#UpgradeMe with Dana Leong

Dana Leong
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Monthly

Welcome back to #UpgradeMePod. It’s a podcast about the never ending self improvement journey, ideas and life hacks to help you level up and the people who make it happen! Hosted by Dana Leong, a 2x Grammy Winning Musician, a US Musical Ambassador and a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader.

  1. 1d ago

    023 Dafnis Prieto From Cuba to Drummer Genius #UpgradeMe with Dana Leong

    What does it take to go from sneaking into rumba rehearsals as a kid in Santa Clara, Cuba, to becoming arguably the greatest living drummer on earth? Dafnis Prieto is a Grammy Award winner, MacArthur "Genius" Fellow and one of the most gifted drummers alive. On faculty at the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami, he has three self-published books studied worldwide. Host Dana Leong has known him personally since Dana was 15 and Dafnis was 21. This is the conversation we've been waiting 30 years to have. Follow Dafnis: https://www.dafnisonmusic.com | https://linktr.ee/DafnisPrieto Listen and watch everywhere:YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@UpgradeMePodSpotify https://open.spotify.com/show/7JPSb9vRaEqHt39hWXBVOYApple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/upgrademe-with-dana-leong/id1751136432Patreon http://www.patreon.com/UpgradeMePod Chapters:0:00 Cold open - "I'm going to become the healthiest person that ever died"2:15 Meet Dafnis Prieto - Grammy winner, MacArthur Genius, arguably the greatest drummer alive5:00 Why he always reminds himself of the reason he chose this life10:20 Inner world vs outer world - separating frustration from purpose14:45 What every world-class performer actually has in common17:00 Born in Santa Clara - only child, divorced parents, a mom who said yes22:30 From guitar to bongos - the House of Culture and a Cuban band26:00 Eight years of classical training - Santa Clara to Havana's National School30:15 The Big Bang - Carlos Masa, Hermeto Pascoal, and Ravi Shankar at 1435:40 First tour at 18 - special school permit, Cuba straight to Paris40:10 Getting paid in Cuba vs Paris - "a big whale and a sardine"44:30 The assembly line story - trains, 30 seconds, and Cuban teamwork51:20 The Village Voice era - how European bookers discovered New York artists55:00 "If Jesus Christ was in Times Square nobody cares" - social media and the fake artist problem1:00:10 Marketing vs selling your soul - the tension every serious artist lives with1:05:30 Why live music still matters - Dana's mom at 80, Taiwan's National Concert Hall1:10:00 Integrity as a total way of being1:15:20 The hidden instruments - classical guitar, flamenco, marimba1:19:45 Why Cuba produces champions - "you do twice the work"1:23:30 The 24/7 conservatory - living inside the National School of Music1:28:00 Getting out of Cuba - exit permits, bureaucracy, and the Stanford invitation1:34:20 Cuba sent one guy - and they sent the right one1:39:10 Cuban culture as the deep root1:43:00 The global political climate and what it means for artists1:47:00 "There is value in the objective but there is potential in the subjective"1:51:00 Pancho Quinto - tradition as a point of departure1:57:00 Learning English in New York - a notebook and self-teaching2:01:00 Mentorship at Frost School - Marcelo Perez, Bob Moses, the drum quartet2:07:00 Why Dafnis doesn't sign up for teaching - but gives it everything2:12:00 The frying pan on the drum kit - carnival, sneaking out, Chinatown2:18:00 Long-term musical relationships - what makes a real band2:23:00 The social media dilemma - practice vs posting2:29:00 Building character before the digital age - Coltrane, Chaplin2:34:00 "Don't wait for anyone to make yourself poor"2:38:00 Final words - if you have a dream, go for it UpgradeMe is hosted by Dana Leong, a 2x Grammy Winning Musician, US Music Ambassador and World Economic Forum Young Global Leader. Sponsored by https://www.TEKTONIKmusic.org (Harmony Heals).

    2h 19m

  2. Mar 7

    022 The Art of Productivity #UpgradeMe with Dana Leong

    If you’ve ever said “I just need more time,” this episode is for you. Dana Leong shares how a weird orchestra dream, a move to Asia, and a market‑entry consultant led him to a three‑block system for his life: Health as the first priority Creativity split into creating, editing, practice, and learning Business development as a weekly non‑negotiable Along the way he pulls lessons from Leonardo da Vinci’s notebooks, Mozart’s morning routine, Bach’s weekly cantata grind, Steve Jobs’ walking meetings, and even Bryan Johnson’s “discipline over motivation” philosophy. This is a practical conversation about designing your days so you don’t rely on inspiration or vibes to get important work done. Listen, take notes, and build your own three‑block system. Follow / Subscribe: @UpgradeMePod

    28 min

  3. Feb 6

    021 Love + Addiction Dr. JT Love #UpgradeMe with Dana Leong

    **This Episode is for entertainment purposes only, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions regarding a medical condition. ** 💔 Is it love? Or just dopamine with bad lighting? This Valentine's Day special hits DIFFERENT. Dr. John Tsuang aka JT Love (addiction psychiatrist / human behavior decoder) joins Dana to break down: ✅ Why your "situationship" is a case study ✅ The 50/50 gene-environment split on addiction ✅ Why rebounds are basically relationship relapses ✅ How to NOT marry the first fish you pull out of the MUD Hollywood lied. Love does NOT conquer all. But compatibility? That's the real MVP. Hide your exes. This one's gonna sting (in the best way). #UpgradeMe #DrJTLove #ValentinesDay #Relationships #AddictionScience #Podcast

    1h 11m

  4. Jan 2

    020 Yao Ming 姚明 | Legendary Impact | #UpgradeMe with Dana Leong

    Dana Leong travels to Hangzhou to join NBA legend Yao Ming for his annual charity basketball weekend—and to find out how Yao turned fame into a platform for rural education, youth sports, and real opportunity. From gala stages to courtside commentary and a powerful moment with a young player on a prosthetic leg, this conversation is a masterclass in quiet, compounding impact.​​ Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UpgradeMePod Support #UpgradeMe on Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/UpgradeMePod #UpgradeMe #YaoMing #Basketball #China #SportsForGood #Inspiration

    14 min

  5. 12/05/2025

    Eric Liu: Digital Twin Wizkid Reveals AI Secrets You Must Know Now 019 #UpgradeMe with Dana Leong

    AI isn’t just a buzzword anymore, it’s quietly wiring itself into every building, airport, and city on the planet. Eric Liu is one of the people actually doing it. As Founder & CEO of TwinMatrix Technologies and a World Economic Forum Tech Pioneer, he builds spatial digital twins that turn real-world spaces into living, intelligent systems.​In this episode, Eric breaks down what digital twins really are, how they helped major infrastructure like airports cut costs and improve safety, and why AI “right now is the worst it will ever be”—because it’s getting better every single day. He also shares how to stay relevant when tech feels like a runaway train, and what skills, mindsets, and habits will matter most in the next 5–10 years.​​Whether you’re a founder, student, city builder, or just AI-curious, this conversation will help you stop feeling behind—and start seeing where your real opportunities are.In this episode:What a “spatial digital twin” is in plain language and why cities and airports are racing to build them​How Eric went from NVIDIA and gaming to smart cities, simulation, and infrastructure​​Why data is the new oil—and how AI turns it into real-time decisions that save money and even lives​How to adapt when AI keeps getting better every dayWhat to focus on if you feel you’re “falling behind” in techIf this episode sparks something in you, comment with your biggest insight, share it with a friend who needs to hear it, and subscribe for more deep dives with world-changing builders.----Welcome back to #UpgradeMe. It’s a podcast about the never ending self improvement journey, ideas and life hacks to help you level up and the people who make it happen! Hosted by Dana Leong, a 2x Grammy Winning Musician, a US Music Ambassador and a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader. Support #UpgradeMe:https://www.patreon.com/UpgradeMePod⁠ Join our communities online at:https://www.Instagram.com/UpgradeMePod IGhttps://www.TikTok.com/@UpgradeMePod TIKTOKhttps://www.Facebook.com/UpgradeMePod FBhttps://www.Youtube.com/@UpgradeMePod⁠ YT⁠https://x.com/PodUpgrade⁠ X⁠https://www.Linkedin.com/in/DanaLeong LinkedInSubscribe to Upgrade Me: https://bit.ly/upgradeytsub#UpgradeMe is sponsored by https://www.TEKTONIKmusic.org (Harmony Heals) #TwinMatrix #Motivation #CEO #MarkZuckerberg #Apple #ElonMusk

    1h 4m

  6. 11/07/2025

    018 Gene Yu: US Special Forces, Real Live Undercover Action Hero

    Meet Gene Yu — Green Beret, counter-terror rescue lead, and the real-life action hero behind viral headlines in Asia. Nephew to Taiwan’s former president, he led special ops across Iraq, Southeast Asia and personally orchestrated a high-risk hostage rescue in the wilds of the Philippines.
What drives a warrior to risk everything for others? Discover the secrets of endurance, resilience and leadership from a man whose life reads like a Hollywood script (and yes, there’s a movie in the making).
Listen, comment and subscribe for inspiration on facing adversity, finding your mission and leveling up your own life.From West Point to leading cyber defense, discover how military grit translates into inspiring leadership in business and life.---Welcome back to #UpgradeMe. It’s a podcast about the never ending self improvement journey, ideas and life hacks to help you level up and the people who make it happen! Hosted by Dana Leong, a 2x Grammy Winning Musician, a US Music Ambassador and a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader. Support #UpgradeMe:https://www.patreon.com/UpgradeMePod⁠ Join our communities online at:https://www.Instagram.com/UpgradeMePod IGhttps://www.TikTok.com/@UpgradeMePod TIKTOKhttps://www.Facebook.com/UpgradeMePod FBhttps://www.Youtube.com/@UpgradeMePod⁠ YT⁠https://www.x.com/PodUpgrade⁠ X⁠https://www.Linkedin.com/in/DanaLeong LinkedInSubscribe to Upgrade Me: https://bit.ly/upgradeytsub#UpgradeMe is sponsored by https://www.TEKTONIKmusic.org (Harmony Heals)#GeneYu #GreenBeret #WestPoint #RescueMission #Leadership #endurance #upgrademepod #upgradeu #馬英九

    1h 35m

  7. 10/03/2025

    1 Week, 400 World's Most Powerful People + ME!?

    #UpgradeMePod 017 Imagine spending a week surrounded by 400 of the world's most powerful leaders, from CEOs and astronauts to Grammy winners & members of royal legacies. This episode takes you inside the World Economic Forum (WEF) Young Global Leaders (YGL) Summit with Dana Leong, filled with stories, lessons, & personal ups and downs that will inspire your own journey. Don’t miss out on what leadership really means and how to upgrade your life. #YoungGlobalLeaders #GlobalPowerPlayers #DanaLeong #LeadershipLessons #UpgradeMePod #WorldEconomicForum #Inspiration #LifeUpgrade #GlobalSummit #YGLas2025 #MaudyAyunda #Savara #NomzamoMbatha #Netflix

    9 min
  8. TEKTONIK Music 'Sweet Sleep Meditations' Now Entering the 2026 Grammy Awards Voting Ballot for 'Best New Age Album'!

    10/03/2025 ·  Bonus

    TEKTONIK Music 'Sweet Sleep Meditations' Now Entering the 2026 Grammy Awards Voting Ballot for 'Best New Age Album'!

    TEKTONIK Music 'Sweet Sleep Meditations' Now Entering the 2026 Grammy Awards Voting Ballot for Best New Age Album! On behalf of our own TEKTONIK Music, please spread the word! We're going for Grammy #3!! We’re reaching out to ask our UpgradeMePod community to share this with your music industry contacts. Your votes for our milestone album, Sweet Sleep Meditations, mean the world to us as it enters the 2026 Grammy Awards voting process. Take a listen here: https://tr.ee/Lp924VzZCQ Released November 2024, Sweet Sleep Meditations is a scientifically tested, immersive sonic journey designed to support deep restorative sleep, meditation, and holistic wellbeing. Featuring 11 original tracks blending the Grammy-winning electric cello mastery of Dana Leong with resonant crystal singing bowls and warm, soothing frequencies crafted by Grammy-nominated, multi-gold-recorded, Academy Award-winning engineer Cookie Marenco — founder of Blue Coast Records and a pioneer in high-resolution audio. Recorded in 1-BIT DSD, the highest digital fidelity available, this album delivers a uniquely calming and transformational soundscape. Thank you for rallying your networks — together, we’re creating global harmony through music. Thankfully,Dana Leong + TEKTONIK + #UpgradeMePod Teams Welcome back to #UpgradeMe. It’s a podcast about the never ending self improvement journey, ideas and life hacks to help you level up and the people who make it happen! Hosted by Dana Leong, a 2x Grammy Winning Musician, a US Musical Ambassador and a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader. Join our communities online at: ⁠Instagram⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠SoundCloud⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠Subscribe to Upgrade Me: ⁠https://bit.ly/upgradeytsub⁠ Upgrade Me is sponsored by ⁠TEKTONIK Music (Harmony Heals) #HarmonyHeals #Grammy2026 #TEKTONIKMusic #SweetSleepMeditations #DSD

    1 min
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5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Welcome back to #UpgradeMePod. It’s a podcast about the never ending self improvement journey, ideas and life hacks to help you level up and the people who make it happen! Hosted by Dana Leong, a 2x Grammy Winning Musician, a US Musical Ambassador and a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader.

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