Legendary Arnold Schwarzenegger: a philosophy of life
Arnold Schwarzenegger is a legendary name in bodybuilding, and so much more. In the book Education of a Bodybuilder, Arnold himself wrote about what the camera never showed — personal relationships, years of love, and the philosophy that made him not just a winner but a role model for generations.
A legendary man outside the arena
Arnold liked Barbara right away — though not because she knew who he was. In fact, she knew nothing about sport and only learned of his titles and wins a few weeks after they met. He appealed to her as a person, not as Mr. Universe.
It was a completely new experience for Arnold. Barbara helped him learn English and genuinely cared — not about a sports star, but about a person. Arnold, used to keeping emotional defenses up, felt something more than mere amusement.
Their time together lasted until the end of summer. Barbara went back to San Diego, Arnold to Europe. Once on the plane, he wrote her a letter — practically unheard of for him. Friends joked that he was in love, and he was taken aback by how plainly it showed.
Two years later, after graduating, Barbara moved to Santa Monica. They stayed together. Arnold noticed that his house was no longer just a place to sleep — there was something more to it.
A principle for life: standing still is impossible
The conflict grew gradually. Barbara wanted a stable, peaceful life — a reasonable wish for a reasonable person. Arnold couldn’t even imagine such a life. To him, life was not mere existence but constant forward motion, climbing higher, achieving.
So what actually happened? When Arnold moved from bodybuilding into film and went to Alabama to shoot Stay Hungry, Barbara went back home. It was a hard time for him. It felt as if something good and beautiful had been torn away.
It was a loss of a kind he had never felt before. Barbara had taught him to value a woman’s company. His heart wanted to stay; his mind understood that it would never have worked out anyway — Barbara’s vision of life and Arnold’s were simply too different.
Honestly, this is the price that boundless ambition sometimes demands. Not everyone can always keep the same pace.
A legendary leader in the bodybuilding world
Arnold withdrew from active competition but never left bodybuilding, moving from guide to mentor. Young bodybuilders came to him with all their worries — asking which competitions to enter, at what body weight, which posing trunks to wear, which oil to use and how to pose. They wanted advice on negotiating contracts and help with writing articles.
Training alongside younger athletes every summer was emotionally moving for him. No matter who you train with, it’s interesting how the bodies become one — for three months you train together, eat together, lie in the sun, encourage each other. It creates a bond that is hard to put into words.
Summing up his competitive career, Arnold noted that he had lost only three competitions — and even then never placed lower than second. He wished that more money flowed through bodybuilding, and that most of it reached the competitors directly rather than ending up in the organizers’ pockets.
FAQ
Why is Arnold Schwarzenegger so legendary in bodybuilding?
Arnold won both the Mr. Olympia and Mr. Universe titles several times. But his influence reached further — he brought bodybuilding to a much wider audience, mentored dozens of athletes and popularized training as a lifestyle, not just a competitive sport.
What did Arnold do after competing actively?
He stayed in the bodybuilding world, but as a leader and mentor — helping organize the Mr. Olympia and Mr. Universe competitions, advising young bodybuilders on posing, contracts and career decisions, and moving into film in parallel.
What is Arnold’s life principle?
Arnold has repeatedly stressed that life means constant forward motion. Standing still was unacceptable to him — whether in sport, film or business. This conviction shaped his entire career and personal life, often at a high personal price.
Author: joker
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