We recently had the chance to connect with JorgeAlberto Avina and have shared our conversation below.
JorgeAlberto , a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
The one thing that has been bringing me the most joy lately is my daughter. My girlfriend and I have just welcomed our first born, she was born on August 5th 2025 and as I’m sure you can imagine I have only slept a total six hours since she has been born. However I have no complaints whatsoever. I love my work and I love what I do but nothing beats the feeling of coming home to my family and asking how their day has been and knowing I’m either going to change a dirty diaper or give my daughter a bottle to feed her. My life has completely flipped in just a short amount of time but I can honestly say it has been the greatest thing to ever happen to me.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, my name is JorgeAlberto Avina.
I was born and raised in San Diego, California. I’m a proud U.S. Marine Corps veteran, having served for six years as an 0313 LAV Crewman. After completing my military service, I pursued my passion for the arts and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Acting for Film from the New York Film Academy in Burbank, CA.
I officially began my acting career after college. Like many in the industry, I faced challenges due to the pandemic and strikes, which caused delays and slowdowns. Despite those obstacles, I stayed persistent. I signed with both an agency and a manager, and I focused on making the most of the opportunities available to me.
Since graduating, I’ve landed several lead speaking roles in commercials and continued to develop my craft. In January of 2024, I had the honor of attending the IMTAs in Los Angeles, where I was awarded Male Actor of the Year—a moment that affirmed my dedication and hard work.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a child, I believed that the stories we grow up with were just that—stories. I was told that the shows and tales I loved had no place in adulthood, that they were simply make-believe and should be left behind once it was time to “grow up.” So, I tried. I pushed those things aside, thinking it was what I had to do. But as I let go of the stories and characters that once inspired me, I noticed something begin to fade—I stopped dreaming.
I had been told, over and over, that maturity meant giving up the things that brought me joy as a kid. And I believed it. But eventually, I realized that mindset was doing more harm than good. I had started placing limits on myself, settling for less than what I truly wanted.
It wasn’t until I joined the military that I found the strength to challenge those old beliefs. I learned how to fight back against the inner voice that told me I couldn’t be who I wanted to be. And in doing that, something unexpected happened—I found my way back to the very stories and dreams I had once let go of. I reconnected with the wonder and imagination of my childhood. I began to dream again.
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
Some of the most defining wounds in my life have come from the passing of loved ones and close friends. In the last five years alone, my family has had to say goodbye multiple times—and with each loss, the weight has grown heavier.
But one of the deepest wounds came when I had to say goodbye to a very good friend of mine, someone I met in college. We became close quickly—he was full of life, passionate about movies, comics, and martial arts. If you got him started on any of those topics, good luck stopping him—he could talk for hours, and I loved every second of it. I often asked him questions just to hear him go off on tangents, because those conversations lit up something in both of us.
He passed away in 2019, just a few months after we graduated. It was sudden. It was devastating. He had a dream of earning an Oscar one day. He never got to see that dream come true.
I think about him every day. I often wonder what life would be like if he were still here—what he’d be working on, what stories he’d be telling. But I believe it’s because of how much he inspired me that I’ve been able to carry on, even with the wound his absence left behind.
And I think that’s the point—it’s not just about healing or “moving on.” It’s about carrying the people we’ve lost with us. Carrying their hopes, their dreams, their memory. Continuing the journey they started. I’ll carry my friend’s dream with me for the rest of the way.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
Words without action are meaningless.
It’s okay to believe someone at their word—but if they never follow through, or never show proof of promises kept, then it’s also okay to stop placing your trust in them—no matter who they are.
We live in a time where anyone can say anything without evidence, and people will still believe it—simply because the person speaking is a parent, a coworker, a partner, or a public figure. But words alone don’t reveal someone’s true character. If you really want to know who someone is, wait for them to mess up. Then, listen carefully to what they say when they “apologize” for the damage they caused. And after that—watch what they do.
If they make excuses, shift blame, or offer empty apologies without real change, that tells you everything you need to know. But if they take responsibility, follow through on their promises, and make a sincere effort to make things right—then you’ve found someone worth trusting.
Words are powerful. But words without action are empty. And promises without proof are just that—empty promises.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope when Im gone people remember one thing.
No matter what happened in my life, I always faced it with a smile.
My story isn’t all that different from anyone else’s. I’ve experienced joy and pain, love and loss, happiness and heartbreak—and everything in between. But through it all, I lived life my way. I chased my dreams with everything I had, and I never stopped believing in the journey.
I know I wasn’t perfect. I made mistakes—plenty of them—but I always tried to learn from them and grow. I did my best to become a better man each day.
If people look back and say, “He was a good person and a good friend,” then I’ll know I did something right. And if they say, “Don’t be sad that he’s gone—he saw life as an adventure, and he lived that adventure all the way to the end,” then that’s the kind of legacy I’d be proud to leave behind.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/javina22/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jorge.avina1
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jorgealbertoavina9014
Image Credits
Marc Cartwright Headshot Photography
Suzana Palyan
Vanie Poyey Photography
