We recently had the chance to connect with Richard Charles and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Richard, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What are you chasing, and what would happen if you stopped?
I’m chasing alignment more than anything alignment between who I am, what I create, and the life I’m building. For a long time, I was chasing validation, momentum, and the feeling that I had to constantly prove something. Now, I’m chasing purpose, freedom, and sustainability.
If I stopped chasing altogether, I don’t think everything would fall apart but I do think I’d feel disconnected from myself. Creating, evolving, and pushing forward is part of how I process life and stay grounded. The key for me isn’t stopping, it’s slowing down enough to make sure I’m chasing the right things and not running from stillness.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Richard Charles, also known as RCRealness. I’m a creative and entrepreneur based in Atlanta, and a lot of what I do revolves around documenting life as I’m living it. I create content around fashion, beauty, travel, and personal growth, but at its core, my brand is about showing up honestly and letting people see the process, not just the polished moments.
Alongside content creation, I run a press-on nail brand called Nails by RC Realness and work closely with my family’s home healthcare agency. My life sits at the intersection of creativity and responsibility, and that balance shapes how I move, create, and tell my story.
I’m currently focused on building things that last growing my businesses, refining my voice, and becoming more intentional about the life I’m creating. I’m not interested in perfection; I’m interested in progress, consistency, and staying true to myself while I figure it all out in real time.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
One moment that really shaped how I see the world was realizing that growth doesn’t always look like progress from the outside. There were times when I was doing everything “right,” staying busy, staying visible, staying productive but internally I felt stuck or disconnected. That disconnect forced me to slow down and really examine why I was chasing certain things and who I was doing it for.
That shift changed how I see success, people, and timing. I’ve learned that everyone is carrying more than you can see, and that real fulfillment comes from alignment, not constant motion. It made me more patient with myself and more compassionate toward others, because you never really know what season someone is in.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The fear that’s held me back the most is the fear of not being fully seen or understood. For a long time, I played it safe toning parts of myself down, overthinking how I’d be perceived, and waiting for permission that was never going to come. That fear showed up as hesitation, inconsistency, and second-guessing myself, even when I knew what I wanted.
Over time, I’ve learned that being misunderstood is part of being visible, and that clarity comes from action, not waiting. Letting go of that fear has been less about becoming fearless and more about choosing honesty and momentum anyway.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes, but it’s a curated version of me, not a fake one. The public version of me is rooted in who I really am, but it’s shared with intention and boundaries. Not every thought, struggle, or moment needs to be public to be real.
Over time, I’ve learned that authenticity isn’t about full exposure, it’s about integrity. What people see is genuine, but it’s also the version of me that’s meant to be seen while I protect my peace and allow myself room to grow privately.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
I’d stop overthinking and delaying my own life. I’d stop waiting for things to feel perfectly timed or fully figured out before I move. I’d also stop giving so much energy to things and people that don’t grow with me or pour back into my life.
Knowing time is limited would make it very clear what actually matters creating freely, loving deeply, taking care of my body and mind, and choosing experiences over hesitation. I wouldn’t rush, but I also wouldn’t stall anymore.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rcrealness.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Rcrealness
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/richard.charles.9847?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@RCRealness
