Bruce Lee immortalized himself as the zenith of Martial Arts. His mastery over the sport put him on a pedestal that everyone worships. Lee is given as an example to all aspiring martial artists, and rightly so. One of the people who have used Lee as an example is Jean-Claude Van Damme, the Belgian actor, martial artist, filmmaker, and fight choreographer.

In an interview by Don Warrener, a martial artist himself, Jean-Claude Van Damme revealed that Bruce Lee was an inspiration for him in his journey to becoming a renowned martial artist and fighter.

When Don Warrener asked Van Damme, what was the one piece of advice he would give young martial artists, Van Damme divulged that he modeled himself after The Little Pheonix. According to the Belgian, “The first thing you must do is to be in absolutely perfect physical condition. This means you must really watch your diet and you must also train weights so that you look lean and cut as much as possible.” And for Jean Claude Van Damme, no one came close to Bruce Lee in having a defined physique.

He appreciated Lee’s figure saying, “Take a look at Bruce’s photos or him in “Enter The Dragon” and you will see how cut he was. His total body fat had to be about 4 percent. He was real lean and in great shape. I did exactly the same thing. I still train hard, and before I go into a picture I increase my training and really watch my diet.”

Read more: ?That Kick Speed Is Blinding?: Resurfaced Video of Bruce Lee?s Iconic Martial Arts Style Leaves Fans in Frenzy

When it comes to succeeding in Hollywood, building his physique was not the only thing Lee did right. Van Damme cited Bruce Lee as an example in other things as well.

How Bruce Lee built his Hollywood career

Jean Claude Van Damme’s suggestion was that to make it big in Hollywood, one has to actually be in Hollywood. Bruce Lee left Hong Kong to move to Hollywood in the 1960s. Chuck Norris followed the same pattern and moved to Hollywood from Oklahoma to make it big. Even Jean Claude left behind his home in Brussels so that he could be discovered in Hollywood.

Bruce Lee was not the last martial artist who left their home behind to become a movie star, but none is quite as celebrated as Bruce Lee. His movies have a cult following, more so because of the mysterious circumstances surrounding his demise. But largely because he was a personality impossible to ignore because of his innate grace and speed.

Watch This Story: Relive the Iconic on-Screen Fights of the GOAT Bruce Lee From His Movie Collection

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