Begin Again Where You Are with BGYO’s JL Toreliza

This episode of Moment to Moment (Day 10) features JL Toreliza, a lyricist, composer, and powerhouse vocalist from the Filipino boy group BGYO. Hosted by Coach Pia, the conversation centers on the theme “Begin Again Where You Are,” exploring the resilience required to start over and the importance of choosing presence over perfection.

Key Takeaways & Personal Stories

1. The “Back to Zero” Experience JL shares his intense transition from being a solo ballad singer to joining a boy group. Despite his singing background, he had no experience in dancing and felt like he was starting from scratch. He describes the frustration of being ranked lowest in dancing during his trainee days and the physical challenge of synchronizing high-energy choreography with stable vocals [03:13].

2. Resilience and the First-Born Mindset As the eldest child and only boy in his family, JL discusses the “patong-patong” (layered) pressure of meeting both family expectations and his own competitive standards. He credits his athletic background (volleyball, basketball) for his “never give up” mindset, noting that when he starts something new, he doesn’t just want to participate—he wants to master it [07:13].

3. Choosing Presence Over Perfection Coach Pia introduces a core lesson from Day 10 of her book: The perfect moment doesn’t come; the present moment does [08:15]. JL reflects on how he and his group mates initially performed like “robots,” obsessed with being flawless. He has since learned that “showing up” as his authentic self is more impactful than technical perfection [20:21].

4. Navigating Individual Journeys The conversation touches on the evolution of BGYO as a family and the necessity of accepting that every member has an individual pace and process. JL emphasizes that to move forward, one must stop asking “Hanggang kailan?” (Until when?) and instead focus on the work at hand today to avoid the mental exhaustion of overthinking the future [22:32].

Coaching Insight: The Invitation to Arrive

Coach Pia emphasizes that “Beginning Again” is an invitation to be fully present, not an invitation to be perfect. For those feeling stuck or overwhelmed by a new start, the guidance is to:

• Acknowledge where you are: Don’t wait for the “ready” feeling.

• Practice personal compassion: Show up with kindness for yourself.

• Focus on the present: Overthinking the future often leads to paralysis; action in the now provides the only way out [08:42].

“Clarity isn’t something you find. It’s something you come home to.”

JL concludes the episode with a soulful performance of his audition song, “Hanggang Kailan,” symbolizing his own journey of perseverance and continuous beginning [21:08].