From the Ashes Valerie Hwang Beck

About our Guest: Emeroy Bernardo is the founder of a digital marketing agency called Vision Paradox and a professional dancer Los Angeles. He has been dancing since the age of 8 and has been teaching since 2004. He's danced and toured with international companies such as Culture Shock, Antics, and Movin' On Up Productions, performed for the Los Angeles Rose Parade, LA Sparks, LA Clippers, the opening of Super Nintendo Land, and is a two-time City of Alhambra B-Boy Champion, 2017 Prelude Las Vegas Champion, and 2021 MaxOut All Styles Winner.

I knew that reconnecting with Emeroy for this podcast episode was going to be interesting as soon as he started off with "I got arrested and went to jail." Emeroy and I go way back to our days dancing with Antics in 2016, and his personal journey as a dancer, a parent, entrepreneur and as a human being overall has been nothing short of transformative. Follow along our conversation about hard lessons learned, adventures in entrepreneurship, and personal growth.

Key Moments


[01:43] Emeroy opens up about his arrest in 2013 and the subsequent challenges, including his time in jail and the impact on his personal life.
[06:51] Discussing the intense personal development journey that followed his arrest, including anger management and therapy.
[10:11] Emeroy shares the emotional struggles of dealing with Child Protective Services and the fight to maintain a relationship with his son.
[16:08] Valerie and Emeroy discuss the role of ego in personal conflicts and the importance of empathy in relationships.
[23:02] The transformative power of movement and dance in Emeroy's personal growth.
[39:15] The challenges of entrepreneurship, including dealing with loneliness and financial instability.
[48:08] Emeroy's reflections on the importance of patience and long-term thinking in both personal and professional life.

 

Connect with Emeroy Bernardo


Vision Paradox
Temper Tantrum Dance Company
Instagram: @emeroyb

 

More about Valerie Beck & From the Ashes:


Intrepid Wellness
Club Phoenix
From the Ashes - full episode list and transcripts

Thanks for tuning in! If you would like to leave feedback, please e-mail me at valerie@intrepidwellness.life

About our Guest, Reed Wasser, Founder of Human Aeon: Reed Wasser is a capoeirista, psychonaut, and entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience practicing and teaching meditation, movement, breathwork and other techniques for the alignment of consciousness, mind and body. He is a certified Level 2 Wim Hof Instructor and offers workshops on the Wim Hof Method, various breathing techniques, meditation, and shamanic practices, emphasizing simple and effective ancestral techniques for wellness and regeneration. He is also the owner and founder of Human Aeon, a wellness facility in Long Beach, CA where he offers his multifaceted modalities of wellness and consciousness exploration.

In our conversation, we dive into Reed's first encounters with self-inquiry, his philosophy on personal growth, navigating loss and grief, and beyond.

Key Moments:


[03:15] Reed's Background: Reed discusses his journey into wellness and the various disciplines he has studied and taught.
[05:11] Early Experiences: Reed describes a profound childhood experience that sparked his journey into esoteric practices and wellness.
[10:23] Malandragem Mindset: Reed explains the street-wise philosophy of malandragem and its impact on his life.
[11:17] From the Ashes Moment: Reed details his struggles with loss, depression, and autoimmune issues, leading him to discover the Wim Hof Method.
[16:14] Embracing Suffering: Reed discusses the concept of descending before ascending and how intentional suffering can lead to personal growth.
[21:22] The Role of Grief: Reed talks about the recent loss of his dog and how grieving has become a profound teacher in his life.
[35:21] Cultivating Awareness: Reed emphasizes the significance of awareness and simple ancestral practices in shifting consciousness and promoting well-being.

Links to Learn More About Reed:


Human Aeon
ReedWasser.com
Wim Hof Method - Reed Wasser

 

More about Valerie Beck & From the Ashes:


Intrepid Wellness
Club Phoenix
From the Ashes - full episode list and transcripts

Thanks for tuning in! If you would like to leave feedback, please e-mail me at valerie@intrepidwellness.life

About our guest, Lilian Cooper: Colombian-born and New Jersey-raised, this 43-year-old now calls California her home. Being a world traveler and a lover of all things dance, Lili’s world was turned upside down when she made a drastic decision regarding her health in 2015. This decision would alter the course of her career and eventually cause her to do a 180-degree pivot into new realms of health and wellness. Her journey with topical steroid withdrawal is becoming more and more common, especially on social media. By sharing her healing journey, she hopes to inspire others to discover their own path towards recovery.

Timestamps:


[01:22] Lili’s Nursing Journey: Lili discusses her experience as a travel nurse and her transition to California.
[02:22] Healing Crisis: Lili shares her battle with eczema and topical steroid withdrawal, detailing the physical and emotional toll it took.
[07:18] Career Shift: The challenges Lili faced returning to work and the pivotal decision to leave her night shift job.
[13:11] Embracing Holistic Healing: Lili's exploration of Ayurveda, sound healing, and other holistic practices during her recovery.
[18:32] The Impact of Western Medicine: Lili’s critique of the Western medical model and the importance of considering lifestyle and holistic approaches.
[30:32] Realizing the Mental Impact: How Lili connected the dots between her physical symptoms and mental health after leaving the hospital.
[36:40] Current Healing Journey: Lili reflects on her current state of health and ongoing recovery practices.
[38:03] Sound Healing: We discuss the benefits and personal experiences with sound baths and energy healing.
[45:41] Dance as Healing: Lili’s journey with salsa and voguing, and how dance has been a crucial outlet for her throughout her healing process.

Special Segment: Stay tuned after the main episode for an additional conversation with Lili Cooper, where she dives deeper into her personal experiences with topical steroid withdrawal and the challenges faced during her recovery.

Resources Mentioned:


Follow Lili Cooper on Instagram: @liliwaveslbc
Learn more about Dr. Marvin Rapaport and his work on topical steroid withdrawal

 

More about Valerie Beck & From the Ashes:


Intrepid Wellness
Club Phoenix
From the Ashes - full episode list and transcripts

Thanks for tuning in! If you would like to leave feedback, please e-mail me at valerie@intrepidwellness.life

About our guest, Ally Vega: Ally Vega is a Filipina American movement coach, choreographer, and performer based in Los Angeles. She has performed alongside artists such as Guy Tang, Bohan Phoenix, Nitemrkt, and Ppop artists Maris Racal, AC Bonifacio, Kim Chiu, and more. Ally has also been featured in digital content on NBC Asian America, Buzzfeed, and Steezy. She is also the choreographer for the hit musical comedy Supportive White Parents which has shown at Second City Hollywood and Upright Citizens Brigade. She founded her own dance company, Ancestral Vision Movement, where she blends traditional Filipino dances with hip hop and has been recognized by the city of LA, Long Beach, and Carson, and is currently an artist in residence for the Pilipino Workers Center in Historic Filipinotown. Ally is a certified yoga instructor with People's Yoga located in East LA and has done keynotes and panels in spaces like Nike LA and local college campuses to share her story of what it means to be a movement healer serving in underserved communities.

Key Highlights:


Ally's "From the Ashes" story: Overcoming burnout and finding balance in the LA dance scene.
The birth and growth of Ancestral Vision Movement.
Navigating mental health and cultural identity as an Asian American.
The transformative power of movement and dance.

About Ally Vega: Ally Vega is the director and founder of Ancestral Vision Movement, focusing on cultural street fusion. She combines her passion for dance and yoga to create healing spaces through movement.

Connect with Ally Vega:


Instagram: Ancestral Vision Movement
Personal Instagram: @_allyvega
Facebook: www.facebook.com/allyyvega
Website: www.allyvega.com

More about Valerie Beck & From the Ashes:


Intrepid Wellness
Club Phoenix
From the Ashes - full episode list and transcripts

Thanks for tuning in! If you would like to leave feedback, please e-mail Valerie at valerie@intrepidwellness.life

Welcome to the debut episode of "From the Ashes"! Join me, Valerie Hwang Beck, as I share my journey from an English teacher in Japan to a hip hop cultural ambassador and now a holistic health coach. This solo episode dives into my experiences with depression, self-discovery, and finding my way back to my passion for dance and holistic wellness. I'll discuss overcoming challenges, embracing transformation, and the pivotal moments that led to my new venture in helping others unlock their potential.

About Your Host:
Valerie Hwang Beck is an Ayurvedic practitioner, holistic health coach, and mindset coach with a passion for hip hop, movement, and self-inquiry. Her rich background as a movement and dance educator, spanning over 25 years, adds a dynamic edge to her approach. Passionate about guiding others through personal transformation, Valerie is the founder and head coach of Intrepid Wellness, where she combines ancient wisdom with modern practices to offer sustainable and approachable solutions for mental health and well-being.

Links:

Intrepid Wellness - my main resource hub for all things holistic health & mindset coaching.
Club Phoenix - learn more about my signature group coaching program for holistic mental wellness support.
Drop Everything And Dance - my newest dance improv project!
Sign up for my newsletter - get insights and updates on our latest projects and offerings.

Thank you for joining me on this journey. Let's rise from the ashes together!

Introducing From the Ashes, a podcast featuring powerful stories of resilience, rebirth, and overcoming personal struggle. Are you ready to rise from the ashes and create a life you're inspired by?  Join your host Valerie Hwang Beck, a holistic health & mindset coach with a passion for hip-hop dance, self-inquiry, and questioning the brules. We'll be featuring interviews with individuals who have transformed their lives through mindset and holistic wellness, getting down and dirty with the details of how to navigate the landscape of modern life. Get ready to discover some tools and techniques to break free from the shackles of mental health issues and heal your mind, body, and spirit. Let's rise together!