We were lucky to catch up with Ana Escalante recently and have shared our conversation below.

Ana, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

“Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt.” — W. Shakespeare.

For years, doubt kept me stuck. It convinced me that the safest path was the right one, that pursuing acting—the thing I had loved since childhood—was impractical, unrealistic, maybe even irresponsible. So I did what I thought I was supposed to do: I focused on my business degree, built an impressive résumé, and secured a job at a prestigious multinational company. I had stability, recognition, and a promising future. But I knew that wasn’t ‘it’ for me.

I had always known I wanted to be an actor. Throughout my early years back in Mexico, I was deeply involved in musical theater, tv commercials, plays, etc. But when the time came to make career decisions, I figured I had to “get serious” and focus on my business degree so that I could
secure a “real job”. So I did. I worked hard, excelled in my field, and achieved everything I had set out to—graduating at the top of my class, earning a spot at Yale’s international student program, interning at Walt Disney World, and ultimately landing a coveted role as a brand manager. It was a dream career, except, it wasn’t mine.

It took more than a year and a great deal of courage to free myself from the self-doubting, the what-ifs, and the fear of failure. And so I took the leap. I auditioned for MFA acting programs (after years of not being involved in the artistic world), faced rejection head-on, and, against all odds, got accepted into CalArts.

Now, 1.5 years into this new chapter, I can say with absolute certainty that taking that risk was the best decision, Every day, I wake up knowing I am exactly where I am meant to be, doing what God has called me to do. The fear that once paralyzed me has been replaced by fulfillment, growth, and an overwhelming sense of gratitude. I get to dive into characters, explore the depths of human emotion, and create meaningful work.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s not always easy. There are moments of uncertainty, financial stress, and the inevitable self-doubt that creeps in when pursuing a creative career. But even on the hardest days, I know I made the right choice. Because now, I wake up every day doing something that truly matters to me.

Taking this risk taught me that dreams don’t expire, that it’s never too late to realign with your true purpose. More importantly, it showed me that courage isn’t the absence of fear—it’s moving forward despite it. And I am so glad I did.

Ana, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

For those who may not have heard about me before, my name is Ana Escalante, and I am an actor from Monterrey, Mexico, currently pursuing my MFA in Acting at CalArts. My journey into the world of acting has been anything but conventional. Though I have always had a passion for performance, fear initially held me back. I convinced myself that pursuing acting was impractical and chose instead to follow a “safer” path—earning a business degree, excelling in marketing, and working as a brand manager at a prestigious multinational company. While I achieved professional success, I knew deep down that I wasn’t living my true purpose.

Growing up in Mexico, I was deeply involved in musical theater, TV commercials, and plays, but I ended up prioritizing a corporate career over my artistic dreams. After years of wrestling with self-doubt and fear of failure, I finally decided to take the leap. I quit my job, got on my car, drove to LA and auditioned for MFA acting programs, and, against all odds, ultimately secured a place at CalArts. This experience reaffirmed that courage isn’t the absence of fear—it’s moving forward despite it.

What sets me apart as an artist is the unique perspective I bring to the table. My cultural background, combined with my experience of being an outsider for the past few years, has given me a fresh lens through which I approach storytelling. My self-discovery journey that brought me here, has allowed me to connect with my emotions on a much deeper level, embrace uncertainty, and cultivate the confidence that comes from being true to myself. These qualities are essential in the acting world, Additionally, my background in marketing has given me a broader, business-minded understanding of the industry. The skills I gained in my corporate career—quick thinking, problem-solving, creativity, understanding human behavior, teamwork, resilience, and flexibility—have all translated seamlessly into my work as an actor, providing me with a well-rounded approach to my craft and the entertainment industry.

Before entering my MFA program, I trained at the Elizabeth Mestnik and Speiser Sturges Acting Studios in Los Angeles, further honing my craft. At CalArts, I have had the privilege of being part of several stage productions, including Antigone by Sophocles, The Seagull by Anton Chekhov, The Last Days of Judas Iscariot by Stephen Adly Guirgis, and Electricidad by Luis Alfaro. These experiences have been instrumental in shaping my growth as an actor, and I am now excited about entering the world of film & TV in the near future.

I am most proud of the fact that I took the leap despite the fear and uncertainty. Acting is more than just a career for me—it is my calling, my way of exploring the depths of human emotion, and creating meaningful work that resonates with audiences. I want potential collaborators, clients, and followers to know that my journey has equipped me with not only artistic passion but also the determination, adaptability, and strategic thinking needed to navigate this industry. My story is a testament to the fact that it is never too late to realign with your true purpose, and I am incredibly excited for the opportunities ahead.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

In my view, one of the most impactful ways society can support artists and foster a thriving creative ecosystem is by being intentional about what we choose to consume. We often hear criticisms about Hollywood—about its lack of inclusivity, its failure to tell the stories that truly matter, or its tendency to prioritize profit over meaningful storytelling. Yet, as consumers, we continue to support and engage with the very content we claim to want to change.

The entertainment industry, at its core, is a business. What gets produced is largely dictated by the law of supply and demand. If we truly want to see more diverse, thought-provoking, and socially enriching stories on screen, then we need to be more selective with our viewership. Our engagement—whether through ratings, ticket sales, or streaming numbers—sends a powerful message about what we value.

I firmly believe that what we fill our minds with shapes our lives. Just as we are mindful of the food we consume for our physical health, we should apply the same discernment to what we watch, read, and engage with. Instead of passively accepting whatever is put in front of us, we have the power to demand content that inspires, challenges, and uplifts us.

Rather than adopting a victim mentality—believing that we are simply at the mercy of the industry—we should recognize our collective agency. If we support art that aligns with our values, that reflects the world we want to see, then the industry will have no choice but to listen. By doing so, we open new doors and pathways for greater inclusivity, creating more opportunities for all artists to have their voices heard and their stories told.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson I had to unlearn was the idea that perfection equals success. In my corporate job, I was trained to meticulously plan, anticipate every outcome, and ensure everything was executed flawlessly. Mistakes weren’t just setbacks; they were things to be avoided at all costs. That mindset served me well in the corporate world, where structure and predictability are key, but when I transitioned into acting, I quickly realized that striving for perfection was actually holding me back.

Acting is about being present, embracing the unknown, and allowing space for spontaneity. In my early training, I found myself overthinking my choices, trying to “get it right” instead of truly living in the moment. But real, compelling performances don’t come from perfection—they come from authenticity, from allowing myself to be vulnerable, messy, and human.

I’m still learning how to let go of that need for control. It’s probably a lesson I’ll have to embrace daily or remind myself of constantly as I continue growing as an actor. But I’m learning to trust the process, take risks, and be okay with not having all the answers. And honestly, there’s something really freeing about that.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: any.escalantep

Image Credits

Zach Smith