Daily Inspiration: Meet Royce Talaga

Today we’d like to introduce you to Royce Talaga.

Hi Royce, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My journey has taken a few different turns, but each one has helped shape the person and artist I am today.

I originally went to community college to study computer science. While I was there, I also tried out for the basketball team. It wasn’t the right fit at the time, but I didn’t let that stop me from pursuing basketball. I continued looking for different ways to stay involved with the sport and it became an important part of my life and discipline.

Around 19, I started getting into modeling, initially just doing photoshoots with friends. That eventually opened the door to doing background work for television shows and commercials when I was 22. Being around different creative environments and seeing how much work goes into producing something helped me become more interested in the creative process itself.

Over time, I found myself gravitating more toward art and developing my own creative voice. What started as an interest became something I wanted to take seriously and continue growing in. Today, I’m constantly working on my craft and challenging myself to improve the quality of my work. I’m always looking at what I can learn, what I can refine, and how I can push myself creatively.

I’ve also continued exploring entrepreneurship and different ways of creating experiences for people, including my work as a guided mediation coach with Hawkmoth Ascensions. For me, there has never really been just one lane. Basketball taught me discipline, modeling and entertainment taught me how to work creatively with others, and art has given me a way to express my own perspective.

I’m still building, and I think that’s one of the most exciting parts of my story. I’m not interested in becoming comfortable with where I am creatively. I want to keep learning, keep experimenting, and continue raising the quality of what I create.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, and I think that’s been an important part of my growth.

I’ve had to deal with a lot of uncertainty around figuring out what direction I wanted my life and career to go in. I started out studying computer science, explored basketball, got into modeling, worked in television and commercials, and eventually found myself becoming more serious about art. There were times when I questioned whether I was moving in the right direction or whether I was trying too many different things.

Another challenge has been learning how to build something for myself without having a clear blueprint to follow. When you’re pursuing creative work, there isn’t always a guaranteed path or a consistent outcome. You can put a lot of time into developing your craft and still have moments where you wonder when the work will start translating into opportunities.

I’ve also had to learn to be patient with my own development. I’m naturally someone who wants to keep improving, so sometimes I can be my own biggest critic. I’m constantly looking at my work and thinking about how I can make it better, rather than simply being satisfied with where I am.

So while the road hasn’t been smooth, I’ve come to appreciate the process. I’m still learning, still experimenting, and still figuring things out, but I think that’s part of what makes the journey meaningful.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a multidisciplinary artist and meditation coach. My creative work spans different mediums, and I’m constantly experimenting with different ways to express ideas visually and creatively. At the same time, my work with meditation has taught me a lot about mindfulness, awareness, and creating intentional experiences.

Right now, I’m in the process of fusing those two sides of my work together by incorporating art and mindfulness techniques. I’m interested in exploring how visual art, meditation, sound, movement, and other creative practices can work together to create experiences that encourage people to slow down, become more present, and connect with themselves in a different way.

What I’m most proud of is that I’m developing something that feels genuinely personal to me rather than trying to fit into one established category. I’m still experimenting and refining the concept, but that experimentation is part of my creative process.

I think what sets me apart is the combination of disciplines. I don’t see art and mindfulness as completely separate worlds. I see them as different tools for expression, awareness, and connection, and I’m interested in finding new ways to bring them together.

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I feel like risk ultimately comes down to an individual’s situation and the cards they’re dealt. What may be a major risk for me may not be a major risk for someone else, so I don’t think there’s one universal definition of what it means to take a risk.

With that being said, there are always risks involved when you choose to pursue your passions. Being an artist is a risk in itself. There are lifestyle adjustments, periods of uncertainty, gig work, and no guarantee that you’ll book a role, receive a commission, or have your next opportunity lined up. You’re choosing a path where a lot of the outcome isn’t completely within your control.

For me, one of the biggest risks has been allowing myself to be seen creatively. Whenever we put ourselves out there and express who we really are, we make ourselves vulnerable to criticism, rejection, and misunderstanding. I think that can be an even bigger risk than financial uncertainty.

At the same time, I don’t necessarily see risk as something negative. Sometimes the bigger risk is never giving yourself the opportunity to find out what you’re capable of. I try to look at risk as part of the process of growth. You have to be willing to step outside of what’s familiar, learn from what happens, and keep moving forward.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://hawkmothascensions.setmore.com/royce
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mr.gold1e?stkn=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@hawkmothascensions?si=Pc041ZXQVhSox3vN

Image Credits
Photographer name is Jeremiah Hill-Settle
Instagram:Solcaptions