Meet Soraya Schwarzenecker

 

We were lucky to catch up with Soraya Schwarzenecker recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Soraya, great to have you with us today and excited to have you share your wisdom with our readers. Over the years, after speaking with countless do-ers, makers, builders, entrepreneurs, artists and more we’ve noticed that the ability to take risks is central to almost all stories of triumph and so we’re really interested in hearing about your journey with risk and how you developed your risk-taking ability.

Taking risks is something I have to consciously choose to embrace and develop every day. It’s not always easy, but I’ve realized that the biggest regrets people often have aren’t about the things they did—but the things they didn’t do or try. One of the biggest risks I ever took was moving to Los Angeles. Leaving behind my family, friends, and everything familiar to pursue a career in acting was both exciting and terrifying. But I knew that if I didn’t take that leap, I would always wonder, what if?

When deciding whether to take a risk—especially in my career—I think about the alternative. I could choose a safe, predictable job where I’d know exactly what my life would look like in 10 years. But that certainty comes at the cost of growth and excitement. Risks bring uncertainty, but they also bring possibility.

I’ve also learned to question the doubts that come up when I consider taking a risk. Why is there an inner voice telling me not to? Is it because I truly don’t want to do it, or am I just afraid of what others might think? Understanding what’s really holding me back helps me make clearer, braver decisions.

And with risk comes failure, which I’ve learned to see as something beautiful rather than something to fear. Every failure teaches me something valuable, helping me grow both as a person and an artist. Instead of looking at failure as a setback, I see it as proof that I’m pushing myself beyond my comfort zone—and that, to me, is worth the risk.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

Acting has been my focus for years, and what excites me most about it is that it’s an endless journey of learning and exploring new perspectives.
I’m an actress, born and raised in a small town in Austria, with Iranian roots. Growing up, I spent a lot of time outdoors, hiking and riding my horse, and I was also part of several theater and musical productions throughout middle and high school. Before moving to Los Angeles, I studied early childhood education and worked as a preschool teacher for two years, but my passion for acting led me to train for a year before making the big leap across the world.

Since moving to California 3.5 years ago, I’ve continued my training, studying for three more years and graduating from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts last May. Since then, I’ve had the chance to work on short films and verticals in Day-Player roles, and I’m excited to announce that I played the lead in a short film that is currently in post-production. My days are a mix of working my part-time job and spending time on auditions, filming self-tapes, and diving into new projects—it never feels repetitive, and every experience is something new to explore.

Beyond acting, I also love writing. I wrote and performed a one-woman show, Flames of Freedom, which explores the Iranian movement Women, Life, Freedom. I was also part of a women’s writing workshop and continually enjoy creating new pieces.

As an actress and a human being, you can never really finish learning, so I keep taking acting classes to continue growing and expanding my craft. Acting has already been such an incredible adventure, and I can’t wait to see what comes next!

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Like I mentioned earlier, one of the biggest lessons in acting—and in life—is being okay with failure. Rejection is part of this industry, but every setback is an opportunity to grow. Instead of seeing failure as something negative, I’ve learned to view it as something beautiful—a chance to grow, and refine my craft. Every audition, every role, every setback teaches me something new. My advice to anyone starting out is instead of fearing failure, embrace it, take risks, and learn from every experience. The more risks you take, the more you’ll learn, and that’s where real growth happens.

That brings me to my second point: persistence and truly enjoying the process. Acting is unpredictable—there are times when everything is moving fast, you’re booking jobs and juggling projects. But then there are slower periods where it can feel like you’re stuck. It’s easy to compare yourself to others, but everyone is on their own path and no two journeys look the same.

What helps me is looking at how far I’ve already come. I have to remind myself of that daily—it’s a continuous practice. You have to keep at it, even when it’s not fun. Of course, acting is something I love, but not every moment feels exciting. That’s when I remind myself why I started, what my dreams are. Having a clear vision keeps me grounded and motivated. It’s about showing up for yourself, every single day.

The third thing I’ve learned is the importance of self-care. Acting can be incredibly rewarding, but it also comes with a lot of stress. Between long hours on set, auditions, driving across town, memorizing lines, and juggling a part-time job. But no career is worth it if you’re completely drained.

I’ve learned to listen to myself and stand up for my needs—whether that’s speaking up if something doesn’t feel right on set or recognizing when I need a break. Regular movement helps me reset—walking on the beach, hiking, or doing yoga. Eating healthy also makes a difference because the energy you get from food affects how you feel.

Having a list of things that bring me joy outside of acting helps, too. It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle, but life exists beyond career goals. So, I make it a point to do something every day—whether that’s journaling, meditating, having tea with friends, or calling a loved one.

Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?

I’d love to take this question beyond just my parents and include my brother and family as well. Their support has been one of the most impactful things in my life. When I first told my parents that I wanted to move away to pursue acting, they encouraged me to try things out, to explore, and to follow my passion. They never pressured me to take a different path but instead supported me in chasing my dreams. My brother has also played a big role, always believing in me and reminding me of my strengths when I doubted myself. Having a family that encourages me to take risks while knowing they will always be there for me has made all the difference.

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