From Dance to Code: Luis Gomez's Journey of Expression and Transformation

Episode 19.   In this compelling episode, we sit down with Luis Gomez.  From discovering his passion for dance as a teenager to completing a college program and touring with a semi-professional group, Luis's journey took an unexpected turn when the challenges of Covid led him to pivot towards software development.

Join us as Luis shares his inspiring story of dedication and determination, navigating the shift from the dance floor to the world of coding. Learn how the expressive art of dance became a powerful tool for him to communicate and overcome personal challenges. Luis's journey is a testament to the transformative nature of pursuing one's passions and the resilience that comes from embracing change. Tune in to discover how dance and technology have woven together to create a unique narrative of self-expression and personal growth.

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Transcript

Lisa: 0:08

Welcome to the Happy Sweat Life Podcast. My name is Lisa Rung and today I'm very excited to be interviewing Luis Gomez, who has a background in dance and actually became a professional dancer. So we're just going to explore his background and what he loves about dance Yeah, so maybe you can tell us a little bit about your history, and actually I forgot to mention he did tell me that he lived in Anaheim, California which is near where Disney is, and so he got into the performing arts in high school and then continued on to college and then had a professional career. So welcome, to the podcast. I'm very happy to have you here. Thanks, Lisa. You're welcome. So, yes, let's talk a little bit about your background and how you got started in dance and other parts of performing

Luis: 1:03

arts. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So kind of like you mentioned, right, I was raised in Anaheim, California. So Disney in general was a big influence on my life. I didn't actually start dancing, like, like, actually training in anything up until I was 15. But you know, I always loved performing, whether it was, like, school songs or something. I remember that my, like, my family kind of looked at, looked at me as, like, the, the attention seeker, right? For a minute. But yeah, it wasn't until... Well, actually, let me, let me kind of back up a little bit. So my introduction to the performing arts before dance, actually, I used to be involved with music and like orchestra. So I played a saxophone in seventh grade. And from there I moved into percussion and I got involved with our drum line. And so I kind of got into like really moving my body in that area when that was happening because it was all about, you know, marching and understanding how to keep time and stuff like that with the drum. And yeah, that actually kind of led into the next thing where After high school when I started to go with percussion and intro drumline and kept going with that and marching band. It was my freshman year of high school when the, my girlfriend at the time was actually auditioning for the dance program for like our sophomore year, right? And, At the time, I had been to a couple quinceaneras for friends, and people were like, Hey, you know, you dance pretty well, like, you should, like, audition, and I was like, nah, it's fine, I'm not gonna worry about it, like, thanks, though, like, you know, like, yeah, the musicality all kinda comes from you know, the musician in me, but I'm not looking to, to dance or anything. But, when my girlfriend at the time was learning the piece for the audition, I was like, Hey, you know what, like, I'll learn it with you so that way you have somebody to practice with and we can just like, you know, go over it. Sure enough, the voices kept coming and other friends were like, Hey, you know, you should really just do it, like, you know, what's the worst that can happen, you know, you... You don't even have to take it if you get it. And I was like, you know what, hey, like, I'm gonna have an extra, like, elective for the next year in my sophomore year. Might as well go ahead. And sure enough, I auditioned, and yeah, the dance teacher her name was Meg Elder. Mrs. Elder was, like, honestly, amazing. I remember her just saying, like, hey, you know, I would have loved to have been a part of the program, so because the period of which, like our percussion and our drumline would meet, and the specific dance level, dance class that she wanted me to meet were conflicted I had to go a level below in the dance classes, so it was like in our Kind of like the intermediate level dance class. That way I can keep both drumline and dance in my life. But sure enough, actually, that that same year when I was doing both that was actually when my band director had kind of given me the ultimatum of, Hey, you know, you can't keep going back and forth like this. Like, you know, there's going to be times when we're going to have performances, they're going to conflict, so you need to decide now whether you're going to dance, or whether you're going to continue being, you know At the time I was, I was on the snare drum, and I was like, you know, Mrs. Elder, she's not making me decide, and at the same time, I feel like, as a dancer, after already learning so much from it, I, I don't know, I feel like there's more of a voice for me here, and sure enough, I walked away from percussion, I never looked back, and since then, I've, I've been dancing, I started off with, you know some jazz technique, and also, like, kind of musical theater, like more entertainment based stuff, right? A little bit of modern ballet, but at the time, like, it wasn't any, like, real training. It was stuff that you would learn in high school. I had an amazing coach, Oscar Gonzalez, who actually danced for he was in the Aladdin Musical Spectacular at Disney, and he took me under his wing. And honestly, like, since then, I was just grind, grind, grind.. I fell in love with just how much I was able to... Create with my body, and not so much just create, but also to just serve as a tool to communicate an idea that a choreographer would have, right? So after high school, I actually wasn't planning to go to college. I was actually going to try to audition right into Disney, just like that, and kind of avoid the rest. And then one day, that's when my coach Oscar had actually mentioned, Hey, look, they're actually going to cancel the Aladdin Musical Spectacular. I think it would be a good chance for you to go to college, get an education, you know, keep getting more training before anything else happens. And honestly, I think that was one of the best things I... ever took from him because, you know, thankfully because of that, it pushed me to go out and actually audition for different colleges. I auditioned like maybe like eight schools and I decided with University of California, Santa Barbara. So I danced there for four years. And that actually is where I, I started to shift my focus and cared less about like the entertainment side of dance and like, you know, all the musical theater and everything, the stuff that was all like showy that I fell in love with. And I pushed that aside because of all like the, I would like to say the artistic and the creative side of dance, right? Like we started to get into more of like the abstraction and The interpretive part of dance, quote unquote. So that lasted for four years. I graduated in 2019, I technically stayed a couple more quarters to finish off some classes, but that was kind of the end of dance for me in college. I was actually, thankfully, a part of a pre professional company that we had at the school that actually gave me a chance to do a, we went and did a European tour, We went to Italy, Malta, Spain. Finland and Lithuania. We also did outreach with different schools in our community, which is actually one of my favorite parts, especially being, like, you know, one of the only male dancers, and having younger brothers of myself they would, like, look to me and ask me if I could do, like, certain dances from, Fortnite and stuff, so that was always fun. But, yeah, like that tour was, you know, as professional as it gets, right? To go out into Europe and have people from other countries come and watch your show. Some of them sold out, some of them not, but getting standing ovations some nights for solos and stuff. It was like, as... If there was any other way to say I made it, like, that was it, right? Of course, once I graduated one of my professors had a dance company that was actually tied to the university called Santa Barbara Dance Theater. And I actually did a piece with him, and they needed a couple guys, so I was one of them. And at the same time you know, this was as, like, COVID was starting to spread out just a little bit. So, as everything started, and we had finished a, a performance out in, like, LA or something. And then another show back in Santa Barbara. After that, we were kind of on a break as they finished teaching another piece to some of the other dancers. And then that was when they announced, like, okay, yeah, hey, we're gonna have to go on lockdown. And at the time, unfortunately, my grandmother... It was like a mom to me. She was back home in Anaheim. She had passed that same year at the beginning of the year, so at that time, it was it was time for me to move back, and I was like, hey, I'm gonna go to California, or back to Anaheim sit here and kind of just be with the family for a little bit, but also to kind of focus in on, something else, so not only just finish the couple classes I had left online, but also, Really dive headfirst into this programming part of my life because of course, you know, there was also like 30, 000 worth of loans waiting for me on the other side, right? But yeah, that, that, that was a short professional career, but that was kind of it. Otherwise you know, unfortunately I didn't really dance much during that time when I was on lockdown because at that time, you know, studios were closed and really taking an online dance class or workout class, whatever you want to call it. It's, it's, it's, you don't get the same, same energy, right? Like, the environment's just not the same. And so it was, it was hard. But, yeah, that, that's kind of all I have on really, like, the, the career or where it all started,

Lisa: 8:54

Well, that's a remarkable story. And I have so many questions. I guess one of them was about... You know, were you in an environment where it was more acceptable for men to kind of choose dance or did you get pushback from your family or from people around

Luis: 9:12

you? You know, that is actually a beautiful question. So yeah, all of high school, I, I had a different girlfriend from my sophomore year until the end, until when I graduated. Regardless of that, you know, I still had the same people making fun of me for, for being in dance. People thought I was gay for the longest time. And, you know, I wouldn't say it was, like, full on, like, Abuse were like, you know, people were kind of really judged me for it But you know, I can hear people giggling in the back or like name calling and you know, at first they really did bother me but you know, I kind of just recognized like, you know in At least, at least within high school, right, in that time of my life, and what the different things, like, the different part of the performing arts that I was involved with, like musical theater, choir and stuff, like, I knew that within those group of people, they knew who I was. I wasn't, you know, like, I wasn't the little gay dancer kid that everybody, like, the rest of the school might have thought. But, you know, the thing, the thing was, like, in college, I think that's where it really was, was a test, because, you know, everybody was a lot more open, and, you know, it was, I can't tell you that I didn't use, you know, the line, oh yeah, I'm a dance major, to, to pick a girl here and there, but you know, at the same time, like, there, there were times where, you know, I was also a part of a fraternity, and, it was hard, To really fit in with some of the guys because, you know, there was a lot of like, I'd say guys that kind of came from traditional families, right? That kind of looked at it as like, Oh, you know, like you're a dancer. Oh, like you obviously can't hang with us or whatever. And it really, it really messed with me in my head for a bit because it came to the point also where I did notice that there was a part of me almost trying to hold back when I was dancing because I was afraid of Oh, like if I, Do this a little too much if I'm a little too animated then people are gonna start to keep thinking Oh, you know, he's gay. He's a girl, whatever And I think that was a big hindrance on me because you know It even got to the point like my sophomore year of college where I was like I kind of looked at myself in the mirror and I was like, you know Does this mean like I have to be gay to be a good dancer? Like what is that supposed to mean? And at that point, thankfully I was actually taking a couple of of classes and I got a chance to meet like a lot of just male dancers within not only the community, but also just like in dance history and recognizing like, you know, it's not something that's completely feminine, right? Like there, there are a lot of like amazing straight male dancers out there and like Sure it might be a predominantly woman run industry, but like, I mean, the level of athleticism, I can guarantee you that there are a lot of people out there that can't do the stuff that we do, you know, like, it may look like I'm on my toes or whatever, but, when I'm making jumps, when I'm lifting girls out there, like, it, it's, it's work, it ain't just like, you know, We try to make it look easy on stage, but I can tell you right now, there isn't a part of me that runs off stage where I'm like, huffing and puffing, like, alright, I gotta go back out there and do it again. So, sorry, to make the long answer short I was, thankfully I was in an environment where it wasn't too bad. You know, as you may see, like in some movies and stuff but I can't say there wasn't any challenges there, right?

Lisa: 12:34

Yeah, absolutely. And I know we were talking a little bit before we started the interview about that sort of whole image of, of dance, not being very athletic and also I shared that I figure skated in the same issue was in there and it's just, it's such a shame because I'm sure there might be other men that would be. Wanting to join, but feel limited or, dissuaded by other people's opinion about it.

Luis: 13:02

No, a hundred percent. And that was actually one thing too, I almost made it a mission of mine when I was in college to start introducing, what is the male side of dance because when I think of like, Like the boys, right? I think of like, just kind of being goofy But also really like epic you know, I think of action movies or Kind of like stereotypical things like that and I thought to myself, you know In what ways can I incorporate this in stuff like my projects? So sure enough actually That's where I really started to hone in on what my movement was anytime my body moved It was always gonna be really rigid where you had this aesthetic of like hip hop To an extent where it was like really sharp and somewhat like these pop and dancers, like big, big influences to me were like the Jabbawockeez and stuff. But also it was like, okay, well, how do I make this like fit in, fit in line with like modern dance? How can I get to add some level of technique to this? So it looks like it's my thing. And then even too with my choreography, I did a whole piece to this I would call it just like this the kind of music you would hear like on a movie trailer for like a superhero movie or an action movie. And I use like, you know, fog machines and like a lot of it was just like my dancers running back and stage kind of tossing stuff around. Just to really like, kind of kind of bring in the guys like in the dads out there like in the boyfriends that were just like, you know, like, Oh yeah, it's just another dance performance. Right. Yeah.'cause I just, I don't know how many times even to meeting the boyfriends of like some of my friends out there in, in the same dance company that I was in, you know, they're like, oh yeah, it's nice. You like, oh, you looked really good out there. Where I'm like, bro, like, no, there's, there's more to this. Please. Like, you know, stick around. Oh, there was another thought that was, that was, that was with me right there. I'm totally missing it, but if it comes back to me, I'll, mention it. Okay.

Lisa: 14:45

And I'm, I'm realizing I kind of made a broad swath of dance, but there is more acceptable dance for men. And like you were saying, the hip hop, I see a lot of short videos of men dancing, but not modern, not ballet as much,

Luis: 14:59

yeah, and that's, that's the thing, right? Like even too, I go to 12 step meetings and yesterday there was a man who approached me. He's like, Hey, no, I know you do dance. Like, you know, what would be a good class for me to go out into just to like learn some beginner stuff, like improv for like hip hop and stuff. And I'm like, you know, Hey, that stuff's great. Like, don't get me wrong. you'll get a sweat there and here and there. And it's nice. Cause I mean, of course that's something that's. That's more acceptable, quote unquote, for men to do. But you know, I also mentioned, like, you know, you should pop into another, modern class or even a ballet class, like, you know, some of the, best athletes out there for, football, boxing, you know, some of these guys, they, they take these ballet classes because you have to be really, really good on your feet and, you know, it, it's not easy, that girl you think that's out there on stage, like, doing, I don't know how many turns on your toes, smiling and, looks light as a feather, no, underneath, she's, she's beating down hard, there is so much, That's going on, not only in her body, but just in her mind to stay up and like, you know, be, be on top of everything. But yeah, I'm, I'm always going to be biased on on these classical techniques as opposed to like, you know, like hip hop and, and like jazz and stuff.

Lisa: 16:19

And I was going to ask you what, what modalities did you study and what were you drawn to any particular one or did you have any favorites?

Luis: 16:28

Yeah so for me, I always just love, love moving my body because even to like I got involved with like some martial arts and stuff like I did kickboxing and MMA. This is actually after I graduated from college and I had to move to Texas for my first tech job. But, yeah, in terms of what I studied so I started off in high school learning all the showy stuff like jazz, tap, musical theater, anything that really was like, Hey, mom, look at me, right? Like, jazz hands and everything. But then once I got to college, that's where I had to really hone in on the classical techniques of ballet and modern. And that's really where I would say that my passion for dance came. I might have liked it and enjoyed it before then, but... That's where I actually, like, fell in love with it and yeah, I'd say that, originally, I, I was always drawn to I guess I'd say like hip hop esque movements, movements that were going to be a lot more percussive, a lot more like staccato, really, really quick and fast and strong. Because I remember even too, in our like improv classes, I, I will never forget this girl, Sasha. She told me I moved like a video game. that's so interesting because that's exactly how I feel a lot of the time. It's like, you know, I, I can see where that level of rigidity and just like. Technicality comes from me. Now when it comes to my favorite, now I can't really tell you I have a favorite. I think nowadays I would say it's either like modern or lyrical. But each one, like, you know, it kicked my ass in its own way. And that's why I loved it. especially like ballet. You know, any guy you ask is gonna be like, Oh, ballet, you're such a girl, whatever. But no, that is tough. It takes so much discipline, and actually, it's one of the best things that you can do for your legs, in my opinion. And anybody can say otherwise, but like, It's so repetitive, but it's a discipline, you know? With modern, like, that's the whole definition of modern. It's like anti ballet, so you can actually break those, like, those lines and that technique. But also, too, it's... I guess because modern is so... So vast, and there's so much more that can fit into it, technically. That's kind of why I like that, because then I could actually, avoid having to stand up straight and, kind of move my body in, like, really, like, obscure ways that you wouldn't really see and think about. Like, that was actually my favorite thing, doing anything on the floor or, moving my body in some kind of shape that, people would look at it and be like, Oh. Yeah, I didn't think of that. But I'd say, yeah, those two, I mean, of course I'm biased because I trained in them for a while, but those would be my favorites. And actually, as I say that that's not quite true. Lately maybe, earlier this year I started up taking house dance classes again. There's something I took in college, like maybe once or twice. Because I was out here, and this was actually, I was recovering from a I have what's called Firmacetabular Impingement, which is like extra bone on my hip, and I had to get hip injections, and so I was out for a bit, had to stop, like, you know, dancing seriously, so I got back into house dancing here in a couple communities in New York, which is really fun. That's really more, about grooving and, you know, making sure, your body's light and you're just, like, really into it, right, and, like, quick steps and everything. That, and just being able to groove, I would say is one of my favorite things ever.

Lisa: 19:55

That's so fun. What kind of music do they play on that? Is it a variety

Luis: 19:59

or? It's house music, right? So it's something that you would imagine, like some kind of DJ that's really like moves to the beat of your heart, where you're just like really quick, moving everything you can, it's just so like, it's really percussive, but at the same time, you have to be really loose. Cause it's a groove. It ain't something that like, you have to like fight to be in touch with. I mean, there, there is work to it. Right. But a lot of it comes from like. You know, how, how much can you sit into the beat and move with the music, right?

Lisa: 20:26

I'm, I'm also kind of struck about how quickly you advanced in dance. Did you, were other people that you were with, had they started earlier or what do you think made you successful at that age to kind of just jump into it?

Luis: 20:43

So I, I always heard, well, let me answer this. So yes, I, I started way later than a lot of people. I started in high school at the time. I was like 15 going on 16, if not already 16. And you know, a lot of these girls that I was dancing with typically has the same answer. Oh, I was dancing since I was three, four, five, like super young competition kids, whatever. And. You know, it was funny because one of the biggest things now that you mention it that I remember was when I started dancing The first class that I took that actually I met my coach Oscar Gonzalez in I remember him saying out loud like oh, he's gonna pick it up easier because he's a guy and you know At first I was kind of like, oh whatever like I get it like I don't know how much that really matters But no, yeah, guys typically when it comes to dance I've noticed especially at that younger age we we learn pretty quickly and I remember feeling really the imposter syndrome sitting in for quite some time, even when I was in college, because, you know, I had only been dancing for a few years and now I had made it into a school where these girls were dancing for since like they were three, four or five, whatever, had all this amazing technique. I remember thinking what did they see in me? do I really belong here? Later to find out, it was kind of the perfect time for them to shape me. And by the end of it, I had this dream of becoming like the, I don't want to say the star of the program, but like the face of, of, of like the dance program or anything. But You know, I, I thankfully was able to, I, I got a chance to do a solo for a piece that we did from a choreographer called Jose Limon. The piece is called The Unsung, which is about like these Native American war heroes and it was nice because I got the closing solo for that. And there was a picture of me in the, in the program for the following year after I graduated that I remember looking at to this day that I'm like, you know, I'm so glad that. someone's gonna join this school some guys and look at this and be like, you know Like I can do this like if I see something like him this gives me a chance

Lisa: 22:36

Do you do you find that thread of wanting to inspire people running through your life right now Is that something you've always had?

Luis: 22:46

I I don't really know if I can say I've always had it but I have had it since I I'd say since, since college, actually, since I was a senior in high school cause at that point, like, so it was kind of weird how that all happened. Actually. My junior year, they were picking who were the dance presidents and who's, who are going to be the next year, like as seniors, who are going to be the new presidents for the year and stuff like that for all the, the performing arts and things. And I remember at the time. My class, my junior class, we were all kind of like, well, nobody wants to do it. We had a friend, Chantel, who I don't want to call her teacher's pet or anything, but everybody kind of knew her as oh, the good girl, right? Like, you know, oh, you'll be a good president. And she was like, oh, well, you know, I need a vice president. And I told her, hey, honestly, like, if you fill out, like, the application for me, I'll totally be your vice president. I don't mind, right? To be honest, I never saw that application. I never saw what she wrote on it. I had nothing to do with it I told her this is all you if you want me to do it. I'll do it When it comes down to the actual announcement, they announced me as president. Oh my we're hearing that like We all kind of looked at each other. are you sure like I remember asking Chantel like Did you switch something around? She's like, no, I didn't do anything. And so I got out there, I took the position. I'm like, you know, Hey, this is a chance for me to really just, you know, step into something that I'm not used to. And after that, I remember that year was just about me being the dance captain. Right. And what that meant to show an example, because not only that being a senior and also being a TA for younger dancers, it was, yeah, don't get me wrong, like, I won't lie, the part of it was, enjoying the attention a little bit about it, right? Being not only a straight male dancer, but being looked at as oh, like Of course being a straight male dancer, but also like being like, Oh, there's the cute senior, that's leading the dance program, Which is nice. But since then though, I was always kind of like, yeah, like any, anybody that needed help with learning some kind of technique or whatever. I remember even some of the girls that were coming in as freshmen. I remember teaching them after school or sometimes just like at some park or something like didn't really think anything of it. And as they got into college similarly, at first being a freshman. Sophomore, junior, like nothing was really much there for me, but then as a senior, I really had to step up again. I wasn't a leader or anything in terms of actually holding a position. But, you know, people saw me and they were like, hey, Luis is here, when he's here, he's, he's here to work. Right? every time, I, I would love talking to people don't get me wrong. But when I took it, when I stood, the dance class starts, like, no, I'm in my zone. if you don't see me smile, it's because I'm there, I'm trying to think, alright, Sure, it comes more naturally to guys, but, you know, again, I'm also in a place where people have been dancing for 10 plus years, I gotta be able to hold my own, but also, too, I had this goal of, making sure that if I'm eventually gonna end up in Europe, which, at the time, you know, we were all just, waiting for that day to come in the company like, I, I needed to make sure that I was gonna go out there and give, the best that I could, because if I can prove that I was good out there and on tour, that, that just says, I'm ready for the real deal. Yeah. So yeah, and now, now that I don't dance anymore though, I'm, I'm still always trying to pass on things to people, especially like, now, the way that I became a software developer was super unconventional, right? I didn't get my degree in computer science or anything, I learned how to program with, within a year, I had my first job, within two years, I was already within a Fortune 100 company, and now I'm with that same company. I work for Capital One as a software engineer. And actually, I didn't start learning I started learning how to program in 2019, but I didn't, get serious about it until 2020. And I mean, we're only in 2023, right? So this only happened a few years ago. And to say that, anytime I've had people ask, what's your secret? how are you learning things? I'm like, honestly, when, when you want something, like you're going to make it happen. And especially too, I think that's why, like me being a dancer was so important in my life because I mean, nobody has to be as passionate, As much as, I think, as like a straight male dancer, because you're always going to get feed, just people lashing at you saying Oh, well that's a girl's thing. why are you even doing this? Like, even, even though you're still also going to get people saying Oh, well that's the dancing. What are you going to do with your life? all you're going to be doing is like being a starving artist, quote unquote, right? And for me, I always knew, well, I'm not gonna be a starving artist, I'm gonna make sure that I'm a well fed artist, right? So I think this was, you know, the universe's way of saying, hey, don't worry, it's coming, but we have to make sure you get there the right way. Like, your way. So, became a software developer, and I totally gave up on my dream of going to New York. Sure enough, Capital was hey, actually, we want you to come to New York. And now I'm here, being able to dance whenever I want to, with some of the really great companies out here. Granted, I mean, I'm, I'm... Not dancing at that level anymore, but you know, just to be surrounded by the art and still be able to take classes and you know, that's not to say I'm not trying to get back into it. I think it's just been I've had some health issues along the way. Like I especially to once the pandemic hit and everything, right? don't get me wrong. I went from this, this, the prime of my life of being like 190 pounds fit young male dancer. To like 227 pounds, I'm a software developer in Texas now, having to pick up and change my way of life again and again and again. So yeah, it's been tough, but All that to kind of come back and say, yeah, to this day, I still try to inspire where I can in different areas because I know sometimes it's important. That's actually why I actually started the podcast that I did because, sometimes you really need to be the first person to do something so there could be another person. Or sometimes somebody really just needs to hear the right thing coming from the one person. I don't know how many times I might have heard somebody say something time and time again, but it wasn't until I heard one. A specific person say it and then where it finally clicked and I was okay, I got to do this this way or I had to experience it this way to make sure that all of this would happen the right way. That's so

Lisa: 28:52

true. Yeah, definitely. I think one thing I'm struck by too is just and you can tell me if this isn't true, it's like once you decide to do something, you seem to be fully committed to it. you're just gonna do it full out as best you can. Is that what you feel like? Yeah. Yeah. A hundred percent. I think that's unusual, but good for you.

Luis: 29:11

No. Yeah. I think cause that's, that's the thing, right? One thing that I learned was. You know, the best investment you can make is on yourself, that's the best bet because the only one that's, that's going to ruin that for you is you, I mean, sure, you're gonna have some outside factors, right? But like, for me, I think the big thing was coming from a family that was already broken, you know, my dad got deported when I was two. And unfortunately, yeah, unfortunately, when I was supposed to meet him the first year when I was 16, you know, like, This is just full transparency. He actually, he committed suicide, so I never had a chance to meet him. And my mom, I know, it's okay you know, like, God bless his soul but my mom, she actually emotionally abandoned me. She actually walked out on me for a while. She left me and my little brother with my grandmother, who was like my mom to me, right? Eventually she came back, but I was very neglected. And one thing I learned was... You know if I don't go all out then I mean no one's gonna be there to catch me right, and so that's why when I do things I I learned the way you do anything is the way you do everything and Yeah, if I was gonna learn to dance I was gonna learn to make sure I was one of the best dancers out there So nobody can tell me I wasn't good enough. Nobody can tell me that you know that I was some pansy out there, whatever you want to call it. Same thing for programming. I knew if I was going to pay off these bills, if I was going to really try to live the life that I wanted to live, that I was going to have to be up there and be good enough. Same thing now, even with this podcast. This started off as just an idea, and now that I'm able to just go out there and get all these interviews and everything, it's just been... You know, some part of it, I would say, the universe, God, whatever's out there, has been by my side, but I know part of it is just, I don't have another option. I don't have anybody that's gonna catch me when I fall, so I need to make sure that I'm literally giving everything that I have.

Lisa: 31:04

Yeah, you can be given opportunities, but unless you take them, it's not going to happen. Right, right, right. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, I would love to have you just tell us about your podcast so we can look for it when it's ready to be launched and if you want to share some about that.

Luis: 31:22

Yeah, yeah, yeah. So the podcast is called The Bottom Left Pane It's, the concept is, there's a communication theory model called the Johari window. Pretty much what that window is, it's four panes and if you're familiar with like Charles Darwin, like Punnett squares, like the dominant and recessive genes, how they're distributed within the squares it's similar to that where it's split up in, horizontally it's split up by what the world knows about me and what the world doesn't know. And vertically, it's split by things I know about myself and things I don't know about myself. So, the bottom left pane consists of the area of which what I know about myself, but what the world doesn't. Right? And really, the podcast explores just the intricacies of the human experience. You know, because this area is typically, you know, it's called either the facade or I like to call it just the hidden area. Because really, this is where people... Really... Kind of keep to themselves, right? Like, not because necessarily they have something to hide, but because, like, you know, sometimes people can't say things about themselves because they're too scared of, like, you know, what society is going to think because of, like, everything that's out there. Like, am I going to get cancelled? Am I going to get judged? Whatever. But also, too, sometimes even... You know, like, I can tell you right now, sometimes for me, it's like, well, sometimes I just don't have people to tell, right? Like, this story about me dancing, not many people know it unless you're really close to me, but that's also because, like, you know, I'm not out there advertising saying, Hey, yeah, by the way, not only am I a software developer, I'm a dancer who's done X, Y, and Z, whatever. And, you know, and really, this was, like I kind of mentioned earlier, it was because I know for me, it was so important to hear. Are there like motivational speakers and stuff like I actually just came back from A conference in Dallas for Tony Robbins, and it's just anytime I hear people like that speak It just reminds me like yeah real people can have these experiences and come from nothing and and come out on top and that's really what I'm trying to do share these stories because I know that if Somebody can share the story first that would open up the door for somebody to be second You know whether that be somebody that's recovering from an addiction someone that needs a second chance Someone that just wants to have somebody to share just what they're accomplished With you know, this is kind of a platform for that to happen So yeah, like I said, it's called the bottom left pane. I'm not launching until the Like the second or first week of January But yeah once I release like I'm just excited to see how many people just Enjoy the stories that are out there from all these other people that literally are just like the rest of us, you know

Lisa: 34:02

That's great. That's great. I will share the name and you said you have sort of a website kind of up, but not, not totally ready or. Yeah,

Luis: 34:11

the website's live. It's just I, I look at it now and I'm kind of like, yeah, this definitely needs some work, but otherwise like I'm on social media too. On Instagram, you can find me at bottom left pane and So far, that's kind of all I have. As we get closer to launch, I'll be putting up on on YouTube and TikTok and stuff, but for now, that's, that's kind of just all I have ready to go. Okay,

Lisa: 34:36

well, I'll put that in the show notes, and then once you have more stuff, just let me know, and I'll add it into your show, your interview, so. I appreciate that, Lisa. Be updated, yeah. The only last thing I wanted to ask you was just if... You know, since this is a podcast about getting people to maybe try out dance based exercise, but do you have any words for maybe a young man that's coming up? And maybe wants to try dance or, you know, anything, just encourage them or tell them.

Luis: 35:10

Well, if I was just speaking to the young man himself, I'd be like, Hey, just so you know, like girls actually love it when a guy can dance. But the reality is no, just, just don't be scared. You know, there's always going to be a place, a time and place where we're going to be uncomfortable, especially when moving our bodies. But, you know, the minute you can just. Close your eyes and feel the music. Like that's, that's, what's going to be the driving force behind it. And that, that comes with any style of dance, really like, and for any, that, that's really just for anybody that's, you know, considering wanting to try something that's, you know what would you call it? Unconventional method of, of working out because. Yeah, don't get me wrong, I'm pretty sure everybody can turn on their favorite song and just feel the groove, or get into the emotion behind it, and you know, once you start to move, just imagine it at another level, and you can just live and breathe in it, and, you know, if you're looking for specifics, like, there are dance classes everywhere, whether it's at a community center, whether it's like at an actual studio, and I'll tell you this much the dance community is always, always gonna be there for people. Like, yeah, there's Competitive spaces, especially like out in places like New York and stuff, but like you shouldn't let that scare you because nobody like Nobody has the right to tell you you can't move your body, especially to the song you love, right?

Lisa: 36:28

So true. Yes Well, thank you so much, I really appreciate you sharing your story and taking the time to do an interview with me

Luis: 36:39

Yeah, of course. Lisa, honestly, it was, it was a pleasure and you know, I'm, I'm looking forward to, to just listening to the rest of your episodes and seeing where the podcast goes.

Lisa: 36:47

Well, thank you. Have a good night. Yeah. Thanks Lisa.

37:01

Thank you so much for listening to the Happy Sweat Life podcast. I hope you enjoyed that interview with Luis Gomez. If you know somebody that might enjoy the podcast, please feel free to share it with them. And if you have an opportunity to rate and review this podcast, I'd greatly appreciate it. And please look out for Luis's podcast, The Lower Left Pane, coming out in January of 2024. I'll leave his information in the show notes below.