials after my master's.

J.R.: Hmm. Okay. So did you end up doing that or how [00:12:00] did you end up getting the teaching position now? 

My: It's kind of a weird pathway, people don't realize. But for teaching like K through 12, you need to have like a degree and then you get your teaching credentials for teaching at the college level, let's say the community college level, you need your like bachelor's as well.

And then you actually don't need your teaching credentials at all. You just need a higher level degree or to prove you have worked equivalent experience. So as long as you're your master's, you can then teach community college from there. If you wanna maybe teach at like a university like UCI, you would need your PhD level.

J.R.: Oh, okay. So teaching at K through 12, you need your bachelor's plus teaching degree credentials. Absolutely. And then community college, you bachelor's as well. But you do, you also need, you don't need a teaching credential. 

My: You don't, so the idea of community college is you more a content expert than a teaching expert.

J.R.: I see. So it's like. [00:13:00] Lower bar, but essentially it's like they don't need you to necessarily be an expert at teaching. 

My: Yeah. Or it's different. Yeah. So at community college, you're like an expert of your subject, or at least on your way there. While at like K through 12, you're more about like pedagogy. You actually know how to teach.

So it actually creates some very interesting issues about the different teaching levels 

J.R.: I can see. Interesting. Yeah. So they're like, okay, you need to learn, know how to teach more than just for K through 12, more than just necessarily being an content expert. But community college is like, okay, we should need to learn the contents.

I'm sure the college students will be fine. Yeah. But then you said for university it's different. Like you need a PhD. 

My: You need a PhD, essentially. But it's also because universities tend to be research focused. Mm-hmm. More so than teaching focus, which as UCI students, I'm sure you've seen that experience.

J.R.: Yeah, that makes sense. So I have a friend who teaches at UC. I just interviewed him on the show like a couple episodes ago. But yeah, he was talking about like, he's a he doesn't do research, so he's what's it called, adjunct professor, but I don't, [00:14:00] he definitely does not have a PhD and he doesn't, he's not interested in it, but he's able to, because he has a lot of, he teaches like video game development at UCI.

And so I guess, I guess his, you know, obviously he has a bachelor's, but he has a wealth of industry experience. So I guess that works out. So I think that's interesting. I didn't know that there's different roots, I guess, in different qualifications. 

My: Yeah. And that still makes sense. 'cause then from there he would say he is like an expert in that field because of that experience.

So then you would apply for like equivalency, essentially. 

J.R.: Oh, 

My: okay. Where you're equivalency. I don't have this degree, but I've done equivalent work, so I am an expert. 

J.R.: Ah, okay. Interesting. Hmm. Personal, taking personal notes because one of my goals is to be a professor one day, so we'll see. I don't know if a PhD or anything like that is in my, in my targets yet, but we'll see.

Yeah, 

My: well, being an adjunct at community college isn't that competitive, so you could definitely do that and you can still be a professor. 

J.R.: Nice. Okay. Yeah, I mean, I just need to check the box and then we'll see how it goes from there. Nice. I'll, I'll note that [00:15:00] down. Okay, so I know this was also a planned question, but career aspirations going into college, you mentioned that.

Has it changed since then at all? I mean, I know you teach now, but 

My: Yeah, so I still teach, but I didn't even know I could teach at community college with just a master's. I assumed you needed a PhD and most instructors do actually. But the minimum requirement is a master's or equivalency. So for me, I was still planning to teach high school when I started my master's program, but when I started the program then.

I had a teaching internship at a community college and I was like, this is a pretty sweet gig. You got different hours, assuming you have kids, eventually you could kind of sync up your breaks and schedule better with them. 

J.R.: That makes sense. So do you still want to teach high school or do you have other career aspirations in the next five or so years?

My: Yeah. No, the high school teaching's long gone. I'm basically set, this will be my end goal position actually. Sorry. 

J.R.: Okay, [00:16:00] so just like 10 year track? 

My: Yep, exactly. So I recently got employed at IVC about two years ago, and it is a 10 year track position. So that process is four years. 

J.R.: Okay. That's awesome.

So then it's just like you are like, okay, this is the track teach at community college, or would you wanna like move to university or, I don't know, like what's the goal? 

My: Yeah, so I just wanna stay at community college because you didn't go to community college either. So community college, it's really nice to be an instructor because you are there to teach realistically versus teaching university.

Unless you are like a lecturer or adjunct position, you're there to do research and maybe teach. So if you care about teaching and enjoy teaching like I do, getting to do that community college is perfect. 

J.R.: Interesting. Okay, so you're saying that there's more of a focus on teaching teaching like in the trenches rather than mostly research and then some teaching or something like that.

Right, 

My: exactly. We are [00:17:00] there strictly to teach. 

J.R.: Interesting. Okay. That's really cool to know. I didn't know that, but it makes sense. Okay, last thing on this topic is studying abroad. So where'd you study abroad and how long you mentioned it? So I wanted to ask. 

My: Yeah. I studied abroad in Western Europe.

It was, 10 week program because UCI is annoyingly on the quarter system. So the reason why it's really annoying. Did you study abroad? 

J.R.: Yeah, I went to South Korea. 

My: South Korea. Is that during the summer or school year? 

J.R.: Yeah, summer. Summer. Summer, 

My: okay. Yeah. So that's not a bad idea, but let's say you wanna try and study abroad during the school year.

Try not doing a quarter system. The issue with that is since ucs, besides Berkeley are on the quarter system, you will rarely get placed into an actual university 'cause they're on the semester system. So we're out of state. So in the program I was basically just stuck together with a bunch of other uc kids, which is cool.

We got close, but I feel like it gave a very different [00:18:00] experience because we weren't really embedded with the students. And then by default, not as much in the culture either. 

J.R.: I see. Okay. So it's like a separate sort of program. 

My: Yeah, we were literally in some like random rented building it felt like, 

J.R.: oh damn.

That's crazy. So you said Western Europe? It was specific city, country. 

My: I was in Rome for five weeks and Madrid for another five weeks. 

J.R.: Oh, okay. 

My: So it intentionally had a switch in the middle. 

J.R.: Oh, interesting. I didn't know that, that it went like that. So, I know that there's some people, some of my friends who studied abroad and I think Cambridge, if I'm not.

Yeah, somewhere. And then also a lot of my friends that they always do Asia was mostly Korea. Yeah. But yes, but Korea, they had like also semester, so you would have, I don't know what it's called, spring and winter or whatever. But then they had a special summer program, the international school. And so it kind of worked out because everyone was doing summer.

But then you also had, I don't know how the [00:19:00] semester worked, but it was fun 'cause also like vacation. But I can see how it get, if you don't do that and you're kind of going off the quarter system it can be kind of wonky, but yeah. Wait, what year was that? What year were you in? 

My: I went during my very last quarter at UCI actually, which is why I missed the IMO graph photos.

Yeah. 

J.R.: Oh, interesting. Okay. Well, I mean, it 

My: seems like 

J.R.: it was worth it, 

My: right? There's a photo where tn photoshopped me in with the others because I wasn't there. 

J.R.: Nice. We like inclusion. Okay, cool. All right. Anything else on career path, origin story, studying abroad that you wanna touch on before we pivot?

My: No, I don't think we covered it all. 

J.R.: Nice. Okay, so this one's a fun one. So extracurriculars and hobbies. I think one of your superpowers in my opinion is that you just do so many things and so I admire and respect that about you. You just kind of do things and you're fully into it. [00:20:00] So rock climbing, tennis, tricking dance, of course, and photography.

So what was the backstory of all these? Like how did you get into them? 

My: I think with me, a big thing about my personality is if I'm interested in something, I'll just go and do it. So literally photography was, I used to steal my sister's, you know, on DSLR, I guess like digital camera, shoot with that.

And then eventually when I could find for myself, bought my own DSLR for rock climbing. That's what I vividly remember 'cause it was so weird and everyone pointed it out. I literally went by myself in high school to this gym in Huntington Beach. That was like 20 ish minute drive I think, because there's a good deal in Groupon.

And I was curious. So then literally you had me in like high school biking by myself to the gym to climb by myself. Where eventually then I would kind of start dragging friends in and get a lot of friends to try climbing eventually. And that's also similar to how I started tricking [00:21:00] as well. Actually I had a tempest free running, super random.

They had a performance at high school and then I started going to open gym because I wanted to learn parkour. And eventually I found tricking instead, which I thought was much safer. 

J.R.: Mm, same. I agree. That's why I never did park over. 

My: Yeah. Buildings are too tall. Ground is much lower. 

J.R.: It's yeah. And and cement is too hard.

My: Yeah, that's fair. Did you learn to trick at loop kicks? 

J.R.: With loop kicks, like, they had those seminars and like different camps and stuff that I would go to and sessions. So we would, I would go out like in high school to like their park sessions or their gym sessions and then just like be around greatness.

I'm like, oh my God, these guys are so cool. And I'm just freaking park. I mean, we were all park trickers, right? Like we just threw our, threw ourselves around at the park. But like to see actual, you know, artisans of the craft and like athletes, I'm like, this is cool. But also, I mean, I know you're gonna go into this, but that was also the reason I pretty much why I got to [00:22:00] Kaba modern was just 'cause I could do flips.

I mean, I had some base level of dancing skills Sure. But I'm like, I know it's 'cause I did a flip in my audition. I know I stood out and that was by design. I definitely wanted to get in. So 

My: I totally relate. I'm like 90% sure. That's why I got to IMO 'cause my dance during the audition. Horrible. 

J.R.: Yeah. I mean, I'm sure it was good enough, right?

I, yeah, no, I mean. Yeah, no, I mean, imposter into my entire first second year. I'm like, dude, everyone in my class is so amazing and I'm just, I'm like trash. And you know, you eventually get over that, but it's still like, I am just here to do flips, man. I'm just trying to learn my best. But yeah.

Sorry, you're talking about again, I'm tricking and then anything else on that? 

My: Besides that, I think just tennis as well as the last hobby. And so I feel like most of these I've done since high school just decided to start doing it and then at different points in my life, just got really invested in it, got better at it and I just kept those skills.

Like I stopped seriously tricking [00:23:00] almost 10 years ago and I could still land everything I could ever land. 

J.R.: Dang. I'm jealous of you man. Age has not stopped. Slowed you down. 'cause it's definitely slowed me down. Especially lower back pain. 

My: I feel it the next day, just I'll still try it. 

J.R.: Right, right. Dang, that's crazy.

I was gonna say, yeah, I would. I, I'm curious, and I don't know how to jump off on this point pun intended, I guess, but I think what I was talking to you before we started recording is I think usually people have like one, maybe two hobbies and then they have their career they're trying to focus on, especially if we try to go into the mindset of a college student, right?

And then we try different things. We meet a lot of new people and it's fun, and then it's like, oh, I graduate. I need to focus on my career. But it seems like you've been doing a lot of different things from high school, continued through college and afterwards. I'm just curious about, do you have any thoughts on like the mindset of someone like yourself who likes to do different things?

Because maybe here's a counterpoint just for jumping off where some people think I need to focus on [00:24:00] something in order to get good at it, and sometimes there's an end goal, right? But I think you and I know that we don't need end goals to have hobbies and to have fun and to do things, but it is a valid, I guess, concern or perspective.

But what are your thoughts on that sort of thing? 

My: I think in terms of doing a lot of different hobbies, doing a lot of different things, I kind of mentioned it, but I pretty much picked up all these in high school at the same time, which I think really helped set like a tone for myself because as you are busy, you get used to being busy, it then becomes your new normal and you get add on more and then you kind of re repeat the process over and over.

So where it seems like a lot, it's just your normal level and it's not too bad. In terms of doing a lot of different things, doing them well, I definitely agree. You could do like too many different things and not be super good and not the best at it. But for me, I've always kind of thought, well, in this whole planet there's like, what?

Seven? I dunno, 7 billion people. Now the number's probably changed. You're not gonna be the [00:25:00] best at anything. Realistically. If you are, holy crap, you're amazing. Good job. But for the most of us humans, we're just gonna get really good. And for me that's good enough. But I think also nowadays with like these people getting really invested in their hobbies and sports, there's actually a lot of like overuse injuries happening because they're doing the same motions, the same sports, same throws over and over and over again.

And so, I mean, I'm sure you're aware like LeBron's longevity is insane and a lot of people think it's actually because he did football and basketball, so he didn't have like just all his eggs in one basket with basketball. He kinda like spread out the wear and tear in his body and now he splurges a lot and takes care of his body.

But like, there's almost no one else I can think of like Jovic who's also like insane longevity in tennis. But for these people nowadays who are like just trying really hard at one thing, they're like overuse injuries happen a lot more frequently. [00:26:00] 

J.R.: Okay. So you're saying there's an inherent health benefit to doing different types of hobbies, specifically in like the physical, athletic realm of not just, let's say just tennis, right?

But other things like maybe dance or tricking or rock climbing. Right. I'm curious though, so like, I know you do things for fun, but, and you're saying like, you know, if you become one of the best in the world, that's great. What, like, what is your goal or mindset on doing so many different things as opposed to maybe like, dialing and maybe it's not all physical, right?

Maybe it's a creative thing as opposed to like focusing in on something. Like what is your, what are your thoughts on that? 

My: I think for me, honestly, I just hate sucking at stuff. So I the best do. 

J.R.: So you wanna get better at these things? 

My: Definitely do. I wanna get good for myself and compare to myself, I think is a really important thing.

You can definitely compare your friends as kind of a benchmark, but I think at the end of the day, you're really competing against yourself, your own body, what you can do. But I will also actually round back. I don't think it's just overlapping of [00:27:00] physical sports. I do think there's also like mental and physical overlap as well.

When I play tennis I play double singles, all that. Like I'll talk to my friends about my strategies when I'm thinking, when I'm playing and they're like, why are you using your head so much? Like just hit the ball and just for me, that's my personality. Like I use my brain when I do things. I'm trying to think a lot about how to play to win easier.

And then even related to that, I used to work at a rock climbing gym as a setter who like designs the climbs but holds on the wall. And one of the questions my eventual boss asked was like, do you have any artistic hobbies? And that seemed really left field, but because the way he described it is when you are creating these climbs for the wall, you are creating art for people to climb on experience.

So you wanted to see that you had that kind of artistic eye to translate to climbing a physical. 

J.R.: Hmm. I see. That's interesting. Let me know if I'm wrong, but it seems like you're the type of person [00:28:00] who you're not only, maybe ambitious is not the word. It's like you, you're constantly trying to grow and you like the, you like improving and seeing that progression, but also like trying different things and, you know, inherently that it's good to do a lot of different things. But also, I guess like what is personality type?

Do you know your MBTI? 

My: I am, INTP, the logician, which all my friends says is very fitting. 

J.R.: Yeah. No, that makes sense. 'cause I was like, you must be some sort of INT because I'm INTJ and so I was like, I was deep diving into like the different, what they mean. But that makes sense. Kinda like, yeah, logician strategist or like thinking like a process oriented in order for like growth and kind of more internal because it seemed like you're like a solo go-getter, which again, definitely fits right.

I feel like I'm the same way. 

My: Yeah. I think the funniest thing is Ronnie and I apparently have the same personalities, but everyone who's knows both of us is like, that's weird. That doesn't make sense. 

J.R.: Yeah. I mean, I [00:29:00] think it might be like an outward expression versus like the internal, how your mind works, right?

Like, we can look different externally, but internally we're very similar. 

My: Yeah. 

J.R.: I feel like I'm very similar too. It's like that sort of like when you're saying, Hey, I just wanna see growth and improvement, I like trying new things. I'm like, ah, I vibe with that. But I think it's 'cause we're similar personality types.

Okay. I think you touched upon everything that I wanted to ask, but I guess maybe just to wrap up this part, advice, lessons learned, general reflections on how you approach all these different hobbies or people who might be interested in different things like you are, like any advice on how to how to pursue all of them.

My: I think the easiest way is kind of what I already said. Just go out and do it. The only thing that's really holding you back, I feel like besides making money and time is yourself. And if you really care to do it, you would make the time for it. Money. Yeah. It's a little harder, I'll admit. 

J.R.: Yeah, that makes sense.

Oh, I have another question. So. There's a cost and there's a cost benefit sort of thing with having a [00:30:00] lot of hobbies too. And that could be social life, right? Again, I'm just playing devil's advocate, not like I agree or disagree, but so you're doing all these things by yourself and then some people might say, oh, but you know, hanging out and all this other stuff, and yeah, hobbies are good, but then at what point do you balance that out with like, things that require you to be out or, I don't know.

I, I don't really have a cohesive thought, but what do you think? 

My: No, I totally agree. I think that doing all these different hobbies does take a lot of time and I do agree with that. And you do need to, like I said, prioritize your time somewhere. So I think a part of growing up has been realizing that your friend isn't necessarily who you see like once a week or month, or even a year at this point.

But for a lot of us, we've kind of realized that your friends are the ones that you kind of just pick up conversations right where you left off and you're still good. As adults, I don't think any of my friends nowadays expects like weekly conversations. It's just too hard, especially going to UCI, our social bubble has got way too big.

J.R.: Yeah, that makes sense. Sorry, [00:31:00] another last thought is how do you get good at a lot of different things? That's a very broad question. I get it. Yeah. But as, as someone who is also very like achievement oriented and I do like getting good at stuff, how do you approach developing skill in one or many different areas?

My: I think the easiest way, and I think you would agree with this, is find a mentor in some shape or form. Does it need to be an explicit mentor, but someone who can guide you? Typically this means someone's better. For example, if you just climb with better climbers, you play with better tennis players, you will get better.

And then the other part of that is just going out to do the thing as well. As I took more and more photos, I think that really did help refine my skills and I started learning from my mistakes and improving from those as well. 

J.R.: Okay. So pretty straightforward then. So finding mentors, finding a community of other people who wanna grow and improve on what you wanna do.

And then also just doing the thing, of course, right. Putting in the reps. I like it. Cool. All [00:32:00] right, let's shift over then. Topic number three. Wow. We're like pretty much on time. So this is a, this is a multi topic, which is you mentioned quote unquote growing up, poor side hustle, culture and dating.

And so I guess we'll go in order, but, so you mentioned one of the achievements that you're proud of is buying a condo on a single income two years ago and also quote unquote, growing up poor. And I mentioned not sure if those are related, but I wanted to get your thoughts on those two things. 

My: Yeah. They're probably related in some way.

We'll find out if we keep talking. Maybe. As I mentioned, people in Westchester, this might have been during our pre-talk, but I think it was during this, like most people come out of their, I guess, childhood with government assistance. For me also, my parents were divorced that pretty much automatically through, I mean like government assistance pool.

So I was eventually able to buy a condo and I can't admit it wasn't fully on my own for the initial down payment. I used a program through the City of Santa Ana. There's a lot of these programs as long as you qualify for it. And I would admit this is where I was [00:33:00] really lucky because I was like right below the cutoff for where I qualified for this program.

Applied, got approved, bought my condo, and then as soon as I got my condo, a few months later, I basically got my new job and I was over that cutoff. So I was in this nice, oh, so mm-hmm. 

J.R.: Oh, so you had to be under a certain threshold of income, is that what you're saying? 

My: Yeah. 'cause you're qualified as like low income or below media income essentially.

J.R.: Gotcha. So you're like, okay, hope I get this before I get a new job. 

My: Yeah, the timing was insane. But also kind of lucky, unlucky, if you were in Orange County, like the median income's pretty high relative to the rest of the country. So depending where you're at on that, you could be right there. 

J.R.: Yeah, I mean it's, so I guess general thoughts for those of you don't live in California or know, I mean, generally the housing market is crazy.

Buying a house is crazy for various reasons. And so try doing that on a single income is amazing. And I know you said you had the assistance program and [00:34:00] you were lucky, but I mean, were there any other aspects of that? Was it just getting lucky with the place you wanted or the spot that opened up and then like how do you manage like the financial side of it, like balancing your finances and whatnot.

My: Definitely all of that. There's a lot of good timing in addition to getting the job. But I think also growing up poor has made me a very frugal person. I really didn't spend that much during the pandemic earlier, just hustled and grinded, paid off my student loans, saved a lot of money because I knew I did wanna put a down payment down on a property eventually.

And I say property, making it sound like I've done a lot. This is my first and only property. Yeah. And that's the plan. Yeah, I think I mostly answered that. 

J.R.: Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So why this may be. Kind of sounds like a dumb question, but why did you wanna buy a house or a property or like a condo? Because and I ask this because let's say financially, right?

Okay. So I'm a, I love talking about personal finance. I'm like a huge nerd and I do coaching. And so if you run the numbers right, [00:35:00] this is not controversial. So if you run the numbers and if you, like, let's say if financial growth is your goal, then it makes more sense if you live in California, especially in a high like, property, real estate area, that to like rent and then to save or invest the difference that you would be for a mortgage and like loan payments right into like the stock market or whatever.

And then you get better returns and then whatever you can do after that. But obviously buying a home is a very personal and a lifestyle decision. And obviously it's not wrong to want to own a home. So I know that's. Brain vomit. And I'm not trying to lead the question, but I'm curious what, like being someone who's frugal, and I assume you're decent with your finances, like why choose to buy a home or a condo as opposed to like saving, investing, et cetera, and continuing on that path?

My: Yeah, I didn't calculate the numbers myself. I read some things where I think especially for like our area where if you plan to stay in the area for [00:36:00] about five years or more, that's about where the break even point is. Okay. 'cause if you are renting, costs do generally increase, but once you kind of lock in your property, besides like insurance increasing, it's pretty much a fixed cost.

So you're totally right in the short term, renting does win. But I think once we get into longer term, especially since I am now stuck in OC between my job and this condo, it was a really good decision for me. 

J.R.: That makes a lot of sense because it's kind of like a car, right? You can lease a car, I guess, and that could make some sense if you run the numbers, but if you, let's say, own the car and you don't pay a ton for it, and you keep it for longer, you get more value out of it.

And so your money goes further. Right. So I guess similar concept. 

My: Exactly. Yeah. And there's also a peace of mind. Like once you own your car, you can do a lot more modifications to it. 

J.R.: Mm-hmm. 

My: And you have your own house, you can do whatever you want with the property as well. Like, that makes sense. Install in this random wood SLA thing.

J.R.: Yeah, yeah. Yeah. Do you have like a, you have like a, like a rock climbing wall at [00:37:00] your place too? 

My: Yeah, there's a rock climbing wall. I could flip the way I came over if you wanna see it real quick. 

J.R.: Okay. Yeah. I mean, it's up to you, but Yeah, I, I, I've seen it on your stories, 

My: but 

J.R.: yeah. 

My: That's dope man. It's freestanding, so it's not as big a deal.

But in theory, if I had my own property, I could make it attached to the house. 

J.R.: Oh, dang. That's crazy, man. I think you're the only, I mean, well you're the only person I know who has a raw climbing wall in their house, so that's pretty cool. Hmm. Let's see. I had another thought, but yeah, was there, okay. Frugality tips. Now I'm curious like nuts and bolts, right? So I know you said the the down payment assistance helped and I'm assuming you were, or I'm, I don't wanna assume anything. Like were you looking in specific areas? Was there a threshold of like, okay, what can I afford? Or is it just like you're, like anywhere So thought or your mindset or thought process on that.

And then how do you approach like being frugal, especially in this society where we all wanna buy a lot of shit. 

My: Shit. Yeah. That's actually something I was thinking. Second part of your question was something I was thinking a lot about during the car at home before this. Yeah. So let's talk about that first.

[00:38:00] I think it's interesting. 

J.R.: Sure. 

My: For me growing up, I guess mentioned growing up poor, your expectations, what you're used to is different. This, I also realized once I get out to college, I met people who came from better backgrounds. But even, I think just over the years, there's been this shift in how much you spend and what you should spend on.

I feel like with the rise of social media, you're, you probably felt it too. Life has been more glorified where people love eating out. Eating out, like fancier places. Like I feel like there are people who eat omae more than once a year, which is like almost insane, you know? 

J.R.: Mm-hmm, mm-hmm. 

My: And I know there are people who, like, their goal is to travel internationally at least once a year, have a weekend trip at least once a year.

And again, this is all totally valid. It's how you choose to spend your money. I just think it's interesting if you shift back like 10, 20 years maybe because I was poor, my lens was different, but I feel like these expectations weren't as normalized. How do you feel about that? Maybe, you [00:39:00] know, growing up in the area you did, you had a different perspective.

J.R.: Yeah. Okay. I see what you're saying. You're like back then pre the explosion of social media nowadays where we can see what everyone's doing and you know, everyone's highlight reels. You're saying that that has caused more of a shift of the demand, the want, the, you know, wanting of more than we actually need or want.

But if you kind of rewind the clock 10, 20 years or whatever there wasn't that much of a pedestal of like the common folk of us. Like not the celebrities, but like us common folk wanting to do all this stuff and outside of our reach. Is that what you're saying? 

My: Yeah, exactly. I see. Like what we have normalized as like a normal life.

It's been a lifestyle creep due to social media as opposed to the normal one we associate with like an income increase. 

J.R.: Yeah. No I totally agree. And I think that thought is very like, pervasive for people either in California or people who see Californians. 'cause they're like, man to live in California, you need to make a minimum of like 150 K to survive out there.

And I'm [00:40:00] like, okay. I look at my finances every month. I know exactly what I spend and how much I spend each month. I'm like, is it that expensive to live here? Or are you guys just spending too much money on things you don't really know like you're spending money on? Or are you just so mindlessly spending money?

Like, so maybe we're cut from the same cloth in that sense of like, yeah, I also grew up really frugal and like intentional with my money. And so for, to someone to tell me like, yeah, you need a hundred dk. I'm like, I don't need anything near that amount to live in California. I've lived in California my whole life.

Yeah. You know, fairly successful. Again, granted I don't have kids and blah, blah, blah and debt, but whatever. But yeah, no I think I agree. But yeah, I don't know. Like, so you're saying part of it is the perspective you have of like not wanting of more, but there is, is there anything else that you think attributes to maybe being better at their finances or staying frugal or maybe a better way of phrasing this is putting your money towards things that matter.

And so for you, obviously it's like your house, your property, and then your hobbies, but how, do you have any advice or thoughts on how people can see finances in a better way or more productive way? 

My: I think, I'm pretty sure it's all this in a Reddit [00:41:00] post. Like when you break down the math of things, you're buying to the hours you work.

So the time you had to basically work to earn it, it really shifts how much you're willing to spend. Because like, you know, you eat a meal, it's like an hour, let's say, but it's like omae, that's like three, four hours of work. Like do you value that meal that much for your four hours of work? And then I think that really helped to see like where I want to spend my money.

I think you also mentioned it too, but like. I think side hustle culture also kind of helped me with my money, but also, you know, ruined my mental health a little bit. So I know you kind of like, were curious what like side hustle culture is. 

J.R.: Yeah, yeah. 

My: I think you're also a good kind of proponent of it.

Like, you know, we have our day jobs, we make good enough money there, but I feel like almost everyone in our age does something a little bit extra, just make a little more money to help them live this life that they think they should be living. 

J.R.: Okay. Yeah, no, I mean, I agree. What, how do I start this?

Do you, did you [00:42:00] have any side hustles and like, could you give an example of how that manifests? I get that, I get the macro idea of like, okay, we all wanna do more for whatever reason. Either we wanna make more money or we need to afford living in California or whatever. But like, yeah. Any ex personal examples?

My: For me, somehow in high school I started getting to like flipping selling things like arbitrage. Buying things cheaper, selling them for more. That's pretty much gone through all my life with random things. Like I was selling climbing holes during the pandemic. I swear I made like a few thousand dollars off that.

It's great. And even today, nowadays I string tennis rackets before a side hustle. That one, the pays not so good, but I gotta do it from home. It's kind of nice. It's chill, whatever. 

J.R.: Yeah. So are you saying it's just, hmm. I don't know what I'm trying to ask, but Yeah, yeah. Are you saying side hustle culture is good, bad mental health just something to do?

Or is it just a normalized activity, like a hobby or, 

My: I think it's a unhealthily, normalized thing because then I think what did help me [00:43:00] afford this condo that, you know, was like this unicorn, this big goal was that I essentially had to work more than full-time outside of my full-time job to get this extra money.

I made it more afford to live. But also the more time you're working, the less time you have to spend, which kind of helps. 

J.R.: I see, I see. So you're like, so inherently staying busy does help with not spending as much, but also you're saying that like your side hustle, your personal side hustle endeavor was to help afford like, let's say, this house and to make more income to supplement.

My: Yeah, definitely. And it thinks really interesting. Like whatever I take an Uber or a Lyft, I always love talk to my driver because you meet some really interesting people who have like really great jobs. Yeah. And maybe just do Uber for like, for fun to talk people for a little extra money for their kids going to college.

It's very interesting. 

J.R.: Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. No, for real. I think that's, it's, I think it's interesting 'cause it's like, like you were saying pay versus like the trade off or how much your [00:44:00] time costs. So let's assume our full-time job pays more than our part-time job, which is usually the case, right?

So then if you decide to use your. Off hours, like you're not full-time hours to work a side job or a side hustle or some sort of side business, then you are kind of giving up your time at a lower rate as opposed to if you could, well let's say, what are the alternatives? Like you can use that on a free hobby or a hobby doesn't really make money or spending time with people or experiences or whatever, which, like you mentioned, costs money.

So I think there's, that's interesting.

My: Like if yeah. I do wanna kind of turn this around though because most of my life I did grow up thinking I was an introvert. Sometime within this past year I kind of realized maybe I'm more extroverted than I thought I am, and that realistically I was just too frugal or poor to wanna go out to things.

So Interesting. Mainly a lot of friends have been pointing out that like, I'm going out a lot nowadays and I had to reflect on like what has changed and I think it is that I don't feel so tied [00:45:00] down financially to. To the confines of my house where I don't need to spend money, and now I'm more willing to go out, hang out, go out, eat, do things, because it's not as stressful financially.

J.R.: That's so interesting. So you're saying like it's, it was more but just like financial constraints that made you introverted, quote unquote. Mm-hmm. When in reality you're like, I think I enjoy going out. I just now have more freedom or means to do so. 

My: Definitely. 

J.R.: Where on the, on like the, like a spectrum of like introverts, extrovert.

Are you from like one to 10? Do you think you 

My: like Yeah, so when I did the Myers-Brigg, I was actually pretty much, I started much more introverted, but I think as I started teaching and getting older, it actually has got pretty much like 50 50. 

J.R.: Okay. So like almost in the middle and revert sort of, 

My: Yeah. If we wanna go with those terms.

J.R.: Yeah. Yeah, yeah. Okay. Interesting. I feel like I'm the same too. Like I think, I know I'm naturally introverted, like getting energy recovering, et cetera. But I think also, depending on [00:46:00] my role in that space, like if I'm a leader, I turn into an ENTJ.

But if I'm like by myself or whatever, INTJ, but then also with good friends, you know, like it could be either or. So maybe it's like common for people who are right around the middle.

Okay, let's see. Actually one more thing on the side hustle culture too. So like, I know that's a constraint of money, but so how I approach this and just maybe food for thought for the audience is like, I always knew that I wanted to be financially comfortable so that I can do everything that I wanna do for free and not have to like, work on it necessarily.

And I'm sure you feel the same way, right? Like, we enjoy our hobbies and we don't necessarily wanna turn them into careers like dancing. For me, for example, like I've taught dancing, but I prefer to just dance and not make money off of it. And I always wanted to make sure that my finances and my career was so stable that I could do everything else that I want outside of my job for free and for fun.

But like you said, there might be some constraints where like, okay, you need to make more money in order to reach a goal. That totally makes sense. But then your mental health is the trade off, right? 

My: Yeah. No, I like what you said. [00:47:00] There's this thought I've had about it too, where. With your job, you can kind of have one of two situations.

You love what you do and it pays the bills, or you treat it like a job, get the bills paid, then do what you love after it. One's definitely easier and more feasible than the other. Let you decide which one that is. But they both can work, obviously. 

J.R.: Of course. 

My: And then from there it's just choosing which path you're willing to take and want to take.

So I think for both of us, we took the safer, more confident option that allowed us to enjoy our hobbies still and have a job that does what we need. 

J.R.: Yeah, of course. And of course it'll be super nice to have like a job that you're super passionate about. You know, I'm like, I'm not, I'm definitely still open to finding that, but it's like, okay, let's take care of my health first before trying to like, you know, do all this other extra stuff, right?

Like take care of my finances. I like that. 

My: Okay. It also relates to why I teach as well. I kind of weighed the pros and cons of everything, even once I learned about computer science as a field. I'm a [00:48:00] nerd. I love computers. I love pa playing games. It should have made sense, but I thought about it and I didn't imagine myself sitting at a computer like just grinding away at codes for that long without interacting with my coworkers.

That sounds miserable. I would burn out so fast. So I feel like teaching has this nice balance of where it's still a job. At least I enjoy my day by day and it's always fun. Something different always happens. 

J.R.: Yeah. Okay. We might circle back to career advice in a second, but I wanna ask about struggles of dating.

So you did mention this. What are your thoughts on that, if you wanna elaborate? 

My: I think it all kind of ties in. You kind of got to it where like I do so much with my different hobbies already, that a social life does become harder to balance. And I think because I have been single most of my life, I've done so many different things at my own pace.

It's really hard for me to be fully content in a relationship. It has happened before, but it is difficult because I only have, you know, so much time. And I feel like with dating, you [00:49:00] are essentially allowing someone else into your life and you need to either one, like somehow fit perfectly or make it fit.

For me that has been a little bit difficult and that's just for me personally. That's why I'm talking about like the current dating culture of our day and age. 

J.R.: Yeah. So like what is the current dating culture? I've been out of the dating game for a out. 

My: Congrats. Good job. 

J.R.: Not trying to brag, I'm just saying.

My: Let's see. Interesting things. It's kind of location based. I visited New York not too long ago, so I gotta hear my friends experience dating over there. I think here we're still pretty reliant on the apps in New York currently. Everyone like avoids the apps now because it's just so been so much bad luck that their hope is they meet someone through, like their friends.

For me here, I've been on and off the apps. Currently off it. But I dunno, it's just tough. I feel like everyone is so focused on doing their things. It's something my friend talked about a lot too. Like, [00:50:00] we are trying to like, you know, grind, make money. We're kind of focused on that aspect of our life.

It does make it harder then to have this social life, have this dating life. 

J.R.: Okay. So you're saying that maybe I guess. West coast, SoCal or whatever, that it's hard to have a dating life because everyone that are in the market are focused on like their career and everything, or themselves.

My: Yeah. I think it's like a part of it. I think social media dating apps as well. I think part of the experience is that people have been kind of focused on themselves and accomplishing their goals.

Like with my age group now, a lot of people finish like med school, dental school, whatever, schools that they have been kind of elevated what they want from a partner. But at the same time, because they waited so long, their dating pool has decreased and changed. And I kind of feel like that too.

You know, like obviously I had some good relationships throughout the years, but because of my own maybe poor prioritizing, I chose to work on my [00:51:00] hobbies careers and while I've got there, I've now kind of stunted my dating life. 

J.R.: Mm, okay. So it's just a trade off then. Okay. So then you, are you currently in the market?

Is it, I asked Rani these same questions, right? Yeah. Like what is, what is the moving forward now? Like okay, I'm on the market, gonna put energy towards it, or is it like maybe not right now or, we'll see. 

My: Yeah, I think it's I'm open to it. I'm looking a little more at the moment, but I've kind of got an idea of like what I want out of my partner.

And I think a lot of people, they kind of thought like, I want someone with similar hobbies. But for me, I think it's more a personality thing where they just enjoy doing life with me and also make my life better, if that makes sense. 

J.R.: One thing that you did mention I'm curious about is that you said it's hard to be content when dating.

What did you mean by that specifically? Is it just like content because you need, you want to prioritize more time for these things you wanna do? Or is it because there's something within being in a relationship that's [00:52:00] difficult? 

My: Yeah. I need to, I don't remember exactly when I mentioned that. So if I just think right now, I think part of it is like with the rise of social media or at least dating apps, it seems like your pool is so much bigger.

So I feel like combination nowadays is you're always kinda left wondering like, what if, like what if someone else is better for me out there? 

J.R.: So it's like there's a lot of options and it feels like there's always a better option. And so therefore it's like, why would I be content with this when there's like a 10 outta 10 somewhere out there who is waiting 

My: Yeah. Which isn't very healthy and I that is something you do need to kind of resolve and talk about and figure out with yourself. And I think that is kind of. Beauty of when you choose a long-term partner, you are literally committing like, okay, this is a person I wanna build my life with and spend the rest of the time with.

And so for me, I think part of the struggle is I love my life right now. You know, I've been doing all these things. I have a great life. And so for me, with my partner, I need them literally to make my life better. And so that could be difficult. [00:53:00] 

J.R.: That makes sense. It's like, it's kind of a high bar, like how can you add to my life when I'm so happy already?

Yeah. Not in a negative way, but you're just like, that's just the reality, right? It's not like I'm a, I dunno how to phrase like broken person, but it's like, oh, I feel like I'm lacking and so therefore anyone will do as opposed to like, oh no, I'm so happy. So like, if I were to bring someone else, it has to be a value add, not a value subtract.

Right? 

My: Yeah. I think that's one of the issues too, where people are like, are missing something in their life and they try to find that in dating. That's where you also have the issues. Yeah. 

J.R.: Mm-hmm. Yeah, Okay. That's all I have for the questions. Did we miss anything in this section?

Otherwise we can move to rapid fire. 

My: You can try the rapid fire. 

J.R.: So first one then first official one. What is one of the hardest challenges you faced in your life and what did you learn from it? 

My: Challenges. 

J.R.: Like easy. Everything's been easy. 

My: No, everything's definitely not been easy. See, it's weird for me to say it's like a challenge because it's just my life.

People who knew me growing up, I think more [00:54:00] so know this story, but when my parents divorced, I went to the children's home. So I was at the Orange Wood Children's home near the outlets of orange. Then eventually I had a foster mom for a little bit as well. So this is like a really short stint, maybe like half a year total of my life, probably less.

And I feel like from there that just totally changed the trajectory of my life, you know? Not necessarily good or bad, but that's just the way my life is now. So I feel like most of my time growing up, people always, I was really mature for my age and I feel like that experience has made me mature really early.

Yeah. So then for me, like in terms of learning from it, I feel like it gave me perspective in my life where your life is what it is, and you know what you make of it.

Like these are the cards you're dealt. That's not gonna change. Now what you decide to do with that is totally up to you. I think one of the issues with like the billboard question for me is like I don't really hold onto a lot of things and ideas. Like if you ask me my favorite or like what's super important, I'm really [00:55:00] bad at answering those questions because for me, like I just experience it, process it and then try and grow from it.

And I don't really like hold onto these ideas. 

J.R.: I see. Okay. So you feel like that maybe that experience made you become more independent or kind of mature faster? 

My: Yeah, kinda just made me who I am today and you know, like I don't know what the other version of myself could have been, but 

J.R.: Right, right.

Okay, next question. Self-inflicted wound. Do you have a story about something that's gone wrong in your life and it was your fault and you can't blame anyone else 'cause you did it to yourself? 

My: I'm sure there are many you learn from. It's kind of a funny one. Went on a cruise with some friends back then I'm, I barely do weed, but I tried weed in like an edible form and I found it was a really good pre-workout for me for some reason.

Like I was super hype tunnel visioned on my exercise. So on the cruise I wanted to bring some, 'cause maybe it could be fun, but I honestly wanted to use it as a pre-workout also. Yeah. And then on the way back, like I brought [00:56:00] it to Mexico, brought it back from Mexico. I had to rush to a wedding, so I was like walking really fast ahead, my friends.

And that caused the border patrol to flag me down, like, Hmm, suspicious, this guy is walking by himself from a cruise. So they thought I was like a drug meal or something probably. And stupid enough, they found edibles in my bag because I actually buying like $500 for it. Which fresh outta college, like a lot of money.

But now things are fine. I don't think it was ever my record. I just recently got approved for global entry. Nice. But it's a really funny story. That could have been a lot worse, I suppose. 

J.R.: Yeah. I dunno. So, okay, so you're not allowed to bring edibles on a cruise? 

My: No, because we came to Mexico and then back you crossed the board with drugs.

J.R.: Oh, okay. Gotcha. I, okay. 

My: Yeah. Yeah. And this is back then when I think weed was legalized. Maybe, I don't know. Maybe I could be wrong. 

J.R.: Okay. I'll say you're the first person I've ever heard of saying weed is a pre-workout. I couldn't even, couldn't even, I see. 'cause I, I, because I've definitely, I've tried weed, right?

And I've [00:57:00] been high before, but I'm like, I can't even imagine trying to focus on a workout, I guess, I guess with the types of strains that I've had. But I'm like, like chill. But like I could, I feel like I couldn't focus. I don't know, man. 

My: Yeah, I'll think about it. I'll about it. I'll let you know.

It's one thing that was it. I couldn't do anything else, but like, I actually did it once climbing as well. I climbed amazing. I could not talk to my friends. I could not make coha senses. 

J.R.: Interesting. Okay. All right. I'll keep that in the back of my mind.

Okay. 

if you could give your younger self advice, what would it be or words of wisdom that has impacted you the most? Just as a thought experiment? 

My: Yeah. Let's see. It's also a thought I've been having more recently and I'm sure as you and our peers have got older, all probably realizing it, but like, just do what you wanna do.

I have done that a lot, but there have been a lot of times where I have had like the social anxiety, this fear of being judged by my peers and didn't do things. I'm definitely a lot more comfortable and confident with myself right now, but I was literally like one of the shyest kids ever growing up.[00:58:00] 

Like I remember when I was younger and my parents would trying to be paid the cashier and I was too scared to, would talk to them. So I feel like if I just got over these things when I was earlier, kind of just live the life that I wanted to do, doing things I wanted to do even more, then I would be even happier than I'm right now.

J.R.: How do you define success?

My: I think success comes from you being happy with yourself. Because in all of the hobbies I do, and I guess everything I do, there's a point where you are happy, rather, that means you've achieved your goal or you're content with where you're at. And I think in both those situations you are a success. So, you know, for my friends who may be better or worse at these sports interest hobbies than I am, I think they're successful no matter if they're better or worse than me.

I think it kind of relates back to that previous idea, like, I feel like individually we're all such harder critics on ourselves than anyone else is towards us. So if you hold yourself to the same level of accountability that [00:59:00] like other people view you as, I feel like you would free yourself so much to do all the things you wanna do.

J.R.: Next one. What is something that separates the younger version of you from the current version of you?

My: I feel like you're saying money so much, which I'm not, that, you know, I don't care that much about money. But let's just say it's the freedom that being more financially secure has enabled me. Like I mentioned, I'm going out a lot more, I'm doing things I haven't been able to do ever growing up.

Like, I got freaking Invisalign 'cause my teeth, you know, too poor get braces. So while money at a certain point is important, what's more important is you enable yourself to do the things you really want to do. Like I just recently went to Japan for the first time. Great. Loved it. 

J.R.: Nice. 

My: I can probably say this is the first time I've ever traveled somewhere where I didn't feel like I had this thought of like, this is great, this is fun. But like my regular life is really fun too, you know? So as I feel like [01:00:00] most people when they travel, they want to escape from their day life. But I've tried really hard to make a daily life. I love and enjoy. So when I was in Japan, I was, damn, this is really nice. I see why people love it. And I'm trying to go back already. End of this year. 

J.R.: Yeah, yeah. No, I feel it, man. I've been to Japan four times already and I'm like, I think it's just gonna be a yearly trip at this point because 

My: Yeah, that's what 

J.R.: Yeah, I can travel to different countries. Yeah. But Japan is just so good.

Do you have a favorite hot take or something you think most people won't agree with?

My: I think going to school, college, community college, it's kind of overrated. And again, this coming from me who is a chemistry community college professor.

J.R.: Okay. Can me double click on that? Like, why is it overrated? 

My: Yeah. So I think we were kind of fortunate and we went straight to UCI. But I feel like that was also unfortunate. Because I don't know your GPA, and I'm not assuming anything. But I feel like there's this culture at UCI where school was almost [01:01:00] secondary, where we went to school, we got our degree eventually, but most of our time there, we were kind of enjoying our time there.

Doing dance teams, hanging out with friends, doing whatever shenanigans we get into. Where I feel like if we maybe had more of a goal and focus towards education, it definitely could have panned out better. But I think also today with how prominent the internet and social media is, there are a lot of jobs out there that your schooling isn't necessarily required to get you into.

Not to say school is completely useless 'cause I need my job, but while school is good, it kind of raises your minimum bar where you can then qualify for these certain positions. And I think kind of ties back to our idea of like, you can have this safe route or you can kind of go ham and do what you love, or try to be a Twitch streamer or whatever.

J.R.: There's a lot of good points in there. So you're saying that [01:02:00] for, at least for our experience mm-hmm. If we took our education more seriously, we could have probably gotten more out of it. But back to your original thought, which was, it was, you know, education kind of generally being overrated because you, with today's society, you can be successful without necessarily a career, but then you also jump back and say, but also it's a minimum bar that sometimes you get into the door, you need to check the box of college. Right. 

My: Yeah. And also, especially today, like the economy realistically is doing worse. The job market's doing worse, and that literally means that payoff for school is worse. There is still this level of security you get from it. But and I think it's actually a really, it's a growing issue with Gen Z.

I'm not saying this is a bad thing, but realistically their outlook for their future is more and more bleak. So it's actually us. It's being studied and there are things about it where there's kind of this DGAF mentality like don't give a fuck mentality for Gen Z towards their future.[01:03:00] 

And I totally agree. I understand. Like why would they want to spend all this time investment in school, going to these expensive programs, maybe go to debt when they're gonna live their life and not be able to financially achieve their goals anyways.

And at that point, yeah, why not maybe be a little more risky. Do something off the beaten path that maybe school isn't required, but understanding there is then the risk associated with that, where you could do a lot worse compared to you went to school.

J.R.: I like that. I think that's a very good hot take coming from a, a college professor. 

My: Yeah. But go to college. I need my bills to be paid and you know, pay community college, which a lot of 'em are really low cost. And for you nowadays. 

J.R.: Right. No, that's that. I feel like the ROI is definitely better for that. Or maybe that's just a butcher selling meat.

Cool. All right, last one, rapid fire then. So we can wrap this up. Favorite recent purchase in the 50 to a hundred dollars range that has impacted your life the most in the last, let's say six months? 

My: Sounds good. I mentioned it went to Japan. I bought this probably gonna say around like, wait, is it Ry?[01:04:00] 

I could be wrong. Same thing. They wearing humans later. 

J.R.: Super. Oh, okay. 

My: Yeah. Oh dope. And I embroided the inside. I wear it whenever I walk my dog now. Nice. Because I tend to shirtless in my house. 

J.R.: Nice. 

My: Super cool. I was actually a little under 50, I think it was like 30 something dollars, but anywhere else I went it was like 50 plus for something like comparable, I would say.

So I found a really good deal and it reminds me of Japan. Makes me feel very cool. Probably look ridiculous walking outside with it, but it's very convenient to throw on when I'm walking my dog. 

J.R.: Okay, follow up question. Were you looking for that before or did you stumble upon it and then bought it? 

My: Kind of actually. I stumbled upon it specifically but I've actually had something of that sort in my Amazon basket for like forever. I just couldn't really justify 'cause I felt like it'd be really crappy quality and there's remember like 20 bucks already anyways, so I was really happy with paying like an extra $10 for something with the memories of Japan and much [01:05:00] higher quality.

J.R.: Like souvenir higher quality too. 

My: Yeah. I will admit it's used though, so that probably helped the cost. 

J.R.: Alright, cool. End of rapid fire questions. Is there anything you feel like we left out? Any words of wisdom we wanna give to our audience? I think it's been great so far.

My: Thanks. It's been pretty good, pretty happy the conversation and enjoy catching up with you as well. JR. 

J.R.: Sweet. Nice. Okay, well, I guess we'll have another check-in at right after this, but, so last, or sorry. Any questions? First one, gratitude. Shout out to my mom. We always end with gratitude. So My, what are you grateful for?

My: I am grateful for my body that allows me to do all the things that I do. Like you mentioned, getting older, you're feel your back more. I definitely feel some joints more, but realistically, if I wasn't physically capable of doing the things I do, I'd probably be depressed and pretty miserable. 

J.R.: Yeah, that's fair. Do you have a final ask from the audience or any final takeaways you'd like them to have from this conversation? 

My: I think more just a [01:06:00] reiteration of my ideas, but go out and do the things you wanna do. Don't let you stop yourself from being you. 

J.R.: Nice. That is the answer to the billboard question, by the way.

So you did answer that. Snuck that one in. Cool. All right, and final question, My, where can people find you if they wanna check out what you're up to or connect or anything like that? 

My: I already mentioned my college, so please don't stalk me there. That'd be weird. But you can find me on IG at either my personal Instagram my tvo, or my rock climbing Instagram, my climbs.

J.R.: Nice. Yeah. And I'll link to that in the show notes, in the description, so you guys will find it. Feel free to stalk him. He just gave you permission. Stalk him online. Not at ibc, not in person on, yeah, not at ibc, which you can definitely Google and just hang out and definitely see where he is at.

Cool. All right. My, thank you so much for this conversation. I really appreciate it. I learned a lot. It was cool to get your backstory, your insights. And I don't know if I mentioned this, but [01:07:00] I think teachers and coaches and people who like to teach what they've learned are always my favorite guests.

'cause I feel like y'all are good at reflecting and it's perfectly aligns with what I want from this show. So I appreciate you.

So before we stop the recording, I'll do my final sign off. So thank you guys for being here. I really appreciate it. Be sure to like, follow, subscribe, leave us five stars in whatever platform you're listening to.

I really appreciate it. It helps with findability. Reminder to always be kind to other people, especially yourself. And remember that you can always learn something from someone if you take the time to listen. So thank you guys for being here. 

My: Sounds good.