Hazier Rios shares his journey from psychology student to educator, and how these experiences shaped his understanding of human connection and emotional well-being. His unexpected path into teaching multiple subjects revealed profound insights about student needs and the importance of hope in education.

• Graduate of UCI with a BA in Psychology, former president of Active Minds
• Working with his mother at her hair salon became a transformative experience after graduation
• Became a teacher during the pandemic, teaching subjects from dance to biology despite initial reluctance
• Found that taking time for one-on-one connections with students dramatically improved classroom dynamics
• Noticed many students lack positive reinforcement and encouragement in their educational experience
• Advocates for teaching communication skills and emotional intelligence in schools
• Believes emotional growth requires patience and consistency, similar to physical fitness
• Recommends prefacing difficult conversations to create an environment conducive to resolution
• Philosophy that "it's never too late to turn your life around" and "life is as simple as you want it to be"
• Daily walking without distractions completely transformed his mental health and outlook
• Starting a master's program in psychology with plans to pursue a PhD

"The last person you should ever give up on is yourself. Try to live a life with love, with good intentions, and don't stop learning."

Guest bio:
Hazier Rios holds a BA in Psychology from UCI, where he served as President of Active Minds, a student-led organization promoting mental health awareness. He’s delivered a TED Talk on improving your life, traveled to four continents, and continues to inspire students as a dedicated educator. Outside the classroom, Hazier makes music and rock climbs—balancing creativity and challenge in all areas of life. His ultimate goal is to earn a PhD in Clinical Psychology to help people around the world navigate their lives with clarity, compassion, and resilience.

• IG: @hazi.er / https://www.instagram.com/hazi.er/
• TikTok: @hazi.er33 / https://www.tiktok.com/@hazi.er33
• Spotify: @Boonkie / https://open.spotify.com/artist/4Xc3P5joK9aBNd81k7hKW1?si=OFpWAfWhSlKtaAW_sSr1Hw
• Twitch: @Boonkie33 / https://www.twitch.tv/Boonkie33

Links/resources:

• “Little by Little” TEDxBonitaVistaHS talk (YouTube)
• “Young Teacher Adventures pt. 3” (IG video)

One Thousand Gurus Podcast:
Everyone has a compelling story to tell with insights we can all be inspired by. J.R. Yonocruz is a self-improvement blogger, relationship coach, and serial hobbyist with a passion for learning. He interviews unique guests from various fields to distill the strategies, habits, and mindsets we can use in our own lives. Each “guru” has a chance to give the audience a peek into a new world.

www.onethousandgurus.com
Instagram: @OneThousandGurus
TikTok: @onethousandgurus
YouTube: One Thousand Gurus Podcast
Email: onethousandgurus@gmail.com