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

Hi Angela, what role has risk played in your life or career?
As far back as I can remember I’ve always been a risk taker. It’s part of my DNA. When I moved to Tokyo from Yorkshire alone at age seventeen some in my family worried that it would be a dangerous move for a young girl alone. Fortunately my parents were very supportive, especially my mum who wanted me to have a better life than the hard, working class life she had.growing up. So after winning Miss Teen UK at sixteen I got the opportunity to live and work in Tokyo as a model I couldn’t wait to get on the airplane and start a new adventure. Entering the contest itself had been a risk and potential failure. And even though a voice in my head whispered you’ll never win, the louder, braver voice urged me forward. In my early teen years I literally would dream of myself at International airports with stylish luggage in hand even though I had no realistic idea how that would happen. But somehow, despite my humble beginnings in a family that lived paycheck to paycheck I knew that I would figure it out and the details of how it would happen would unfold. Somehow even at that young age I inherently always trusted that. Even before the contest and my move to Japan I took risks. I had a desire to be a singer. I had zero talent and yet I had an inner confidence that pushed me to go out on auditions. I was truly terrible and had no idea what I was doing. I was turned down each time I showed up to try. But the need to risk was greater than the embarrassment of being constantly rejected. ( My dear mum who sometimes accompanied me on those auditions would highly disagree as she was more embarrassed than me.) I eventually realized my profound lack of talent in that area. It should come as no surprise that I married a very successful singer – my husband Alan is a founding member of the multi Grammy award winning group, the Manhattan transfer and my daughter Arielle is also an accomplished singer and found success as an international model instead. Sometimes when I look back at those audition experiences I’m fondly amazed at how naively delusional and yet gutsy I was at the same time. I lived in Tokyo for nine years and it was a remarkable experience on many levels. The first year was scary and yet exhilarating at the same time. I think that’s what risk is. Terrifying, emboldening and exciting. During my last year in Tokyo I met my husband who is American and after only knowing each other a month or so I moved to Los Angeles and got married. Friends and family said I was crazy to leave the successful career and wonderful life I had created in Tokyo. I didn’t listen. I understood the concerns, but to my way of thinking if I didn’t take the risk and follow my heart I’d regret it for the rest of my life. I reasoned that if the relationship didn’t work out I could always return to Tokyo or London and resume my career again. I just wasn’t worried and so I took the risk and left it all behind to start another new chapter and adventure. It was both tough and thrilling to start afresh with no guarantees if the relationship would work out or how I would feed my creative expression. That was thirty nine years ago so needless to say I’m glad that I listened to my own instincts and and didn’t let the fears and opinions of others stop me. Since that time I’ve written two books, coached people and given talks in public. Putting one’s self out in the world creatively is always risky-but again I trusted my inner voice of wisdom and went for it. Yes I had moments when the critic voice would whisper, “Why would anyone want to read what you have to say?” To which my wise woman voice would respond with “Why wouldn’t they?“ To my mind I was writing because I needed to. It burned inside me. It didn’t matter to me if ten people read it or a thousand. Of course it’s gratifying if lots of people read one’s work, but if the fear of being judged prevents one from taking the risk then we’ll always be second guessing ourselves, or worse, creatively stifled and full of regret. When I turned fifty I began modeling again, developed a substantial following on IG sharing both my writing, modeling/brand collaborations and I’m now working on a third book. Throughout my life in both my career, creative expression and relationships, taking risks has served me well. I say what needs to be said and I listen to other’s-but I always listen to myself first and last. Over the years I have become my most trusted friend, staunchest ally and devoted advocate. I trust my instincts, I trust that if something scares/entices me then I go for it. I trust that if I do my part then the rest will organically unfold. Time and again it always has. I‘ve never had five or ten year plans. I just do what is mine to do and I don’t compare myself to anyone else. As a woman in my early sixties risk and adventure are still, if not more so a vital and necessary component to how I live my life and how to age well. I’m often mystified why people are so full of caution and restraint. This fleeting life is over so fast why waste a moment of it? Sometimes it’s as simple as trying new foods, exploring new relationships, learning a new language or traveling to new destinations. And sometimes it’s about new mindsets, starting over in a new career, ending a long relationship and beginning a new one. Risk, curiosity, joi de vivre, and childlike wonder is key to aliveness and aliveness is what keeps us youthful and passionate about life at any age. I’ve always lived in such a way that I won’t die with a long list of regrets and “what if’s.” I’ve blown my own mind more than a few times. Freedom, self-expression and autonomy are non negotiable necessities to me. In life and relationships there will always be the need for compromise, but not at the expense of being true to one’s self. Personally it’s the only way I know how to live and flourish and I fully intend to live in such a way until my very last breathe.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Writing is how I express myself, but so is public speaking, modeling, photography and political/social activism. My life and the way I live it is my art. I don’t really focus on what sets me apart from other’s, I just do and express myself in ways that are authentic to me. I’m proud that I’ve always been true to myself and think that’s been a good example to my daughter and other young women. I’ve got where I am today because of a steady, consistent belief that I have something worthwhile to share, and that it’s incumbent upon me to do my part. I’ve constantly challenged myself in all areas of my life and keep on learning and growing. Stagnation is scary to me so that motivates me to try new things, to push myself out of comfort zones and to share what is true, real and meaningful to me. Living this way is never easy, but as a free spirit not living this way is even harder. I think the lesson for all of us is do do what is our’s to do, quit comparing oneself to anyone, even one’s self at a younger age, and remove the word failure from your vocabulary. Find what fires you up, what makes you feel the most alive, and stop worrying about what others think of you. What you think of you is the most important and will take you the furthest. As a woman in my early sixties I want people, especially women to know by my example that you’re never too old, or too young to start over and live life on your own terms. I want to redefine for women that aging is not to be feared, but embraced. We live in a youth obsessed culture and sadly people think about aging too much. They get old in their heads first instead of living the best life they can while they still have the chance. I’m as excited, curious and passionate about the next chapter of my life as I ever was. And I try in my way to inspire that same passion in other’s.

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?
Breakfast at Blu Jam Cafe in Calabasas, a meditation and stroll through the beautiful grounds of Self Realization Fellowship in Pacific Palisades, afternoon at El Matador Beach in Malibu, dinner at Kushiyu in Tarzana or The Granville in Studio City followed by dancing at Oil Can Harry’s in Studio City or The Short Stop in Echo Park. Lunch at the inn of the seventh ray in Topanga Canyon.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My husband Alan Paul and my daughter Arielle Paul and my deceased parents. My teachers Ram Dass, Paramahansa Yogananda and Self Realization Fellowship. Ram Dass’s book Still Here and Who Dies by Stephen Levine and Autobiography of a Yogi have been my bibles throughout my journey.
BERNIE SANDERS( as a stanch PROGRESSIVE I worked hard the past 5 years on his PRESIDENTIAL Campaign and he continues to be my hero.
Also:
THE UNTETHERED SOUL by Michael A. Singer
The TEN POEMS series by Roger Housden
WHEN THINGS FALL APART by Pema Chodron ( highly applicable during this Pandemic)

Website: www.angelapaul.com
Instagram: angelapaul
Linkedin: Angela Paul
Twitter: Angela_Paul
Facebook: Angela Paul- personal and public person page. Also Woman to Woman Coaching with Angela Paul