Meet Jessica Moy | Former Physical Therapist Turned Actor, Producer, & Artist

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

Hi Jessica, do you disagree with some advice that is more or less universally accepted?
I never agreed with the quote, “Winners never quit, and quitters never win.” Sometimes, the best thing you can do for yourself is to recognize when to throw in the towel. I view quitting as more of a pivot. You’ll never lose if you take your “failures” and learn and grow. As a creative business owner, making tough choices is one of the most critical skills that no one told me about when I started! So, knowing when to quit will only sharpen that tool.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
The biggest challenge I’ve had to overcome is learning who I am and what I really want. I honestly will spend my whole life moving toward this, but I’m accepting more of who that is instead of being ashamed and trying to hide it. I spent my earlier years chasing dreams that weren’t mine, feeling embarrassed about my heritage, and feeling the only value I brought to spaces was to be the “smart” or “put-together” person. Through my art and acting, I’m learning to show up unapologetically. If that is how I’m known professionally, I consider that succeeding in my book!

What sets me apart is having a more unconventional pathway into entertainment. I feel so much more grounded after having “nine lives in careers.” I feel lucky to have a background in healthcare, athletics, and so many other life experiences to draw on. I view acting as a science experiment – you must be willing to try and fail a ton, but that’s how you discover what works! Scientists don’t worry about whether the result is good or bad; they just take the data and move on to the next experiment. At least, that’s the perspective I try to hold in this crazy industry where rejection is standard, and success takes years and years in the making.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Oh I love this! My top way to travel is around food. We would have to take some time in San Diego because that is where I first lived when I moved to California from the East Coast. We’d listen to music and grab a picnic spot at Panama 66 in Balboa Park. I’d take them on a beach hike along Mission Bay and grab a coffee at Superbloom. Then, make our way to Long Beach and explore 2nd Street! I’d take them to my favorite ramen and boba spots and my favorite Filipino vegan bakery, San Wolves. Ahh there are so many things, but they would definitely leave well-fed!

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?
When I decided to leave my career as a physical therapist, A LOT of people looked at me like I was crazy. This may sound cliche, but watching Crazy Rich Asians was the first time I thought, “Maybe I could actually do this whole acting thing.” It made me realize the importance of seeing people like me mirrored in the media I consume. Would I have started this path sooner if 8-year-old me had seen more Asian actresses growing up? I’ll never know, but I haven’t looked back since. I’ve been fortunate to have such a supportive network like my partner and my family, which has let me learn and embrace all parts of me, both hard-working and goofy, at the same time.

Website: https://jessicamoy.co/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/byjessicamoy/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjessicamoy/

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

Image Credits
Ivan Wang
Stephanie Girard
Wolf Soriano