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In this episode, host James Newcomb welcomes French hornist and educator Juan Berrios, a longtime member of the acclaimed Dallas Brass and professor at Virginia Tech. Juan’s story is not simply about craft—it’s about resilience, self-reinvention, and learning to navigate a challenge that touches the smallest, most ordinary motions of his work.

What begins as a mysterious struggle with tasks others find effortless becomes a decade-long journey of self-diagnosis, trial-and-error, and deep introspection. Juan’s candor offers a rare look into how invisible adversity shapes a performer’s inner world—how imposter syndrome forms, how expectations distort identity, and how persistence can become a quiet form of wisdom.

While his experience isn’t presented as medical advice, Juan’s reflections illuminate universal themes: the danger of perfectionism, the burden of “natural talent,” and the unexpected strength that emerges when we learn to work with—rather than against—our limitations.

This conversation is honest, vulnerable, and ultimately hopeful. It reveals not only a craftsman rebuilding himself, but a teacher learning to guide others through struggles he once faced alone.

Episode highlights:

01:10 – James shares how he met Juan at the Bud Herseth celebration concert.

04:10 – Juan’s background and 15-year journey with the Dallas Brass.

06:10 – Early curiosity across instruments and how he chose his craft.

11:10 – The balance between performing and teaching—and where they overlap.

19:10 – Why the adrenaline of performing fades and what remains after.

24:10 – The early signs that something inside Juan’s technique wasn’t working.

28:10 – Misdiagnoses, endurance issues, and the challenge of one-size-fits-all coaching.

37:10 – The physical and neurological dimensions of his mysterious malady.

44:10 – The breaking point: when familiar motions suddenly failed.

49:10 – Turning imposter syndrome into power and embracing vulnerability.

51:10 – Neuroplasticity, relearning the basics, and building new pathways.

56:10 – Advice for students: mindset, stress, and wellness come first.

59:10 – Reprioritizing well-being and reshaping identity.

Sites mentioned:

Dallas Brass – https://dallasbrass.com

The Embouchure Project – https://www.theembouchureproject.org/

Instagram – @jberrios05

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