Today we’d like to introduce you to Christian de la Torre.
Christian, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Who would have ever thought…a guy from Wisconsin – the land of cheese and beer – now living the life I am living in sunny LA and across the globe. I knew I loved traveling from the time I was a child playing sports and going to various competitions across the state and nation. I took traveling to a new level when I joined the military. I may not have chosen the places I visited while serving as an Army officer – but the travels continued to fuel my interest in learning about new places, different cultures, and people! I loved the diversity the military life offered, which made LA even more attractive to me.
My father, Sergio, was born in LA, but I never met him as he died before I was born. Regardless, his background and my roots drew me to the West. For six months after being medically retired from the military, I traveled the country and ultimately landed in Los Angeles. One of my close childhood friends convinced me this was the place for me. He knew I wanted to explore acting and influencing, and LA was the ideal place to be.
Most folks ask the typical question of how I got into the work I am doing. I was a transitioning veteran living the van life and decided to build on my love of adventure and love of people to pursue acting and influencing. I was proud to serve in the military, but service came with risks. I was medically retired due to injuries incurred from training and deployments. My disabilities did not become an obstacle, but rather I recognized they provided me an opportunity to re-evaluate and reset – preparing me for the chapters that were yet to be written in my life story. I made the decision to turn what others may have seen as setbacks as a push forward – into a new adventure. I love exploring new opportunities and the thrill of introducing others to my experiences. The perfect combination of interests and skills to advance into acting and influencing.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It can be challenging to always be planning ahead – looking for the next opportunity rather than having a predictable job every day. I thrive on this “uncertainty” and excitement. “Obstacles” for some are like “speed bumps” that bounce me forward on the road I am traveling. They become an essential part of the journey, shaping me and my path. A smooth road without challenges does not appeal to me. Give me the speed bumps!
Having confidence in myself and what I am doing is a requirement to succeed. I balance what I believe in and know of my own talents with how others are trying to influence me. Every decision I make on the content I create, how I want to influence others, and what acting jobs I pursue requires me to consider how the decision will impact my life and journey. Others may have different experiences that they can offer for me to consider, and possibly they will try to sway me – but in the end, the choices I make are mine and those decisions have to align with my values and beliefs. I must have the courage to stick with my decisions.
Having to convince others that I am the best one for a role or to represent their brand can be a challenge – particularly when there is limited time for us to interact. We often have a short window of opportunity to “sell” each other that we are the “best fit.” As someone who is a relatively new actor and influencer, jobs don’t come to me – but rather, I have to pursue opportunities, sponsors, and partnerships that align with my values and lifestyle.
It was challenging to move from online to face-face auditions when we came out of COVID lockdown. I have confidence in my abilities and enjoy auditions – but when I am in-person, I don’t have a chance to “reset” like I could when I was interviewing from the comfort of my home. “Resetting” impacts everything like hair, makeup, wardrobe, and the environment. It may be something small, like a stain on a shirt or hair not “behaving” the way I’d like. I’m adapting every day and with every new opportunity. I don’t consider this an obstacle, but rather a temporary challenge that I’m enjoying while getting into the groove and back to how things were before.
I also have to strategize how my travels support or complement my work as an actor and content creator, promoting different brands or locations. Although I’d love to travel – just for travel’s sake – I have to earn a living, just like everyone else. I am fortunate to combine my passion for traveling with my work as an actor and influencer. These are all part of the journey. All of the highs and lows, opportunities and challenges, that help to shape me, my life, and my future.
I am learning that the rewards will always come with setbacks. It is how I face and address the setbacks that determine my future. I choose to use setbacks as challenges and face them with optimism.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a Veteran, actor, content creator, and adventurer. I enjoy weaving these passions together to create my life. First and foremost – I am an adventurer and a student of life. This led me to become an Army Officer. Of course, there are always military stories – but I’ll hold those until we meet in person. In the end, due to training and deployment injuries, I was medically retired, which opened a new world of opportunity for me to pursue more travel, acting, and content creation. Most of my acting work has been in commercials. I was fortunate to be in a documentary co-produced by Samira Wiley. Our documentary, “The Gratitude Project,” was featured at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City, where I was able to speak on behalf of my role in the project.
What sets me apart from some others is that I did not participate in any formal training to pursue this lifestyle. I used my own interests and experiences as the springboard to acting and content creation. I continue to “learn” from the experiences of being in the military and my own travels. I was not a trained actor – but rather, a military officer – something a bit different than many who are acting or creating content. I think everyone is unique, but I do bring a diverse skill set and background to my work.
I am very proud that I am not following a “specific path” to succeed. I’m pleased that I can retain my own personality and style in the work I’m doing. Part of that pride is that I’m not compromising my beliefs and values, but rather, being selective about what I want to do and who I interact with. I haven’t been derailed from my dreams. I’m proud to be genuine and true to myself.
One of my goals is to be cast in a role where I can portray an individual who others can readily and easily relate to. I’m hoping to translate my acting experience into creating a travel show that allows me to continue to explore and share my life of adventure with a wide audience. I’d like to inspire others to pursue their dreams.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
“If you can dream it, you can do it. All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them. We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.” Walt Disney
Always start with dreaming and believing. Everything we are searching to bring into our world is accessible to us if we believe in our dreams. What we often miss is that receiving what the world offers starts with simply believing and having the courage to pursue. Curiosity in people, places, and new ways of thinking and doing is key to my pursuit of happiness. Whatever you dream about, the things you want to bring into your life can either come from a place of excitement and faith or from a place of fear and uncertainty. The former, excitement and faith, is what you should strive to feel throughout your journey – as it reflects that you already have the confidence and power to achieve it. Your dreams and all they hold already belong to you! I dream it, I believe it, and I pursue it – with passion!
But believing isn’t enough – you need to act in accordance with the “universal and personal vibration.” You have to rely on your courage and take risks in your pursuit of transforming your dreams into reality. You have to get back up, even when you fall. You often have to ignore what others say in an effort to deter you from your chosen path. You have to remove anything that hinders your peace and make space for the people and actions that fuel your soul. You have to put yourself first. You have to be true to yourself – 100%! When you’re internally aligned with your values, your reality will match. Everything you are manifesting will be brought into your life, and in that moment, you will be ready to thrive!
No matter what path you decide to follow, you have to invest in the process throughout your journey. You have to be open to continually learn and grow from the situations you experience and the people you surround yourself with. I have learned the importance of committing to the goal I am pursuing and ensuring I employ a consistent, courageous, and joyful approach to reaching that goal.
As I’m developing in my life and career, it is important for me to recognize what the universe is offering. I am learning to listen and pay attention to my inner voice. That voice tells me when it is time to release the old and clear the path for what’s ahead. I know that I am the author of my book of life and I am improving at recognizing when it is time for an old chapter to end and a new chapter to begin. I know this because there are subtle shifts around me. I can feel when it is time to let go, shed layers, and turn the page. Life does not take anything from us unless there is something new awaiting us in the future. As frightening and unknown as this may be, I am learning to trust the process. The last thing I’d leave you with is what I’ve realized – your time is your story, your legacy – write it in a way YOU want it remembered. That is what I’m doing!
Now – time to stop reading about me and start writing your own story! You never know who will be reading it.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/delavanlife/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/delavanlife
Image Credits
Jamal Marshall, Jaden Shcmeisser, Aly Whitman, Josiah Topping, Kait Cartmell, and Bryan Keir