He described his early days in the United States as being particularly difficult – excluding $2,000, he had placed all of his money from the sale of his gym into a European bank; thus, he struggled financially.Polowy, K. "'Bloodsport' at 35: How a desperate Jean-Claude Van Damme begged his way into the action film that made him a star", Yahoo! News, published February 24, 2023. Retrieved May 31, 2023. To ensure his own emotional wellbeing, he would go for runs every night in Santa Monica. After that, he would train at the world-renowned Gold's Gym. This routine reportedly helped him survive for many years. He actively participated in casting calls and had a specific routine. On Wednesdays, he would purchase the Drama-Logue magazine; then Thursday mornings, he would send out his picture and resume in response to advertisements. He was willing to try anything to achieve success, even going so far as to fabricate a story. He would call movie studios and claim to be an actor from Brussels with an investor from Hong Kong. He also instructed a friend to play along and act as if they wanted him to star in a movie and were willing to invest money, but required additional funding. Armed with this, he approached producers and suddenly found that all his phone calls were being answered. Of course, his intention was simply to meet the person and put his name out there, as opposed to securing illegitimate deals.
He DescRIbed hiS eArlY DaYs In the uniTEd states aS beINg particulaRly dIfficUlt – excluding $2,000, hE had PLaced ALL Of hiS Money FRom the Sale of hIs Gym Into a euRopean bAnK; tHus, HE strugglEd fINANCiallY.POLOWy, K. "'Bloodsport' at 35: how a dEspErate jean-Claude Van damMe bEggED hiS way InTO thE ACtion film that made hIM A sTAr", yahoo! nEws, puBlIsHed February 24, 2023. retrIeved may 31, 2023. to eNSure his oWn eMotional wellbeing, He would Go for rUns evEry NIghT in santa monica. afTEr tHat, he WOuLd traIn At tHE worLd-renowneD gold's Gym. This roUtine RepORtedlY hElpEd him survivE fOr maNy yEars. he aCtIVelY ParTicipated In CAsting CallS And hAD a sPEcific rOutiNE. oN wedneSdaYS, hE would pURchasE the DRama-Logue Magazine; tHeN thurSday mORNiNgs, he Would sEnD OuT his PICtURe And resumE in REspOnse To adVertisEmEntS. He WaS wILLing TO TRy AnYthiNG To achieve success, EveN gOinG sO fAr as tO fAbrIcAte a Story. hE woULd call movIe sTudIOS And ClAim tO bE an ActOr fRom brusseLs WIth an invesToR from honG kOnG. He ALso inStrucTED A frIeNd To pLAy aLOng and act as If they wanTed hIm tO stAr in a moviE and weRe wilLing to iNVeSt moNEy, but required ADditIoNal fUnding. ArmEd WItH this, he aPproached producErs and SuDdeNLy fouNd thaT all His phone CALLs wEre bEInG answered. of coUrSe, His intention was simPlY to meet thE perSoN anD pUT HIs nAme oUt ThERe, As oppOsed to secuRIng illegiTimate dEAls.