Jayar Rodriguez, "When You Wish Upon a Star: A Supernatural Choreographer's Tale.” EP29

What if you could turn your passion into a thriving career? Join MJ as she sits down with the extraordinary Jayar Rodriguez, one of Supernatural's celebrated choreographers, whose journey from a computer science major to international dance competitor is nothing short of inspiring. 

This episode isn't just about dance and maps—it's about life’s unexpected twists and turns. Hear about the serendipitous connections and relentless perseverance that brought Jayar to where he is today.

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Chapters

• 0:00 The Journey of a Supernatural Choreographer
• 9:30 From High School to International Competitions
• 19:05 The Life of a Disney Performer
• 27:25 Dance and Music Collaboration in VR
• 41:47 From Disney to Supernatural Fitness
• 51:15 The Power of K-Pop Dance
• 1:03:43 Impactful Supernatural Fitness Community
• 1:13:12 Mapping Choreography in Supernatural Dance
• 1:26:29 Evolution of Supernatural Choreography
• 1:37:12 The Creative Process in Choreography
• 1:43:38 Discovering Passion Through Unique Workouts
• 1:57:18 Dream Workout and Beyonce's Influence
• 2:03:36 Navigating Dreams and Dance Careers
• 2:09:29 Limitless Potential in Supernatural Choreography
• 2:13:12 Disney Snack Favorites & Easter Eggs
• 2:30:16 Emojis and Weekly Workout Suggestions

Transcript

Jayar: 0:00

It goes back to, I guess, when I entered this world At the core of it, you know like we're giving you, as choreographers, the skeleton of movement. It's basically the Olympics of hip-hop dance. Please, let me be on this playlist, please. And then Asia was the other choreographer on that one too. So I was, like we do, to like still maintain the integrity of the movement while still making it fun and accessible. Get those heart Easter eggs.

MJ: 0:29

Oh, we're striking a deal. Okay, we're going to make some magic happen. Dungdum style.

Jayar: 0:34

And I know it had been mapped, like if we had it in the library. But I was like this is such an iconic dance. Think of hopping into Supernatural Like I want to move. I want to dance. It's the truth.

MJ: 0:57

Hello and welcome back to another episode of For the Love of the Map, where we talk all things Supernatural choreography and the joy of movement. I'm your host, mj, and today I'm so excited to introduce everyone to Supernatural Choreographer JR Rodriguez. Hello.

Jayar: 1:15

Hi world, Insert crowd cheering in the back.

MJ: 1:21

You already given me editing notes, I see.

Jayar: 1:24

That's not how this is going to go. Yay, I'm so happy to be here. Thank you for having me.

MJ: 1:31

Of course, I first have to mention how perfect your headphones and microphone are for this show. We are all about cats.

Jayar: 1:41

Yes, we are. I'm actually very much a dog person yeah, really, but I mean these headphones were just too cute to they're way too not have. Yeah, fun fact about these actually asia kind of has the same headphones and, I think, the pink versions, so we're always the two with the fun earphones in, like our meetings and stuff.

MJ: 2:02

So yeah, yeah, me and my friend Julia. Um, we have an assorted pair of cat ear headbands that we wear when we record side-by-sides of Supernatural.

Jayar: 2:14

Cute. I love it.

MJ: 2:16

Yep Matches our outfit. We have a bunch of different colors, so there's a little Easter egg there. You had no idea. We had an affinity for cats, so it's just perfect, serendipitous that you were that today I love it.

Jayar: 2:29

I love to see it.

MJ: 2:31

So let's just get right into it. Dude, who are you? Because you are a mystery to the whole supernatural community. Tell us about yourself.

Jayar: 2:42

That's a good one to start off on. Do I even know myself? Mean, I guess you know? I'll start off with the fun fact, maybe. So my, my name is jr, but my name is actually not jr. Um, so I am named after my dad, edgardo. So I am named after my dad Edgardo, so that makes him the senior and I'm the junior. So growing up my family called me JR. It's also a very typical nickname that's given to a lot of the juniors, or just anyone with the initials. So yeah, all my life I've been called JR by my family and my friends. But the one thing that I remember every single, like birthday, holiday, gift or whatever- no one knew how to spell JR.

Jayar: 3:35

I didn't even know what JR was. They would do capital J, capital R. They would go J dot, r, dot, capital J, lowercase r, j, dash r, j-y-r, even rj, that's to go as far as that too. So I was just like at I think by the time that I hit middle school, I was over it. I was like I want to. You know, I'm gonna set it straight like here's how I'm going to spell my name J-A-Y-A-R, because I thought it looked cool. And so I was like that's what I'm going to go with, that's how it is. Everyone do it, you know. But unfortunately, up until this day, many, many years later, people still are getting RJ out of it. I literally spelled it out for you. But yeah, I, that's, that's who I am. I think my name is JR. I'm one of the supernatural choreographers and yeah, I love, I love dance. Dance is literally my life and yeah, that's a big reason as to why I'm here choreographing for Supernatural.

MJ: 4:46

Now, that's incredible. I have a confession to make. I have been following you on Instagram for almost two years a little, almost two years and so I have seen so many cool things about you and your dancing. Like when you say dance is your life, I feel that because it really is. You are so involved and you're like super busy dude. You do so many things. You make me exhausted watching your stories.

Jayar: 5:17

I get exhausted watching my own life.

MJ: 5:21

So tell us, have you always been a dancer? When did dance become a thing, a passion for you?

Jayar: 5:27

So I mean that kind of goes back to, I guess, when I entered this world, if you will. So in my family it's my parents and then I have three older sisters. They're all a generation ahead of me. Like the youngest out of them, three is eight years apart from me. So by the time I came into the world like baby of the family, you know, but like growing up, my parents threw all of my sisters into like performing arts from a very young age. Like they did hula and like when they were in like middle school they all did drill team like military, and then they got to high school they did like went military and then they got to high school they did like when it's a flag twirling and then school musicals and you know, like singing, dancing all the way, it's always been just a huge part of like our family and like my parents also, like they love music and my dad plays guitar, my mom sings, like it's just the performing.

Jayar: 6:24

Performing arts has always been like around in the family. So you know, by the time I came into the world I basically spent a lot of my childhood growing up watching like my sisters perform and like my family just jamming out together and I was like, man, I want to do that too. So, um, yeah, in a like, I just literally tried to mimic everything that my sisters were doing. Like, if they were going to do drill team, I would try to learn their routines. If they were going to throw flags, I wanted to throw flags too. If they were going to sing and dance, I wanted to sing and dance as well too, you know. So they really kind of also like, they were also really good at what they did. They were really well known like in our communities for just being like the Rodriguez siblings, you know.

Jayar: 7:09

So they left a very big light, you know, to shine on for me and I just kind of wanted to follow in their footsteps because it's just like what I knew that they were good at, and also I wanted to be good as well. But I think, being the only boy in the family, you know, they were like, yeah, maybe let's try like other hobbies for for JR, as he's growing up. So I actually I did martial arts first. Oh, I did Taekwondo for about nine years.

MJ: 7:42

Oh, and I had a secondary.

Jayar: 7:47

I earned a secondary block belt in it. And then I also played piano for a really long time I think 10 years about. And then when I got to high school, I played volleyball. And then it wasn't actually until a lot of my high school friends started getting into dance and like, mind you, at this point in my life, like when I was in high school, like one of my sisters was like really well known in the industry as, like a choreographer she was traveling the world teaching classes left and right. So you know like every now and then I would pop into a dance class just to, you know, like, just support and stuff like that. So, but it was never at the forefront of my mind until a lot of my peers started doing it in high school. So then, once they started doing that, I was like, man, I want to do that too.

Jayar: 8:35

So it was about my, I think, my junior year of high school where I finally auditioned for my school's musicals. Now, mind you, obviously, like our music instructors, like everyone that was involved in the production of the school musicals, like they already had seen me like from a young age, because I would always go support my sister's shows. So they're like, when's JR going to come? When's he going to audition? They've been waiting for you. They have been waiting a very long time. So it was finally like my for you. They have been waiting a very long time. So it was finally my junior year. They're like we waited two years for you to finally get on stage. But at this point I still wasn't comfortable performing in front of audiences so much I still used to have stage fright and kind of just like I don't know how to deal with it. So yeah, school musicals were kind of my first in back into performing and I just got the bug with it. So yeah, school musicals were kind of like my first in back into like performing and I just got the bug for it and I wanted to continue doing it.

Jayar: 9:30

So I remember my senior year, I quit volleyball so that I can focus more on, like the school musicals and then obviously, getting into college. But then I saw that a couple of my friends actually had auditioned for, or they've been a part of, a hip hop dance team, a youth hip hop dance team called Future Shock, los Angeles. They're a nonprofit organization that's involved with, just like you know, hip hop education. They do like community service where they do outreach for dance, for Gantz, and that was actually, um, I was actually a part of that company, uh, when I was really young, maybe even elementary school, because one of my sisters was part of it as well too. Um, but she unfortunately didn't get to finish the season when I came on because she wanted folks on college. So my parents were like we don't, like I'd rather keep you guys together. So I never got to do the season with them. So then I thought it was a very full circle moment. It was like you know what? I want? To audition for this team. I want to come back and, like, finish what I started. Yeah, and yeah, I made the team with Future Shock Los Angeles.

Jayar: 10:40

That's what I spent my entire senior year doing. I learned so much about just like dance and, like you know, getting a really good foundation of so much training in different styles of hip hop specifically. And then through that, I actually got a really awesome opportunity to do a dance intensive at UCLA. It was a week-long intensive of you know it was. I got a scholarship that was all paid for to. You know, stay on campus. We were dancing from nine to five every single day getting ready for like a production. At the end of the week I got thrown into styles of dance that I've never touched before and that's kind of like how I ended off my senior year and I was like going into college. I was like, oh, I think I'm kind of serious about like pursuing dance Like this is. I feel great with it, I feel good, this is something that I want to do and continue growing in. So that was like just high school one year of dance.

MJ: 11:41

And then you found your passion, you found your calling.

Jayar: 11:44

Yeah, a lot of that kind of shaped in my collegiate journey so I actually got into college as a computer science major, which I used to be very, very diligent in school and, just you know, studying, getting good grades.

Jayar: 12:03

And then I joined a competitive hip hop dance team on campus called CADC, which stood for Chinese Association Dance Crew.

Jayar: 12:07

You didn't have to be Chinese to join, but it was kind of like the organization that had that team was a Chinese association on campus. So I spent four years performing competing basically all throughout Southern California, like within our little hip hop community. After my first year I went on to leadership for them, so I was a part of their board of directors. We helped kind of like create basically what we were performing. You know I got to choreograph more and then through that to like the community at UC Irvine where I went to school was like there were dancers everywhere, there were so many teams and we all had kind of, just like you know, so many opportunities to go and teach each other's teams and share with each other. So I got a lot of opportunities to develop my craft as a leader and a choreographer in that space and then, yeah, I finished out all four years with CADC and then during that time was also when I got Disney yeah, I've been waiting for this part.

MJ: 13:14

That's gonna be a whole section, but just to very briefly get you know at a higher level, like I auditioned on a whim.

Jayar: 13:21

Uh, because, like my teammates, some of them were dancing for disney as well. Like this really great opportunity for you, like I think you'd be so good at it, like the style completely fits you. Um, yeah, so I was dancing at disney and directing the team at the same time, trying to get through life with school. And then, um, yeah, after I graduated and I was like what's the next thing, stayed with disney and I found a not found a company, but one of the companies that I looked up to during my entire collegiate career was this company called maker empire.

Jayar: 13:54

Um, and I just really admired, like the artistry and their style of dance and just so many people that I knew and looked up to were a part of that company and I was like this is, this is the team that I want to be on, so this is where you wanted to be.

MJ: 14:11

It felt like home.

Jayar: 14:13

It did feel very much like home, and now it's been. This is about to be my sixth season with them. I also evolved into a leadership position too, where I help. Now I've been helping direct. I'm one of the company directors for our adult program, our adult competitive team, and then I also help out with our youth programs, so I help teach kids from age nine to 18.

MJ: 14:37

Oh, wow so, you wow so you're a competitive dancer?

Jayar: 14:42

Yeah, I know.

MJ: 14:44

I'm trying to wrap my head around all this. I want to make sure I got it right. You are a competitive dancer. You teach dance, you choreograph for your dance team. You work at Disney dancing. If I'm am I right, you dance in mostly parades?

Jayar: 15:04

Yes, I am a parade performer at Disneyland.

MJ: 15:06

Okay, so you're a parade performer and you're a supernatural choreographer. Yes, what else Am I missing? Anything else?

Jayar: 15:18

A very stressed and just busy, busy human being. Yeah, just a big ball of energy at the same time. Again, I don't know how I've done it for so long, but yeah, that's. Those are all the little things that make me who I am, yeah, it gives you energy to stay busy and to be doing, you know the energy you put out, you get back.

MJ: 15:44

So it makes, it makes sense to me. I like to juggle a bunch of different things at once, so I get it. But for you, all of your activities are so strenuous Like you are working out for 16 something hours a day. Dude Like do you realize that I'm asking you? Do you realize?

Jayar: 16:02

that I do now. If anything, I think I've had a little more time in my adult life to kind of process what kind of rigorous schedule I've had for so long. But I think you know that's just the way that I've been working for so long. You know, being in college I was like I was juggling school, I was juggling work, I was juggling rehearsals, I was j struggling more dance, trying to keep up with friends and family, and like I think it's been so many years now where it's like that's just been the practice for me, it's like I kind of know how to unfortunately do it well, where it's like to the point where I just don't know what to do If I have free time anymore. I just sit here, twiddle my thumbs and like I got to do something I got to do something.

MJ: 16:44

And like I got to do something, I got to do something, wow, so you're competitive dancing.

Jayar: 16:56

Do you travel all through the United States now going to competitions, or mostly California, mostly California, but I've had a few opportunities to compete on what could be like an international scale. There is this dance competition called Hip Hop International, or HHI for short. Yeah, they basically host it's basically the Olympics of hip hop dance. There's like little divisions where it can range from like different ages to the size of the groups. So in my collegiate career when I was a part of CADC, I got a chance to compete with like a eight man crew in the adult division to try to represent USA in the world finals of that division, um to try to represent usa in the world finals of that um. Yeah, so I had.

Jayar: 17:49

Those are my first experiences with hhi and then my joint maker empire. We actually have been representing team usa um for the last couple years in uh hip hop international. We've placed, we've meddled and been able to perform on like um a world scale, you know competing against company uh companies from different countries across the world that is so impressive, that is that is beyond cool, because you get to go and do those competitions.

MJ: 18:19

You get to come back and help teach the younger generations all the incredible things you've learned while living this experience. Wow, this is so amazing to hear. And you choreograph workouts for us. So now, the next time I play one of your workouts, I'm going to be sitting there thinking I play one of your workouts. I'm going to be sitting there thinking the man who wins in on the stage for dance he, he's making me do these moves here in VR. That's exactly what I'm going to think now.

Jayar: 18:55

I would be so honored for you to just feel that as you played through all the workouts that I get to have a hand in.

MJ: 19:05

Yes, so you started working for Disney Were.

Jayar: 19:10

You had you graduated college, yet no, disney was my second job at the time. My first job was a barista at Starbucks. That was on campus and yeah, I mean. So. Yeah, disney, I guess we're gonna buckle in everyone Seatbelts left to right, tap, pull on the yellow tab. I'm gonna try to keep this as focused as possible. Let's see where it goes disney has been a huge part of my life yeah huge, huge. Um, I'm actually about to celebrate nine years of being at the company, uh, next week. Yeah, that's huge.

MJ: 20:00

That's massive man. They're gonna gonna have a parade for you one day.

Jayar: 20:05

You know, I would. I would love that, but I mean, there are far more important characters that deserve to be highlighted, like the big cheese himself, Mickey Mouse. So you know, yeah, I'll get my time somewhere else.

MJ: 20:24

So you do mostly the parades.

Jayar: 20:28

Yeah, I hired into parades in 2015 on a whim. So, like I said kind of in the beginning, a couple of my teammates had been performing for Disney at the same time. We were on the team and I think, after just dancing with them for like a year, like they were just like dear, like I think you'd be a really good fit for disney. Um, I guess a little backstory too. Like I disney kid through and through, love it same, love it um, but like I never got to really experience it in its physical form so much as you know, um, as a kid, like there are only a handful of times that like I've uh been able to like go to disneyland with my family. Um, again, like cherished out those trips so much because you know like it was whenever. Like we don't need to go to disneyland, um, but I always loved it from afar, like um so much to the point that one of my goals in life was to actually become an imagineer. I like the people that help bring the experiences to life, all the experiences.

MJ: 21:32

Yes, yeah.

Jayar: 21:33

So like I was very obsessed with, like you know, like wanting to know what was behind the scenes and like how things were being brought to life, Like I remember being caught up with like internet blogs about like here's how the construction is going on for the new areas and just looking at pictures of moving dirt, and you know, yeah.

MJ: 21:56

Trying to get a glimpse, trying to get a glimpse of the behind the scenes. What's happening? How are they doing that? What's next?

Jayar: 22:02

Yeah, and even like I think just even outside of disney like I've always loved just the idea of like theme parks. Um, I remember like as a kid, anytime like my family would travel to like hotels, like there was always that one section in the lobby that had like the brochures for like everything that was like in the area. I would collect all of the theme park maps and just see, like like what kind of roller coasters and experiences they have. Like at such a young age I was like I don't know what happened with all those maps. I've always loved just the idea of theme parks and bringing things to life, like played roller coaster, tycoon, thrillville, all those kinds of you know games, of trying to bring theme parks to life in my own visions.

Jayar: 22:44

Yeah. So then when I got on to CADC in college, a lot of my teammates had Disney passes and they would just go like so casually I've never heard of such a thing where it was like, yeah, we're just going to go. Um, we have, we end class at five, we have rehearsal at eight, we're just going to hop over because it's so close to right school.

Jayar: 23:05

We're just gonna go grab a churro ride space mountain and then call it a day I've never heard of such thing like everything every time we go to disneyland, it's always like we're gonna get there right when the park opens, we're not gonna watch any shows because we need to hit every single thing and we are going to say and get our money's worth until we are the last car leaving the parking structure right, like that's always what I've been associated disneyland with.

Jayar: 23:29

So I think the combination of that and just like being wanting to be with, like my peers, to experience, you know, disneyland outside of family um, I actually got my first season on pass at the end of my first season with CADC and then, two months after we found an open call for parades, I went with two of my teammates as like a just a win, like I didn't want to at the time, I was so busy, like like we covered, yeah, but I was like you know, I, like I would love to see, like, where I stand you know like I could see myself doing this in the future, maybe after school, and I actually ended up booking Disney and my other teammates actually didn't, and they were the ones that really wanted it.

MJ: 24:21

Oh, no, oh, you're like. Oh, I'm sorry, I got the job. Yeah, I was like I wasn't expecting it at all.

Jayar: 24:27

I had no zero expectations and, honestly, the rest is history. Like I hired in when I was 18 and like those people like have become my second family for sure, like up until now, like they've seen me grow into like a young adult and they've helped you know they're, they're a really big part of who I am and, like I think, why I love performing so much wow.

MJ: 24:54

So how many nights a week do you typically? Or how many days a week do you typically um dance in a parade?

Jayar: 25:01

it depends. I mean, I mean on like, obviously, at you know, a time where that was like my main source of income I was, I was doing five days, six days back to back. It's a, it's a tough job, it's, it's really it's so physically demanding and like mentally can be mentally draining. To like dance is one one thing. But to be asked to perform specifically with parades, like from start to finish, like we could be out on the parade route for as long as, like you know, 30 minutes at a time, just consistently going and going and going, performing in extreme weather, um, you know, like in costumes of whatever they'll give us, right, I was about to say costumes, the costumes man, yeah, you know, like it's every you have to be so like athletic to be able to withstand so much, you know, and to do that like twice a day back to back, for you know, an entire week straight.

Jayar: 26:06

do that like twice a day back to back for you know, an entire week straight. Like, yeah, it definitely it's so challenging but, like I have the highest respect for everyone that goes through parades because, like that is truly like a performing experience that like you'll never get anywhere else. If anything, I think, like with dance, I think maybe the the thing that kind of resembles it the most is maybe like dancing on tour with like an artist, you know like just being expected to crank out full performance, full energy for you know, an extended amount of time, and then just doing it over and over again.

Jayar: 26:37

Yeah, yeah, but so I used to be there, like you know, every try to be there every single day of my life. But you know, like life evolves, sometimes shows only run for a limited season. So you know, like I think I'm averaging about, like I usually do, my work week and then if there's nighttime offerings, I'll just go straight from work into the nighttime performing, or I'll usually say my weekends, so I do the daytime shows, yeah, so like literally always dancing, always moving.

MJ: 27:07

Always, Because when you're not performing, you're practicing you're learning new choreography for the parade or for your competitions. I mean, it's just nonstop dance. It's always in your mind, always. It's always in your mind, always.

Jayar: 27:24

It's like when.

MJ: 27:25

I hear songs or someone says something. Someone sent me a message earlier and said I have a confession to make and naturally my first thought is a song is a Foo Fighters song. I want to continue singing the lyrics. I do that. You do that with dance and music. You hear music and you just naturally already know what you're going to do and move.

Jayar: 27:49

Yeah, I mean it's gotten to the point now where if I'm just going back and forth in my car, I call it choreography. I love that and I literally spend also so much time driving everywhere up and down Southern California just to do everything that I want to do. That, you know, like music is really the thing. Listening to uh, you know, a popular Tik TOK song right now and be like I can choreograph this into parade If I got asked to, or like I'll listen to, you know, just like I don't know even like commercial ads and be like this would actually be really fun to try to map in supernatural. You know it's, it's crazy up here, at least, at least in mine.

Jayar: 28:49

I don't know if any of the other ones feel that way, but it's definitely crazy up here.

MJ: 28:56

So I'm interested to know what your favorite music to listen to and jam out to not choreograph, but listen to. Are they the same? Actually, are they the same thing?

Jayar: 29:13

That actually, now that I think a little bit deeper about it, I think the first thing that comes to mind is pop. I think it's just so easily digestible. It's catchy, you know a lot of it's high energy and, like the lyrics, are catchy too. Specifically, though, korean pop, k-pop. I will go to the ends of the world for that.

Jayar: 29:35

I got introduced to Korean pop when I was in middle school because I started having more, like you know, korean friends at the school that I was attending and I think from there I've just been following Korean pop for the longest time now. So I would say probably K-pop is my go-to genre, but I really do love all types of genre music, especially growing up with dancing hip-hop. I love R&B, I love hip-hop. I also love the 90s music and the 2000s music that my sisters grew up with, like the boy bands, the girl bands, um, like my, my mom and my dad. They love the 60s, 70s music, like the beatles, like supremes, you know, like, yeah, like, I love all types of music really, um, but pop is probably the most easily digestible and Korean pop I I could go down rabbit holes I love. I've been, the concerts I've been to are primarily K-pop and, yeah, it's, it's crazy in that, in that world. I love it, I love to be a part of it.

MJ: 30:41

That's your jams. I love, love that. So if you get an opportunity to choreograph a k-pop song, whether it be in in dancing or in supernatural, are you the first one to raise your hand like hey, absolutely I think I have from day one already just guns a-blazing, just let's.

Jayar: 31:02

Here is I'm k-pop, because I already know like we have such a limited um selection of k-pop music in the library right now where it was like, if it comes through and no one else is trying to like, push for more korean pop like I will, I'll be at the front of that charge you're putting your name on the list with a heart.

Jayar: 31:23

Heart, heart, heart, heart, heart, and I will move mountains to be able to just get more Korean pop in my hands on all those things. But also if people want to dive in, I love just being able to be like, yeah, let's work on this together.

MJ: 31:40

Yeah, the collaboration. I would assume that in all of the job roles that you have in all the different dance worlds, that collaboration is really a big part of it.

Jayar: 31:52

Absolutely. Collaboration is huge. I would not be where I am without it. To be quite honest, I think a lot of everything I've done really has kind of been team-based. I think a lot of everything I've done really has kind of been team-based. You know, I think I would like to think that I've I'm a really good team player and just know how to work with groups of people.

Jayar: 32:11

And I think something that I've realized through dance is that, like I love learning, I love being a student and just like being a sponge and just trying to take in so much information, because I can be a really good student, you know, if it wasn't at school with one point, then at least let me be, let me do it with dance, um, but yeah, and I think the more that I um started kind of developing my own artistry and craft, like um, I remember something that I learned in my dance crew was like, honestly, like, just take the things that, because you're around so many different styles of everything, just take what you love and just like, just do that, like they made perfect sense. It's like, yeah, why would I do anything that I don't like or don't feel confident in? And just like, use all those to create your artistry, your vision, your brand, your brand like, because it's going to be literally everything that you like, work hard for and are, like, passionate about, and it's fun for you right so with collaboration?

Jayar: 33:15

yeah, I think I'm. I mean, I was the newest choreographer to the team and I think by that point in like Supernatural, like it was already such a here's the do's and don'ts of what is considered safe and effective movement.

Jayar: 33:32

The movements that we already tried and like. Yeah, we should stay far away from that. It's not going to quite work in VR or in headset. So I think being introduced to a very specific style of how I have to choreograph and create felt very daunting. At first. I was like, ooh, what can I do here? Because I was like I wasn't a really big.

Jayar: 33:57

Like you know, I didn't follow a lot of virtual reality and just being in a tech space it was so daunting. A lot of, like you know, virtual reality and just being in a tech space like it was so daunting. But I think the more that I got to work like one-on-one with, you know, our very small team of unicorns as we all know them by now you know like again it was just kind of like, what can I take from my dance experience that I know that's worked for me. So like I like every time I get to work with another choreographer it's like, oh my God, like I love how you thought about that. I would have never thought about that. I was like I want to take that as inspiration and kind of use that to, you know, build my foundation and see, like, what can I do?

MJ: 34:35

Yeah, how can you be uniquely you, using the skills that you've already learned and bring it to the headset, bring it to Supernatural. So had you ever been in the headset before, you got a job at Supernatural.

Jayar: 34:53

No, that was Supernatural, was my in for at-home VR. I guess, like with, like, the origin story is actually a kind of well, crazy is the word. We're gonna use. It's, we're into it. It's a journey, um, so take a walk with me. It's 2020. The world has shut down.

Jayar: 35:15

Yeah, as a dancer, that was the worst thing. That, like, I was like, oh my god, what am I gonna do? There's no Disneyland. Yeah, to the point where, like Disneyland, disneyland is like a pillar. She will always be there, no matter what. But I was like Disneyland's closing.

Jayar: 35:33

Now, that was I was like, oh, this is this, is this, is it guys? So, um, yeah, dance was just like what are we gonna do? Uh, luckily, like the studio that I was with, um, that I've been working with, like we figured out the way to, you know, have zoom rehearsals and like teaching over zoom and just, you know, doing all that virtually. But then at a certain point, it was like what are we gonna do? Like this is like people, you know, just, I think, staring in front of a screen for so long, like there was going to be a little bit of burnout attached to it and it did get there, but you know, like. It's not as motivating to as like when we're so used to the physical, like you know, the physical spaces.

Jayar: 36:15

So that was a really big like. What am I going to do? I've devoted so much of my life to dance. Now what's next? So, luckily, even though Disneyland was closed, like, there was a period of time where we were still employed with the company but we were furloughed. So we still have access to all of our benefits, and one of the benefits that was newly added within the last couple of years was the Disney Aspire program, which they there was a list of approved um programs and majors from different colleges where they would you would sign up and they would fully um, you know, cover your education oh, wow so you know, a couple months into the pandemic where just sounds like dance, doesn't look like it's going to be, I would say, thriving anytime soon, right, and then maybe I okay, maybe this is the time I need to lock back in and kind of like, okay, maybe I should try my hand at the whole computer science programming thing.

Jayar: 37:12

Because I did, I did love, like I knew that I wanted to work in tech in some way or some form. It was just such a broad like I didn't know what I was going to do with a bunch of coding languages, like what am I going to do? There's like data entry, I could build a website, I could build an app, I could go into games, like I kind of got overwhelmed with starting there. So one of the programs I actually looked for that was game design and development or game programming and development. So that was one of the courses that disney, would, you know, fully cover.

Jayar: 37:47

And I went back to school for a little bit. You know, I learned graphic design, I learned a little bit of coding, a little bit of game engine, illustrator, photoshop, just kind of everything that kind of pertains to developing video games. And it did click this time because there was a nice focus on like what am I learning all this for? You know? Yeah, so I was in school for about maybe a year, and I think at the end of 2020, I'd already been a couple months into school.

Jayar: 38:19

but I was just curious. I was like you know what, let's see what kind of jobs are out there, because it doesn't look like Disneyland's opening anytime soon. And even if Disneyland does open, or Starbucks, like I don't know if, like, the numbers are going to be very limited. So I got to start thinking of backup plans. So the first thing I did actually was let me just pull up you know job search I think it was Indeed and I said dance what's around me for dance, just to see what's out there, you know. And I was going through you know studios looking for virtual teachers. I already have that. And then I came across Level Designer Mapper and I was like did I put in the right search criteria? Because I was like that sounds like a video game. And then I read into it a little bit more and I was like looking for dancers with you know fitness background and tech to make maps for a VR fitness app. And I said I'm sorry, what is this? I'm sorry, what is this.

Jayar: 39:24

So I applied for the job and went through the whole interview process too. I even met Benny. He interviewed me and kind of just learned about what Supernatural was. Mind you. I was just like I'm just here coming in with dance and fitness experience, like I just maybe took a month of coding, like this is. I'm no graphic designer, I'm no, no coder whatsoever, so the tech aspect was just completely past me. But I was like, oh my god, this is this exists. Like. What is this? Um, unfortunately I didn't get the job that time. It was not the right timing. But immediately after that interview with Benny, I just like I need to see what this is about, because I've only also seen, like Beat Saber from afar too Okay, cool. And I also grew up on rhythm games too, like I know Kat mentioned it like Busta Groove.

MJ: 40:16

Yeah.

Jayar: 40:17

My jam. My jam, like DDR Guitar Hero Loved all of that. So I was like I have to go and experience what this is. So I went and bought a headset did you I was like I gotta see what this is about. So, all of 2021, when I was still in school and just you know, working at Starbucks and teaching dance virtually and like hybrid, I was just like, oh, this is, this is so cool.

Jayar: 40:45

I was like it's literally everything that I've quite, you know, like everything that just makes sense to me in my life, like I'm dancing, I'm playing games and there's like intuitive music behind it. Again, I was playing beat saver more because, you know, like supernatural requires a monthly subscription.

MJ: 41:05

I was, I was working at the time, I was like you know, the free trial.

Jayar: 41:08

I will, I'm gonna, I'm gonna spend my entire free trial like in the headset just trying to like see what this is about, right. But I was like you know what, I I'm gonna keep this on my radar. You know, like I didn't get it this time but this is something that I can see myself doing so for the whole year of 2021, I, you know, was doing my thing, keeping, you know, hopping into Beat Saber every now and then, just, you know, trying to get my skills up if you will. And then at the end of 2021, towards the end was when I got my call back to come back to Disney. So then I was like, oh my gosh, the world is right again, finally.

Jayar: 41:47

So I came back for the holiday season. I left my job at Starbucks. After being there for so long, I was like, yay, disney, here it is, we'll do that, we'll do school. It made sense. And then, after the holiday season, we got kind of hit with the news.

Jayar: 42:01

The unfortunate thing with parades obviously it's all dependent on you know what shows are happening at the resort. At the time there was construction that was supposed to be happening and on the parade route after the holiday season in the downtime. So they're like welcome back, we're happy you're here, but we're not gonna have as many job opportunities hours until, like for the next couple of months. So I'm here freaking out like, oh my god, I just left starbucks, what am I gonna do? But I always kept that. I saw the job posting again for mappers. It came around the same time I came back to disney and I was like I really don't think it's the time right now, like I just got got back to Disney, like my, I have unfinished business that I need to, you know, come back to and with there. But then, right when we got that news at the end of the holiday season, the job posting was still up and I was like I think, I think it's time, I think I need to step forward and put myself out there.

MJ: 43:01

Yeah.

Jayar: 43:02

And this will all come full circle because I applied our recruiter at the time was actually one of my first shift supervisors at Starbucks oh wow really and I remember like we finally got in contact and we're like wait what?

MJ: 43:22

I know you hold on yeah. And I was like, yeah, she's like what are you, what are? I know you Hold on yeah.

Jayar: 43:25

And I was like, yeah, she's like, what are you doing here? What are you doing in planning? I was like, what are you doing here? Like, how did we cross paths again? And she's like, dude, like I, obviously I've worked with you. I followed you when I was a freshman. She was a senior. She's like I worked with you like, and I've also, like I've been following your dance journey like this whole time, all these years. Mind you, this is like what, three, three, four years out of school. And she's like, yeah, like I, I've been following your journey like this whole time. Like I, like I think you'd be a really great fit for it.

MJ: 44:01

I need to get you, you know, I need to get you in interviews right now, like right, Like let me tell the people I know you, you're you, we need to hire this guy.

Jayar: 44:12

So I, I was in a week, like week long worth of interviews and, yeah, a week later I was welcome to supernatural.

MJ: 44:23

Wow, the timing of that. Everything happens at the right time and yes, I'm very firm believer in that.

Jayar: 44:31

So, yes, that is my Supernatural origin story. Wow, it's crazy, it's crazy.

MJ: 44:37

It is, it is, and so you get the job with Supernatural. You're working from home, probably because the pandemic is still happening.

Jayar: 44:46

Things are you know people are coming Slowly opening up, yeah, yeah.

MJ: 44:50

And then Disney gets done with their construction and they call you and go, we're ready for you to be in a parade again. And so you're back to being in parades and mapping for Supernatural.

Jayar: 45:06

The rest is history and the cycle begins again.

MJ: 45:13

So tell us about your initial start at Supernatural. I know you're a lifelong learner, you like to learn things, you like to pick up things, so I can imagine it was sort of really difficult at first.

Jayar: 45:30

Yes, it was very daunting, very daunting, like again, like what do you mean? Well, for the rest of my life I'm going to be spending like in a VR headset. I was like that's what I'm going to be doing for a full-time career. I was like this is like so much tech involved, or at least what I thought was going to be. But like I think it was really daunting just because, like again, like with my limited background in programming and graphic design, yeah, and I was like I don't know if I'm ready for it, but I will, I will force myself to learn and I will excel at this. That's always my. If I'm going to go put my mind to it, I'm going to do it.

Jayar: 46:09

But honestly, like, yeah, I think, like I mentioned earlier, like the time I came into Supernatural, there's a very like specific style of choreography that they've already had, like I think, maybe like a year into the app. But I also came in right when, like boxing was just launched, like it was still very new. So at the time, over the pandemic, also, like one of the things that I was doing was at home boxing. My sister started picking that up as like okay, like let's work out and stuff like that.

Jayar: 46:42

So I was actually boxing, you know, in my garage on a punching bag, all that kind of stuff, like I was obsessed with it. It also got me back into, like you know, but I like the fighting and the martial arts, like it was nice to revisit that kind of energy for so long. Um, so when I got hired, they're like, okay, like you know, we're gonna teach you how to use all the things. But I was like boxing is a fairly new modality. I was like I can, I can start there, like I'm I'm obsessed with it right now. It makes sense to me. Um, because one of the things that I was doing to practice boxing at home, just intuitively, was like I always just play music. I would practice punching to the beats of songs just to like get my, you know, it made.

Jayar: 47:26

I mean, it made sense to me. But just doing that over and over again, that was like I'm, that's what I do. So, yeah, I first I kind of took on boxing. It was like my, my go-to, like I'm going to learn this first. So I actually learned boxing before flow. But, yeah, like I'm gonna learn this first, I actually learned boxing before flow.

Jayar: 47:50

Um, but, yeah, uh, I got, you know, I got trained by benny ethan in asia.

Jayar: 47:52

Benny was the you know, the all-knowing, just like here's, here's where we've come from, here's where it is now, like here's how you do this, here's how you do this.

Jayar: 48:01

Um, yeah, so, benny, like, I was working with him extensively for, like you know, the first couple months and then, after I got a solid grip on, you know, like, being familiar with that, then I got passed on to ethan and asia, where all the choreographers, they have like their own little things to be able to share.

Jayar: 48:19

So ethan, I remember like taught me how to be so particular, like he can catch the littlest details and like he can tell, like if this angle of the target needs to be like this or like this. And I was like I love that Like because, being a dancer like detail-oriented, I got to match with the members of my team so I was like, yes, this makes sense, or like even just like suggesting like the angle of this target flows better into this, or you have a rogue target just flying at you randomly, you know. So it really taught me, like again to be just, very, just, look for these things. And then Asia really helped to kind of just like help me find my style a little bit and kind of refine that, because I think, coming from like similar dance preferences and, you know, energy wise, like it was just really easy to kind of learn from her like yeah, like I love this move, like keep going with that, um yeah.

Jayar: 49:16

And then so I worked with them, kind of like you know getting feedback and you know suggestions on like how to improve things like that. And then after a couple months, with boxing specifically, it was like yeah, I think you're ready to learn flow. And then the cycle repeated, got certified to be like yeah, this is all good stuff. And then it was finally there where it was like now I want to see what the other choreographers are doing and taking inspiration from them.

Jayar: 49:46

So, yeah, it's always a lifelong collaborative effort that continues to keep, you know, inspiring me to keep creating movements that are just fun and effective for fitness.

MJ: 50:00

Was flow hard for you to wrap your mind around, or?

Jayar: 50:04

Oh my gosh. Yes, really.

MJ: 50:08

Yes, yes.

Jayar: 50:10

Like I think preference-wise, obviously. I think like it just feels right to do flow. You know, there is, it just felt, it feels right and supernatural. But I forgot who said it. I think they might have mentioned it. But, like boxing is just you. You know it's a set of rigid moves. You know you can only do so much there with flow, like every place could be a target or something like triangles, I can fill up the whole space and it's a full 360 experience too. I was like it was a little really scary to think like how am I supposed to fill up a 360 immersive, you know map with all of these targets and tails, like where do I even begin? But I remember what I got told in the beginning too. It was like, honestly, like if it feels intimidating, just choreograph to the things you like. So I was like let me look through the very scarce library of Korean pop songs that we have in this and I was like, okay, like let's get the ball rolling, let's, you know what I want to do here.

Jayar: 51:12

So yeah, that was again like my way into flow. My first boxing maps were K-pop. My first flow maps were K-pop. So thank, thank, um, so thank thank K-pop for getting me to where I am right now.

MJ: 51:24

I love that. All back to K-pop. It's going to go back to K-pop several times. I have a feeling about this.

Jayar: 51:31

Yes.

MJ: 51:34

Do you remember when your first flow workout was came out? Were you nervous? Did you know it was coming out? Were they like okay, dude, your first workout's up, it's coming out Monday.

Jayar: 51:48

Actually no, to be quite honest, I think you know like, from the time that we start working on, you know our choreography and it gets kind of done with our area.

Jayar: 51:58

Like you know, it takes some time to be to get ready, app ready if you will. But we just, you know, like we just keep cranking out content for you guys. It's incredible. But like it's so easy for me to just lose track of, like, what's going live because, again, we're just getting tossed around so many different workouts and, you know, trying to choreograph the next best thing. So I remember I think maybe I was my first map that went live I think was a paramore map, it was a high box, I think, and I think I was already. It was already maybe like three weeks out and I didn't even realize that it had launched and I was like, oh my gosh, wait, when did I miss this?

MJ: 52:42

I think that maybe is a good thing for your nerves.

Jayar: 52:45

For sure, for sure, absolutely.

MJ: 52:48

That you had no idea. And then you just got told after and you're like what, what it's people were playing it, what.

Jayar: 52:54

I was like when was anyone like okay, like no one's going to let you know, great Love, that You're expecting an email letting you know this is when it's coming?

Jayar: 53:08

yeah, but obviously like for the more, like special workouts, like you know, artist series and like april fools, and like obviously like there will always be, like it's launching today everyone, like we put so much work into this, like yeah, but I remember just very, like you know, like why did no one tell me my first workout was going to be published, or my first map? I know?

MJ: 53:27

I would have said the same thing, like I got to know these things, man. Yeah, so you have been working at Supernatural since 2021, correct?

Jayar: 53:39

2022. Top 2022.

MJ: 53:41

Okay, 2022. Wow. You're the baby yeah, the baby of the choreography team.

Jayar: 53:49

Going on strong, going on strong.

MJ: 53:51

I love that and do you? I know you guys are scattered. Do you live or you know? Are you close enough there to go visit the headquarters and and meet with people you go into work um?

Jayar: 54:06

yeah, um, we have a local kind of like not really la, but southern california team. It's you know I, it's me, benny, ethan and asia, so like we're usually the most like accessible to, like you know, visit the offices whenever we need to and kind of stuff like that. Um, yeah, and every so often, like we'll get, you know, chances to do, like you know, on-site gatherings, like with you know the coaches and like the curators and the heads have, you know a nice like set amount of days just to be together, because, obviously, like you know, working on zoom and you know virtual, all that kind and you know virtual all that kind of stuff. Like it's different when you get to finally see everyone in person. Like I remember for so long I think it was maybe eight months, it was like summer I think and so I started in January.

Jayar: 54:59

I haven't seen people physically in the flesh until maybe December, summer, I think the first. Well, I think the first two people that I saw physically were benny and asia, because they had actually come to one of my performances with maker empire. Um, I was like, hey, like I I'm putting on, like I'm really involved in the show, like if you guys were down to just experience dance and you know. So they came out and supported and I was like that was the first time I ever saw them in the flesh. And actually those are the first two people that I got to do collaborative like posts with. I remember like I did like a tap, like a little promo With Benny you sure did.

MJ: 55:40

That's the first time I ever saw you and realized that you were one of the choreographers. I'm going to pop that video on the screen.

Jayar: 55:48

Yeah.

MJ: 55:49

I remember your smile is what I, what stood out to me. Obviously your dance moves too, but the first thing it made me smile and I was like this is one of them. Oh my gosh.

Jayar: 56:03

Yeah, that was. That was a wild experience Because, again, like I've only ever had such a very limited experience with tap, I had to learn a couple numbers for school musicals when I was part of them, but then we learned the Moses Supposed routine from Singing in the Rain. Mind you, iconic, absolutely iconic and incredibly difficult. I didn't put my tap shoes on. Maybe I haven't worn them, maybe since high school. I didn't put my tap shoes on. Maybe I haven't worn them, maybe since high school. I was surprised that they fit, but they were. I just remember like they were, like, yeah, like for the debut of.

Jayar: 56:38

Mighty Musicals like this is in the most poses in the thing, and we also made a really like intentional, coolest map.

MJ: 56:48

I'm so glad you brought this up because that map still stands out to me, because the stance changes and Juana calls out she goes now tap dance. And every time I suggest this workout to people I say you, let go, have fun, channel your inner tap dancer, like, channel it. It is so, so, so, iconic that workout.

Jayar: 57:14

Ah, I honestly like I honestly almost forgot about that because I was like, yeah, those are, those are my origins, you know, um. But yeah, so I got to do that one with benny. And then I also got to work on another post with Asia. Yeah, we choreographed for, I think, nonstop K-pop in boxing, which was again boxing and K-pop. I was like, please, let me be on this playlist, please. And then Asia was the other choreographer on that one too.

Jayar: 57:47

So I was like, oh my gosh, and I know you're local now too. So they're like, yeah, why don't we do some promo for um, like the debut of this, which goes into funny thing now, because this was literally after she, like they watched my showcase. And then I was like, asia, you're local. And she was like, yeah, like. And then I was like we had auditions coming up for my company within the next couple of months and I was like Asia, get over here please, because I think this is again like, it makes sense, like our style rehearsal. You're gonna see what this is about. And, yeah, she's a part of my dance team now. Oh, that's so cool. We've been dancing together for, yeah, about the time that I've been at supernatural. So it's really cool that like I got to learn from her how to be like a supernatural choreographer, and then me being able to be one of her company directors on Maker Empire. Like she gets to learn from me as well too.

MJ: 58:51

And obviously you know, yeah, that's my girl, it's all connected and I bet when you guys get to collaborate together at Supernatural again it feels like home because you have that working in the dance company and at Supernatural.

Jayar: 59:09

Yeah, it's fun, yeah, it's fun, yeah, yeah. So I mean it's definitely nice to be able to kind of be like local to more coworkers because, again, I think I thrive off of being like in teams and just in person work.

Jayar: 59:21

So it's nice to be able to to see everyone and it always warms my heart just to be like, yeah, like I feel like I obviously know you guys but I my heart just to be like, yeah, like I feel like I obviously know you guys, but I remember like the first time I saw ethan, he was so, so tall and the first time I saw lowry to be that you were like so, so tall, wow, I was like you know, this can, I could, I could look six foot from this angle, from right here in this view, for so long, you know. But but like, yeah, just the most surprising things of just you know, thinking that you know people so like we literally see each other every day for hours through a computer screen and then just being in the flesh.

MJ: 1:00:00

In the flesh, finally, I love it.

MJ: 1:00:03

So I can relate to this, because Supernatural has brought into my life an amazing group of friends and community members. I really threw myself into the community and because of that I've been so lucky to meet so many incredible people that I talk to every day, every day I work out with, every day, I have video chats with them, we send voice messages and I've been lucky enough to go to a couple of meetups with them, meet them in person, and there's nothing. It fills your heart, it fills your soul, it fills a part of you, um, that you didn't know, you, you needed. Um, that's what supernatural has done for me in my real life, and so you know, we joke our friends in the headset. So you guys sort of have friends in the headset too when you're working remotely in that way, and so I totally understand.

MJ: 1:01:01

Finally getting together in person and being in the same room in the flesh, you can touch them. It's like you're real. Yeah, you're not just in the computer, not in the headset. Yeah, touch them, it's like you're real. Yeah, you're not just in the computer, not in the headset yeah, it's crazy.

Jayar: 1:01:13

I think like also just knowing that the community that we have is supernatural is far beyond anything that I could have ever like imagined. I think like being, you know, a dance teacher and just you know, kind of working professionally in southern california for so long. It's just like like we always think like tour backup dancing teaching classes around the world, like that's like it for you've made it Broadway.

Jayar: 1:01:39

Broadway. Yeah, so, like I think, realizing that you know there's probably hundreds and thousands of people across the nation that are supernatural athletes, it's crazy to think that I'm only used to ever teaching to a studio full of 50 people average, but to know that choreography and movement is getting translated across distances and crazy numbers of people like I never would have thought that that was like I'm going to be on my bingo card for the impact that I have as a dancer and a performer and entertainer. I mean, like with disney, like it was, I was really lucky to be able to have an opportunity for so long to just kind of have a like a stage. But it's always like getting to say that I get to perform in front of thousands of guests every single day. Like that was always kind of like, oh yeah, like this is a cool experience it's a big deal.

Jayar: 1:02:46

It's a huge deal and then I always thought that that was overwhelming. You know, like there's a different audience every single time, but now like to know that, with you know, VR and metaverse, like it can even go so much wider. I think that is the thing that always gets me going, where it's like what I'm doing is impacting so much more than what I thought that I could reach dude.

MJ: 1:03:12

you impact so many people because of supernatural and because of the movements. It's literally brings so many of us joy, keeps us healthy and fit, encourages us to make friends, be in the community, help others. The impact it's like a domino effect and even if, just knowing it, it's one or two people, that's really cool, but it's literally hundreds of thousands of people.

Jayar: 1:03:43

For sure, and I think even more like special too, like Supernatural definitely has been passed around. The family, you know, um, yeah, so obviously, like I will throw my all my family has tried supernatural. But definitely, like my mom is a supernatural athlete. Yes, she, um, and it's like it's really cool because obviously, like she, she like did like Zumba at one point and like you know, but like fitness is always, she's always wanted that to be like a thing in life. But you know, just naturally, like busy with like taking care of kids and work and stuff like that, it becomes such, you know, like a thing, like you have to figure out where it fits into your life.

Jayar: 1:04:28

Yes, and I remember like the first time she tried supernatural, it was just like this eye-opening thing for her when she didn't realize that like she was working out, you know she was huffing and puffing the first couple maps but she was like I, I want to continue doing it. Yes, I got her her own headset, I got her own supernatural account and I think to to know that like, obviously, like the experience that she has with being able to work out without feeling like you know, she's limited or like I think that's something that I've always been like, thankful for because, like I get to teach, I get to share a little bit of you know, of my dance journey and how I get to teach so many people back to my family.

MJ: 1:05:11

Yeah, that's priceless. That is absolutely priceless. And you pointing out, it's always hard for all of us. I'm a, I'm a mom woman. It's hard to make time for yourself, to really make that time, and what the headset allows us to do is basically have no excuse. You know it makes it, it's right here. You know it's right, it's right there. Don't, don't sit and watch TV for a little while, get in the headset.

MJ: 1:05:39

You know, you want to do it and, like you pointed out, you don't even realize you're exercising per se. Of course you're huffing and puffing, but you want to keep going like the whole experience is designed to engage every part of you and you just forget you know, you forget you're working out, no one's watching you, you're completely immersed and that's the beauty, for me, of supernatural and, I'm sure, for many users.

Jayar: 1:06:11

Yeah.

Jayar: 1:06:11

I guess, especially like I mean in the in, like my mom's case, like you know, like she's always, she's always stay at home, always. You know, like um, you know having to drive to the gym and you know just be also like I mean the gym is to. Even for me, I only started getting comfortable with it like last year, you know. So like, but just being able to move and do it at a comfort of like you know it's literally right there for you, you can do it in the privacy of your own home and just feel safe. Yeah, like safe movement and also just safe as, like you know, like I can do this without judgment, like I think that's the most beautiful thing about not even just exercise and movement, but I think, especially with dance, because that's something that I think when I try to teach like a new dancer, like they're always like oh, I'm too shy to like try new moves or be in front of someone and like be judged.

MJ: 1:07:03

They don't want to be judged. Yeah, they don't want to be judged.

Jayar: 1:07:06

That's exactly it. So this literally like gets you know, it helps you break through that step and just like, I just want to move because I want to move. It's beautiful, it's absolutely beautiful.

MJ: 1:07:18

It is absolutely beautiful. It kind of makes me a little emotional thinking about it because you know, for me, we all have our own supernatural story. But for me personally, I found supernatural in a really dark place during a really dark place. My confidence, the way I felt about myself in my life, and supernatural I say it all the time is like therapy for me. To get in the headset, to move so freely, express emotion, get in there, sweat it does things for your brain chemistry, as you know, because you're a dancer and you're working out nonstop. So you know all those endorphins get released and for a lot of people, supernatural could be their first experience with fitness like real fitness that they stick to. It's life changing. It's so impactful. It's the future. And what I think is really cool is that your job you're such a busy dude, you're going from place to place to place to place, but if you've got your headset, your laptop, you can make maps and work from anywhere.

Jayar: 1:08:29

Yeah, that's the magic of it.

MJ: 1:08:31

It fits into your life, just the way it fits into our lives as the users.

Jayar: 1:08:35

Absolutely, absolutely. Yeah, it does make me really emotional thinking about, like you know, sometimes obviously, like you know, with the busy life that I have too, like it gets overwhelming too, you know, like creative burnout is a gets overwhelming too.

Jayar: 1:08:49

You know, like creative burnout is a thing too, you know I have. I think 99% of my brain capacity is dedicated to choreography and figuring out formations and like everything dance related you know, so it's. I do find it's really easy for me to kind of, you know, burn out and it can be like I don't feel like creating anything right now, but then I always lock back in and just realize, you know, like you have such a wide reach to make like your worst day, like my worst day, could be someone's life-changing moment of like I loved this. So I think it's little things like that that keep me going and like I love it, and I think that's always why I kind of find myself in like leadership positions and trying to teach, because I think having that accountability of like knowing that like you have the impact, you know you can make an impact on someone's life like I love that, and just knowing that I can have a part, even if it's just a little small thing, to you know help change someone's life for the better.

MJ: 1:09:51

Yeah, I, yeah, definitely makes me emotional to think about and I feel honored that you guys have been coming on the show, because I know I'm a huge behind the scenes person.

MJ: 1:10:06

If I get interested in something, I want to know all about it, like I'm going to go deep diving on the internet, find every little thing I you can think, search for random, weird keywords so I can find this over here and connect it all. Like I'm that person with the little map on the wall, like, okay, I know that, you know, that's just the way my brain works, that's how I am. Um, so to bring you guys from behind behind the screens and out so everyone can meet you and and say you know they can find out about your workouts, about your process, tag you in the community, like I finally played this workout JR talked about making and you getting that positive feedback loop. You give to us and we give to you. You know, and I think in the end, uh, it helps you guys stay creative and focused on your bad days. You know, going in the community and reading that stuff could only help, is my thought process yeah, and it absolutely does.

Jayar: 1:11:09

Like I, you know I think we said it a couple of times with the other choreographers but like we do, we do pop in there. You know, like we share, that's the thing that lifts us up. Like you know, with how much we work on every single day, like it's easy also, I mean to lose track of like the little wins. You know that like yeah, this was this was it, was it like, and again with me and having a busy life like it's I've always been.

Jayar: 1:11:35

It's something I need to work on for you know, focusing on like the little wins, because I should be ignoring. You know like right yeah, these, this is what you work hard for.

MJ: 1:11:45

It's always not about the big goal, but and you're right. You can get lost and stuck, not celebrating the little wins, continuing thinking about the future. Like I want to do this still, and I got to do this, so let's keep going. I think the supernatural community is a great example of a place to remember, to celebrate your small wins, because that's what they do every day all to everything, they celebrate everything.

Jayar: 1:12:11

Um, it's a good reminder for all of us, you know and even like even my mom will like pop onto the supernatural community page and she'll like, she'll be like jared, did you work on this? Like everyone's talking about it and she's like now I have to go play it. Like I have to. Yeah, like it's such a very supportive and loving place where it's like I love, you know, just seeing the impact that it makes on people, and also like the montages, like the collages that we have like people doing, like everyone's dancing from afar together. Yeah, like that. Those are always like. I love seeing those posts because it's like, yeah, and especially it's like this is what I envisioned in my mind, and seeing it like live on on stage, if you will, on a virtual stage, like it's. It's so crazy to know that like we, we did it, we, we made you guys move the way that, like we envisioned.

MJ: 1:13:10

It's so, so impactful. I love the giant side-by-sides. In fact, I'm one of the people who puts the giant side-by-sides together.

MJ: 1:13:20

So, I do know that. So you know, knowing I try and pick songs and mapping. I always go for choreography first, when I pick out a song for the group and then the song is, how is it meaningful? How can I connect it for something? And then I try and figure out who the choreographer is so that I can tag you guys or, you know, send you a message. Hey, we got 100 people in this side by side. You know, I want to make sure you guys see it. So to hear that you like those and appreciate those will make a huge impact on all of the athletes who are so scared and nervous to record themselves. You know, um, that will make a huge, huge deal for them.

Jayar: 1:14:04

For sure, especially, like I think, with my dance background. I'm just, you know, working for song and and creating sets and like this is what I'm supposed to be doing, like teaching choreography to be presented, you know, and I think also with being in the headset, like it's hard to also see, like, what do I even look like doing my own choreography, you know, like we don't have the luxury of having a mirror right in front of us when we dance supernatural or moving supernatural. So being able to see, like, oh, the vision worked everyone to movement, that you, like you came up with that, like that, I think this for me the biggest, like the biggest compliment I can get as a choreographer, just knowing that, like it was so many people did it in the way that you envisioned, right, that's a first place, that's a winning, winning routine in my, in my eyes, we're getting gold medals for it.

Jayar: 1:14:57

Gold medals daily, weekly streaks for it. Yes, Get all the points for it.

MJ: 1:15:04

So with your dance background? So with your dance background, do you ever try in map workouts or map songs to match a dance performance or a music video in Supernatural? Does it translate that way?

Jayar: 1:15:24

Absolutely, absolutely, absolutely um. My first experience with trying to translate that like actual real life movement um was the line dance workout, the how down, throw down, yes, lassos and line dancing lassos and line dancing, yeah, um, when I saw this come up in the curation pipeline, I was like we have to do the line dances.

Jayar: 1:15:48

You are doing yourself a disservice if you have all of these songs and like, naturally, like everyone's. First it's like being at a party, you know like you hear achy breaky heart wherever you are. You are going to run to the dance floor if you know the line dance. And then if you don't know it but you see the, the vision, like what's happening, you'll force yourself to learn it, even if you're getting like tossed around like a pinball machine, you know. So I was like we have to do it. Um, and I think that's where the fun of, I guess, trying to break what we normally know for supernatural and like the movement, like what can we do with our, with the limitations that that we have of? First of all, like I was like again I think Kat brought it up in the in the last episode.

Jayar: 1:16:34

But it was like, how are we gonna do a 90-degree turn, like you know, like you're supposed to anyone who knows the line dance, like you have to, you have to, you have to turn, but we have to do it in the way that's still safe and effective, taking into consideration, like you know, sometimes I can map in a very big studio if I have the space, or it's going to be like as like, as small as my desk.

Jayar: 1:16:56

Yeah, so I was like, what can we do to like still maintain the integrity of the movement while still making it fun and accessible? Um, so that was my first like hand at it and I'm so glad that it, like it read it's never going to be a perfect science, you know, like movement is different on everyone, but as long as the integrity of like, oh, I think I know the people that know will know, and I think, just also allowing yourself to be like you know what, I'm not even going to focus on the triangles, like, I'm just going to do it because I'm going to do it, and I'm going to dance yep that's the beauty of it all.

Jayar: 1:17:29

So I think, yeah, so that was like my first. Um, I guess with flow, the, you know, the tap dancing and the boxing stance changes. Like that was my first god too. But then let me tell you the first JK pop. That was a collaboration with Justin.

MJ: 1:17:51

The pros, only the pros only.

Jayar: 1:17:53

And that was my first pros only. I think I had already been a year into choreographing and literally everything else. And then they said I think Justin came up with me with the idea like hey, we want to get more K-pop in there, I want to get more J-pop in there, like, I want to get more j-pop in there. And what's justin's forte?

Jayar: 1:18:13

pros only yeah and I haven't done it yet. I've done it for boxing, but I was like flow I don't know if I'm gonna live, because even at that point too, I was like I'm still, I'm still trying to figure out. You know, like my pacing and everything, like I don't know if I could read targets that fast, like I was still very much new. I was like I don't know if even I can do my own choreography, but we were able to. You know, we had a couple songs each. But then our my first true collaboration with that was dungnam style and I know it had been mapped like if we had in the library.

Jayar: 1:18:48

But I was like this is such an iconic dance, like, whether you like k-pop or not, if you were around during that time, you know, you know what to expect. So I was like how do we get this dance move into the headset? It looked absolutely crazy. The first iterations of it, like what are we doing? Is this going to make sense? Like are we going to hurt people? But then again, like it's like, well, it's pros only like you'll figure, you'll figure it out. It requires that level of you know you got to be like brain power to be in there. So like we were, just like you know what, let's push it through.

Jayar: 1:19:25

But then I remember that feeling like so accomplished because we're just like. But then I remember that feeling like so accomplished because we're just like. People were like I did the dance. How did they do that?

MJ: 1:19:33

How did they do that? That was my first. I remember screaming when.

MJ: 1:19:38

I got to that song, I screeched. When the part comes and you're crossing your arms, they're having us do the dance. It's the real dance, yes, dude. And then my legs start going and it is magic. These moments where you guys sort of push the envelope, the rules of what is expected in our normal supernatural workouts, I feel like I'm witnessing like an important part of history. Every time something like this comes out, I seriously do, because it's just when I catch it and I realize, like that particular movement in that song and map, I just in my mind, y'all were geniuses, like you were, straight up geniuses.

Jayar: 1:20:26

So yeah, I love, I love to see it. Yeah, so I mean obviously too, you know, like I I think with like choreography too, it's like you know I'm gonna do what literally makes me feel comfortable and what I know works.

Jayar: 1:20:39

For me it's yeah, but the challenge is always like how, how do we just get, how do I get a black and a white target with some tails and triangles to emulate that kind of movement? Um, yeah, so, especially with anything k-pop that's going to be higher intensity, if it ever comes down the pipeline, I will be trying to mimic as much of it as possible, so be on the lookout for any if it ever comes down and you feel like you're. The targets are crazy, but, and the triangles?

Jayar: 1:21:08

the triangles that tell you to do one thing, it's probably mine, but also just like, please, just you know like, watch the video of the original song.

Jayar: 1:21:16

Prep yourself and be like I think I know what's supposed to be coming and also, too, you know it's like we want people to be able to go in and replay and just like get better at this. And just know like yeah, it's teaching dance, like you never got always going to get it on the first time. So, like, favorite it, add it to your list and be like I'm going to nail this. I'm going to nail this routine.

MJ: 1:21:36

Yeah, that, and especially in the pros only category. You shouldn't. You know it should take a lot of practice, even for pros. I've been doing supernatural three years. I consider myself a pro. I love pros, only workouts. So when you guys can challenge me and my brain can't wrap around what's happening, I get so excited. I'm like, yes, yes, I got to play this 12 more times, yeah.

Jayar: 1:22:04

I mean also, I think, knowing like that this is also the caliber of, like the people that work around me. I'm like, oh my gosh, like I need to pick your mind more, because I will always have to at least like, when I find a prose I love, like, my first instinct is usually to be like I'm just gonna stand here and let myself get pummeled with the targets, just because, like I need to, I need to know what's what's what's happening. And then, now that I know what's happening, I'll go back back and be like okay, I know this crazy section is coming up. I know that I'm supposed to be looking at five lanes at one time. I know it's coming, so it gets me prepared to get those higher scores and more points.

MJ: 1:22:43

Yeah, I love it. In the future, a K-pop song comes out to watch the music video. Absolutely, so I did that recently as soon as I saw a brand new Prose Only come out. I think it was actually last week. It's the new JK JK Pop Prose, only High with. Rainier, I looked at the song list and I went straight to YouTube because I had remembered about Gangnam Style and Justin had spoken about and I always mess this up and you were going to cringe Do-do-do-do-do-do-do, Do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do.

Jayar: 1:23:20

Yeah, I mean literally, quite literally.

MJ: 1:23:25

I know his experience with that song and he went second by second for the music video. So as soon as that new workout came out, I went straight to YouTube. Let me watch the music videos before I even play it. So I went in with that knowledge and I believe I sent you a message right after and I said I can't stop me, dude, I can't stop me, it was so good. It was so good.

Jayar: 1:23:51

That one felt absolutely crazy to try to translate into editor or into editor, but I was like it needs to happen. It needs to happen. I see no other option for this song. It's such an iconic dance too and I like yeah that's what I love with K-pop too.

Jayar: 1:24:08

It's like you get outside of coaches too, like you have so many other resources to be able to pull from for movement where it's like you can find that inspiration elsewhere. It's like you know, like, yeah, it's just I'm glad. I'm glad it translated well, because I was like there's a section that messes me up every time.

MJ: 1:24:31

I, in fact, I played it this morning. It was my workout this morning and uh, there's this fast paced part that comes and I just barely missed the target. It's the one target I miss in the whole set. Um so it keeps me coming. But you know I want to keep playing it. But it definitely translates from the music video the movements that you're trying. You know you're limited in vr, right, but you guys do such a great job.

Jayar: 1:24:56

Um, it's very forward thinking and and I really love that yeah, no big big kuda suggestion on that for being my, my guide in the pros only universe like I'm.

Jayar: 1:25:09

He's like always like take my hand, I will, I will lead you through the darkness through the darkness like please, because I yeah definitely like just knowing how to like refine things and just knowing the things that like the patterns and stuff like that haven't like worked in the past. So I'm like, yeah, definitely has the eye for it and just like knowing, I think, the right amount of like how much to push the envelope with the tool set that we have.

MJ: 1:25:40

Yeah, he's a master at his pros only craft, for sure, just like each of you is a master at your own unique aspects of supernatural. When you go in and play supernatural maps, do you typically go in and play flow or boxing If you're just like going to go in there?

Jayar: 1:26:02

Honestly flow, Really Flow.

MJ: 1:26:06

Okay.

Jayar: 1:26:07

Yeah, flow, I think, because it just offers the most amount of movement and like, I always feel like I want to dance when I do like, when I think of popping into supernatural, like I want to move, I want to dance. It's truth, truth. Yeah, boxing is I mean, it's really fun. Don't get me wrong, I love that. That will be my baby forever and always. But there's just something so just like about, I think, just the more you know, like targets and tails and triangles, all of that, like, yeah, I think it definitely is the most magical experience.

MJ: 1:26:44

There's a freedom in flow that you don't get, flow that you don't get. You get this combination of the movements you've choreographed and had us do. Right but then there's also this like collaboration between the users and the choreographers and the coaches, because we're interacting with your maps with our own spin on it. You know, like I like to do this little kick thing and we all have our own things we like to add and do that feels good, and so it's almost like we're collaborating with you guys.

Jayar: 1:27:19

Absolutely.

MJ: 1:27:20

That just clicked for me.

Jayar: 1:27:22

Yeah, I mean at the core of it. You know like we're giving you, as choreographers, the skeleton of movement. You know like it's here if you want it, but also live your best life, like this is your supernatural journey, like do write your own story with that. Like you know, I will never I mean again with me. I will be doing also more like with the JK pop, the, I can't stop me. There are certain moves that I know that like, even though there's a target there, like in my body, I know it feels right to like, I know I'm supposed to hit it, but I will blissfully ignore that target if this is what the original dance move was, you know?

Jayar: 1:28:06

yeah, so like it's all the skeleton, you know where. We're providing you with just the basic movement for the set intensity so that you can have your freedom to explore and learn also. If that is what your journey is and what you want, yeah.

MJ: 1:28:22

So how? Your first pros only JK pop map that experience to the second. Your second pros only flow map. What difference did you learn a lot from that time to this time. Did you come in with your own ideas Like all right, dude, I got a plan.

Jayar: 1:28:42

Absolutely. Um, I think with the first pros only, I think I was still very much confined with them, like this is only what we, what we know, what our guidelines are, our golden rules for choreography, and you know, like two targets of you know to never be next to each other, or x, y and z rules. Yeah, so I, I think I came in with the very just like, what is that like? Just, you know, you know, tunnel visioned outlook. Yeah, trying to follow the rules. Yeah.

MJ: 1:29:16

Trying to do the things that you were taught in say, maybe some of the lower levels intensities.

Jayar: 1:29:22

Yeah. So then I think, coming back to my second JK pop, I think about a year later, I was definitely way more ruthless and, like you were ready, I was like the worst we can get is just like, nah, this needs to, this needs to change, like yeah. So I think I mean my mantra is like the worst that someone can tell you is no, and like here, make the modification here, but you'll never know. If you know you don't try and go for it. So I I'm happy to say that a lot of the original like choreography, stayed pretty much the same for that, um, that like iteration of the map, just little tweaks of like yeah, this would be a little more comfortable here, here, um, yeah, but definitely way more ruthless and be like this. This is a prose. Only we could be asking you to flip and maybe it'll happen.

MJ: 1:30:15

Maybe it will happen. I know there's this section in the Madhouse Monster and Mark's. There's these crazy triangles that come at you and Mark makes this comment like oh, you don't know how to levitate, you don't know how to levitate through those triangles. And I always say back to him of course I can levitate Mark because, like, put it on there, Let me see it, Let me do it. It's just a hilarious moment of doing something you didn't ever think possible and then you do it, and you do it with confidence. Feel like the new jk jk pop. You came back and you did it with confidence you were like yeah, here I got this.

MJ: 1:30:56

Let me, let me put my spin on these maps, and you did for sure, I can see especially the difference between jopping I love jopping, don't get me wrong.

MJ: 1:31:07

like jopping is great you have this intense turning section where you have this combination of targets. It's we call it the supernatural hand drive. I have no idea what you all call it, but yeah, and then it, and it's complex and it's fantastic. Um, but I can see the progression in in your choreography, you feeling more confident and comfortable with the crazy movements in this next iteration of jkpop absolutely.

Jayar: 1:31:35

Yeah, I mean with it was, I think, playing that back to like dropping. I remember I was like, oh my god, it's my first pros. Only I'm so proud of myself, you know. But like the evolution of style like you can really tell in choreography, especially like from like the earlier workouts that like were released, like when the app first dropped, like now like completely different like vocabulary of movement, and I think that's I love that like we have literally the first workout still just accessible to anyone who wants to just explore, because, yeah, I mean I love that like, for we have the history to show, like this is our evolution of movement within supernatural.

Jayar: 1:32:15

Um, yeah, it's, it's, it's really cool.

MJ: 1:32:19

I love that part too, that you guys keep the workouts in there. I know licensing sometimes we lose licensing songs, get dropped, things like that but you can go back to the very first workout. I remember when I was doing some prep for a pros only episode we did here on the podcast. I went and played all of them from the start and I talked about them and just watching the evolution of you guys is incredible. The movements have definitely changed, evolved, improved and you can see that your craft, like you guys I equate it to like doctors you have continuing education, you're going, you're learning, you're doing things. That's what you guys are all doing, especially you in your working at Disney and learning new choreography for parades. All of this translates and comes back to even better supernatural experiences.

Jayar: 1:33:17

Yeah, for sure. I mean it's really, really proud to call myself a choreographer for this, you know this app because it's like there's literally I don't other than us, you know group of choreographers here. Like I don't. I can't think of anyone else that's investing so much time and like effort into this craft that we're doing. So I feel very much a sense of pride knowing that like this is such a unique experience that like we're all learning and growing within it together and kind of like it just yeah, like the exclusivity of it kind of is like it's really cool, just to be like. You know it's I do, we're evolving, we, we do this and we're evolving and you know, like this is still just like there's so much more. I don't even know what's coming down the road for us, but like it's it could be greater than what I ever imagined. You know again, I mean, if it can be flips or whatever, like if there's, there's a way, we'll do it. You know we'll get there eventually. Eventually we'll get there.

MJ: 1:34:25

So do you ever have a hand in any of the Disney workouts? Are you fighting the others for Disney workouts with your love of Disney?

Jayar: 1:34:33

More often than not. Yes, I had. I had a hand in a couple Like I. I worked on frozen with cats. Yes, I did get to work on like the Lion King anniversary.

MJ: 1:34:49

What do you remember? What song you did in the lion king?

Jayar: 1:34:53

just can't wait to be king, for sure was. Yeah, that was on it. I believe I worked on that one with uh, ethan and lowry. Yeah so, but just can't wait to be king. I was like, please let me have the song, like as as the baby choreographer, if you will, you know. I was like it's literally let me have the song, like as the baby choreographer, if you will, you know. I was like it's literally young Simba, like I can't wait to. I was like let me please exude some of that energy, yeah, yeah. But Disney like yeah, it's always a great spot, like it just feels right. But I remember like I have to be careful what I asked for too, because I remember there was one. I'm not sure if it was a disney workout, but it was like a sound. It was from the soundtrack of peter pan, okay, and it was literally like a sword fight on the ship how am I gonna do this?

Jayar: 1:35:46

I was like I was like, how am I gonna what? What music is there to like? I think when I first heard it I was like, oh cool, it'll be a nice challenge. You know, like I hear like clink, clink and like a little splash, like it was very instrumental and like.

Jayar: 1:36:02

But when it came to try, to like how do I, how do I put a target there? What is going to happen here? So you know, like you gotta be careful with what you wish for sometimes, but yeah, so like you'll come into, you'll run into a couple of those songs where you're just like I don't know how this is going to happen, or like you need to spend a little bit more time and energy to figure out how to get that sweet spot. Because I mean, if bit more time and energy to figure out how to get that sweet spot, because I mean if there's a, if there's a clink somewhere, and then a target comes like a hair later it's going to be like the worst, like no, I should be hitting it right on that. You know that sweet spot.

MJ: 1:36:41

Right, right on that, that, oh man. So tell us about your mapping process. I feel like this leads straight into that. Because you wish for a song, you're like, oh, okay, yeah, yeah, I want to do this. Oh, I hear it, okay, I can make it work. And then you get in there and you're like, oh gosh, this is a nightmare, so. So how do you go through the process of making maps once you get the music?

Jayar: 1:37:11

making maps once you get the music. So, um, like we'll get the, we'll get all. Like the, the songs that are planned for um the workouts and our curation.

Jayar: 1:37:16

Um, as, like we said, like we have a very organized way for us to like kind of you know us choreographers to kind of have dibs on, like what we want to work on. Um, it's very fair. But also, I think with us, like it's every like, we have enough styles of like everyone's like preferences to make sure that everything is covered at all. Like someone will we know, someone will do it if at like, if it just needs to happen, or if, like there's no, there's no. Like you know names on the little pick list. Um, but yeah, we'll get the list of the songs.

Jayar: 1:37:50

Uh, what I'll usually do is I'll like pull it up on spotify, I'll listen through all the songs and each of the songs that I see. I usually, especially if it's one that I'm not familiar with, I'll pull up the lyrics on it and I'll just, I think, with my choreography for just like dance in general, like I like to be very intentional with like wordplay and so, if there's little like things where it's like if they're saying like no in, you know, or like no, no, no, I was like I'm kind of want to do this with my finger, you know, like make a little things like I'm very intentional with choreography in that sense. So I'll look up lyrics and I'll be like this would be really fun to do this kind of move. I'll also listen to any specific instrumentals too, just kind of also by itself, just to see is there anything in the drums or the little basses or melodies in the piano that I can really highlight and accent, because that's essentially what I kind of do with dance as well, too.

Jayar: 1:38:52

Like I'll take it apart, I'll listen to just the vocals, the instruments. Um, I kind of dissect like what stands out the most and what do I want to do. So, yeah, after taking a good like analysis of like the lyrics and just like listening to the song full, full through, I'll also, like you know, if I'm just listening on my computer I'll make little notes of like choreography, like oh, yeah, like I'll do a little dance in my seat. Yeah, yeah, very much like how I do my car eography right you know.

Jayar: 1:39:22

So I gotta stay focused on the street. But little shoulders in me little head looks in there can't ever hurt, you know.

Jayar: 1:39:28

So i'll'll, I'll take that, and then, yeah, I'll just go right into the I'll load it up and just start placing targets, and I usually like to work on like one song at a time, especially now that we've been getting like um, I mean before, like we used to, the workouts used to be like, you know, you could get anywhere from one choreographer on the whole workout to every single song is going to be a different choreographer, you know. But now we've kind of moved into the era where it's like all of us are, um, we have our one workout to kind of do from start to finish.

Jayar: 1:40:01

Just right, you know, I think it makes sense like it's, it's a whole story, it's a project, it's a production, you know, um. So it's definitely been easier for us to kind of like, from start to finish, like making sure, like if we want to do, like you know, certain moves that like want to be highlighted throughout the whole workout, like that consistency is there. Yeah, yeah and yeah, I'll. Just, you know, get it on there, I'll, I'll push it and then I'll wait for feedback, wait for feedback.

MJ: 1:40:30

Yeah, so would you say it's basically the same process for outside of the headset dance choreography with listen to the music and break it down.

Jayar: 1:40:53

For, like I remember, like I used to really hate like improv and just like I was like no, I have to always learn a routine. Like I can't do it in improv and freestyle, like something like even a very loose prompt, or like I know, with dance it's like maybe like go across the studio and like try to draw your name out with your elbow and whatever movement comes, you know, like being in stuff like that, I love right based movement. So even getting like you know, sometimes I'll work with the coaches too or curation, to be like like I don't know how we can do this, but like I want also to do this at some point in the workout. So I'm also not only taking like my own visions of like choreography movement, but how can I also bring other people's visions to life on our team? Um, that's yeah, like that's what we're supposed to do.

MJ: 1:41:48

Yeah, because you guys are all all working together. I don't think a lot of people realize how many different people are involved in building a workout, so you got the choreographers, you've got the curators, you've got the coaches who are giving their input. You know they're like hey, I got an idea for this and so you've got to translate that into the choreography.

Jayar: 1:42:10

I mean, it's a lot going on, a lot of collaborating yeah, I mean, I like to think about it like every little workout is its own production of its own. It's like its own mini, mini movie, like a tv series, if you will like. Yeah, you know it's, there's so much magic that happens behind the scenes where it's like, yeah, it takes, it takes definitely a village and some to get each single workout wow up in life. Yeah, but I think, yeah, I love just kind of being able to have you like working on one core, uh workout as from start to finish, because, again, like I'm very much intentional with like storytelling and making sure that everything flows. Um, I remember, like for boxing, uh, with the roller rink series, uh, like I got to collaborate with benny on that and we're just like I, we need to, we need to switch it up with boxing somehow, some way. We've done it once with the stance changes, what else can we do?

Jayar: 1:43:06

and I was like let's just take the duck bar, yeah, and make it vertical yep and that's how we got the skates, is what we call them, or the skate bars, like yeah it's. It's a roller rink. You know, like we want you to feel like you can get those feet moving and going side to side, and that's like we want to make sure that move is highlighted every single time, in every single song, so that like you just don't get introduced in the first song and then you'll never see it again.

MJ: 1:43:32

Right. You don't get to perfect it. You don't get to continue learning how to do it. It's a part of the entire workout. I remember when that workout came out and those bar everyone in the community, hold on, we got new things.

MJ: 1:43:45

So, again you're. You're pushing the envelope and that's so exciting for us when you guys are able to take the time and go. How can we make this different? I know that's not possible every single time. You guys make a ton of workouts, but when you find or get to be part of those special ones where you get to take a little bit of extra time and really think about how to be different, how to be new, innovative, that roller rink, it was disco Lux and it's with coach Leanne man, those bars, and I've seen them a couple of times outside of that workout now.

MJ: 1:44:20

but that was the first time those bars were introduced Smart, smart.

Jayar: 1:44:25

Just like the grape Again. Wow, so fearful. I was like, oh my gosh, are we going to? Are people going to be crashing into their walls? Like, please, like, like. It can either go really well or really bad. Like please, please, don't hate us.

MJ: 1:44:38

Please don't hate us, but I don't hate you guys. Anytime you guys put in something new and fun, I appreciate it because it just means you're learning and growing still and trying to surprise us and trying to keep us moving in new, fun ways. So I'm all about it, all about it. I know that you also did another K-pop boxing workout that I really, really love.

MJ: 1:45:10

It came out last year in November because, that's my birthday month, so I remember you're a November baby too. Are you a November baby? Uh-huh, we're both Scorpios. There you go, november one. I am November the 11th 11, 11.

Jayar: 1:45:26

The ones are my ones are my angel numbers.

MJ: 1:45:29

Same dude, Same Look at this.

Jayar: 1:45:32

I love it, I love it, I love to see it.

MJ: 1:45:35

I have a friend, julie. She is also 1111. She sees it everywhere, and so every time we see it in our life, we send it to each other.

Jayar: 1:45:45

I will, I will, I will set a tangent a little bit. I have been seeing it pop up more recently in the last couple of months. So it's like. I mean, that's my indicator of like this is where you're supposed to be, Like it's all, it's all working out, Even if it feels crazy, like this is where you're supposed to be, so and it's that reassurance it's coming up now. Yeah, it's coming up.

MJ: 1:46:13

Wow, yeah, it's coming up, wow. So this k-pop boxing workout that came out in our birthday month is a medium. It's with mindy. I love it. It's got la lisa in it, which is also in that new pros only you and justin put out, so it was pretty cool to see it in boxing. It's got great music in it man and the movements dude.

Jayar: 1:46:33

Yeah With, I think with boxing. I think something that I've learned is like I think obviously you know like it's always this debate between like. Do I want people to like come out of a boxing workout in Supernatural, do I want it to make it feel like they've been fighting for their lives in an actual boxing match, or is this like dance boxing? That's always the golden debate, but I think all in all it's just like again.

Jayar: 1:47:03

the core of it is we just want to get people moving at whatever sparks movement because, again, sometimes I'll be doing boxing and I'm realizing I'm in the wrong, completely wrong stance, even if it's to a song that I choreographed. I'm like oops, like maybe that's why then that didn't feel so right.

Jayar: 1:47:18

But again, you know, like it's just the skeleton of what you know movement is so I realized I think my my sweet spot with boxing is just like the right amount of like let me give you some actual combos but also being really intuitive and, um, intentional, with like a sort of groove or making it feel like borderline, like you want to dance, yes. So that is like what I realize is my sweet spot, and I think medium boxing brings out the best of that, because it's enough to give you like a little bit of like a Ooh, that was kind of like a a high moment, but also with enough breath to kind of balance out. You know, yeah, it's comfortable and I want to dance.

MJ: 1:48:00

Yes, I love that about your boxing workouts now, because that's medium boxing is my sweet spot. I can do all the the levels. It's just like you said. You have enough room there. There's there's room to dance, to groove. You get those combos, you feel good about those combos and then you want to dance a little bit before you go back to boxing and you give that to us in mediums. Um this work. This K-pop workout is a ton of fun and you can tell that that's your music. You know what?

MJ: 1:48:30

I mean Because it brings out the best of your unique choreography style when it's music you like.

Jayar: 1:48:37

Absolutely.

Jayar: 1:48:38

And I love that you bring that up, because that was something that I got told when I was training as a new choreographer. We can really tell in a map, in in the movement, like did you really, did you really enjoy this, or was it like a struggle? You know, and I was like I can just in, like in my dance experience, like I can tell when people are performing, like do you truly enjoy this, like in your face, in your body, or is this like this is your absolute jam, like you're living your best life and just exuding that energy. So, yeah, just knowing that in the back of my mind too, where it's like you know it is movement after all. So like, if it it's always, it's always staying in the back of my mind, like people, people will always know, like they'll, they'll feel it, they'll feel it.

MJ: 1:49:27

It has heart, it has soul. You can feel that. You can feel your passion when the coaches are super into it. You can feel that too.

MJ: 1:49:37

Those are the best workouts, and this brings me to a full circle moment, because I have a workout that is like a soul workout for me it's a workout when I'm having a bad day, when I need to get in touch with myself and remind myself I'm a badass and it's a low. And if anyone who knows me, I'm not a low girl, okay, they're a little boring, you know. They have their place.

Jayar: 1:50:07

I'll give up.

MJ: 1:50:08

They have their place and this low has its place. I recommend it up and down. I put it in competitions. Um, it is from 2022.

MJ: 1:50:20

It's hard to say yeah it is a power workout and it's with leanne. It is called beauty and the scars. This is a journey. This is a therapy session of a workout, from the music to Leigh-Anne and to the choreography. But when I found out that you are responsible for the very last song on this set, falling Water by Maggie Rogers I almost cried. I was like I got to thank him so many times. It is so beautiful, dude. I feel like you put your passion into that particular map. It was so flowy and went with the emotion of the songs. It changed. You forget you're doing a low and you just put I put. So I get my heart rate up so high, dude, like higher than in a in a high, because you allow me the space to do that. Plus, encourage me to move really big.

Jayar: 1:51:22

That that's beautiful, I love. I love that you shared that with me.

MJ: 1:51:26

It is beautiful.

Jayar: 1:51:28

Yeah. So with that workout, that was actually one of the very first lows that I worked on in my time as a choreographer. You know, like I think, like when we kind of like to focus on like each you know modality and intensity at one time, just to really make sure that we're understanding what each you know level and modality feels like in its truest form. So you know, that was at the time where I think I had just literally finished boxing, like and just getting squared away with, yeah, this time, this time I thought he went to flow, now Like, oh no, I love boxing, like not yet. Yeah, so obviously, you know, you know, like let's start low, um, but yeah, again, it was just like.

Jayar: 1:52:13

You know, I do remember like playing through that workout and choreographing and I was like you know what, like I don't know what quite the expectation is just yet, um, but I'm gonna do what I think in my understanding feels like a low flow. So to be able to see, you know, almost two years later now, that like that's still really impactful and like just to know that, like I really just at that time I was like let me just try to put my truest movements and you know what I feel like is appropriate for this workout and to see that again, it was just the impact that it made on you. It was. It's absolutely crazy just to know that like I was able to share a little bit of that with you through movement.

MJ: 1:52:59

Yeah, yeah, across, across the uh, across the country, and I still play this workout. I love all the other songs, don't get me wrong, it's, but it's the last one Like it's magic, it's pure magic, and you make me feel like a dancer. You make me feel like a dancer and I'm not. I mean, I love dancing, don't get me wrong, but I'm not like a perfect. I never went to classes. You know, this is all me just being a hobby. You know like I love to move around, I love to dance. Supernatural brought that out in me. But that Falling Water is just a journey and it's a very slow song. You know what I mean. It's a beautiful, gorgeous song, but you wouldn't think to work out to it and it's a beautiful expression of the human body and emotion and you translated that really well. So to hear that it's one of your first maps blows my mind, blows my mind.

Jayar: 1:54:01

Yeah, I definitely had to be like where was I in this when I choreographed this in life. Like where was I? And yeah, it was just still figuring out like what supernatural means to me and what, like not even knowing the, the reach, and just like how, again like it, I never thought that at that point in my life, like this would be where I am two years later. Yeah, it's a beautiful, beautiful experience this place has given me.

MJ: 1:54:31

It's impactful. What you guys do is so impactful. I'm so glad that you guys can hear from all of us because it's been a long time coming. You know it has A long time coming.

Jayar: 1:54:49

It definitely has. I mean, also, at the same time, when I, when I first got hired, I was like why don't, why don't, why don't I see any of my team? Like how did the? I was like that's why I was like, let me, let me hop on these promos. I was like I'll, I'll, I'll put on my tap shoes for benny. I'll, I'll, I'll meet up with asia. We'll choreograph something cute. And then you know, like, yeah, like, so it's really awesome to be able to, you know, get our time in the spotlight now and just kind of show you a little bit more of the magic behind the scenes. Yeah, I mean, if there's anyone to know about magic, like magic and behind the scenes, you know, I totally get it, I totally get it. You, you know, I totally get it.

MJ: 1:55:32

I totally get it. You're like I get it. I mean, I work for one of the most magical companies, two of the most magical companies.

Jayar: 1:55:38

Now you got disney and supernatural wow yeah, I, I quite literally feel like I have two infinity stones for any of my any of my marvel fans out there love that, absolutely love that it feels just so, it feels good, like you know, and both are things that I truly love and I'm passionate about you gotta um gotta protect that.

MJ: 1:56:06

It's rare that many of us get to do something that we absolutely love in life as our job. You know and make such an impact. You have to protect that at all costs and keep doing what you're doing, protecting your creativity, you know, finding new ways to be inspired, working with other people, collaborating Cause when you guys collaborate it's it turns out so fun taking two totally different perspectives, two different ways of seeing the world and putting them together absolutely like it's really neat again, because I've again like, if we're all unicorns on this team, like yeah, why don't, why don't two unicorns work together?

Jayar: 1:56:47

I want to know what kind of magic that right that will bring out no joke no joke, might be, might be too much for it might be, might be, you know again, like if one day the flips are going to come, I'm telling you, but like that, we're waiting for them, we're training magic, if you will unicorn magic. I love that. We're waiting for them.

MJ: 1:57:09

We're training magic, if you will, unicorn magic. I love that we're training for them, dude.

Jayar: 1:57:12

We are training.

MJ: 1:57:13

We'll be ready, I promise Some of us not all, some of us will. So K-pop, disney music, pop music. What would your dream set If you could make any workout, like you were curating the workout. What music would you put on there? My gosh.

Jayar: 1:57:35

I don't know, it's a huge question.

Jayar: 1:57:36

It's hard I tried Because, also, I mean something about me like if I want it, I will go get it. So, even to get K-pop into the library as many times as it's been now, it's like, yes, that has been the dream, the vision for so long, you know. But I think my dream workout would probably be somewhere in flow. I think it makes the most sense for me as a dancer. I think medium flow specifically because, again, like I think, with medium boxing, like it's the right amount of like, I think, space and structure to be able to guide you. But I think it's literally just I don't know if it's limited to a john, like a genre of music per se, but like, I think, just continuing to map and choreograph from real life experiences.

MJ: 1:58:26

Yeah, and I think, honestly, a day at disneyland would probably be like it's a vibe it would be more like a vibe, like a category, how like they have you know um, just dances or power workouts, you know, and they're powerful chicks and it's powerful, powerful. You want to do a day at disneyland.

Jayar: 1:58:50

I like that yeah, or like an experience you know, like I want, I mean, if we ever get some like I don't know disneyland environments like you know, like I want to be able to transport you to that experience of you know, being at the park or something like that, especially because that's literally where I've spent my almost my entire adult life. Now, really, you know, so I think, also just pulling from real life experiences that I've had and, you know, being able to share that with the world by this point.

MJ: 1:59:26

you know Right, it is the world dude.

Jayar: 1:59:28

Yeah, but like, I think, medium flow of just like environments, of being like just resemble Disneyland or like the different lands and like I don't know, like throwing a little little tiki tiki room in there and like I don't know, like throwing a little little tiki tiki room in there. I know some it's a small world has been, you know, touched on before it. One of the workouts it exists. Hopefully it's a near um, it's possible.

MJ: 1:59:52

Yeah. Yeah, it's a possibility, I mean the future. Uh, anything's possible and, like you said, if you want something, you make it happen.

Jayar: 2:00:01

And.

MJ: 2:00:01

I could see putting that magic out into the universe and working hard the way that you do, making new amazing experiences for us happen over time. You know. I definitely believe that you could do that. If, if any of us could do that, it would be you, cause you just exude that that energy. That's the vibe I would be you, because you just exude that energy. That's the vibe I get from you. You're like, if you want it, you're going to get it, you're going to do it, you're going to make it happen.

Jayar: 2:00:29

Yeah.

MJ: 2:00:30

Thank you, that's a lot. So do you have your eye on like a guest coach If you could bring in any sort of guest coach?

Jayar: 2:00:44

Beyonce.

MJ: 2:00:45

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Could you imagine how freaking fun that would be?

Jayar: 2:00:50

Listen, if Beyonce, if, if, if I even know, if I even catch wind of her being in, like have her having put on a headset and playing supernatural. I don't even care if it's my workout, but to know that, like, something very near and dear to me has been blessed by beyonce's presence in some way or some form, yeah, I think I would lose it. Yeah, but I would too. Never, let alone, never mind. You just heard me a guest coach. Yeah, and I guess this could also go into dream workout too. A, if beyonce was a guest coach and it was a extremely super, duper monster, extremely super duper monster.

Jayar: 2:01:43

To her entire act. One Renaissance album.

MJ: 2:01:47

Oh, wow, wow.

Jayar: 2:01:49

That would probably be a two hour workout that I don't know if I don't know if I'd ever even make it to the end, but that is, that would be. Yeah, beyonce that was also that, that renaissance concert was also the first concert that I watched on the floor. So such an ethereal experience uh, you know, I think maybe about matches up to probably about the number of times I've been to k-pop concerts like that one that one night with beyonce on the floor was enough to. I can live happily now I love that.

MJ: 2:02:32

What an experience. Um, I've never I will a long time. I went to a beyonce concert many years ago. I will show my age it's been a long, long time but I just realized today's her birthday, is it?

Jayar: 2:02:49

yeah, oh, I literally I don't know. Again, the stars are lining the universe telling me things you're doing the right things you're where you're supposed to be if it's not her magic it's not her birthday right now. It was definitely sometime soon, but I think today is be high. Please don't come for me if I don't know I love and respect her as a performer. So much I know her. Please don't drag me to the mud, they won't.

MJ: 2:03:16

They'll see that for sure, For sure. I can see that you absolutely adore her and her creativity and what she brings out into the world. I think all of you creative people share that all in common. You know can relate in that way, Absolutely. I was thinking about back when we talked about your college and you finding dance and getting the job at Disney. When your friends didn't get that job at Disney, did they ever go back and like re apply and retry and get on the parade with you?

Jayar: 2:03:57

Yeah, one of them did actually a couple of years after and yeah, it was.

MJ: 2:04:02

It was nice full circle moment there I'm like I hope one of them, some of them got got that position, because I can only imagine how many times a lot of performers at Disney have to audition before you get the role you got yours on the first try I know, I know a couple of people when their disney stories, like it was just it wasn't the right time, like they weren't looking for.

Jayar: 2:04:28

I mean, you know, if they're gonna cast a bunch of elves in a christmas parade, they're not gonna look for people that are, you know, five, nine and over. Just right, you know, we gotta, we gotta meet some criteria here. So you know, sometimes it's not even about the, the caliber or the talent, like it's just honestly, like it comes down to like what the operation needs to. So, yeah, I think I landed. I think for me it was just a sweet spot where you know they needed to fill, they needed to cast certain roles and they found me fit for one of them.

MJ: 2:05:02

And now you now you've got a job there and they find roles for you. Basically, they're like, okay, well, jr would be perfect for this or that, yeah, yeah. If you had to give any advice to someone out there trying to go after their dreams, trying to live their best life and find the thing that they're passionate about and make that their career, would you have any advice for them?

Jayar: 2:05:29

Oh man, I, I was like I should also be listening to the advice for myself too, whatever I give. But I mean, it's been. It's been a really crazy journey for me with you know. I've I've had extreme highs and extreme lows throughout it all and my you know my professional, or not even professional, but just like in my dance career, you know, but it's been the one thing that's always kind of kept me grounded and, yeah, like always motivated and it's like this is this is what I'm supposed to be doing, you know, and even through, like again, the peaks and the valleys of it all, like at the core of it, it's like I knew this is what is driving me to do.

Jayar: 2:06:15

So I think it took a while, a long while, to finally figure out, like, okay, this is where it is. But I think I've also been working so hard to just like protect dance at all costs where it's like I'll do what I need to do to make sure that I can still keep dancing for, choreographing and doing this for as long as I can, where it's like, you know, I think, if it, if you finally latch on and find what that is for you, keep doing it, protecting it at all costs, like even if it feels crazy because they'll, they'll be the light at the end of the tunnel. You know, it took a little, I think, a little bit longer for me to figure out what that was and really be able to like settle in it and accept and it's like, yeah, this is this is it.

Jayar: 2:07:02

You know, like this is beyond anything that I could have ever dreamed for, but I never knew when it was gonna come. You know, for for a while, you know, like, again, biggest dream was to be like an imagineer. Um, not that it didn't happen, but I did get to experience, you know, being a part of the backstage, behind the scenes, magic of disney, disneyland, and bringing something to life with something that I care about. So I think, also, just believing in, as long as you're grounded in what makes you happy and passionate, you'll still be able to fulfill your experiences and get those opportunities it might just look like it's in a different light.

Jayar: 2:07:46

yeah, and I think having a lot of those experiences along the way kind of helped, just maybe, trust in that process. And, you know, like at the core of it it's like I finally found something that literally dance, fitness and music and music and tech Yep, like it's. I feel like for so long it's like you know, you got to choose one and commit to it, but I've been tossed left and right in different hobbies and you know, trying to take up new skills and all that kind of stuff. It's like when is it finally going to come to fruition? And it just so happened that, you know, supernatural came at the perfect time.

MJ: 2:08:26

It's the unicorn finding the unicorn company. I mean, it is such a unique set of skills required and it's very future forward thinking as well. You know, you get to use dance in this brand new way.

Jayar: 2:08:47

For sure.

MJ: 2:08:49

Which brings me to wonder what do you think the headset's going to be? I talked to this with Kat about this. We talked about the new technology. Disney has out the floor panels and the VR world and you're moving and all that.

MJ: 2:09:07

Could you imagine trying to choreograph something in the headset with those and make it a whole experience, right, like I'm envisioning? I'm like now seeing an experience at Disney World and how they would use it, but now I'm trying to figure out how to translate that into supernatural because I could totally see it for Disney Workout.

Jayar: 2:09:27

Yeah, absolutely. I again, like the sky is literally the limit. Yes, ideas can come out from anywhere. Ideas can come out from anywhere and like I, I think, understanding that now, I think, but Disney for sure, obviously like they'll never know what's going to happen, what new experiences are coming. And then with supernatural, it's like it's so, it's still so new where it's like we haven't even I don't think we even begin to like scratch the surface of what.

MJ: 2:09:58

Yeah, it's possible, it's possible, the potential what's gonna where?

Jayar: 2:10:02

supernatural will be two years, five years from and especially as, like you know, as our technology keeps evolving too, with just like the headsets, like I mean, I envision I don't know how many years it's going to take, but I can just be able to put on a pair of regular glasses, see supernatural and then, just like, have a light, such a light interface and be able to just comfortably move with I don't know like hands free. I don't know, it's just like full body, like it's I don't know, the sky is literally yeah the limit, I could have contact lenses and have supernatural you know or like real life bats.

Jayar: 2:10:38

I don't know what it real life bats.

Jayar: 2:10:40

I love that you know, like I think I'm still in such a place of like wonder and awe where it's like I don't want to overwhelm myself with the thought of thinking what next, because I mean again, like we talked about god, I gotta celebrate the little wins, and this right now is a huge win. Just, you know, being able to sit here and talk about choreography in vr like not not a lot of people not a lot of dancers get to you know, say that, like I, that you are a full-time choreographer for the metaverse.

Jayar: 2:11:21

That's pretty crazy that is. That is an honor. So I think, yeah, I I definitely try not to overwhelm myself too much about just like what's next? What's next? Because this is a very, a very nice spot to just kind of like take a load off and just breathe like this is, this is what like you're living in right now and it's so damn cool it really, really is.

MJ: 2:11:45

This is your reality and you get to help make reality or virtual reality, movement for all of us. That is so cool. It brings so much joy and again.

Jayar: 2:11:58

I mean those flips are going to keep coming up, but I I mean we could be flipping flip modality. I don't know. You know anything's possible. Again, if there's someone else in the company that's like I want to make it happen, we'll try to make it happen.

MJ: 2:12:14

That's really neat, the collaboration there. You guys just go in there and spout out all your ideas and see what you can make happen. Yeah, I said joy and it brings me back to one of my favorite things in supernatural, and that is what you guys call Easter eggs and I call joy balls. Do you have a favorite to use?

Jayar: 2:12:40

absolutely that brings you joy disco rainbow oh, disco rainbow that is probably one of the funnest things to hit too, I think, especially like I love, you know, like the more uppity, poppy, disco-y songs like um.

Jayar: 2:12:59

One of like the styles of hip-hop that I love is like whacking, and you know very fast arm movements. I also try to incorporate that into as much as possible with supernatural, but you know like it's, it's very deeply rooted and also in disco music. So like whenever I get to see a big disco ball coming towards me and then just poof, and then it's so bright it fills up the entire screen and it also like it sits in. It sits in the, I think, the right spot too where, like it fills up the screen but it's like even if there were supposed to be like targets coming after it, like it doesn't quite obstruct the view or like you know, it doesn't distract your view away. Like sometimes I'll hit the like a butterfly or a bubble and be like, oh, I'll follow it and then, oops, like I missed three targets, right, but it just kind of hits it and then it stays centered so you can really just take in the full picture. Yeah, and also the little sound that it makes.

MJ: 2:13:52

Yes, the sound is so satisfying.

Jayar: 2:13:55

Yes, it's actually like like a two-part joy ball, if I think about it, because it does, you know, the sparkles and the disco ball happens and then the rainbow in the background. So I like that choice. I love the disco ball. It's definitely, I think, definitely one of the most surprising ones I like.

MJ: 2:14:16

Ooh, I don't know that can pack that much fun in that little little strike right there there. It's also very satisfying to hit especially on beat um and put some attitude in it into those disco workouts and you've already got the attitude. It just goes perfect with it.

Jayar: 2:14:30

Yeah, Um, I think I got to. I got to work on, um, the pride flow, some of the pride flows at work, uh, that got released a couple of months ago. I cannot tell you I I feel like I threw so many of the the those disco balls in there and I was like I. You know it's pride we yep there's no other option. It has to there, isn't? It has to be, you have?

MJ: 2:14:57

to I'm I'm not, I can't remember quite remember what the the final versions of those were, but I definitely remember thinking, yeah, they got to be in here for sure yeah, there were a ton of them and they were very well placed, like the timing of them made a lot of sense, in the song um and also in the very last song, also in the very last song, I believe the very last song, in that this year's medium, just Dance Pride, was a Tantra Call song the nails hair hips and heels.

MJ: 2:15:34

Yes, yes, that song and when the joy ball comes, it was just you wanted to give it your all. You wanted to give that attitude that sass. It made a lot of sense.

Jayar: 2:15:45

I loved it.

MJ: 2:15:45

Yeah, that was a lot of fun. I feel like this medium flow is the definition of your sweet spot, what you love to put out in flow, because there's room to dance, there's fun movements, it's like a good tell of your style for sure.

Jayar: 2:16:04

I think also like again, like with like lyric driven choreography too, like that whole last half of that song was like walk for me, walk for me. It was like tell me what to do again missed opportunity. If you're like he's literally telling me to fan myself, I gotta got to get something in there. That feels like fanning, you know. So I mean less for me to think about. If it's already given what the move should be, then yes, less for me to think about. Obviously, you just have to do it.

MJ: 2:16:32

You like honoring those lyrical sections in the maps. I love that. For me, those are the things that get me excited when I realize they say love and you'll do the maps. I love that. I for me, those are the things that get me excited when I realize are like they say love and you'll do the heart. I love when you do that too.

Jayar: 2:16:49

That one was. That was a special one.

MJ: 2:16:52

Yeah, yeah.

Jayar: 2:16:53

I, I have, I have an immense fear of tailwork. Like it just so. It is extremely daunting, just like sphere of tail work. Like it, just so it is extremely daunting. Just like, where does it start?

MJ: 2:17:04

where does it end?

Jayar: 2:17:05

like okay yeah, like it just again. Like Lowry, our tail master, I just I don't know how he does it, it's so the things that comes out of his brain too. But like, specifically, at least, like you know, like let me do something cute with the tail, like I'll always try to provide some sort of visual effect too. So I remember the first couple songs, after I got comfortable with mapping and flow, I was like, doesn't no one try to draw a heart in this? Yet, like it's, it's right there in front of us, like I see it happening because, um, so I was like, yeah, let me just figure out how to draw a heart in this. And then everyone loved it and yeah. So I think that used to be one of my telltale signs of like, oh my God, it's a terror map. But now, obviously, like I love that again, like we get to pick and choose, like little little moves from everyone I'm stealing that from you, our snippet library.

MJ: 2:17:57

I could see one day I know this will happen A. I could see one day I know this will happen a heart joy ball where, when you hit it, hearts will come out, and I hope that you'll use that in one of your heart moves.

Jayar: 2:18:10

Oh, for sure.

MJ: 2:18:11

That's my wish.

Jayar: 2:18:12

I hope so too, because in the meantime, if anything, comes up with the word love and you just see a bunch of that's's, that's the workaround we got to deal with right now.

MJ: 2:18:22

Yeah.

Jayar: 2:18:22

If I can't, if I can't have an, if I can't have a, joy ball Easter egg with hearts and I will draw it out for you.

MJ: 2:18:28

Well, we appreciate you. We appreciate you doing the hard work up there. We love that. So my dear friend Julia, who used to be a host on the podcast with me, she I would always ask our guests what their favorite food was, but I'm going to put a twist on it today. I want to know what your favorite Disney snack is. It's so impossible. I already know. I just put you on the spot, actually, okay, come on?

Jayar: 2:18:59

That's a very easy question for me. All right, the cream cheese pretzels from the Coca-Cola corner on Main Street Must, must, must do. I had never known those existed until I got my pass and my friends were like, have you ever tried a cream cheese pretzel? I said no, I usually't like really like cream cheese. You know, like it's. I never had that affinity for it, or you know. So I was like sure I'll try it. And when I tell you I've been into it and I was like what I've never I don't think I've ever heard had like a sweet pretzel either. Like I didn't have a lot of Wetzel's pretzel growing up too. It was all new for you, not in my palate, I could not explain it, but I was like what did I just bite into? Because this is the most magical thing Beyond a churro for me.

MJ: 2:19:58

Right. Would you have a different answer for Disney World as you do for Disneyland?

Jayar: 2:20:03

So actually I have only been to Disney World twice, and my first time was last year.

MJ: 2:20:13

Really.

Jayar: 2:20:14

Yeah, totally different experience. Right, for sure, I mean. I think the first time I was at Disney World it was more so focused on like we got to get on the rides, do everything that we don't. You know they have exclusive in Florida that's not available to us here. I wouldn't say. Maybe the snack per se is.

MJ: 2:20:37

Okay, more like a drink.

Jayar: 2:20:40

Okay, well, come on with it, but the avocado margarita from the mexico pavilion at epcot. I love avocado margaritas can be like hey sure, whatever it'll, it'll be there, but I've never had. I was like I was not. I don't know what I was expecting when I heard avocado margarita, but that was also like one of the very first drinks that I started my drinking around the world journey at Epcot with so definitely memorable.

Jayar: 2:21:15

So yeah, avocado margaritas are definitely the one thing I have to do every single time I will go to Disney World now.

MJ: 2:21:23

So what I'm hearing is your favorite dream snack after a long day of choreographing, performing and rehearsing. Yeah, I feel like it's a well-earned snack.

Jayar: 2:22:01

Absolutely.

MJ: 2:22:02

We should all make that happen. Okay, guys, JR needs these two things together.

Jayar: 2:22:08

Let's all send it. Yeah, make it happen, make the magic happen and I will be a happy capper and I'll figure out how we can get those heart Easter eggs.

MJ: 2:22:19

Oh, we're striking a deal, okay, deal. Okay, we're gonna make some magic happen here, guys. Okay, we need to get these two dream snacks together and then we'll get our heart got it, got it. So this might affect your. Your answer to my next question then, now that we've had that little chat if you could change jobs with anyone in Supernatural for a day, you could just go do whatever. Like you want to go experiment. It looks cool. You might want to figure out how Chris Milk does what Chris Milk does. Or, you know, a coach, anyone, anyone. You could change any job. What job would you want to go do?

Jayar: 2:23:01

Honestly, I would love to be a coach. I think I think, in the trajectory of my dance career and it's led me into, quite literally, teaching dance, I think that seems like also like the next yeah, if I don't, I think if I wasn't a choreographer, I would want to be a coach well.

MJ: 2:23:26

You are a coach when you're well.

Jayar: 2:23:28

Yes, but I think, like the whole, it would translate in supernatural yeah again, this is a very unique experience where it's like it is yeah again, where it's like. I've also used, you know, being able to show movement and you know, just follow. What I'm doing is literally. You know how I teach dance, but you know, the coaches, I think, have such a very like. You see them literally for maybe about a total of two minutes in the workout, but the rest is all voice yep it's all the voice, but you literally feel like they're right there with you and I can.

Jayar: 2:24:10

Every time I do a workout, like I can imagine, like in some way or some form, as all the targets are coming towards me, like yeah, this is leanne telling me to like I can see leanne literally squatting Yep and I was like I need to match that Same.

Jayar: 2:24:24

So I feel, like a little bit of that challenge and seeing how I can bring that with just voice, because I am a very. My friends know me as the loud one, the loud, energetic one, so how can I use this to also coach dance and movement in supernatural maybe, like that would? That would be a multiverse, a hundred percent would be and it would use all the skillsets you already have.

MJ: 2:24:51

Well, now here's a two part question then. Would you want to coach your own maps, or would you want to do a collaboration and coach someone else's, or maybe a map you make with someone else?

Jayar: 2:25:03

I wonder I wonder I think it would be very interesting to coach a workout that I would choreograph like a personal, like everything from like the song you picked to the choreography and then to how you're coaching it through voice, and like the demonstration in the warm-up of the cool down, like I think that's as close to we can getting. We can be getting as like how can we get the full package of like you know, you, if you right?

MJ: 2:25:40

exactly you basic. It's like a one-on-one class and you're teaching us dance in our home in a headset. Um, I think that would be really cool.

Jayar: 2:25:51

So, yeah, I think that's why, like anytime, like the coaches have like requests like of you know, like, oh, yeah, I really want to do this movement. I was like, yeah, like let me try to figure out how to bring out you through like movement. Yeah, Like I mean, again, I could do what's comfortable for me. But you know how can we work together to really make sure that, like we can coach movement that's comfortable, like we can create movement that's easy for you to coach too?

MJ: 2:26:17

And then being the ones who are sitting there coaching all of us I mean Benny told us that they've been in the headset and editor before played with trying to map and we all know that's probably very hard and takes more than an afternoon to figure out how to do. But in their mind I'm sure they want to see some of their ideas brought out in the choreography, so that you guys working together in that way is really neat yeah.

Jayar: 2:26:45

Hey.

MJ: 2:26:46

I'd vote for you for a guest coach spot. I think it would be really rad to see the choreographers put together a workout and coach it together. For sure, my wish. I think that would be absolutely insane and wow, it would be a really special workout to see all eight of you doing that. You know that would be really neat.

Jayar: 2:27:13

All eight of us on one platform.

MJ: 2:27:16

Got it. Oh man, that would be fantastic. No, I think y'all need two platforms.

Jayar: 2:27:22

At least. Yeah, maybe I can. I can jump through some of those, those portals, those fast food portals. We can. We can switch out every every so often.

MJ: 2:27:33

Yeah, come in. No, I see you would be really rad for you to have a just a guest role in one of in one workout to yourself. I'll put that in the universe for you. So is there anything that you want to leave the community listening in? Any last things you want to tell them? Um?

Jayar: 2:27:59

honestly, just thank you guys. Like thank you all for just being so supportive and, just, you know, down for us and like it literally would be nothing without you guys all out there. Like you give us so much inspiration to keep pushing ourselves to. You know, give the best um of us to you guys, because that's what you guys absolutely deserve.

Jayar: 2:28:32

You know, if you know you come into supernatural and expect, like know your life to be changed and just uplifted and elevated, it doesn't, it's not something that you know and just anyone can do. So like thank you guys for just showing so much support and love, even when we know, like no one knew who the choreographers were. Like I think there's so much pride I take in knowing that like um, like our group of team members on the choreography team, like you know, there's something special that's like sought out after. Like you know, I think it gives me so much, at least for me, like so much validation and um you know just just like what I do is meaningful and impactful and you know, without you guys there would be no one to impact, if you know there wasn't this. So just thank you guys for being so loving and supportive, because you know, even from a distance, you know wherever you are. Like we feel the love so immensely, and that's what keeps us going forward.

MJ: 2:29:43

I love that. That's beautiful sentiment and I'm glad that you were able to directly say that to to the people who are listening, because, um, it's important. It's important, it's that positive feedback loop we give to you guys you give to us. So I have one final question, and it's my favorite question If you were going to use a hug as an emoji, say, I had a really bad day and I'm like telling you all about it and you don't want to just hug, react Cause you know, that'd be rude right, like I love that you had a bad day.

MJ: 2:30:16

You'd want to give me a hug. What would your emoji be? It's gotta be an animal. It's gotta you'd want to give me a hug. What would your emoji be? It's got to be an animal.

Jayar: 2:30:24

It's got to be an animal. It's got to be an animal. Let me. Let me pull up the the list of frequently used emojis. Exactly, there's real quick.

MJ: 2:30:32

I have one friend who is allowed to not follow the rules. She uses a pair of pants as her hug emoji. But everyone else is an animal. I'm a flamingo.

Jayar: 2:30:48

You know, I'm looking at my frequently used emojis right now. I actually don't use animals a lot.

MJ: 2:30:56

Never, huh.

Jayar: 2:30:58

I'm not an animal girly.

MJ: 2:31:00

I wasn't either her.

Jayar: 2:31:06

Huh, I, I'm not an animal girly, I think it's all smileys. But you know what, looking through, I think honestly I love using the little. I don't know if this counts as the animal, but like the little evil imp yes, yes, yes yes, I don't know, I don't know.

Jayar: 2:31:21

I feel like always, like people just kind of know me as like a little mischievous and like you know, just, very just, I'm always going, I'm always going to find a way to kid around, like no matter how serious the situation is like I think that's just literally my, my way of just, you know, still trying to show that like that I love and care and you know, but I think that literally is is me and just I love that.

MJ: 2:31:47

That's.

Jayar: 2:31:48

That's your hug emoji huh that is my hug emoji, which is also really funny though, because I think, like I'm also very like, I love giving hugs and all that kind of stuff, so but it's also really funny because I think that quite literally gives the opposite it does and the juxtaposition of it is funny and we all.

MJ: 2:32:13

You know that's part of your personality you like to joke around, you like to be funny. You know I do the same thing, especially in serious situations, so it would make sense to bring that sort of energy to your hug. I like it. Yeah, very unique, thank you. So I am super excited about your pick for the weekly workout suggestion. I know we talked about it, but I'm excited to hear what the community thinks about it when they play it. You want to tell them what workout it is jk jk pop no, it's get in there, get in there, pros.

Jayar: 2:32:51

Only, it's our newest and most ambitious creation, I think, on our end, um, at least for me too. So it's's you know. Again, I think I really tried to follow Justin's lead on this one, like, okay, like he's really tried to do the one-on-one choreography in the past, like you know what, let's all level up. Let me try to get on that same level with him too. So, yeah, I think that was definitely one of my more ambitious maps and, well, I can't stop me, but yeah, I think that, just like I'm, I'm, I'm interested. Watch the video also to watch the. Watch the other performance.

MJ: 2:33:31

Yes.

Jayar: 2:33:31

Know what you're getting yourself into, and I think you'll you'll be in for a really nice surprise.

MJ: 2:33:37

Yes, for sure. I think it's important.

Jayar: 2:33:40

I can get, we can get you moving, we can get you moving.

MJ: 2:33:45

Definitely translates and, uh, I'll make sure that I link those videos when I make the post with the workout suggestions so they can see that and easily find it. Any suggestions for people who aren't at pros only level, Like would you just get in there and have fun and play it anyway? Let it be what it is.

Jayar: 2:34:03

Yeah, absolutely. Again, like you know, it's a completely safe space and supernatural. You know it's just you and the targets and luckily we're not at a place yet where virtual reality feels physical, like like if I get, if I get pummeled with a target for hitting it on the wrong side, like I don't, I'm not gonna feel that pain in my head.

MJ: 2:34:26

so I mean we're not.

Jayar: 2:34:27

We're not getting shocks in the neck by by that right, I get a little little haptic in the hands, but you know, like it's, it's perfectly safe, you know, and like, yeah, just get in there and experience it. And you know, I think the beauty of it too is that, like we all gotta start somewhere. And I think for me, like you know, just jumping into the deep end, just trying to figure it out, but knowing that like, at the end of the day, you are safe and you can always go back and master it, but yeah, yeah, I think just don't be afraid. I think it's, it's there for you if you want to experience it and it's there for you to experience it forever, basically.

MJ: 2:35:12

Right, and when they play this workout, don't forget to rate it after. Very important, please do. You can even hit other and prompt an email and you can send in comments. I write in comments all the time, Write in like a whole novel of things to say. Make sure you do that, guys. That's the way they get our feedback and they hear what we like and don't like and they take that seriously. So, don't forget to rate it.

Jayar: 2:35:46

Especially if it, if you think it's my workout. I feel like I like I don't know if you ever like watch like America's dance crew or like so you think you can dance, but I feel like I'm like the numbers about up here on the screen, like calling your votes right now. Please thumbs up like us leave feedback for us.

MJ: 2:36:09

Yes, I love that. Well, guys, thanks for coming in hanging out with JR and I today. Um, I really enjoyed meeting you, chatting with you, bringing you behind and to the front for the community to get to know. Um, you know we talked about tons of workouts here today. I'll make sure I list those so everyone can find them. Start learning your style, and, uh, who knows what the future holds for any of us, but I do know that the possibilities are endless for you, man.

Jayar: 2:36:44

I see that magic is happening all around it is happening all around and, yeah, just see you in headset everyone Bye.

MJ: 2:36:57

Thanks for joining us on today's episode of For the Love of the Map. As always, you can join the discussion in the private Facebook group and follow along with show updates on Instagram and TikTok. Links can be found in the description below. If you find value in the show, please share it with your friends. Your comments, likes and reviews are invaluable and I cannot thank you guys enough. See you next time.