Journeys
Dreams
By Linda Bustamante

Linda Bustamante: The Next Martial Arts Superstar

In life, one only needs a glimpse of one's future to embark in what one wants to do. In our dreams, we get the chance to see what our heart truly desires. Once a thought or idea is visually embedded in one's mind, that thought or idea can govern one's course of actions, and that is exactly what happened to me. Dreams plant a seed in our mind, and it is our job to make sure we give these dreams the tools to flourish. It is this philosophy that makes my dreams and visions come to life. This is where my story begins.

As a little girl, my most vivid memories, besides training tae kwon do with my father at the age of eight in our backyard, was my mother videotaping me at the age of four at every special occasion. My mother, behind the camera, would ask me an array of questions like, "Where are we going", "Who are we going to go see", "What are we going to do" and "What is going to happen?" I knew that, if we were heading anywhere, I would be the person to capture those moments and memories by what I would say. I knew my mother was training me to be comfortable in front of the camera, but more importantly she helped me become self-confident, self-reliant, and courageous, which would help me later on in life. What I came to find through the combined efforts of my parents was them helping me realize my dream of becoming an action movie star. My mother in which she helped me gain self-assurance by using the camera as a tool to achieve inner strength and my father who gave me my foundation in the martial arts. But it wasn't until later in my life that this dream became apparent.

Linda Bustamante and Michael DePasquale

At the age of sixteen, I remembered that day as if it were yesterday, my father showed me an article in BlackBelt Magazine that had a very bold headline that stated, "auditions will be held for an upcoming reality show called 'Who Wants to be the Next Martial Arts Superstar.'" I remember my dad saying, "This is your chance to see if you have what it takes." After letting that thought sink in, I realized what I would be getting myself into. That being, competing against some of the top martial artists in the country for a chance of a lifetime and to be named "The Next Martial Arts Superstar." Of course, dreams can conflict with reality (monetarily speaking); being only sixteen at the time, I was in no position financially to be able to just pick up and leave without any assistance from my parents. Even though I knew I wanted to go audition for the reality show, the instant my father showed me the article, I knew it was not going to be as easy as a simple "yes." Then, my parents came up to me and said, "We would like to give you the chance to make your dream come true." They told me, "we have put some money aside for a rainy day and that day is today." Of course I was ecstatic because I was being given the opportunity to pursue my dream. The only down side to this great opportunity was that only one of my parents would be able to go due to finances. So, my mother decided that my father would be the best choice to come along due to his martial arts experience. Even though I was happy to go, I was also down that my whole family could not go to support me, but I was grateful knowing that they would be with me in spirit which put my mind at ease. So, my father and I headed off to Hollywood, California.

After arriving in California and situating ourselves in our hotel, we began to prepare our agenda for the following day, which would be audition day! My father and I were so excited to be in Los Angeles that we had difficulty trying to go to bed, but we knew that the auditions would be early and we did not want to be late. The day was finally here, audition day! Not being familiar with the city, we got up extremely early to make sure we arrived with plenty of time for the audition. Being early has its benefits; as we arrived at the Universal City Sheraton Hotel and were waiting for the auditions to begin, I was able to meet many famous martial artists attending, "The 1st Annual Festival of Martial Arts", an event coinciding with, "The Next Martial Arts Superstar" auditions, but that is another story. But I do have to say, walking around the hotel felt as if my father and I were in martial arts heaven because of all the martial arts superstars attending the event! But there would be no further introductions due to the fact that the auditions were about to begin. Though it was hard for me to break away from all the excitement, I knew the time had come to focus on what I had come there for, aiming for the chance to be one of the top twenty contestants.

Linda Bustamante and Karen Sheperd

As I got in line and saw the martial artists in front and behind me, I started to feel the butterflies fluttering in my stomach. As the line began to build up, I was able to see the vast array of martial artists and their styles. At that moment, I realized I had stiff competition and knew I had to focus. After that realization that I was up against tough competition, my face must have shown some kind of nervousness because my father instantly asked what was wrong. All I remember saying was, "look at all these great and talented martial artists that I am up against." My father grabbed each of my shoulders firmly and told me, "You can't control the outcome of what your competition can or can not do, but you can control what you can do and that is to give 110% of yourself, your heart and soul into what it is you are doing, and to show the love you have for the martial arts which can only result in a positive outcome." After my father's insightful advice, I snapped out of my insecurities and began to focus not on my competition but on achieving my dream. With that positive advice embedded in my head, I was up next for my audition. As I got into the audition room and showed my audition number (#13), all I felt were peircing eyes looking down upon me. As I looked up, there were five famous judges in front of me. Like I didn't have enough pressure upon me with my competition! The additional pressure of famous judges didn't help any. Well, it was show time! Before I started my routine, I was asked various questions dealing with the competition in which I gave my personal opinions too. After the questions, I recited the acting portion and, immediately after, was asked to perform my routine to the judges. After I finished my performance and walked out of the audition room, I knew my fate laid in the hands of the judges.

Linda Bustamante and "Judo" Gene LeBell

Late Saturday night, I got a call from the judges telling me that out the thousands that competed, I was chosen as one of the top twenty finalists and that, the following day, the finalists would be doing a pilot for the show. Once I received the great news that I made the final twenty contestants, I could not wait to call my family and instructor about the wonderful news. After talking to them, I was ready physically and mentally for the following day. So, the next day, we headed to a beautiful location in the mountains with plenty of hills and greenary engulfing the property to shoot the pilot. Once my father and I got there, we saw many familiar faces like David Krapes, Jay DeLeon, Eric Lee, Gene LeBell, Amy Shomer and Chris Cassamassa, individuals who were the distinguished panel of judges. Once all the finalists arrived, the judges gathered us together and had each one of the finalists perform their unique style of martial arts to everyone. Once we all finished our performances, the judges grouped us into four teams consisting of five to a team. Each team had to perform an acting skit showcasing our acting abilities. Finishing the day and the pilot, team members showcased their martial arts skills through an obstacle course.

After a long day of filming, everyone settled down for a final chat with the judges and contestants, and said their final goodbyes to individuals who they shared a memorable experience with. Even though the reality show did not go through, it showed me that, in life, things might not always go the way you plan them to. However, that does not mean that I am going to give up all my hopes and dreams because sometimes one door might close just to open another door with just as much promise as the first.

Linda Bustamante and Eric Lee

In conclusion, I would like to give special thanks to David Krapes, Jay DeLeon, Eric Lee, Gene LeBell, Chris Cassamassa, Amy Shomer, Michael DePasquale, Karen Shepard and Terranova Entertainment for giving me this opportunity of a lifetime. Thanks to Terronova Entertainment and this project, after getting back home, I came back with a stronger drive and determination to achieve my dream. I knew I had to perfect my martial arts to its highest level by training harder, as well as take acting classes in order to incorporate acting, as Bruce Lee did, to show the beauty of the martial arts through the media. As Bruce Lee once said, "Be prepared... opportunities may come your way or they may not, luck may come your way or they may not, but if they come your way and you call that luck you better be ready"; this is exactly what I am doing.

Who knows? Maybe one day, my face will be on the cover of various martial arts magazines or on the big screen. However, one thing is for sure, I wont stop striving until one or both of these dreams become a reality.

(I would love to hear about your passions and dreams and how they have changed your life.Contact me at LindaBustamante@worldblackbelt.com. Take care, God Bless and can't wait to here from Everyone!)

This has been a Youth E-Zine Article.