Meet Pak Castillo | Film Actor/Writer/Creator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Pak Castillo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Pak, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
At first, my plan was to play it safe and have a contingency plan. I wanted to work and save as much as I could to reach a point of financial security before taking the plunge. Having a backup plan was always part of my process, driven by the fear-based notion that I might end up as a “starving artist.” Although I never personally experienced that stereotype, the stigma around being a professional creator or artist—the idea that it means living with little money—was deeply ingrained in me from a young age.
With this fear in mind, I chose to work 9-to-5 jobs, join the military, and invest my money until I felt “ready” to pursue my passions. While this path provided valuable life experiences and financial benefits, I compromised with myself, dedicating years to a theory I wasn’t even sure was real. Over time, I realized that my physical and mental health were suffering because of the stress and the longing to do what I truly wanted. I wasn’t at peace, passionate, or excited to start each day. My soul wasn’t stirred as I devoted my waking hours to my Plan B.

Eventually, I decided to confront myself and reevaluate what I wanted my life to be about. I came across the phrase, “F.E.A.R. = False Evidence Appearing Real,” and it resonated deeply. I realized I had been letting fear-based decisions dictate my life and that I needed to give myself the freedom to “fail,” learn, and embrace the unknown. The quote by Anaïs Nin, “And then the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom,” became a guiding mantra on my journey, and I fully understood its meaning.

Later, my finances were affected by the recession, COVID, and other factors, and I realized that there was no truly “safe” path. I was never going to feel entirely comfortable leaving my job, so after a long internal struggle, I decided to quit and pursue self-employment, regardless of my financial state. Now, I am self-employed—and I’m not starving. It isn’t easy to hustle and create to make a living, but I feel peace and a passionate fire that comes from living authentically. I have learned that the finances will come through hard work, taking action, and faithfully pursuing my calling.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am now at a point where the multifaceted aspects of my creative goals are coming to fruition. I’m creating mini episodes of comedic scenes featuring characters who navigate life lessons similar to those I’ve learned on my own journey. I’m also working on a guided meditation series that incorporates elements I’ve learned in film creation, such as the importance of sound and storytelling.

The most challenging part of reaching this point as a self-employed creator was developing faith in myself—the belief that I can handle the journey ahead and that the world will support me as long as I work toward what calls to me. The more I live in alignment with my truth, the easier it becomes to embrace my power and confidence, allowing me to share my talents with the world.

I want my work to do more than entertain; I want it to inspire action and encourage people to listen to their own inner power if it calls to them.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We’d begin with hikes in the Sierra Nevada mountains, summiting a couple of peaks for incredible views. Then, I’d take them paddleboarding on Lake Tahoe, followed by downhill mountain biking at Northstar Resort to enjoy the area’s stunning scenery. For food and drink, we’d indulge in all-you-can-eat sushi, enjoy olive oil and wine tastings in Lodi, and finish the week with a stand-up comedy show.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I dedicate this to my mom, who has always shown openness not only to me and our family but to all beings. She is the closest representation of unconditional love I have encountered on my journey. To my dad, for the invaluable tools I’ve gained through the challenges I’ve experienced. I also want to recognize my family—my brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, and everyone else—for the vibrant, real world we share together. To my partner, the great Dania Denise, who inspires me to keep going. Thank you all for the memories, challenges, and our messy, human, and beautiful community. And to my agents, Justine Reyes (TruTalent) and Tabitha Kit (KIT International), for recognizing my talent and working with me toward continued success.

Website: https://pakcastillo.com

Instagram: @1pakcastillo

Youtube: @pakcastillo

Image Credits
Photographer: ELECTROGLOW @electroglow

Makeup Artist/Hair Stylist: Christy-rocket Mccann @rocketmakeup_hair

Scrappy AF Marketing

Dania Denise

Ruben McAllister