My old pal, Lurene, who lives in La Jolla, California, has been dying for me to meet her new hunky trainer, Jorge del Busto. I was intrigued, to say the least. And so, after attending a benefit in San Diego, I breezily drive up on the I-5 to the charming and unmistakably rich seaside town—think Nice, France.  The only good thing about the eternal wait at the town’s traffic lights is I get a chance to eye the art in all those galleries. I especially like the paintings by Dr. Seuss and Grace Slick.

Anyhow, back to the hunk. Raised in Buenos Aires, Jorge migrated to Chicago in 1995. He initially earned four dollars an hour cleaning bathrooms in a health club, despite the fact that he was an aerobics champion in South America, and had earned a teaching degree. At times, he even had to sleep on the street. Eventually, he became a U.S. aerobics champion, winning gold and silver medals, and even appeared on that catty chatty morning show, The View. He has a strong commitment to the fight against AIDS, and has designed an innovative program for PWAs, which has been recognized and endorsed by many branches of government, including Robert Fogal of President Clinton’s Advisory Council on HIV and AIDS. It includes nutritional counseling, and an in-depth program tailored to a person’s level of fitness. Jorge is also involved with many other charities: supporting senior health, Alzheimer’s Association, and abused kids. 

Poor Lurene had an appointment with her probation officer (don’t ask!), Jorge suggested that we meet at the elegant restaurant Nine-Ten in the historic Grande Colonial Hotel (1913), where I am staying in a spacious suite with a glorious view of the ocean. (Backstory:  while Gregory Peck was growing up in La Jolla, his father, a pharmacist, used to work at the La Jolla Drug Store, now the site of Nine-Ten).

Ruby Comer: Like any journalist, I snooped [Jorge smiles skeptically] and discovered that you are an artist, speak four languages, and have practiced yoga and meditation since you were eight.  You also donate to and volunteer at many organizations. Why?

Jorge del Busto: At thirteen, I remember my school took a trip to this place where deformed and abused kids lived. It was scary at first but then I realized that they were just like me: they wanted to learn and they wanted love. It also made me understand how petty some of my concerns were, especially since I had both arms, or whatever. They were the sweetest kids I ever met, and they inspired me to help others. And at fifteen, I began working with seniors.

Lordie, you’re not only good looking but bright too!

[His brown bedroom eyes dart downward for a second.] I could identify with these kids by feeling left behind. I was also abused. When I was five years old I got raped three times by the son of our maid who was nineteen. It was horrible. I couldn’t say anything because he said he would kill me. When my father found out, he beat me with a whip. I didn’t understand.

(Aghast) Your father beat you?

He didn’t want to have a son who got penetrated by another man.

That is such twisted thinking.

He said ‘I’m so embarrassed of you.’ He was making it my problem.

Whew! You’ve come a long way. You should be very proud of yourself. Jorge, have you lost anyone to AIDS?

Yes, in the eighties, a very close artist friend, Pedro, who lived in Paraguay. He kept it from me till the very end. He was in a lot of pain. I spent the last hours with him.

What was that like for you?

I cried a lot. I don’t have many friends so when I lost him it was very hard. His death propelled me to investigate the AIDS epidemic. I began teaching classes to those who were HIV-positive, and I raised money for the hospital that was conducting research on the virus at the time.

You confront grief by taking action and helping others. Bravo for you, Senor.

It’s actually kind of selfish because it makes me feel good when someone else is feeling good.

What’s your take on the afterlife?

I was raised Catholic, but I don’t practice now. When you die your soul goes to a better place where you continue to improve on yourself.

I hope you’re right. C’mon, being a fitness expert, give me a little crumb of advice.

Whatever you eat—balance. Traveling in different countries, I was shocked at the huge portions that are served in American restaurants, and people eat everything on their plate.

I know, it’s grotesque.

One thing I tell my clients, very simply, is to eat half of whatever you eat. [On the program] I go to restaurants and shop for groceries with my clients.  I teach them what is best to eat for their bodies.

I wouldn’t mind looking after your body, Jorge. Oh, did I say that?! That just sort of slipped out.

You’re kind. I wanted to say one other thing. I see a lot of people who don’t have any incentive. They just let life go by. With all the opportunity you have in this country how can you do that? Don’t just sit watching TV. Make yourself more useful. Do something. Help someone.

This summer watch for the release of Jorge’s two videos, aromatherapy energy fragrance, and a line of athletic wear (a percentage of all revenues will be donated to AIDS charities). Check out Jorge at his website, www.jorgedelbusto.com.

Ruby Comer is an independent journalist from the Midwest who is happy to call Hollywood her home away from home. Reach her by e-mail at MsRubyComer@aol.com.