Meet Jasmine Maya Royce | CEO of Tranquility Magazine

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jasmine Maya Royce and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jasmine Maya, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
Most of my former career was all about taking risks. However, that word means different things to different people. A risk can be anything from small to huge. I dare greatly and have plotted my course on the fringe of creation. That doesn’t mean it hasn’t come with ups and downs. The overall goal is to never have regrets—those thoughts that catch up with us when we’re old or even in our present moments.

Missing your chance to speak up, introduce yourself to someone important, speak your truth, or be at the right place at the right time—all of those stem from the idea of risk. If you don’t take a risk, every decision you make might not be enough… unless you prefer to play it safe, as fear is our dark mistress—one we either dance with or run from.

I’ve taken risks to move to three states, four major cities, and four countries. The world is a vast landscape of cultural expression—much of which we’re unaware of. I try to always stay open: to learn, to explore, and to see the world from many people’s perspectives. We are all human, flaws and all, and that’s what brings us back to our roots as storytellers.

I’m here for the stories—whether they’re my own, a mix of others’, or someone’s personal connection to their life’s trajectory. That’s the joy: finding things that inspire, uplift, and encourage all of us to grow.

Being in the media industry in a multifaceted way has given me awareness of unfamiliar territory that I’ve had to figure out. Especially here in Los Angeles, you need to be good at many things—unless you’re one of the lucky few whose extraordinary creativity shines through in one singular gift. I wish I had that gift, but I’ve learned many others—and they all came with the risk of thinking, “I can’t do that,” or facing everyone’s favorite: impostor syndrome.

The deep work around self-worth and adequacy has always been part of my personal journey—like it is for many of us. That awareness becomes your inner courage, your reason to start confronting your own demons and realizing: you are worth the opportunity. You do deserve a shot.

Still, I’ve pivoted out of what I once knew, loved, and worked in—toward a new direction that remains unclear. I constantly remind myself of this quote:

“As you start to walk on the way, the way appears.”
—Rumi

What should our readers know about your business?
We all set our minds on goals. Sometimes it’s a specific, singular objective; other times, it’s a series of achievable steps that help us reach the grand “goal”—the big-picture result. However, one thing I’ve learned is that goals have a tendency to evolve, shift, or completely deviate from what we originally expected.

When we finally reach the goal we’ve been working toward, the feeling we imagined might not match the reality. Instead of elation, we may feel lost, confused, unmotivated, or let down by the lack of that grand, cinematic moment we had envisioned.

This has been one of the greatest lessons I’ve learned—not only in life but also as a business owner. The way goals grow and change over time reinforces what many have said: enjoy the journey, because the destination is rarely the true reward.

Being present, staying focused, finding motivation, and doing work that you love daily—that is what keeps us going. That is what should motivate each of us to be the best version of ourselves each day we’re here.

My goals may not look like everyone else’s anymore, but they once did. They’ve simply taken a different shape, led by different expectations. Now, I focus on making today the best it can be—because tomorrow is, after all, a new day.

This mindset includes surrounding myself with people who inspire, uplift, teach, and motivate me—people who help elevate my mood and energy as I navigate this new path.

One of my first jobs was in radio, and it taught me two lessons I’ve never forgotten and still live by today:
1. Learn every part of your field so you become indispensable—you’ll never be let go if you’re too valuable.
2. Do it because you love it. The pay is never the true reward.

Those truths helped shape my understanding of money and purpose. When you build a company, it’s easy to assume financial success will follow. You expect your art, your ideas, your creativity—your “babies”—to be met with overwhelming appreciation and paid for accordingly. But the reality is: that rarely happens. For those lucky few who do experience that, I celebrate you.

Instead of focusing on lack, I’ve learned to observe others. If I admire someone’s results, I take a closer look at their process. Sometimes, we can borrow from their approach—because, as the saying goes, every artist borrows from another artist.

My transition into wellness, longevity, and deeper healing came through my own personal experience. Many of us in media have felt burnout—especially in the past few years. It’s an industry that can wear you down, emotionally and physically. For everyone still creating, producing, and sharing—I applaud you. The more art we put into the world, the better it becomes.

On February 29, 2020—a leap year day—I was hit by a car. In the next few days, the world started to shut down for the pandemic. I was placed in a coma at UCLA, and when I woke up, the world had completely changed.

Just prior, I had returned from New York, after being in London and Italy. I came back to L.A., went to work, and was taking a walk to reflect—trying to solve a creative problem for a musician I was working with. I often do walking meditations as a way to clear my mind. But that day unfolded in a way I never expected.

That experience taught me more than I could have imagined—about life, patience, self-kindness, healing, self-worth, and the many layers of what it means to transition from one version of yourself to another.

When I came to, the pandemic was in full force. I assumed I would be going back to work soon. But the medications, the healing process, and the time with family all slowed me down so much that I didn’t feel like myself anymore. The tenacity, the drive, the energy I once had—it all felt distant.

There are moments in life when you lose pieces of yourself. You have to dig deep to find where they once lived. You know they existed—you remember knowing them—but somehow you forget. And over time, especially as we age, memory becomes slippery. Our recollection changes. Truth and perception blur.

With this in mind, I chose to become someone willing to try. As Brené Brown says, vulnerability is courage—and I’ve embraced the willingness to share my journey openly. I’ve worked to express my own imperfections so others feel safe in their own struggles. After the pandemic, many of us felt isolated and disconnected. Honestly, many of us still do—especially here in L.A., where community can feel elusive.

I returned to my roots—literally. My father was a horticulturist who ran a nursery for most of my life. I am an earth dweller, a tree hugger, a hippie, and a plant lover at heart. I reconnected with my herbalist training, deepened my energy work through Reiki, and immersed myself with more Eastern approaches to healing. I also began studying neurology, mental health, and the science of healing—to help myself recover, and to support others doing the same.

That journey led me to launch Tranquility, my podcast and digital magazine. It took me 73 recordings before I was ready to release the first episode—but I stuck with it. Tranquility Magazine is now a space where I interview authors, visionaries, and inspiring individuals whose stories teach us, comfort us, and remind us we’re not alone. It’s about mental health, wellness, longevity, and providing tools for anyone navigating life’s uncertainty.

I do this work because I love it. Not because it pays all the bills—though I hope it does one day—but because it brings me joy. And that joy is what separates this from the survival-based rat race many of us find ourselves in.

After the fire and another long recovery, I lost a lot. But I also found a deeper meaning. The true lesson: change is inevitable. No matter how you try to prepare for it, change will come—in unexpected forms and unfamiliar timing.

As Alan Watts once said, “Trying to swim upstream only exhausts you.” When the current pulls you, sometimes the greatest act of strength is surrender. Let go. Trust. Have faith that even if you don’t recognize the route, you’ll still arrive exactly where you’re meant to be.

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 a hard question for me…
After the fires, it’s felt like stepping into a whole new world. It’s funny that this experience unfolded just as my dear friend came to Los Angeles for the first time. She wanted the best the city had to offer—but also “beach vibes.” Unfortunately, since it was February, that wasn’t really an option.

I’ve been fortunate enough to live in Laurel Canyon, Silver Lake, Pasadena, Highland Park, Brentwood, and, formerly, Pacific Palisades. After twenty years in Los Angeles—and as a California native—there’s so much of the city I love and know well.

After picking her up from the airport, I took her to Shutters for a light meal and a cocktail before dropping her off at her hotel.

The next day, we visited The Huntington Gardens, where I also volunteer. It’s a wonderful place to explore and experience. Afterwards, we had lunch at Kitchen Mouse Café before heading to Highland Park Bowl for a drink and a game.

The following day, I took her downtown to The Last Bookstore—because, as most Londoners are avid readers.. From there, we went to Perch for a lovely meal and a spectacular view.

And, of course, no trip to Los Angeles is complete without tacos—it’s practically a requirement. We wrapped up her visit at Tu Madre in West Hollywood, a spot with a great atmosphere, fun energy, and delicious food.

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 am an advocator of stories—navigating the worlds of wellness, mental health, self-healing, herbology, sustainability, Eastern perspectives on health, and our deep connection to the land. Everything I work on and align with lives in the vortex of these intersecting paths.

I’m a passionate supporter of the written word. Books help us connect—not only with ourselves, but with adventures we may never otherwise experience, with self-care practices, and with perspectives that spark growth. As someone who regularly interviews and engages with inspiring writers, I’m always in awe of their gifts and knowledge. I believe knowledge is power, and that we must always keep growing. Stagnancy, after all, is a landmine—breeding boredom and inviting our inner doubts to take up too much space in our minds.

Throughout my career, I’ve had the great fortune of working with extraordinary women. My company is women-centered by design—because, as a she/her, it’s the realm I know best. I speak from the heart of my own experience, aiming to support others in sharing their voices and gifts.

I’ve also been lucky to have a solid foundation. My mother has always been my biggest fan, no matter which direction I chose to walk. I feel blessed to have been given that kind of steady support. My father, too—both my parents were business owners, which gave me an entrepreneurial mindset from a young age. My sister also runs her own company in a different sector than mine, and she is brilliant when it comes to client concepts and branding—an inspiration in her own right.

My best friend, whom I’ve known since we were babies, remains one of my greatest inspirations. She’s my bookkeeper—a detail-oriented powerhouse who keeps me grounded. Her presence is a constant reminder that behind every visionary, there’s someone steady and strategic—something every solo business owner needs.

As I developed my business, I was introduced to NEW (New Economics for Women), who helped me with licensing and filing my business name. I also discovered NAWBOLA—the National Association of Women Business Owners Los Angeles—where I met my financial mentor, Gloria Dioum. Gloria has been coaching me through the many layers of business growth and financial planning. She is an incredible woman and a true asset to anyone stepping into entrepreneurship.

Another exceptional mentor, Liz Mohler, has supported not just my business but also my broader career journey. She introduced me to Chief, a powerful leadership network that supports women in C-suite roles in expanding their impact and evolving their careers.

I’m deeply grateful to Christy Conner, a phenomenal networker and connector, who has opened doors to incredible people. In Los Angeles, your network is everything—and mine includes many colleagues who have become dear friends. Their support has been essential as I’ve stepped into this new chapter.

I also want to acknowledge Michelle Parisi and Barry Funkhouser, whose passion for audio and dedication to CamaRadio 101.3 FM brings me so much joy. Watching their creativity unfold and the station grow has been a true inspiration.

A heartfelt thanks as well to Aaron Kaminar, CEO of Image Flux, whose expertise has helped keep me up to speed in the ever-evolving world of video and film editing. As technology races ahead, his guidance ensures my work stays sharp, relevant, and technically on point.

I want to give a deep, personal thank-you to my brother, Jeremy Royce, and his wife, Emily Royce. They are a creative powerhouse—two brilliant minds I trust for brainstorming, collaboration, and dreaming big. Their talent and generosity of spirit continue to inspire me every day.

And finally, I want to sincerely thank my team and all of the interviewees who have contributed to creating this content and helped us explore moments of inspiration, guidance, self-love, nutrition, mental health and more. I am deeply grateful for their support and collaboration.

Website: https://www.tranquilitymagazine.com

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@tranquilitymagazine

Image Credits
I own the rights to every photo taken. I paid for a photographer to take a few of these and they are all own By Royce Media which I grant permission to publish.

The names of the additional people featured are Robbie Krieger (From The Doors). The Biz convention features Michelle Parisi mentioned as a Board Member of CamaRadio 101.3. Most all the photos are taken from my experience working at a few radio stations in town from iHeart to KPFK and more.