Meet Faviola Rivas | Filmmaker & Podcaster

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

Hi Faviola, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
I believe there is only one way to go after what you want and that is taking a risk. It’s terrifying to do what is true to you, that’s why the people who have taken risk are the ones who get ahead in life. Our fears start making up excuses so we can go back to comfort and not fail. That’s the beauty of failure is that it’s only helping you get better. I believe there are no excuses because people have made the impossible happen. Taking a risk has been a huge part of my life. Throughout my life I have learn the value of regret. I’ve also learn how not doing what you love is miserable, so might as well do it. I was terrified going into the film industry. Even though I was born and raised in LA, I didn’t know how to get in. They don’t teach you this stuff in school. My family didn’t understand what I wanted to do. They thought it was a waste of time. I had to make a choice either I could do something that was easy. Just pick a career and then get a job. Or I can step out of my element and do what no one in my family has done. Being in the industry hasn’t been easy it’s been a rollercoaster. I’ve failed a lot. My mom is constantly asking me when am I going to quit. But at the same time I’m growing. I’m stepping into what I’m suppose to do. I love this rollercoaster of my life. Every day is a risk, a new challenge to step into the next level of my goals.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Getting to where I am today was not easy, but it was necessary. The goals I have for myself required me to unlearn everything I was taught and think differently. I use to be really insecure, shy, people pleaser. The goals I saw, which is to be successful at everything I do, whether it is making movies or having relationships with others, I wanted it to be successful and inspiring. So life said to me “You want that? Well I’m going to teach you how to get it.” Through pain, heartbreak and drive I was learning how to be confident. And as my confidence grew so did my opportunities. It’s crazy to think that’s all you need to get better opportunities but it’s true. Who I am has gotten me to experience life long dreams that were impossible. Just by being me. It’s hard to think that way, because we weren’t taught that. Someone once asked me what’s the one thing I want to do and I couldn’t answer because, I love making movies and content, being on set makes me feel at home. I love making my podcast and speaking. I love doing multiple things. So you will never find me focused on one thing. But I will say that creating an impact that’s the one thing I want to be doing with whatever direction I take.

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?
This is the beautiful part is LA is has so many things going on. You gotta go to Disneyland. It’s magical. I’ve gone so many times it’s still magical. But usually during the week you will find me at a movie theater, Taco Tuesday or working out. One of the things my friends and I like to do is Taco Tuesday. A bunch of us get together and go and have a good time on Taco Tuesdays. We just love tacos. I love working in movies and I love watching movies. There is something about watching a movie with surround sound and an audience that makes the experience way better. I also love working out and one of my favorite spots is Rumble. That combination of boxing and intense work, motivates me so much. If my muscles don’t hurt the next day I feel like I didn’t do enough. The playlist they have makes it a whole other experience. Lastly, Nature, I love hiking and connecting with nature. Yosemite National Park is the place in California. I call it my spiritual retreat. Every time I go it’s like I hit the rest button.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have so many people to thank for where I am today. That it will require a whole page of people. Every single person in my life has helped me be a better person and they continue to to inspire me. They open new opportunities. I feel so lucky to have so many people in my life. But the one person I will give credit to is Jennifer Durst, because she has a dream so big that it inspires me to dream even bigger.

Instagram: favrivas
Facebook: Facebook.com/favrivas
Other: The Faviolous Podcast, On any podcast platform

Image Credits
Photographer Michael Adan