“What’s your backup plan?” The question echoed incessantly throughout my youth, woven into the fabric of family dinners and casual conversations. It was a well-intentioned mantra urging practicality over passion. Succumbing to this societal script, I channeled my energy into sensible careers that promised stability. With each step toward building a solid Plan B, I felt myself drifting further from the dazzling lights of Hollywood—the stage where my dreams of performing awaited.
Even before high school ended, I was attending a technical college to earn my esthetician license. It seemed like a pragmatic way to support myself, while auditioning in Hollywood. This credential led me into the world of makeup artistry, eventually taking me to Berlin, Germany, for a certification in special effects and film makeup. Back in the States I began working as a freelance makeup artist, dipping my toes into modeling and acting, but the brushes and palettes always kept pulling me back. People knew me for the work I did behind the scenes, not the performances I longed to give.
Then came a pivotal detour. My mother invited me to a real estate training course, catapulting me into a realm I never anticipated. I found myself in Florida, submerged in seminars on property investment, personal development, and entrepreneurship.
Eighteen Years Vanished
Eventually I bought a house, transformed it into an Airbnb, and slipped into the role of a Super Host. As I meticulously folded yet another set of linens, a startling realization washed over me: I was living someone else’s dream. Eighteen years had vanished, consumed by the construction of various Plan B’s that only led me further astray from ultimate desire—to perform in Hollywood.
The irony was palpable. In striving to build financial security to someday fund my dream, I had invested invaluable time and energy into skills that distanced me from it. The path designed to support my Plan A had taken me completely off course.
Life as an Airbnb Super Host was, by many measures, a success. The revolving door of travelers added a veneer of excitement; their stories and laughter momentarily filled the void. Yet, when the door closed behind them, I was left in the echoing silence of an increasingly hollow life.
As I became more and more frustrated with life, I found myself lashing out at friends and family or retreating into isolation. I refused to post on social media anymore because I was so disappointed in myself and the direction of my life. The person I presented to the world no longer matched who I felt I was inside, and the disconnect was too painful to share publicly.
Comfortable Cage
One day, I was sitting alone in my backyard by the pool, surrounded by the beautiful lush green jungle of elephant ears. The glistening water mirrored the beauty around me—it was picturesque, a paradise others might covet. But inside, a storm was brewing. A voice within me whispered with growing urgency: “This isn’t where you’re meant to be.” The dreams that once set my soul ablaze had been reduced to smoldering embers, suffocated by routine and the illusion of security.
Sitting there, tears began to pour down my face. I couldn’t understand how others could feel so fulfilled in this life when I felt so empty. I didn’t want to live this way anymore, feeling miserable and broken. I knew I had more to offer the world—talents and passions that were yearning to be unleashed. It was at that moment I realized that change was not just necessary, but imperative. The comfort I clung to was not a sanctuary but a cage, gilded yet suffocating.
This profound unease propelled me into solemn introspection. I confronted my circumstances with questions. “What do I truly want?” “Why have I settled for less?” “What am I so afraid of?” I recognized that I had allowed the well-meaning concerns of others to deter me. Fear of the unknown, failure, of not being good enough, of defying the conventional path—these were the phantoms that haunted me, keeping me tethered to a life that wasn’t mine.
It hit me that the fear of regret was even more powerful than my fear of failure. Imagining myself at eighty, wondering how different life could have been if I’d just taken that leap, stirred me to action. I realized that the possibility of failing was far less terrifying than the certainty of never having tried at all. This understanding made my decision clear: it was time to step out of my comfort zone and chase the life I truly wanted.
My Vow
With renewed clarity, I made a vow to myself. I would prioritize my dreams over my comfort, my passion over practicality. It was time to reclaim the narrative of my life, to step boldly into the arena of my aspirations.
Setting my plan in motion was both exhilarating and terrifying. I sold or donated most of my belongings, keeping only what could fit in an RV alongside my beloved pets. My solution was audacious: drive across the country to Los Angeles, the city that had always beckoned me.
Skepticism surrounded me. Friends cautioned, “Is now the right time? Everyone else is leaving LA.” Their doubts only strengthened my resolve. “It’s where I’m meant to be,” I asserted with conviction. The journey ahead was daunting, but I was determined to see it through.
The road trip itself became a test of my commitment. Almost immediately, I encountered hurdles that would have made it easy to turn back. The RV required multiple repairs, each one more unexpected than the last. A blown tire left me stranded on a desolate stretch of highway, the sun beating down as I waited for assistance. Mid-journey, I fell ill and sought refuge at my childhood home in Colorado. It was tempting to slip back into the reassuring cocoon of familiar surroundings, to abandon the challenging path ahead.
Each obstacle tested how badly I wanted this new life. With every repair made and every mile driven, I felt myself shedding layers of doubt and fear replaced with anticipation. The open road stretched before me like a promise. With each sunrise, my conviction grew stronger and with each sunset came a reminder that I was moving closer to my true self. I finally made it to Los Angeles—not just physically, but emotionally transformed—ready to seize the dreams I’d put on hold for so long.
City of Dreams
Arriving in Los Angeles felt like stepping into a long-awaited dream. Without wasting any time, I immersed myself in the city’s vibrant energy. I attended dance classes that reignited my love for movement, hiked sun-soaked trails offering breathtaking views, and joined Tai Chi sessions in the park that centered my spirit. Each experience anchored me to the community and reaffirmed that this was exactly where I was meant to be.
Whenever I met someone in the industry, I’d ask them earnestly, “Where can someone with limited experience in film or music find support to succeed here?” The responses were disheartening. Some people just shrugged, others chuckled as if I were naive, and many offered the same reply: “There isn’t any. You just have to hustle.” That didn’t sit well with me. I couldn’t accept that isolation was the norm in this industry.
Stars In Action
Determined to forge a different path, I founded “Stars In Action”—a corporation dedicated to empowering artists like myself. A sanctuary where we provide creatives with the resources and opportunities they need to succeed. By hosting networking events and collaborative projects, we actively support emerging talents, helping them advance their careers. In doing so, I found myself not only advancing my own career but also enriching the journeys of others.
Since embarking on this new chapter, I’ve recorded songs, participated in productions, and, most importantly, reignited the passion that had been buried for so long. Looking back, the transformation is staggering. Finally, each day feels like a vibrant step along the vivid path I’ve always envisioned. I wake up feeling fulfilled, inspired, and profoundly motivated to grow and make a meaningful difference—not just in my own life, but in the lives of others pursuing their dreams. The world feels alive with possibilities, each day an unwritten page waiting to be filled.
Fear is a Beacon
Stepping out of my comfort zone taught me that fear isn’t just a barrier—it’s a beacon. It’s a signal that we’re on the cusp of something truly significant. For me, skydiving became the perfect metaphor for this revelation. At the open door of the plane, every instinct screamed to retreat, but leaping into the unknown, I discovered a euphoria I’d never felt. The initial terror gave way to awe as I soared through the sky. In that moment I realized that embracing fear can lead to the most exhilarating experiences.
I’m sharing my story not just to chronicle my journey, but to invite you to reflect on yours. Are you living the life you truly desire, or have you settled into a narrative written by others? It’s easy to get comfortable, to mistake familiarity for fulfillment. Your defining passions are still there, waiting patiently for you to acknowledge them.
My journey has reaffirmed that pursuing our genuine passions isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity for an authentic, fulfilling life. When we align with our true desires, we unlock reservoirs of creativity, resilience, and joy that we might never have known existed.
The Thrill of Possibility
I know the biggest risk is taking no risk at all. Don’t let the comfort of the familiar imprison you. Life’s richest experiences await you beyond those boundaries. Embrace the uncertainty—it’s the canvas upon which your most extraordinary life will be painted.
There is transformative power in daring to pursue the life you were always meant to live. May this inspire you to embark on your own journey, to reconnect with the dreams that once stirred your soul. Take that first step, no matter how small, toward your own Plan A. Surround yourself with people who uplift you, find communities that resonate with your vision, and don’t let the naysayers deter you. Remember, the path to your dreams might be uncertain, but it’s also lined with the thrill of possibility.
Find Raiza at starsinaction.com
Raiza Rangl is best known as being an entertainment entrepreneur. She is an actress, singer and model, as well as the founder of Stars in Action. This pioneering corporation aims to revolutionize the entertainment world by supporting those passionate about the arts.