J.R.: [00:00:00] Hello, and welcome back to another fun episode of One Thousand Gurus, where we share the stories and lessons from people of all walks of life. And I'm your host, J.R. Yonocruz.

Today we have back on the show The One DNA for his second appearance exactly two years after his first episode. We had a lot to catch up on considering within that timeframe he moved to Vietnam for about a year.

So we recapped his experiences, lessons, takeaways, and mostly a lot of my own self-interested questions about travel advice, tips, and recommendations as I do aspire to travel there one day. I'm a huge fan of Vietnamese iced coffee for those of you who don't know. Aside from that, we also talk about him exploring more creative avenues, returning to music with healthier boundaries, the importance of stepping back and making new connections, as well as teasing some exciting things that he's working on next.

It was a lovely catch-up conversation with such a vibrant and warm personality that is The One DNA, and hopefully you guys enjoy following along. So without further ado, please enjoy this return conversation with The One DNA 

Hello, and [00:01:00] welcome back to One Thousand Gurus. TheOneDNA, welcome back to the show. 

Duy: What is up, JR? Thank you so much for having me. It's been exactly two years since our, Yeah ... our first podcast. Crazy. 

J.R.: Yeah. It's 

Duy: good to be 

J.R.: back. Pretty exciting. I'll let the audience know, so if you guys don't know Duy's episode number 11, season two, recorded in October 12th, 2024, published in December 2024, and it is right now Saturday, October 10th.

So yeah, pretty much exactly two years on the dot. So we have a lot to catch up on. I'm pretty excited. Absolutely. Yeah, we're going to run this as like a friends catch up kind of f- informal conversation and chat. So we have a lot to catch up on, obviously, in two years, so- Yes ... I know the long and short of what I would like to cover in this episode is obviously what you've been up to for the last two years.

Yes ... we know you've had some big life changes and moves, and you lived in another country, and you came back. 

Duy: Yes. 

J.R.: I'm sure you've had a lot of experiences, stories, lessons, breakthroughs, takeaways, et cetera. So we'll dig into all of that. So just off the gate, [00:02:00] is there anything you wanna TL;DR tease for right now, just as, just how you've been?

Duy: Well, to those who have yet to know who I am, hi, my name is TheOneDNA, and my real name is Duy, or, well, if you wanna pronounce it the right way, it's Duy. I am a singer, songwriter, producer, LGBT content creator, all things creative. And yeah, I'm, I'm so happy to be back to have insightful conversations with the GOAT, one and only JR from One Thousand Gurus.

J.R.: Thank you so much for being back. I'm excited to dig into it, 'cause again, two years worth of your experience, I'm, I'm very curious.

My going away party was about a year ago. So 2024, I believe I had just started my other day job.

Duy: I was in social work. 

 So last year you had your going-away party. Yeah. We, we had recorded the year prior to that- Yeah ... but we had obviously been talking and hanging out and whatnot. 

Yeah. 

J.R.: And so, okay, so actually it's more of, like, a year fast-forward, and then- A year fast-forward

you're going away. And then a- another year [00:03:00] fast-forward, and it's today. Yeah. And 

Duy: here we are today. Yeah. 

J.R.: Yes. Here we are. So then,

Duy: So, so much has happened since then, TLDR. 

J.R.: Yeah. 

Duy: A lot 

J.R.: has happened. If you could, if, if you could sum up your TLDR 2025, what would you say stands out to you? 

Duy: Yeah. So I, I moved last year, like, towards the last quarter of last year, and I just got back. Like, actually exactly two months ago today was- Mm-hmm ... when I moved back to the US.

Sad. 

J.R.: Yeah, yeah, yeah. So then that was the end of 2025. So how would you categorize the f- you know, the first, you know, half, two-thirds, three-quarters of 2025? 

Duy: Oh, my goodness. Life-changing, monumental. I had a chance to work on myself in ways that I possibly could have never imagined. Introspective, healing.

Healing would be the ultimate word to encapsulate my entire experience living in Vietnam, for sure. Definitely a much-needed remedy that I had so needed for the longest time. [00:04:00] So yeah, I, I- Mm ... I feel really grateful that I, I gave myself the opportunity to do something that I thought seemed so out of reach at the time.

But now to say that I did that, I've... And I've accomplished so much during my time there I am proud of myself for, for taking that leap of faith. So yeah. 

J.R.: Mm. Okay. So, so that was the end of 2025 throughout most of 2026, right? 

Duy: Yes. 

J.R.: Okay. So what about the first half of 2025? So my question is- Oh ... from when we recorded...

Yeah. From when we recorded until the next year before you left, how would you categorize that part of your life? So I'm just 

Duy: trying to- Oh ... catch, 

J.R.: catch us up. 

Duy: Emotionally, mentally daunting, lost, defeated. Just nothing but really a looming sense of, like, negativity, just, cl- that clouded pretty much like my entire reality at that point in my life.

I don't know if I told you, but shortly before I moved to Vietnam, I actually had thought long and hard about my music career, and at that point, [00:05:00] shortly before moving, I had made the decision to quit the industry for good and to, you know, leave that chapter of my life behind. And I thought about it long and hard because as you know, I mean, like, music and singing has always been a huge, huge part of my life.

I started singing when I was five, and I knew I wanted to, to pursue it professionally when I was about 10 years old. So I mean, pretty much like my entire life and for the longest time, like that's all I ever knew. Music became such a huge part of my identity. And so, you know, along the way, you know, there's been, you know, ups and downs, peaks and valleys.

I mean, like no industry is ever easy, but, you know, being in the music industry it's no walk in the park, you know, as many of us know. Especially being an independent artist, it can feel incredibly turbulent and alone in that process. And I just reached a point where I-- And for the record, you know, throughout the course of my entire career, there have been moments where I would question my place in the industry, but [00:06:00] I was able to navigate through those moments.

But for some reason in 2025, those thoughts were as loud as ever, and I couldn't escape from them, and it, and it just reached a point where I felt so crippled. I, I basically just lost a sense of myself, like my identity, my, my purpose in life. I, I, I didn't know what it was anymore. I didn't know who I was anymore, and it felt really scary.

And so I reached a, a self ultimatum where I was like, "Well, I'm, I'm not happy being in this environment, being here without music." I mean, up until that point, yeah, I mean, like I, I, I can, I can acknowledge that while I have been fortunate enough to accomplish a lot of milestones along the way, there have also been a lot of you know, not so positive moments too.

And so I guess I really leaned into those negative thoughts more and kind of like brushed off like all my accomplishments. 'Cause when, when, when you're in that mindset, like none of that matters anymore. And so it was, it was really hard for me. So I was like, "Well, I, I'm 30. Well, I'm a- I'm about to be 30.

I'm nowhere near where I [00:07:00] wanna be in my life." I'm clearly a failure. If I don't have music, what am I? And, and, and so it, it was such a dark, a dark, dark moment for me. And so that's when I decided I, I, I think it's time. I don't think music is meant for me anymore. But leading up to the move, my best friend, and I spoke with my mom too, and they were, they were both incredibly supportive.

Shout outs to my mom and Yvonne, y'all are amazing. I spoke with, with my best friend over the phone, and she basically told me, "You know, I've been following you. I've been following your music for many, many, many years. Basically, I grew up with you and your, and your music. I understand from where you're coming from, and I'll support you whatever decision you decide to make.

But because I know you and I know how passionate you are, and I know how hard you continue to work towards your craft, it's all very inspiring. Maybe instead of quitting Consider taking a break while you're in Vietnam, and then hopefully if everything aligns, you will [00:08:00] gradually repair your relationship with music.

And, and I'm so glad that I listened, listened to her advice because that's exactly what I did. And you know that saying where, like, you know, no matter how hard you try to f- run away from your passions, somehow it'll always lead its way back to you even in moments when you, when you would least expect it, right?

And so that's exactly what had happened to me with my music. And I, I just feel so fortunate that I gave myself that chance, that I listened to my best friend because I wouldn't be here. And, and, and I'll, and I'll get to my creative endeavors in a bit. But ultimately, I, I just feel really grateful.

And Vietnam changed me so much and has healed me in so many ways and, and I, I, I just feel so grateful to have community there and also here too. So just been trying to reclaim or rewrite my narrative here and there, so. 

J.R.: Yeah. So I wanna take your adventure and living in Vietnam piece by piece a little bit, Mm-hmm

instead of taking too much of a step back. Sure. But I wanna echo and really... I really resonate with that piece of your [00:09:00] passions kind of find you no matter where you're at or even if you take a break. I feel the same way about- Yeah ... dance, where I got to a point where I'm like, "Okay, I need to take a break."

And in my break, I found different avenues and methods or, or mediums of dance that really re- helped me reconnect with my love and joy of dance. 'Cause at that point it was more of, like, a duty or responsibility- Mm-hmm ... being, like, the leader of a team. And now I'm dancing for myself and the joy of it, and I feel like I've broken through, like, a plateau of my own creative passion, I guess.

So I totally resonate with that. Right. So I w- I wanna dig into now your adventures in Vietnam. So, just my brain is thinking of this into thirds, right? Yes. So, like, you land in Vietnam. You hit the ground. I wanna dig into what your intentions were, what the energy was, what your plan was going forward.

Sure. And then mid-journey, where you're like, okay, now you're getting to the groove of things. You're... Things are happening. You're figuring things out. You're having experiences, and it's great. And then the last third of the journey is like, okay, so what were the transformation turning points where now you've made the decision, [00:10:00] okay, now it's time to move back and go onto the next chapter, next journey.

Mm-hmm. I really wanna lean into this whole if you were, like, the the character, the main character of a story, and what's the transformation? What's the journey arc- Sure ... to dig into that piece, which I think would be really fascinating. So first third of your story what was it like hitting the ground running, just landing in Vietnam, and what was your energy and intention and plan at that point?

Duy: Okay. So to preface that, I will say that my intentions of moving to Vietnam, actually there were several reasons. But ultimately it falls under one reason, and that was to find myself again and to heal myself. 'Cause I've been in OC for like, what? 15 years because I was born and raised in Australia.

I think I mentioned that on the last podcast. And then my family and I moved here when I was like 14, 15, and yeah, basically 15 years of my life here. And I've, I've gone through some stuff over here a lot of hardships, trials and tribulations, what have you. So there's a lot of like negative energy associated with Orange County specifically, and just being in [00:11:00] that kind of environment really sucked the life out of me, like quite literally.

And so while I was pondering about my life, like in 2025, I, I was like, maybe, maybe the key to this solution is extract myself from this environment that I've grown so accustomed to. 

J.R.: Mm. 

Duy: And that's been literally like, you know, sucking the life out of me and throw myself in a new one altogether. And I immediately thought of Vietnam.

Immediately. I didn't like question it. But at the time, like it just felt like wishful thinking, like delusional maybe. I'm like, "There's no way. You, you've never done that before, ever. Like, like there is absolutely no, no way." So then I kinda shelved that thought for a bit, and then several months later I revisited because, you know, again just so much negativity came barreling through into my life and I just couldn't take anymore.

And so I, I revisited those thoughts and I was like, " Could that be the move?" Like quite literally [00:12:00] like is that like, is that the play for me here? Like to move to Vietnam, to move to a different country. So then I, I spoke with my mom and I spoke with my best friend, and from the beginning, they were incredibly supportive.

My mom was like, "You know what? Maybe this might be good for you. And not only will you give yourself the chance to heal yourself and find yourself again, this is also a great opportunity for you to be that much closer with our roots," which I'm so proud of to be Vietnamese, Vietnamese American, Vietnamese, all of that.

And so after talking to my mom and my best friend, I think it really gave me the validation and the reassurance I needed. And then also at the time, I was following a couple of content creators who also, you know, did something like pretty similar or if not like, like the same essentially, and I'll shout them out right now.

Broke the Habit his name is Peter. Cleft Lip Chris his name is Chris. Cobby Vu. Those three are some of of the people that I followed. And honestly, each of them really played a part in motivating me and reassuring me that me moving to Vietnam [00:13:00] would probably become the best decision of my life, which happened to be the case, or one of the best decisions of my life.

So shout out to them. And yeah, so I, I remember one day I went on Google and I booked my, my one-way ticket, and there I was. Eight months in advance so that I could hold myself accountable and no turning back. And, and honestly, I was just itching to get out of here because I was just tired of, of, of living like that kind of life at that time.

I was miserable. So yeah. So fast-forward to me entering Vietnam for the first time in twenty years. It's crazy. Like the last time I was there, I was in fifth grade with my family, and you could imagine like how much has changed. Like Vietnam is constantly changing. It's constantly evol- evolving at such a rapid, rapid rate.

I'm s- I'm, I'm so proud of like what our community continues to build. Yeah, I remember, Leaving the airport in Vietnam, and I remember, like, stepping out at, like, 6:00 in the morning. I took a whiff of that humid air, which I, I, I love the humidity, by the way. It's, it's good for the [00:14:00] vocal cords.

And I was like, " This is, this is exactly where I needed to be." And it just felt so right. It, it, it felt like, felt like I belonged there. And I remember, I, I, I remember just familiarizing myself with, like, everything and everyone around me and just hearing, like, the motor... Like, m- the motorbikes and, like, people honking and just, like, the, like, organized chaos of it all.

It just felt right, you know? Yeah, and to be honest with you, 'cause people would ask me, " Did you experience culture shock?" And to be honest with you, no. I, I feel like I lucked out in that area. And I think what really played a role there is, one, I'm Vietnamese, and two I do speak the language.

At the time, I wasn't as fluent but I knew, like, more than enough to, like, get by. And I think that really helped, contributed to me immersing and assimilating and adapting to the environment there. And so yeah, I di- I didn't really experience much culture shock to be honest with you. It, it, it honestly f- [00:15:00] felt It just felt right.

It, it, it felt safe. It, it felt comforting. It felt like everything that I had hoped for, you know, leading up to the move. But then also at the same time, I, I didn't wanna, like, set like too m- too many expectations. You know, I wanted to come in clean slate, expect unexpected, and to just learn and grow and evolve as you go.

And that's exactly what I did. So yeah the, the first like month or so, just full immersion, just trying to like acclimate and just trying to like understand like the way of life there, like, cultural differences if there, if there was any connecting with like the locals and the expat community there.

I, I really went all in and, you know, me being a content creator I had to be extra intentional of like, of the content that I wanted to share. And so part of that was me starting my LGBT street interview series where I went out there and I interviewed and I had insightful conversations with LGBT locals and also expats too.

And just to, you know, chat [00:16:00] with them about life there being LGBT and to understand the nuances of there versus here and like if there, if there are any layers inter-intertwined. So honestly, just being a part of that moment was truly an eye-opening experience for me, and I learned so much about like, you know, like the culture then, and then, then, and then like the LGBT community, my community, you know, both here and there.

And one of the first videos that I had posted one of the first interviews I had posted with Brian and Alex it became pretty viral. So I, I, I feel so grateful and, and it was just really nice just seeing like discourse, like productive discourse like in the comments, just having these conversations, and that really motivated me to continue on like the series and, and now that I'm back here, I'm continuing that series here, and I'm talking to LGBT folks here too.

So, that has been such a rewarding experience for me as a content creator and also being LGBT as a Vietnamese American. 

J.R.: Mm-hmm. 

Duy: And then also, so I wanted to piggyback off of what you had mentioned at the beginning, you know, like, your your passion towards [00:17:00] dancing and, and just finding like, you know, different mediums within like within, within the medium.

For me, I While I didn't sing as much over there per se, I still nurtured and tended to my creative outlet through other avenues, if that makes any sense. For example, I had the pleasure of becoming friends with the co-owner and co-founder of Temple House and you know, through the course of my time there, we were able to produce and co-host several creative events together.

So I, I'm so grateful to have her in my life. She's like a big sister to me 'cause, you know, I have two younger brothers. I'm the eldest, so she, she's like, you know, the big sister that I never had, that I never had. And I, I, I truly look up to her a lot. So, people like her really helped me mend my relationship with, you know, all things creative.

So I ke- I kept busy. I truly kept busy. And you know what? Like, I had to, and I, and I wanted to because if, if I, if I honestly didn't keep myself busy and stimulated, then why, why bother [00:18:00] moving? I mean, I could easily mope around and, you know, throw myself in my room here, right? Like, why, like, waste all that time, money, and energy- Yeah

to do it over there? So I had to, I had to be very intentional. So, you know, me being- Mm-hmm ... the goal-oriented person that I am, I really sought out like You know, trying to, like, live my best life there, you know? And, and I feel like over time I was able to accomplish that. And obviously, you know, it takes a village.

I, I mean, there was no way I, I could have possibly done it on my own. I mean, I, I had my support system here in the US virtually, and then I also had my community over in Vietnam too, which I'm, which I, which I feel incredibly blessed. And sometimes I'm like, I feel like I don't deserve, like, like, all this kindness, but, but then I realize, you know what?

I, I, I think I need to be kind, kind to myself a little bit. And also, I f- I feel like I'm a good person. I really try my best to be intentional and to, like, be as helpful and conscientious, like, with those around me. And, you know, I also believe in karma, so what you give, you receive in [00:19:00] return. And I feel like that's exactly what had happened during my time there.

So yeah. Yeah. I, I, I just feel incredibly full with, with joy and, and gratitude, to be honest with you. Just, like- Yeah ... just thinking about it just makes me emotional. 

J.R.: That's awesome. Okay. So just to recap, you mentioned the intention in the first third, the first phase of this adventure was to take yourself into, out of your old environment into a new one- Yeah

to really find yourself, to live life, explore, be intentional about content creation. And you weren't really singing as much, but you were still pursuing your artistry in different ways. Elsewhere, yeah. Yeah. So moving into phase two, so about the mid, mid phase, mid third of, of your trip what were some of the insights that you had and/or any challenges?

I'm curious. I'm sure not everything is sunshine and rainbows. And I think the hero's journey and the character arc of everyone is, everything is great in retrospect. But as you're going through it, could you walk us through what that second third of your journey was like and any challenges you had?

Duy: Not so much [00:20:00] challenges per se, but more so insight. 

J.R.: Mm. 

Duy: Right? Just very incredibly educational moments, which was, which honestly was what I wanted anyway, 'cause I wanted to learn, I wanted to grow, I wanted to evolve. I wanted to be more connected with my roots and all that. But to delve deeper into that question one of the things that...

I, I mean, I kinda already had an idea, like stepping in, but it wasn't until, like, I truly immersed myself in, in the environment that I actually, like, learned in real time. And, and, and it's, it's, it's not a situation where, where like, you know, like one is right and the other person is wrong. It's just the way things are.

Like I, I understood the stepping in, obviously culture differences. I understand that I'm Vietnamese, but I'm Vietnamese American. I was born and raised in a Western country. Things that, things that we deem as socially appropriate or acceptable may or may not translate well over there. And, and again, like they're not right, Yeah

I mean, I mean, they're not right or wrong, nor are we right or wrong. But at, at the end of the day, you [00:21:00] have to understand that I'm in their turf. Yeah. I'm in their territory. I have to respect and adapt to what's going on around us over there, right? 

J.R.: Were there any specific examples that you came across where it was that adjustment of like, "Okay, this is something I learned," or insights or breakthroughs?

Duy: I think like just like the way I, like, word and articulate certain things. Like some... Like, I remember at first I mean, I, I, I honestly can't remember what I said, like specifically, but I think it came off a bit too strong. So then I realized- Oh ... oh, like maybe I need to like take it down a couple of notches.

It's the, it's the same intent. I mean, the, the answer is still the same, but it also really like depends on how you articulate those thoughts, right? The intention is the same, but the delivery may, may not be different there. Right. So that's something I- Can vary by 

J.R.: culture, right? 

Duy: Yeah, culture differences.

 So now going back to, we were just talking about your, like, your love life and dating, and then we're moving into the last third of your adventure. So would you like to pick up there? 

Yes. So because I pretty [00:22:00] much knew that I was gonna return to the US to be honest with you, the last two months or so, and honestly, at that point, everything just flew by incredibly fast. I'm like, oh my gosh, like, what is even this? At that point, I had started to mentally prepare myself for the return. And so I started, feeling sad and began grieving- began the grieving process relatively early. So at that point, I was just, again, just trying to remain productive commit to my my content creating commitments collaborations my projects over there and seeing my friends there hosting my farewell party over there before returning here.

So it's just, constantly, go, go, go mentality. And didn't really hit, hit me until like the last, like week leading up to me leaving. But ultimately despite me feeling sad and knowing that I will miss all this, miss what I've built and what I've built alongside these incredible people, I really wanted to like flip the narrative, like turn [00:23:00] the negative-- I wouldn't even call it negative, but like turn the sadness into a positive mindset, if that makes any sense.

And I've shared this with with my friends here and there too. Me feeling sad really just goes to show that I did something right over there because it means that I built something. And so now that I've returned obviously because I'm missing all these moments, all these experiences it just means that I had built something so meaningful over there and as something to look forward to when I do return to Vietnam again just to visit.

So that was pretty much my mentality like towards the tail end and even, even till today. I think just having that mindset, Is quite helpful and conducive towards me feeling at peace mentally and emotionally.

Also I guess this kinda ties into like the second phase and the third phase of this podcast is going back to my creative work and my music and, and returning to music. I don't wanna reveal too much just yet 'cause right now that project is still on the down low at the time of [00:24:00] this podcast release.

But let's just say that I have been so, so, so fortunate, completely unexpected of course, to be working on this specific project my first record what feels like forever ago. I am working alongside such incredible people one person I've looked up to for a long, long time, and that's all that I'll give you.

But I'm just so, so excited for people to hear this record, this labor of love. Right now as of today, we're wrapping up the next phase of this project, and it's all coming together, and it sounds fire. I'm so excited. Like I, I'm manifesting this, this project so hard.

It's been a while since I've dreamed of something this big towards a certain project and I'm sure you can relate to this, J.R., but to be successful you gotta be delusional, right? And so that's pretty much like the theme here. But of course me returning to music, I obviously had to set healthy boundaries.

I don't [00:25:00] wanna throw myself in like full force, like 2,000% like cold turkey 'cause I don't wanna like shock myself. So I, I, I did set boundaries like, stepping into this industry again. So yes, I'm returning to music. I'm returning to writing and singing and recording again. But no pressure just have fun, enjoy the process, do what you need to do, but also understand that if things don't work, things don't work out even though I don't even wanna, like, describe it that way because I feel like things have been working out exactly that it needs to be, if that makes any sense.

But, like, let's say if it doesn't, like, quote-unquote, "blow up" however you wanna define that, that's okay. Because ultimately to me, what's most valuable is the process leading up to that moment and the relationships that were built upon it. To me, I find those moments incredibly special, and I feel like that's something that I, will continue to take away from.

And hey if all goes well and, and the stars align, whatever and it picks up then hey, all the better, right? But yeah, I've, I've just re- I've [00:26:00] just reached a point in my life, like, where I don't wanna be hard on myself anymore, and I certainly don't want to end up where I was leading up to the move, right?

Just like, what, over a year ago. So I, I've really been actively putting in, like, that self-work to work on my self-worth and, and just to, just to overall, like, reclaim my life, rebuild my narrative just to, just to, just to become a much better and evolved me, I guess. That's, that's the moral of the story.

J.R.: I wanna take a step back just to make sure I hit some questions, open questions that I have. Just to recap, and correct me if I'm wrong on any of these things. I'm just trying to- Yeah ... piece it all together. Yeah. So the move to Vietnam was mostly just to take a break, put yourself in a new environment, live life, explore, find yourself, heal, et cetera.

Duy: Culture. 

J.R.: And culture, yeah- Yeah ... to, to learn and grow, and it wasn't really to pursue music, and so you didn't really do much musically, but you were creating content. Is that correct? Creating content- And then by the end 

Duy: of 

it- ... 

Duy: and [00:27:00] I, and I, and I nurtured my creative side through other creative mediums, so like hosting- Okay and producing, yeah. 

J.R.: Gotcha. And then so- Mm-hmm ... so you did all of that stuff, but going to Vietnam, you knew you were gonna come back within a year. So what was that intention like? Like, why a year, and why go there just to come back? And then- Okay ... you know, now that you did come back, what was the intention now?

Is it... So y- you mentioned getting back to music, right? 

Duy: Yeah. Good question. Honestly, this is a question where to this day I still get asked a lot, and to be honest, I don't blame them ' cause people expected, "Oh, like, I thought you'd be there for, like, forever essentially or, like, at least, like, I don't know, five-plus years."

And to be honest with you, I did... That did cross my mind, like, towards the halfway point, and I did think about it long and hard. And to be honest with you, as much as I truly enjoyed living there, you know, during that timeframe, I also have to be honest with myself and I... and just understand, like, the bigger picture.

Yeah, I mean, like, you know, being there is great and all, but [00:28:00] I have to think about, like, my, my future, my long-term career and stuff. And at that time, okay, it just felt like- There wasn't a firm enough reason at the time for me to justify that I need to stay here or I should stay here, you know, long term.

And I'm also well aware that, that my decision at that time doesn't take away from my experiences leading up to that point. It just that's just the way life goes, and you just have to roll with it, right? But that being said, Vietnam will always be there. Maybe like later down the line if e- if all things work out and I have all the money in the world and everything is like, stable then it would be really nice for me to live here six months and then like fly over there and live there for six months kind of a situation.

And now with my, my, my partner in the picture obviously we're still very much taking it slow. But we're manifesting a bright future ahead. But if all things work out the way it's intended for the both of us, then yeah, I mean, like we, we have talked about having that plan become a reality.

So it wasn't... Was it originally when you left it was gonna be [00:29:00] a year, or was there some point in time you decided, "Okay, I think a year is enough of this sort of side quest adventure, exploring, and giving yourself this experience"? Or 

how did you decide that? I had, I had, I had set myself a timeline, but I wasn't closed off entirely to the idea of possibly extending if I needed to.

J.R.: Okay. But I- Okay, so the one-year mark was already there going in, or 

Duy: the one-year sort of timeline It was set, yeah, for, for the most part. Okay, gotcha. Yeah, but I was open to the possibility- Possibility ... of staying there longer. But at the time- Mm ... there wasn't a firm enough reason to justify me staying there longer.

I, I felt that me coming back to the US was the right thing to do just to rebuild my life here.

just like continuing the theme of being kind and patient with myself and just continue doing my thing, rewriting my narrative here, re- slowly reconnecting with people, continuing my, my content here, which I have been doing, by the way,

just take it one, one moment at a time,

J.R.: Okay, so basically it was kind of like a career life consideration of- Yes

obviously you loved your time in Vietnam and it's great, but you knew [00:30:00] you wanted to come back here to further your career and kind of build your life and settle here 'cause this is where you want to be, and there wasn't- For now ... really a reason to stay. Yeah, for now. For now. Right. Of course, we're not saying anything set in stone.

That could change in, like, 

Duy: two years. Who, who, who knows? 

J.R.: Yeah, of course. Yeah. We're, we're saying, like, your mindset at the time and currently is that, okay, your, like, c- career considerations and life considerations, you, you're deciding and choosing to be here. Obviously, in the future things can change, 

Duy: But again, with my partner in the picture the goal is for us...

if things work out, in the future, we get married, and then the two of us will build a life together here in the US. And then in the future, like, the whole concept of us living here six months, living there six months we definitely align on that 'cause pretty much, like, all of his family they all live in Vietnam.

So that's, like, long-term goal. But, you know, like, scaling back, right now we're just focused on staying present with our goals and our intentions, 

J.R.: So at this moment, what is your current goal or goals and intentions now that you've, you've been to [00:31:00] Vietnam, you moved back, and now you're focusing again on your life and career in a, in a America sense. What is that now for you? 

Duy: I think, like- Overall, I've just been actively trying really hard to not fall back and regress to where I was prior to me leaving the U.S.

Because otherwise, I mean, like me moving to Vietnam, I mean, like all that for nothing, right? So I, I, I've, I've been really quite cognizant and like conscientious of that. And so I, I've been connecting with people meeting new people and, through my content in interviewing LGBT folks here that's obviously been helping me like with, with my growth and, and developing meaningful interpersonal relationships and, and understanding more about my LGBT community and like my culture here.

I guess you'd call this a rebirth, reincarnation. I don't know. Just, just, just trying to breathe a new life and to rewrite my narrative here because as I mentioned at the beginning, you know, [00:32:00] like before I left for Vietnam yeah, every time when I would think of like Orange County and like California, just nothing but like negativity one after another.

J.R.: So it's changed then. So your feelings of- Yes ... SoCal, Orange County, you don't have those same sort of thoughts? 

Duy: No. I, I f- I feel like me, me leaving for that time period gave me space and closure that I needed. And also me living in Vietnam reminded me that, that there is a life ahead, a better life ahead.

' Cause like, you know, prior to Vietnam, like I, I was at a complete standstill. Like I, I, I felt like I was a lost cause. Like I, I felt like I had no way out. But me, me living in Vietnam, breathing a new life, living a new life, like meeting new and different people in a way like it kind of like jolted me back into, like, reality, a new reality.

And it helped me grow and develop, like, in, in so many different aspects of my life both [00:33:00] intrinsically and, and extrinsically. So I, I, I, I just feel really grateful that Vietnam essentially gave me a s- another chance at life. That's, that, that's really, like, the the overall summary of my time there.

Vietnam- Mm-hmm ... truly gave me another chance at life. 

J.R.: Were there any specific takeaways you feel like anyone could pull or learn from your experience there? So obviously you mentioned it transformed you, gave you a new perspective, allows you to take a step back from your life here in Orange County. Yeah.

Were there any things that maybe the audience can take away for themselves if they're going through a similar journey? 

Duy: Yeah. I mean, honestly, I'm not saying that, "Oh, pack your bags and move, like, halfway across the world." I mean, if you have the means set and, and you feel like that's what's best for you and aligns with, with all your needs and, and whatever, then go for it.

I know will sound so cheesy and redundant, but it's so true.

You are much more capable and worthy than you think you are. your, your, your intrusive thoughts, say that [00:34:00] you're not enough you're not this, you're not capable, you're not this or that.

They're just simply not true. And when you're in that moment of like feeling so alone and alienated within your own world, oftentimes you forget that you have such a strong support system. And I myself felt that way for the longest time. So this is my reminder to all of you who's watching that anyone who's struggling or going through hardships, big or small, again, cliché as heck, but There is a light at the end of the tunnel.

There is that silver lining. It is there if you actively look for it. Meaning like- Mm-hmm ... you just gotta, you just gotta believe in yourself. And, and also on top of that, having that support system really helps.

J.R.: So going back to the question you know, what can people take from this experience or what they can do for themselves? So if you can take a one-way ticket to Vietnam or some country of your choice, that might give you some perspective, take you out of your environment, and maybe you realize that you c- you have a support system and/or [00:35:00] are able to build a new one or multiple ones that can help you through life, and that was kind of like some of, some of the biggest takeaways that you had from your adventure.

Duy: Absolutely. And also to not be afraid, not be afraid to take risks. And also a, a wise friend of mine, also a content creator, he's a Vietnamese Canadian, but he lives there now.

Some- something that really stood by me from the moment I moved to the, to Vietnam, 'cause he was, like, one of the first people that I connected with over there I still carry with me to this day I remember him saying, "Just surrender yourself to the moment." just surrendering myself, just being open-minded.

And then over time, these, these opportunities will, will come to you, 

J.R.: This is a selfish question, but as someone who's always wanted to go to Vietnam as a newbie- Oh, you've never been to Vietnam?

as someone who doesn't know the language, and it's, it's definitely high on my bucket list. So what tips or advice do you have for someone like myself who wants to go visit and wants to plan a trip there? Advice. 

Duy: Okay. Right now, we're in peak monsoon [00:36:00] season. Obviously- 

J.R.: So not today. Not today.

Yeah. Yeah. But, like, a general advice for someone who wants to go to Vietnam not seasonal tips, but just general things of like, "Hey, if you're trying to come visit Vietnam, I've lived there. I'm Vietnamese American. Here's my advice to you." 

Duy: Honestly, plain and simple, keep an open mind 

J.R.: Okay.

I like that, but more tactical. 

Duy: Okay. Tactical? Okay. What are, 

J.R.: what are some actual things that as someone who I want to actually travel there, what should I keep in mind? 

Duy: Hmm. Okay. I think, well, kind of like, echoing off of what I had addressed, like, earlier on in this podcast, just, just understand just having that mindfulness that in many ways we, I guess like, you know, in your case as tourists, you know, come from a place of privilege.

And I feel like, you know, not everyone, but certain people o- overlook that or don't even realize it or take advantage of, of, of, you know, their privilege, I guess. So I think like, you [00:37:00] know, tying into the whole mentality of keeping an open mind, I really think just understand, like, you know, the way of life there.

Obviously respect the culture, respect the environment and the people within it, because at the end of the day, you're in their turf, right? But also I, I will say that Vietnam honestly by far, and, and I'm not, I'm not... I mean, I'm Vietnamese, but I say this, you know, as unbiased as possible. May- maybe a little bit biased, but, but Vietnam certainly happens to have one of the nicest and friendliest people that you'll ever encounter. Like, doesn't matter if you're Vietnamese or not if they see that you're struggling. And, and, and even if you're not, like, they, they will do, you know, what they can to help you. And even if, you know, they may or may not have, have much, they will always find a way to make you feel like you're at home away from home.

And I can assure you of that as someone who's lived there- Mm ... and me speaking to other people, too. 

J.R.: Okay, cool. So now more tactical again. I like that advice so far. Where do I go? Where do [00:38:00] I stay? What should I do? Oh, 

Duy: okay. Got 

J.R.: you. Got you. Okay.

Duy: Okay. Yeah, yeah. 

So think of Saigon, like specifically like Districts One or District One, think of it... Just imagine Times Square. Like, it's essentially gridlock, so like pretty much like where you wanna go, you can...

It's like within walking distance. So that's the vibe. Like, very lively and vibrant, just constant, just there, there's just, there's just things happening constantly. And then as, as a tourist a, a major tourist Spot or hub rather in in Saigon is Bui Vien Walking Street. There is like, you know, late night activity, there's bars, there's clubs restaurants that open like until like pretty, pretty late at night.

A- also like Vietnam is known for, you know, their coffee. You know, coffee central, coffee culture galore. 

J.R.: That's where I'm, that's why I'm going there is to- Yeah ... is to consume my body weight in cafe sua da. So,

Duy: I mean, like you will see coffee shops like everywhere, like off of every corner. Street vendors [00:39:00] stalls, and then also franchises, like they're all there.

Highlands is one of them. Phu Lam. I, I, I... Are you aware... You know, there's Phu Lam here too, but it, it, it originated, you know, in Vietnam. And, and also, you know, wanna support small local family businesses, you know, support your your vendors, you know, the, the, the, the stalls that you see out on the street.

In terms of food, oh God, I mean like food there is just so good. I mean, like- 

J.R.: Yeah ... 

Duy: well, the thing, the thing about like Vietnam, like Saigon like specifically, I mean like you will encounter like people from like different backgrounds, ethnicities. It's, it's, it's a huge melting pot filled with like, you know, locals and expats tourists galore.

So, you know, there's something for everyone. If you want Viet food, obviously Viet food is of abundance there, and, and, you know, they're all good. And then if you... And if you, and if you're craving for fried chicken, you know, there, there's plenty of awesome fried chicken spots there too. Yeah, yeah

Korean barbecue amazing. Shout out to Meat and Meet.

J.R.: really quick. So not as a [00:40:00] sales pitch to Vietnam- ... but travel tips that are specific to Vietnam in a sense of, if you're going to go to Vietnam, here are some travel tips that I think are helpful for you.

What would those be? 

Duy: Bring a lot of insect repellent. Okay. That's a good tip. A lot of mosquitoes there. Lot of mosquitoes there. And as someone who gets bitten quite often 

J.R.: Do they not have insect repellent there? 

Duy: Oh, they do, yeah. But I don't know why- 

J.R.: Oh, just, just buy, just buy, 

Duy: have them. Yeah, ju- just, just, ju- just buy.

Ju- ju- just have it handy. Yeah. Yeah, 

J.R.: yeah, yeah. Okay. 

Duy: Especially if you plan on being there for, for a minute. Also, a- and also th- this has been, like, ongoing practice, you know, for many, many, many, many, many, many, many years. Pretty much everyone there, they do not drink tap water. Bottled water, or filtered.

So keep that in mind. 

J.R.: Okay. Good tip. 

Duy: And I think just, just smart travels. I'm grateful to say that for the most part everything that I ate over there, I was fine. Never got sick, never experienced food poisoning, knock on wood. I [00:41:00] mean, like, you can, you can experience it anywhere in the world.

I've experienced food poisoning here. 

take a a restaurant or street food if, if you see they're not as busy Probably not a good idea. Yeah. Even locals, I mean, like they, they will comfortably eat at spots like where they have the most customers because obviously- Mm

more customers, more fresh food coming in and out of the kitchen. 

J.R.: Makes sense. 

Duy: Right? So there's, there's more of that guarantee o- of, of safety. And just being mindful of, of your surroundings and also like traffic there is, is pretty intense. Just be aware of what's going on around you, because everything happens incredibly fast 

J.R.: there.

Right, right. 

Duy: Okay. It's like New York times 10. 

J.R.: Right. I imagine. Okay. Yeah. Last two things for my own selfish Vietnam questions is are there places that I should, like areas, cities that I should go, places I should avoid? Hmm. Okay. Yeah. And then how do I prepare for going there? 

Duy: Okay. So I know you're a huge coffee lover, and this is me like, being a sales and a good [00:42:00] friend to the co-owner of this place, Temple House, District 3, Pasteur Street.

Definitely check their place out. Their coffee and cocktails and overall the vibe is is amazing. Check Temple House out. And then to answer your question if you like beaches Danang and Nha Trang are known for for their beaches, clear waters beautiful sandy beaches that both those cities are located in central Vietnam.

Okay. Obviously much more slower pace than in Saigon and Hanoi. And then, yeah, and if, if you wanna learn more about about, like, Vietnam Vietnam's culture, like rich culture, then I suggest going to North Vietnam and Central... so Hue is considered the imperial capital of Vietnam.

So go do consider adding that to your itinerary if you are able to. And if you're into, like the hustling, bustling fast-paced kind of environment kind of like LA and New York, then definitely Saigon is the way to go. And then also, if you wanna [00:43:00] experience even more culture, then go down south to the west.

In Vietnamese the region is Minh Tai essentially countryside. You will meet- Mm-hmm ... like some of the most wholesome, humble, selfless people there. Coconut trees everywhere. Yeah, and just away from, like, the pollution. 

J.R.: Right. 

Duy: For a minute. 

J.R.: So pollution is a big thing there then, like something to consider. 

Duy: Yes. Yes. Okay. So, so if 

J.R.: you- Is it, like, the worst in, like, the big cities, I assume? 

Duy: Yes. Yes. Okay. So, if you're sensitive to air quality and pollution I mean, obviously, I mean, like, I mean, it's not good for anyone, but but overall bring face masks.

J.R.: Okay. 

Duy: You know? 

J.R.: Yeah. 

Duy: Good tip. Bring face masks and, and if you need to I don't know, pack a portable humidifier, air purifier if you need to. But but if you're only there for a short period of time, I don't, I don't think you'd really need to pack, pack it with you. But definitely face masks, and also the UV rays there are pretty intense, so,

J.R.: Oh, crap

Duy: you know if you do [00:44:00] happen to commute using motorbikes grab, a jacket, sunscreen, sunscreen and a, and a light jacket to keep your skin protected. Mm-hmm. 

J.R.: So 

Duy: yeah. 

J.R.: Okay. So, s- last two, so then it's places to avoid. So obviously places to go, but also are there any tips, safety, avoiding tips?

But... And then the, the last part of that is, is there anything I should do preparing to go to Vietnam? 

Duy: Places to avoid. I mean, at least, based on my time there I don't think there was a point where I felt unsafe being in a particular area.

But again, it's just, like, just common sense travel safety. avoid areas that are not as well lit. I think that's just a standard. 

J.R.: Maybe a better question is, like, maybe places to avoid because they're not worth going to.

Like, let's say my time is limited obviously, right? 

Duy: I don't 

J.R.: know. 'Cause, like, for example, like- This 

Duy: is a hard question to answer. 

J.R.: Yeah, 'cause, like, for example, in, like, OC or LA, I could give you a list of places I recommend and places I'm like, "No, skip that because it's definitely not worth 

Duy: it." Oh, 

J.R.: yeah.

Okay. Well- You know what I mean? ... 

Duy: here, let me, let me reframe this for you. [00:45:00] I, I wouldn't say maybe not skip it per se, but it really just depends on what your intentions are. If you really wanna experience, like, true Vietnamese culture, then you gotta go out of Districts 1, 2 and 3. You gotta go to, like, to, like, Gò Vấp, Phú Nhuận, Tân Bình, Bình Thạnh, to truly experience, like, Vietnamese culture.

Obviously, in any district, we're in Vietnam, obviously you'll experience good culture anywhere. But take District 2, for example, Thủ Đức. There's a huge expat community there. For a moment you're gonna forget that you're in Vietnam. A lot of businesses there are Western-owned or have a Western brand or name to it.

Yeah, yeah. So if, if you wanna experience that if you're craving a, like a New York bagel, then they have a store there too. If you're craving for fish and chips, Yeah ... you, you can, you can get that there too. But otherwise- if your focus is to not be in that environment, then you gotta go outside of city central, I guess.

J.R.: Mm. 

Duy: Yeah. 

J.R.: Okay. That's fair. And then so now the piece about how do I, how would I prepare for my trip to [00:46:00] Vietnam? What do you, what are some best practices to prepare for going there? 

Duy: Apply for your visa ASAP. 

J.R.: Mm. What is the- Yeah, as soon as possible ... what is the visa requirements or, like, how long or...? 

Duy: Well, the, the typical visa I believe is 90 days.

Okay. And then it's advised, I mean, I mean, I mean, honestly as early as possible, but, like, at the very earliest, like, a month prior to your departure date just to, just to be secure. Okay. Yeah. And 

J.R.: then there's this- So it's like a regular tourist visa? 

Duy: Yeah, yeah. 90 

J.R.: days. Okay, 

Duy: okay. 90, 90 days. Mm-hmm.

Okay, gotcha. Yeah, 90 days. Mm-hmm. 

J.R.: So at least a month before, if not sooner, apply for that. 

Duy: Yeah, yeah. 

J.R.: Gotcha. 

Duy: Okay. I mean, I mean, I mean, you don't have to, like, you know, go overboard and, like, do it, like, six months ahead, no. But I think one month seems most appropriate. 

J.R.: Mm-hmm. 

Duy: Yeah. 

J.R.: Okay. Anything else- Mm-hmm

to prepare for the trip? 

Duy: Let's see. Oh, yeah. Money exchange. So, I mean, I, I mean, like this, this applies to anywhere you go. Obviously at the airport, only [00:47:00] exchange like enough for you to get out and, and, and like to your accommodation, wherever it is you need to go because obviously the rates like inside the airport are pretty crappy.

I mean, I, I can't remember off the top of my head, but there are institutions or places like in the city where you can exchange your money. Also- For a better rate ... just to keep in mind they established a f- I wouldn't say new, new law, but pretty recently do not exchange your money at jewelry stores because it is against the law.

Gotta find a place- Why is that? ... that is... That's just how it is. 

J.R.: Oh, interesting. 

Duy: Yeah. Yeah. No, like you- 

J.R.: They're like, "No, screw jewelry stores. Don't do 

Duy: that." Y- yeah, you gotta, you gotta go to a, a, a licensed business. Yeah. 

J.R.: Oh, 

Duy: okay. And, and you can find that on Google. Okay. Like, yeah, it's all on Google. 'Cause like- Gotcha

back in the day, a lot of people would go to these jewelry stores because, like, the rates are higher. Mm-hmm. But they've, you know, been cracking down heavily on that. So just- I see ... just 

J.R.: keep that in mind ... 'cause it was like probably unreg- probably unregulated and maybe, like, unlicensed like you said.

Duy: Yeah, so just, just keep that [00:48:00] in mind. Yeah. 

And if you have a sensitive stomach Immodium, Pepto-Bismol. Oh, take probi- take probiotics at least two weeks leading up to the move.

That way it gives your stomach to, like, recalibrate. That's what I did- Yeah ... and I think that kinda helped me a little bit. So, you know, like, as soon as I got there, you know, I obviously ate the food there and, you know, for the most part, I, I was generally fine. Yeah. 

J.R.: Hmm. So probiotics help you calibrate before you leave?

Is that how that works? 

Duy: I guess so. I mean, I honestly don't know how it w- how, how it, like, works. Okay. 

J.R.: I'm sure, I'm sure probiotics are good for your gut health regardless, but I didn't- Yeah ... know that it was, like, preparing for it in order to go to... I've al- I was always told to, like, like honey, local honey helps your body kind of acclimate to it or something like that.

Duy: I would see, I would see, like, a lot of YouTube videos and content creators saying, "Oh, yeah, like, take probiotics."

Even my friend was like, "Yeah, dude, like, take probiotics and then that way it'll help your, your bo- your, your stomach adjust to the food-" Hmm ... "there," because obviously the bacteria there is different than the bacteria here.

J.R.: Yeah, of course. Yeah, yeah. I mean, prob- gut [00:49:00] health is good regardless, so- Yeah, exactly ... always take your probiotic guys. Yeah, 

Duy: regardless if you're traveling or not. Yeah. 

J.R.: The main takeaway from this entire conversation is take your probiotics. 

Duy: Sure. Oh, 

J.R.: God. Nice. Okay, cool. Yeah, thank you for indulging me on my, my selfish Vietnam travel questions.

So I guess w- as we're wrapping this call up or this conversation up, and I know you're in this, you ca- you've been back for a couple of months, and now you have some projects coming up, and you are kind of re-engaging in your music career. Is there anything else with the direction of your life or your career specifically that was insightful or turning point for you?

Duy: I think me being in Vietnam, despite, like, how fast-paced the city is It reminded me rather that it's okay to take a step back sometimes. Because what you'll notice in Vietnam is that, yeah, I mean, everyone's hustling, everyone's like, you know, trying to make their ends meet, but they're still able to prioritize a social [00:50:00] life.

It is m- I feel it is easier to make spontaneous plans over there versus over here. You know, over here it's like, "Oh, are you free?" "No, not like for another two months." Like, we'll pencil in, in the calendar December for a dinner, right? That's just how the way things are here. Whereas in Vietnam, oh, like, you know, again, coffee culture is it there, right?

So, hey, you wanna grab a quick cup of coffee, you wanna chit-chat like an hour, 30 minutes? Boom. Eight times out of 10 it's locked. I feel like in Vietnam, yes, I mean, everyone's busy, everyone's working day and night, but somehow they still make time for that.

Whereas over here, I just feel like we're in that, hustling, capitalist, sometimes toxic mindset. And it's just how things operate here. Just given our livelihoods here, we don't have the time or the luxury to include these things onto our daily schedules.

It, it's sometimes it's not possible. Or j- or it feels that way sometimes.

And then also, going back to earlier when I said [00:51:00] that I've always felt that, that someone at least like even just one person is always available to help you out. And this leads us to my next point.

Oftentimes in Asian countries, they possess a much more collectivist mindset. Whereas over here more individualistic, every person for themselves, we're all doing our own thing. Whereas, like, in an Asian country like Vietnam, again we're all hustling, we're all working hard, but the community is so, so strong.

You can feel it. You feel it in every corner, every block. It honestly just feels so wholesome. It's just one of those moments where, like, I, you, I can't really probably describe it until you experience it yourself, and then you'll know exactly what I mean.

Explore. Enjoy. Yeah. Awesome. Ev- everything that you could want in a good vacation, Vietnam has it. 

J.R.: Yeah. I love that. I'll definitely, I'll definitely let you know when I book that trip, and I'll hit you up for more- And I will- ... more travel advice ... I will 

Duy: personally send you recs, like places to go, places to eat.

Yeah, yeah. I have a lot of good spots. 

J.R.: Yeah, definitely. We'll, we'll [00:52:00] customize the, the feedback. Yeah. Yeah. All right. So let's, let's wrap this up. Thank you so much for everything. Just have the last final questions, like gratitude and where we can find you.

I don't know if we've answered this yet, is what I'm trying to say, but what is next for you? What is your intention? What are you aiming towards? What does the next year or five years look like for you? 

Duy: Well, if we're talking about short-term goals, just in the theme of returning to music, I've been semi-silently working on exciting creative endeavors, so stay tuned for that.

Right. Mm-hmm. So if you wanna follow along for those fun, exciting updates, follow me on social media Instagram, TikTok The One DNA. I'm pretty much, like, always active. You, you got to, right? Being in this industry, being a content creator. I'm always on there. So yeah, like, come chitchat.

Love to connect with even more beautiful people. 

J.R.: So we'll, we'll link all of your socials and website and et cetera in the show notes, so they'll have that.

Okay. Feel free to follow. And so last thing, gratitude. What are you grateful for?

Duy: Just everything and everyone that I've crossed paths [00:53:00] with over the past year, both here and there. I'm grateful for Vietnam as a whole. I'm grateful for the people that I've met there. I'm grateful for the experiences, both positive and constructive.

I'm grateful for growth and the opportunities that came up. Just grateful that I'm still here.

I'm just overall so thankful again that Vietnam reminded me that there is a life worth living a better life ahead for, for me. And I hope to continue bettering myself for as long as possible. 

J.R.: Yeah. Awesome. Yeah. Cool. All right. Well, let's, let's wrap it up.

Thank you for the beautiful insights, beautiful takeaways. Thank you for sharing your story. It was very informative and insightful for me, especially since one of my top goals in life is to go to Vietnam and consume my body weight in Vietnamese iced coffee. So you've excited me to go eventually.

Beautiful. And I'll do my final sign-off for the audience. So thank you guys for being here. Really appreciate it. Be sure [00:54:00] to like, follow, subscribe, all that fun stuff. Leave theoneDNA, Duy love in the comments below. We really appreciate that. And 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. 

Duy: And also be sure to follow One Thousand Gurus. JR is badass. 

J.R.: Thanks, man. Of course. All right. Take care, guys. 

Duy: All right.